Best progression routes in Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree
FromSoftwareElden Ring‘s base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC have some of the biggest open worlds and confusing progression of any Soulsborne title. With the newest expansion, FromSoftware have made sure that players must explore the world in order to get their desired items.
However, many new players are still getting into the game, and the sheer size and lore of The Lands Between might prove to be overwhelming for them. That’s why we’ve made this progression guide that will help you navigate the world freely, including the recommended levels for each region.
Best routes & recommended levels in base game
| Region | Recommended level | Weapon upgrade level |
|---|---|---|
| West Limgrave | Level 1-15 | Upgrades +0 |
| East Limgrave | Level 10+ | Upgrades +1 |
| South Limgrave/Weeping Peninsula | Level 15-20 | Upgrades +2 |
| Stormveil Castle | Level 30+ | Upgrades +3 |
| Liurnia of the Lakes | Level 40 | Upgrades +4 |
| Academy of Raya Lucaria | Level 45+ | Upgrades +5 |
| South Caelid | Level 55+ | Upgrades +5 |
| Altus Plateau | Level 65+ | Upgrades +11 |
| Mt. Gelmir/Volcano Manor | Level 70+ | Upgrades +13 |
| Leyndell, Royal Capital | Level 85+ | Upgrades +15 |
| Forbidden Lands/Mountaintops of the Giants | Level 100+ | Upgrades +22 |
| Consecrated Snowfields | Level 110+ | Upgrades +24 |
| Miquella’s Haligtree | Level 120+ | Upgrades +25 |
| Crumbling Farum Azula | Level 120+ | Upgrades +25 |
| Leyndell, Ashen Capital | Level 130+ | Upgrades +25 |
As you start your journey in Elden Ring, you will be dropped in Limgrave, the western region of it to be exact. You might feel like exploring right away and heading off to different regions of the map, but we advise you to stick to this area until you level up a bit, and then head to the eastern Mistwood region.
FromSoftwareYou will be coming across several underground regions as well such as Nokron, Nokstella, Deeproot Depths, Lake of Rot, and Moghwyn Mausoleum. These regions are directly linked to the game’s storyline, so as long as you are keeping up with the list above and not rushing, you will be fine.
Exploration tips
One of the biggest problems many players face in Elden Ring is being under-leveled for battle due to rushing through areas. Keep in mind that over-leveling is never an issue, but under-leveling definitely is. So make sure to grind up a few levels before heading into difficult areas.
Once you leave the Academy of Raya Lucaria, you will be tasked to head for Leyndell, Royal Capital in Altus Plateau. However, do not forget to visit Mt Gelmir and complete the Volcano Manor questline to get one of the best weapons in the game, the Blasphemous Blade.
Once you’re done with everything that is needed in this region, head to the Royal Capital, and complete the region to reach the Mountaintops of the Giants. This is where the enemies will start hitting really hard, so make sure to rank up your Vigor.
Best DLC progression route & recommended levels
| Region | Recommended Scadutree Blessing level |
|---|---|
| Gravesite Path | Level 1-3 |
| Belurat, Tower Settlement | Level 3-6 |
| Castle Ensis | Level 6-8 |
| Scadu Altus | Level 8-10 |
| Shadow Keep (Storehouse) | Level 10-12 |
| Cerulean Coast & Stone Coffin Fissure | Level 11-12 |
| Jagged Peak | Level 12-13 |
| Ancient Ruins of Rauh | Level 13+ |
| Abyssal Woods | Level 14+ |
| Shadow Keep (complete exploration) | Level 15+ |
| Ancient Ruins of Rauh (complete exploration) | Level 16+ |
| Enir Ilim | Level 17-20 |
FromSoftwareJust like the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree DLC also has some pretty twisted areas. With leveling being completely different due to the inclusion of Scadutree Fragments, you can head over to locations where you will find these first.
DLC tips
Scadutree Blessing is the basis of leveling up in the DLC, as you will have to collect these fragments to grow stronger. Heading out to a random area is certainly possible considering how convoluted the map is. However, it’s better if you know when to get out of areas you are under-leveled for.
For example, reaching the Cerulean Coast and even Stone Coffin Fissure even before entering Shadow Keep is quite possible in the DLC, but you might be extremely overwhelmed by enemies in that area. Similarly, facing the main boss of Shadow Keep is also possible earlier than expected.
So make sure that you are well-prepared before heading off to newer areas in the DLC as some of them can be really punishing for under-leveled players.
Exploring is a massive aspect of Elden Ring’s gameplay experience, and FromSoftware have made sure to reward players with some of the best weapons to take on all the difficult bosses in the game if they explore the map and find them out.