Game of the Year winner Elden Ring recently announced that its first DLC is under development and shall bear the title Shadow of the Erdtree. While no release date has been given, fans of the epic open-world game can blow a sigh of relief at the knowledge that the game will receive the additions it deserves.
By analyzing the title, accompanying concept art, and the history of previous FromSoftware expansion packs, it is possible to theorize about what can be expected from this highly anticipated DLC for Elden Ring.
7 A Different Timeline
As Elden Ring is following in the footsteps of previous Soulsborne games, which typically feature expansion packs that take place in the past or future, it is extremely likely that Shadow of the Erdtree will have a different timeline to the vanilla game.
In further evidence of this, eagle-eyed fans have noticed that the figure riding Torrent in the concept art for the expansion pack appears to be Miquella, the twin brother of Malenia. It is, therefore, speculated that the new story will explore the memory of Miquella in a time long before current events.
6 New Characters
With a new narrative almost certainly on the cards, new characters can also be expected by fans eagerly anticipating the release of Elden Ring's first DLC. New characters can come in many different forms in an open-world game expansion, from major players within the plot to minor NPCs who act as merchants.
If there is a change in the timeline then players might also get to see different sides to existing characters, or they might even get to see legendary figures they have only heard about thus far. The best example of this is the likelihood of Miquella featuring in Shadow of the Erdtree, seeing as he can be seen riding on the back of the player's mount, Torrent, in the concept art.
5 New Armor
Wearing protective gear in a hard game like Elden Ring is important, but not as important as looking good while slaying bosses. With the upcoming expansion, players can expect a range of new armor sets and outfit options to make them stand out in the Lands Between.
Depending on the theme of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, any new armor's aesthetic could be vastly different from those currently available in the base game. Alternatively, the DLC could deliver more of what the fans already love, but a mix of the two is the most likely outcome.
4 New Landscapes
Elden Ring is a gigantic open-world game with a range of unique areas that differ vastly in aesthetics and ambiance. For example, toward the end of the game, players gain access to the snowbound mountain tops, and throughout their time in the Lands Between, they are able to descend to a whole other world beneath the map.
As many different environments already exist in Elden Ring, the developers will have a tough time coming up with something to make Shadow of the Erdtree feel unique, but no doubt they will succeed.
3 New Weapons And Spells
It is very likely that an array of new weapons and spells will be added to the game with Shadow of the Erdtree. With unique visuals and abilities, any new weapons will have to be found first, giving players even more reason to explore any new lands.
Once in possession of new weapons and spells, Elden Ring players will have to figure out exactly how to get the most out of them with completely new builds. It is also possible that an entirely new damage type gets added, giving players a new angle to take down bosses.
2 New Bosses
Bosses are the linchpin of Elden Ring and the Soulsborne genre in general, and players can undoubtedly expect a whole host of fresh foes to slay in the upcoming DLC. From their incredible design steeped in intricate lore to their complexity in combat, if the bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree are anything like the ones present in the base game, then players are in for a treat.
Not only can players expect more bosses, but likely harder ones too which will test the skill of those who have already become Elden Lord. In the case of a time jump, players might even encounter bosses who were already slain before the events of the base game.
1 A Quality Experience
The number one thing that fans can expect from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is a quality playing experience. This is something that FromSoftware has delivered time and time again, most recently with Elden Ring itself.
Coming out at least a year after the release of the game, plenty of time seems to have been dedicated to crafting a complete expansion. Not only can players expect great quality, but also a high quantity of content too with enough for players to sink their teeth into for hours and hours.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Shadow of the Erdtree is currently in development.