The Land of Shadow is vast, and you will realize that as soon as you step into theElden Ring: Shadow of The Erdtree DLC. However, the number of main bosses in the DLC is quite low compared to the majority of optional bosses. The sheer number of these bosses can easily overwhelm any player, and it’s easy to miss out on some as they are hidden carefully.

Whether you are looking to clear only the main bosses to get to the final boss as quickly as possible, or to collect every Remembrance so you don’t miss out on anything the Land of Shadow has to offer, this progression route will help you out in doing both most efficiently.

The map shows the Gravesite Plain region in the Land of Shadow.

Gravesite Plain

The Gravesite Plain is the starting point of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. You will spawn here and will be greeted by aFurnace Golem, which is an optional elite-class enemy. You can also choose to beat theBlackgoal Knight. As you make your way further,you’ll reach theThree-Path Cross Site of Grace, which links the area toBeluratandCastle Ensis.

Divine Beast Dancing Lion

If you head west from the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace, you’ll reach Belurat, the first legacy dungeon of the DLC. At the end of the dungeon, you’ll have to fight against theDivine Beast Dancing Lion, a main boss, but will be unable to progress further for now, so it’s time to go back.

Rellana, Twin Moon Knight

After clearing Belurat, you’ll have to make your way back to the Thee-Path Cross Site of Grace andhead east towards Caste Ensis.Rellana, Twin Moon Knightwill be waiting at the end of the area, guarding the entrance to the Scadu Altus Region.

Scadu Altus

The Scadu Altus region can be considered the heart of the Land of Shadow. While the Scadu Altus area itselfmight not feature any major bosses, it connects to about every other part of the map, making it necessary for you to reach this area as soon as possible.

From here,you’ll be able tohead to the Shadow Keepto progress the main story, or continue to explore other regions and questlines.

Elden-Ring-Shadow-Of-The-Erdtree-Divine-Beast-Dancing-Lion-Phase-Two-Lightning

Shadow Keep

After exploring Scadu Altus, you shouldhead straight to theShadow Keep area. You’ll find the demigod,Messmer The Impaler here, which is another main boss. Clearing Shadow Keep is also a required step in some NPC questlines.

Golden Hippopotamus

While it doesn’t reward you with a Remembrance, defeating theGolden Hippopotamusis required if you intend to progress the DLC story and clear the Shadow Keep. You’ll find this boss right at theentrance of Shadow Keep.

Messmer The Impaler

One of the most popular bosses in the DLC,Messmer the Impalerresides on the top floor of theSpecimen Storeroom areain the Shadow Keep. Defeating Messmer rewards you with a key item,Messmer’s Kindling, as well as provides access to theAncient Ruins of Rauh region.

If you want to finish the DLC’s story as fast as possible, you can skip the rest of the locations and major bosses to head directly to the Ancient Ruins of Rauh area.

Elden Ring Rellana coated in flame from a fire incantation hitting her

Cerulean Coast

The Cerulean Coast is a beautiful area, which can beaccessed directly from the Gravesite Plain region, but it is preferred to do so when you’ve at least cleared the Shadow Keep so you canhead to the Stone Coffin Fissure, defeat the boss there, and continueThollier’s Questline.

Putrescent Knight

Putrescent Knightis a major boss that you’ll encounter in the Stone Coffin Fissure area. The boss is guardingaccess to St. Trina. After you’ve defeated the Putrescent Knight, you’re able to return to the Scadu Altus region.

Abyssal Woods

After clearing the Stone Coffin Fissure area, you can head back to the Shadow Keep and make your way to theDarklight Catacombs, which will lead you to the Abyssal Woods region.

From the Shadow Keep’s entrance, you’ll have to navigate your way till you reach theCaste Watering Hole Site of Grace. Progressing further in this area will lead you to the Darklight Catacombs. You also have to beatJori, Elder Inquisitorat the end of the dungeon.

The map shows the Scadu Atlas Region.

Midra, Lord Of Frenzied Flame

Midra, Lord Of Frenzied Flame, resides inMidra’s Manse in the Abyssal Woodsarea. The boss has two forms and you’ll have to defeat its human form first to fight its Lord of Frenzied Flame form.

Jagged Peak

After clearing the Abyssal Woods, you should have found the map fragment that reveals theJagged Peak Region. To get to this area, you’ll have tobacktrack to the Castle Front Site of Graceright in front of Castle Ensis andhead southeast to reach the Pillar Point Site of Grace, where you’ll also find Igon, The Drake Hunter, nearby.

Jagged Peak Drakes

As you progress through the Foot of the Jagged Peak area to reach the summit, you’ll come across aJagged Peak Drake. After defeating it and making further progress,you’ll have to fight against theTwin Jagged Peak Drakesthat are fighting each other.

Defeating the Twin Jagged Peak Drakes is also required to progressIgon’s quest.

The map shows the Shadow Keep region.

Ancient Dragon Senessax

While making your way to the top of the Jagged Peak, you’ll have to fight against theAncient Dragon Senessax. The Ancient Dragon is quite similar to its base game counterparts.

Bayle, The Dread

After defeating Ancient Dragon Senessax, you’ll have tomake your way to the summit of the Jagged Peak, where Bayle, The Dread, will be waiting for you. Summoning Igon during your fight againstBayle, The Dreadis required to finish his quest.

After Defeating Bayle, you can also go and talk to the Dragon Communion Priestess Florissax to end her quest.

Player watches as Hornsent and Redmane Freyja fight the Golden Hippopotamus in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

you may also reach the Charo’s Hidden Grave area by going south from the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion.

Scadutree Base

To get to the Scadutree Base, goback to the Moorth Ruins in the Scadu Altus region. From there, you can make your way to the Bonny Village and head northeast to reach theShadow Keep, Church District Area, which will lead you straight to the Scadutree Base.

Scadutree Avatar

After making your way through the Shadow Keep, Church District, you’ll reach theScadutree Base area, where you’ll find theScadutree Avatar. Defeating the boss rewards you with its Remembrance andMiquella’s Great Rune, which will be useful in your fight against the final boss of the DLC.

Scaduview

Toget to Scaduviewand fight againstCommander Gaius, you’ll have to progress through the Shadow Keep’s Church District area until you reach theSpecimen Storehouse. From there, you’ll end up at the Shadow Keep, Back Gate.

The boss is right there as soon as you go out in the open. Furthermore, you can alsoreach the Hinterland regionfrom this location by using the ‘O Mother’ Gesture on Marika’s Statue near the Shadow Keep, Back Gate Site of Grace.

The Tarnished has defeated Messmer, The Impaler.

Commander Gaius

You’ll fight against Commander Gaius in an open area.This boss has odd hitboxes, and it might evade most of your ranged attacks even when it shouldn’t, so you’ll have to be wary of that. And, after defeating the boss,you’ll receive the Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider.

Cathedral Of Manus Metyr

Now that you have access to the Scaduview region, you can reach the Cathedral of Manus Metyr with ease and then take onCount Ymir’s quest.Ymir’s Quest will take you to the Finger Ruins of Rhia and Hinterland, which is why you’d want to reach this place after you’ve unlocked the Hinterland region.

You can reach the Finger Ruins of Rhia from the Cerulean Coast quite early on, but there’s no point in going there before starting Ymir’s quest.

The map shows the Cerulean Coast region.

Metyr, Mother Of Fingers

Metyr, Mother of Fingerscan be fought during Count Ymir’s questline. The boss is found at the Finger Ruins of Miyr,under the Cathedral of Manus Metyr.

Defeating Metyr rewards you with its Remembrance, which can be traded for theStaff of the Great Beyond, or theGazing FingerColossal Weapon.

The Putrescent Knight jumping toward the Tarnished in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Ancient Ruins Of Rauh

The area is fairly difficult to navigate, due to the lack of the map fragment, which deceivingly appears to be in the southern part of the area. However, to get the map fragment for this region, you’ll have to access the Rauh Base area first, which can be accessed from a tunnelnortheast of the Moorth Ruins in Scadu Altus.

Romina, Saint Of The Bud

Rominais the next main DLC boss after Messmer that you’ll have to fight against. Defeating Romina will grant youaccess to the last dungeon of the DLC,Enir-Ilim.

Enir-Ilim

After defeating Romina, Saint of the Bud, and using Messmer’s Kindling, you will be teleported toEnir Ilim.Alternatively, you can alsohead to Belurat again, and access this area after heading upstairs from the Divine Beast Dancing Lion’s boss arena.

Needle Knight Leda

Right before your fight against the final boss, you’ll have toface Needle Knight Leda. Leda will be accompanied by her allies, and you will also be fighting this battle with your allies if you’ve done the respective NPCs' questlines.

Radahn, Promised Consort

Radahn, Promised Consort, is the final boss of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. During the second phase of the boss,Miquella will join Radahn, and you’ll have to deal with the powered-up version of the boss. Defeating the boss will give you access to a memory that shows acutscene of Miquella’s past.

The map shows the Abyssal Woods region.