Elden Ring Devs “Have Faith” Novices Can Overcome DLC’s Challenges Without Completing Base Game

Elden Ring players are (surprisingly) keen to face more unforgiving combat with challenging exploration and investigation in FromSoftware’s upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. The expansion will focus on antagonist Messmer the Impaler’s presence in the Land of Shadow – a setting that was hidden in plain sight within the base game’s Lands Between.

Shadow of the Erdtree will not only unlock pockets of lore for enthusiasts to lose themselves in, as players’ attack and defense will also be given a boost in battle thanks to the expansion’s new blessing system. Additionally, this Soulslike experience will put gamers in the mood to play August’s release of Black Myth: Wukong.

New Elden Ring Players Should Gain Enough Experience To Tackle The DLC WIthout Completing The Base Game

In an interview with PC Gamer, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed the pool of players who are known to dip into YouTube videos, Wiki pages, and other guides to help them on their journey through the Lands Between – a method that will likely apply to the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion as well.

However, for new players coming into the Elden Ring realm, hooked by the hype building behind the DLC’s release, Miyazaki is confident these novices will gain enough experience without completing the base game entirely, saying the developers “have faith that they will be able to continue, find these secrets and overcome these challenges.”

To unlock the DLC, new players will have to play up until Mohgwyn Palace in the base game and touch the cocoon containing Miquella. It will also be required to defeat the bosses Radahn and Mohg, which ensures players are leveled between 120 and 150 to conquer the challenges in Shadow of the Erdtree.

FromSoftware Devs Are Partial To Elden Ring Players Who Don’t Use Guides

On the subject of guides, Miyazaki and the team understood several players relied on guides to help them navigate the Lands Between in Elden Ring. However, the devs “try to cater to the player who is completely blind and wants to go through organically.”

If players struggle to complete their journey in the base game unaided, the president was transparent in saying “there’s some room for improvement on our behalf”, if that is the case. Despite designing gameplay in tune with the organic players, Miyazaki added the team will “try to embrace” the Tarnished who prefer a helping hand in the future.

Finally, Miyazaki made it clear to the fandom that this inclusion doesn’t mean future FromSoftware content will treat guided playthroughs as a “prerequisite”, but explained: “We don’t necessarily cater to players who are reading guides as they go. Of course, it’s a perfectly valid playstyle, and we respect those players who like to approach it with a guide in hand. We just want to let you know it’s not our prerequisite, designing the game in their favor.”

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is scheduled to be released on June 21, 2024.

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Elden Ring: 10 Things You Must Do Before Shadow Of The Erdtree Arrives

Shadow of the Erdtree’s release date is set (June 21), and players should ensure they’re ready to venture back into The Lands Between.