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The Abyssal Woods is a hidden location that you’re able to explore inElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. To access the area, you will need to progress through multiple secret passages and defeat a couple of bosses along the way.
Exploring the Abyssal Woods is well worth it because of some of the items you may get here, including a couple of new weapon archetypes, Aged One’s Exultation, and someScadutree Fragmentalong with a few other things. Here is how you can easily access the Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring, uncovering its secrets and obtaining these rare items to aid you on your journey.
How To Access The Abyssal Woods
to reach the Abyssal Woods, you will need to start from the ‘Main Gate Plaza’ Site of Grace. There are two ways to access this area:
To unlock the ‘Main Gate Plaza’ Site of Grace, you will need todefeat the Golden Hippopotamus.
It is a fairly simple boss if you can deal with the annoying camera angles. Not only does it not have a lot of HP, but it is alsovery weak to slash damage, especially when used in combination with some fire damage. If you are running a Faith build, thePest Threads can kill itin a couple of casts. It does not have much poise either, so something likethe Rock Sling can help you easily staggerit.
How To Find The Hidden Coffin
Once you have defeated the Golden Hippopotamus,enter the door on the leftside of the arena. Continue up the wooden stairs until youreach a dining hall with two Black Knights.
About halfway along the wooden stairs,a Messmer Soldier will try to throw you offthe edge, so be mindful of that.
Exit the room via a door on the left side of the fireplace to come acrossa long alley with some boats burningin the middle. You will also need to deal with some Shadow Militiamen as you are progressing through this area. At the end of the alleyway, you willsee a ladder on the leftside.
There is a ramp going down the right side of the area with a locked door at the end that leads you back to the ‘Main Gate Plaza’ Site of Grace if you need a shortcut.
Descend the ladder, turn left, and then head downanother ladder behind the waterfall. You will eventually find yourself insidea room with a painting. Toward the right side of this painting is anIllusory Wall that you can hitto reveal a secret passage. At the end of this area, interact with the coffin to reach the ‘Caste Watering Hole’ Site of Grace.
How To Find The Darklight Catacombs
From the Site of Grace,stick to the right side toward the waterfallat the end to reach the ‘Recluses’ River Upstream’ Site of Grace.
One of theFlame Giantswill wake upas you are progressing through the area, but it should not cause much trouble if you rush straight to the next Site of Grace.
Continue to head down the path along the mountain, and you will reach the ‘Recluses’ River Downstream’ Site of Grace after a small fall.Torrent is very helpfulhere, since it makes crossing the gaps in the mountain path much easier.
If you look down from the ‘Recluses’ River Downstream’ Site of Grace, you should be able tosee some tombstones. You can use Torrent to drop on these platforms in order to reach the very bottom of the area. Once you are down, head to theleft side of the waterfall to come across another set of tombstonesto drop further.
If parkour is not your thing, you canhead down the path normally, butyou will have to deal with unnecessary enemy encounters.
Once you are all the way down, head towards thesoutheast edge of the Recluses’ River Downstreamto find the entrance to the Darklight Catacombs.
It is a pretty linear dungeon with no puzzles of any kind. It is, however, extremely dark, sobe sure to bring a Torch. Continue to head down the elevators until you find the area’s boss:Jori, Elder Inquisitor.
How To Defeat Jori, Elder Inquisitor
Jori can be a little annoying to deal with due to his range and the summons that he conjures throughout the fight. He alsodeals a ton of Holy damage, so be sure to prepare accordingly. Similar to the Golden Hippopotamus, he isweak to fire damage. Also, since he can be backstabbed, you should try to get in close, strafe around his spells, and backstab him whenever possible.
If you are overwhelmed by his summons, use yours as well — it is only fair.
After defeating Jori, rest at the ‘Forsaken Graveyard’ Site of Grace beforeentering the Abyssal Woods.
You cannot use Torrent to explore the areabecause the poor spectral steed is too frightened.
Before you get to exploring the area,be sure to grab the Map Fragmentto make your life easier.
