Elden Ring DLC ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ Release Date Confirmed, Promises Darker Story and New Realms

FromSoftware has finally pulled back the fog on its long-anticipated Elden Ring DLC, “Shadow of the Erdtree,” confirming a June 21, 2024 release date alongside a chilling new trailer and promising a deeper descent into the mythos of the Lands Between.

The cinematic teaser, posted early this morning, features haunting visuals and a cryptic narrative voiceover, offering tantalizing glimpses of new enemies, vast uncharted landscapes, and a cloak-shrouded figure fans speculate is Miquella, brother of Malenia. FromSoftware president and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed in an interview that the DLC will focus on “darker underlying threads” left unresolved in the base game, with players venturing into a “new realm untouched by grace.”

“Shadow of the Erdtree” appears to introduce a brand-new map separate from the Lands Between, filled with secrets, corrupted ruins, and even more grotesquely beautiful boss encounters. The trailer also hinted at new Spirit Ashes, weapons featuring unexplored magic types, and expanded NPC questlines that could have consequences reaching into the game’s multiple endings.

FromSoftware has confirmed that players will need to defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood, in order to access the DLC content—a move that suggests the expansion is tailored toward mid- to late-game players rather than newcomers. “It’s an extension of the Elden Ring experience, not a separate chapter,” said Miyazaki. “We want players to feel that sense of dread and awe again.”

The studio also announced that the DLC will release simultaneously across all platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders for digital and physical collector’s editions are already live, with deluxe perks including a hardcover lore book and a detailed figure of the mysterious new antagonist glimpsed in the trailer.

As speculation swirls and lore theories ignite across fan forums, one thing is certain: “Shadow of the Erdtree” is shaping up to be a monumental return to the dark fantasy that made Elden Ring one of 2022’s most celebrated games—and FromSoftware isn’t done making us suffer just yet.