What is the recommended level for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?

The recommended level for Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is determined by one fact: This expansion is much more difficult than the base game. However powerful you felt exploring the Lands Between in the original Elden Ring, you’re probably going to feel overwhelmed by what’s to come, so plan accordingly.

In this Elden Ring guide, we’ll break down the recommended level for playing Shadow of the Erdtree, and offer some advice as to how you can get strong enough for the DLC.

Recommended level for Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree

To be clear, there is no official level requirement for playing the DLC. All you really need to do is beat two bosses — Radahn and Mohg — to access Shadow of the Erdtree. But in terms of a recommended level for playing Shadow of the Erdtree, we can look to FromSoftware’s implied advice.

During a recent hands-on preview event for Shadow of the Erdtree attended by Polygon, the premade characters available during our hands-on time were upgraded to level 150. I ultimately completed Shadow of the Erdtree at character level 200.

Between those two, that should give you an idea of what level you should be at for the Elden Ring DLC.

But there’s another important character stat to consider when diving into the DLC: your Vigor.

Recommended Vigor level for Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

Vigor is the stat that governs your character’s health, or HP. Vigor also increases your character’s fire resistance and Immunity, the resistance toward poison and rot. We recommend having a Vigor of at least 60 (the stat’s “soft cap”), which would give your character a baseline HP of 1900.

Why so high? The DLC bosses you’ll face in Shadow of the Erdtree hit extremely hard and extremely fast. Some of the more powerful boss attacks can easily one shot-kill your character if you have Vigor of 40 or below.

If you haven’t been putting Runes into your Vigor stat, it may be time to visit Rennala Queen of the Full Moon in Academy of Raya Lucaria. By using an item called a Larval Tear, you can reset and rearrange your character’s stats, diverting points from, say, Arcane or Faith into Vigor. Given the large number of new weapons, armor sets, and spells available in Shadow of the Erdtree, it may be worth re-evaluating your build anyway.

Another way to become stronger in the DLC

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

In addition to upgrading your character stats by leveling up at sites of grace, there’s a separate system for boosting your character’s stats. Scattered throughout the Land of Shadow is a new upgrade called Scadutree Fragments. These fragments can be found by killing certain creatures, like hippopotami and Shadow Undead who are carrying sparkling pots over their heads. Many Scadutree Fragments can also be found hidden throughout the Land of Shadow.

Scadutree Fragments can be cashed in at sites of grace to upgrade your Scadutree Blessing. This blessing will give your character an across-the-board permanent boost to their stats, but only while in the shadow realm. (Scadutree Blessing does not carry over to the Lands Between in the main game.)

In addition to Scadutree Fragments, you’ll also find Revered Spirit Ashes. These upgrades will give your Spirit Ash summons and your steed Torrent more health. Cash them in at sites of grace whenever you get them.

When in doubt, level up the old-fashioned way

While Scadutree Fragments will give your character a healthy boost, there’s still value in leveling up the traditional way. Fortunately, there are dozens of highly valuable runes scattered throughout the Land of Shadow that you can cash in to quickly level up — and the good news is since you’ve now reached Mohgwyn Palace to start the DLC, the best rune farming location is available to you.

Looking for more Shadow of the Erdtree guides? Check out our guides on new Elden Ring DLC weapons, armor, map fragments, sites of grace, and talismans. We’ve also got location guides on where to find Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, and an interactive Elden Ring DLC map, plus boss guides for the Blackgaol Knight, Divine Beast Dancing Lion, Golden Hippopotamus, and Rennalla, Twin Moon Knight.