Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
The best progression route for Shadow of the Erdtree is:
Gravesite Plain > Belurat Tower Settlement > Castle Ensis > Scadu Atlas > Shadow Keep > Cerulean Coast > Ancient Ruins of Rauh > Abyssal Woods > Jagged Peak > Enir Ilim
The Land of Shadow in Shadow of the Erdtree might not be quite as expansive as the Lands Between in Elden Ring itself, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a daunting task to explore. And with the DLC’s crushing difficulty, you don’t want to be roaming into places you’re not meant to be just to get demolished by the first enemy you come across.
We’ve put together the best progression route for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC so you can make sure you’re always at an appropriate level for the area you’re heading to. It’s not going to make the game easy for you, but it certainly won’t be as difficult as beelining straight to the final area.
Best progression route for Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree is fairly open-ended and you can go a variety of different routes to the end game if you so choose. That being said, the areas are all scaled differently and you’ll have a much harder time going to certain areas near the start of your journey than others, especially if you don’t have enough Scadutree Fragments.
As such, here is the best progression route for the Land of Shadow:
- Gravesite Plain
- Belurat Tower Settlement
- Castle Ensis
- Scadu Altus
- Shadow Keep
- Cerulean Coast
- Ancient Ruins of Rauh
- Abyssal Woods
- Jagged Peak
- Enir Ilim
In the early game, you don’t really have much choice but to explore Gravesite Plain, Belurat Tower Settlementt and Castle Ensis, and that’s a good thing as the Scadutree Fragments you’ll find here prepare you for what’s ahead.
Once you beat Rellana at Castle Ensis, you’ll want to explore Scadu Altus, a huge area that again has plenty to complete and some more upgrades to be found. At this point, you’re basically in the mid-game of the DLC so-to-speak. We’ve gone for Shadow Keep, Cerulean Coast and the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, but really these can be done in whatever order you prefer as they all have their pros and cons.
Once you’ve completed those three, we’re really entering the final and hardest phase of the DLC. Abyssal Woods and Jagged Peak are both incredibly tough areas with equally tough bosses, setting you up to finish off the DLC in Enir Ilim at the end.
