If you are new to Elden Ring, you may be wondering if you have to beat the main game to start the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Look no further as this guide has everything you need to know about starting the DLC including how to access it and the best starting time.

Should you complete Elden Ring before starting Shadow of the Erdtree?

Simply put, you don’t need to beat Elden Ring to start Shadow of the Erdtree as it is not a prerequisite and isn’t necessary to understand the story of the expansion. Shadow of the Erdtree has its own storyline that takes place during the events of the main game, before you complete your journey of becoming Elden Lord. In that case, story-wise it makes most sense to tackle the DLC during your adventure through the base game.

The only requirement you need to complete to start Shadow of the Erdtree is to defeat Radahn in Caelid and Mohg, Lord of Blood in Mohgwyn Palace.

Best time to start Shadow of the Erdtree

The best starting time to begin Shadow of the Erdtree is really up to you and depends on how comfortable you are with your stats and build. FromSoftware is known for making their DLCs harder than the base game, and considering you have to defeat Mohg (one of the hardest bosses in the game), it’s smart to make sure you have high stats before attempting Shadow of the Erdtree.

In other words, look at Mohg, Lord of Blood as a skill check. If you can defeat Mohg comfortably with your stats and build, then you are ready for the Land of Shadows.

While everyone will have different starting times for attempting Shadow of the Erdtree depending on skill level, I recommend getting your character to at least level 100. This level is the recommended level for Mohg, Lord of Blood as well, and gives less skilled players, like myself, a fighting chance.

If you are worried about the best starting point regarding the overall game’s story, it doesn’t matter. Shadow of the Erdtree is its own story that is separate from the base game, while also fitting into the overall plot as a whole. The story of the expansion will make sense no matter when you start it.