Quick Answer
In Shadow of the Erdtree, do not treat every boss wall as a boss-order problem. First check your Scadutree Blessing, Revered Spirit Ash Blessing, map access, weapon upgrade state, and nearby side routes. If the next boss deletes you too quickly, route for fragments and survivability before assuming you need a perfect fight.
Route-First Decision Table
| Problem | Check first | Best next move |
|---|---|---|
| You do not know where to go next | New map fragment, unlocked cross marker, nearby Grace chain | Open the next region route before forcing a legacy dungeon |
| Rellana or another early wall feels unfair | Scadutree Blessing, weapon level, defensive talismans, and flask split | Collect nearby fragments and return with a cleaner build |
| Messmer or a mid-DLC wall is overwhelming | Blessing level, fire defense, boss punish windows, and missed side routes | Recheck earlier regions for fragments and optional rewards |
| Optional bosses look tempting | Reward value, difficulty spike, and whether the fight unlocks a useful tool | Delay hard optional bosses unless the reward fixes your current build |
| Spirit ash dies too fast | Revered Spirit Ash Blessing and summon role | Upgrade the ash blessing before judging the summon useless |
First-Clear Route Checks
- Confirm the base-game entry requirements are complete: Radahn and Mohg are dead, and the cocoon interaction is available.
- In each new region, secure map fragments and Sites of Grace before chasing every side path.
- Collect obvious Scadutree Fragments before committing to a major boss attempt.
- If a boss kills you in one or two mistakes, leave and raise blessing level before grinding attempts.
- Treat optional bosses as build checks: fight them early only when the reward or practice matters now.
- Before a legacy dungeon finale, revisit the latest open routes for missed fragments, tears, talismans, and NPC signs.
Boss Timing Guide
| Boss or route type | Fight now when | Delay when |
|---|---|---|
| Early region boss | You have explored nearby Graces and collected easy fragments | You reached the boss by sprinting past most side routes |
| Legacy dungeon boss | Your build has enough damage and two to three mistake tolerance | Every mistake is a one-shot and your blessing level is low |
| Optional field boss | It guards a reward that helps your current build | The fight costs many attempts and does not unlock your route |
| Remembrance boss | You understand the region route and have upgraded survival tools | You are missing map context, fragments, or core flasks |
| Late DLC boss | Blessing, spirit ash blessing, weapon, talismans, and consumables are all deliberate | You are still using base-game habits without DLC scaling checks |
Common Mistakes
- Searching only for boss order when the real blocker is low Scadutree Blessing.
- Entering a legacy dungeon finale before opening the nearby map and Grace routes.
- Dismissing a spirit ash before upgrading Revered Spirit Ash Blessing.
- Fighting every optional boss immediately even when the reward does not help the current build.
- Repeating a wall boss without changing defense, flasks, talismans, or route state.
Related Guides
- Elden Ring boss order
- Mohgwyn Palace and DLC access
- NPC questlines, endings, and DLC access
- Builds and weapons
- Back to the Elden Ring hub
FAQ
Where should I go next in Shadow of the Erdtree?
Start with map fragments, Grace chains, and nearby Scadutree Fragments. If the next visible boss is crushing you, open more of the region before treating that boss as the only path forward.
Should I collect Scadutree Fragments before the next boss?
Yes if the boss is killing you too quickly or your damage feels far behind. In the DLC, blessing level is a route check, not a side collectible.
Are optional DLC bosses worth doing early?
Only when their reward, practice value, or route unlock helps your current character. If an optional boss is eating attempts and does not improve your next main objective, mark it for later.
