Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree release date, trailer & everything we know
Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is the hotly anticipated first expansion to FromSoftware's magnum opus, and we've got everything you'll need to know to stay up to date, including the official release date and every single trailer.
Unlike most FromSoftware games, we've all been waiting a long while for new content in the game - but the official announcement just after the first anniversary gave fans exactly what they were looking for. Shadow of the Erdtree is certainly at the top of my list when it comes to anticipated titles, so join me in going over all of the details that have been revealed so far.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree release date
Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is scheduled to release on June 21, 2024.
This is over two years after the base game was first released, and is the longest we've had to wait for an expansion for a FromSoftware game - discounting titles that didn't get any DLC, of course.
I'll be counting down the days until it comes out though, and the wait will be as painful as the final boss I'm inevitably going to get stuck on!
All Shadow of the Erdtree trailers
There has only been one trailer for Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree so far, revealing three minutes of gameplay which has certainly driven up plenty of excitement.
The trailer shows off an abundance of new areas, enemies, weapons, and skills, giving even the most amateur of theorists a bunch of stuff to discuss and think about.
Hopefully, we'll get a few more sneak peeks before the DLC is released, as I know I'm not the only person out there dying to see everything and anything from the expansion.
What we expect for the Shadow of the Erdtree setting
Click to enlargeThe first trailer has revealed that Shadow of the Erdtree is set within the Land of Shadow, which is a world 'purged in an unsung battle' and 'set ablaze by Messmer's flame.'
It is a place that is obscured by the Erdtree and seems keenly linked to the Marika's origins too. From the trailer, I noticed an abundance of new areas, from vast expansive castles to dark and dingy swamps that will likely cause plenty of nightmares as players journey through them.
What do we know about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree lore?
Click to enlargeAs mentioned, Shadow of the Erdtree appears to be set within a different yet connected realm to the Lands Between - one which is astutely linked to Queen Marika and her child Miquella in particular.
It seems to link heavily to one character named Messmer - who appears to be the person cloaked in red within the trailer, and some fans have speculated to be the child of Rickard and a mysterious character named Daedicar.
Completing Rya's quest in the base game grants you the item 'Daedicar's Qoe', which describes the likeness of a woman whose skin was flayed, and gave birth to a myriad of grotesque children. The appearance of red snakes crawling behind what we can only presume to be Messmer only furthers this connected speculation.
It also appears that players will be guided by Miquella - perhaps from both a gameplay and narrative perspective - through the Land of Shadow, but what this entails and what lies in store are yet to be seen.
What platforms will Shadow of the Erdree release on?
Unsurprisingly, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree has been confirmed to be releasing for all of the base game's supported platforms, which are:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- PC (via Steam)
This is great news for anyone who hasn't managed to upgrade to the latest generation of consoles, and could also point to the DLC being released a bit sooner rather than later.
Make sure to check out our Elden Ring homepage if you're yet to explore the Lands Between, as we've got the best Astrologer and Samurai build for any keen magic or katana users, and the best rune farm to help you level up quickly.