The recently released Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduces a wealth of new content, including hidden locations, secret bosses, and powerful Elden Ring items. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the most elusive secrets I’ve discovered so far, ensuring you can experience this DLC to its fullest.
Unlocking the Hinterlands
One of the most challenging hidden areas to discover in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is the Hinterlands, tucked away in the top right corner of the map. While its entrance might seem elusive, it’s hiding in plain sight. Before you can access this area, you’ll need to acquire a specific gesture known as “O Mother.”
To obtain this gesture, head to Bonnie Village, a location accessible through the Mor Ruins. Upon entering the village, you’ll find a crass or hole in the ground leading to a tunnel. Follow this tunnel, and you’ll emerge in Bonnie Village. On the north side of the village, you’ll find a tree with a small headless statue at its base. Interact with the statue to obtain the “O Mother” gesture.
Next, make your way to the Shadowkeep Back Gate Site of Grace, the checkpoint right before the Commander Gas boss fight. Once there, look to your right and enter a room with a statue of Marika at the end. Use the “O Mother” gesture in front of the statue, and it will move aside, revealing the path to the Hinterlands. Inside, you’ll find a plethora of challenges, hidden treasures, and breathtaking scenery that make the journey worthwhile.
Defeating the Scary Eyeball Dudes
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduces new enemies that are as terrifying as they are challenging. Among them are the “crazy scary eyeball dudes,” humanoid creatures with an unsettling appearance and the ability to drain your soul. These enemies can be particularly difficult to deal with, but there are two effective strategies for taking them down.
First, you can parry their attacks, which will temporarily stun them and allow you to deal significant damage. This method requires precise timing but is highly effective if executed correctly. Alternatively, you can use the “Destined Death” incantation, a powerful spell that not only damages these enemies but also nullifies their soul-draining abilities. Whether you choose to parry or cast spells, overcoming these foes will require both skill and patience.
The Shadow Flower Boss Fight
Not all bosses in Elden Ring are easy to find, and the Shadow Flower is one such elusive enemy. This massive, intimidating boss can be encountered in the Church District of Shadowkeep, but only after you’ve completed a specific sequence of events.
To begin, ensure that you’ve drained the water in the church district by navigating through the dungeon, jumping across rooftops, and pulling a lever located at the top of an elevator shaft. Once the water is drained, return to the Church District Site of Grace, exit the building, and take a left. You’ll see an elevator that will take you down to the now-dry reservoir.
From here, take an immediate right, run past the giant dead tree, and enter a room where you’ll face a Fire Knight who can summon an endless horde of fire zombies. You can either fight this mini-boss or simply run past him. Ascend a small set of stairs, take a right, and you’ll come across a large stone door. Behind this door lies an elevator that will transport you to a cavernous area where the Shadow Flower awaits.
This boss battle is not only visually stunning, with one of the most atmospheric arenas in the game, but it also features a haunting soundtrack that perfectly complements the fight. Prepare for a challenging encounter, but rest assured, the rewards are worth the effort.
Exploring the Hidden Island
Elden Ring’s world is vast, and its many bodies of water often conceal hidden treasures. One such secret lies on a small island off the southwest coast of the map. If you’ve ever looked out over the ocean and wondered how to reach that distant landmass, here’s your answer.
Start by traveling to the Seruan Coast Site of Grace. From there, head due west until you reach another checkpoint, Seruan Coast West. Continue to the southwesternmost point of the area, where you’ll find a small ledge. Leap off this ledge onto a narrow outcropping below, and you’ll notice a hole in the ground.
Jump down the hole, and after navigating through the cave system below, you’ll emerge on the hidden island. Here, you’ll find not only valuable items but also a mausoleum containing a boss fight, along with a set of armor and weapons that are both aesthetically pleasing and powerful in combat. Be prepared to face some formidable crustaceans along the way, but the refor exploring this hidden area is substantial.
The Rua Map Piece
Locating map pieces in the Elden Ring is usually a straightforward task, but the Rua Map Piece, which reveals the top western quadrant of the map, is an exception. Many players, myself included, struggled to find this fragment, not realizing that the direct approach wasn’t the correct one.
To obtain this map piece, start at the Mor Ruins Site of Grace and head north until you reach a small body of water. Continue northward, and you’ll encounter a long cave. You can either fight your way through the enemies within or make a beeline for the exit.
Once outside, open your map and mark nyctional the location of the obelisk where the map piece is located. The journey to this obelisk will take you through treacherous terrain, but along the way, you’ll encounter stone golems and additional Sites of Grace. Be sure to interact with these checkpoints to save time on any future journeys. While this map piece might not be a grand secret, finding it without guidance can be frustrating, so I hope this helps streamline your exploration.
The Cathedral of Manis Mater and the Big Finger Boss
The Cathedral of Manis Mater is a key location in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, housing an important questline and a hidden boss. To unlock this content, you’ll need to progress the questline by obtaining a whistle from an NPC known as “the Jabron” who sits in a chair within the cathedral.
Once you have the whistle, head to the various “finger areas” scattered throughout the DLC and blow the whistle in front of the giant fingers. After completing this task and returning to the cathedral, you’ll find that the Jabron has disappeared, leaving behind a button that reveals a hidden ladder when pressed.
Descend the ladder to enter a new area, where you’ll encounter a creepy ambiance and eventually face off against the Big Finger boss. This fight is as eerie as it is challenging, with the boss’s grotesque design and unsettling moveset making it one of the most memorable encounters in the DLC. Defeating this boss not only advances the questline but also grants you access to valuable rewards, including a unique Spirit Ash or a powerful new katana.
Meeting Saint Trina
Finally, let’s talk about Saint Trina, an enigmatic NPC found at the bottom of a fissure on a giant peninsula in the southwestern corner of the map. To reach her, you’ll need to defeat the Putrescent Knight, a hidden boss known for its devastating frost AOE attack.
After defeating the Putrescent Knight, you’ll find Saint Trina at the bottom of the fissure. Interacting with her initially results in your character’s death, leading many players to believe it’s a dead end. However, persistence is key—return to Saint Trina multiple times, and eventually, you’ll trigger a cutscene where she speaks to you.
This interaction is part of a larger questline involving an NPC named Toer. After progressing the questline, Toer becomes a summonable ally for the final boss fight of the DLC. While the journey to uncovering Saint Trina’s secrets is fraught with challenges, the story that unfolds is both intriguing and tragic, typical of FromSoftware’s storytelling style.
Conclusion
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is filled with hidden ustunelyfe secrets, challenging bosses, and rewarding quests that make Elden Ring an even richer experience. Whether you’re seeking out elusive map pieces, battling grotesque bosses, or unraveling cryptic questlines, there’s always something new to discover in this dark and beautiful world. I hope this guide has helped you uncover some of the DLC’s most hidden content, and I encourage you to continue exploring and sharing your findings. Don’t forget to subscribe to MMOexp.com for more tips, guides, and buy Elden Ring Runes.
