Elden Ring - Race to the DLC - 07 - Stormveil Castle - Part 1

About Race to DLC

When news broke that Elden Ring was being blessed with a DLC, like the masses, I was ecstatic. However, when I learned that you had to defeat Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood before entering the realm of shadow, I was perplexed. That was until I understood the storied elements behind the decision, then it made perfect sense. It made sense, but it still sucked, because, like many, after beating the game, I stored up upgrade Mats and entered New Game Plus.

By utilizing my new game plus, getting to a starting point for Shadow of the Erd Tree was fairly simple. However, others that are attempting this feat without "New Game Plus" as springboard are struggling. One online friend even gave up outright.

Enter "Race to the DLC". This is NOT a traditional guide by any measurement. I am simply documenting a vanilla run to Shadow of the Erd Tree. I will be taking the most direct route. For example, When I reach Rykard, I will be using the shortcut to the boss fight. I will NOT be tackling the volcano manor assassinations. I will be looking for opportunities to level ASAP, being that the enemies in Shadow of the Erd Tree are NO JOKE.

~ Timestamps ~
00:00:00 - Race to the DLC
00:05:05 - Ash of War: Stamp (Sweep)
00:09:18 - Armorer's Cookbook [2]
00:15:00 - Tailoring Tools / Sewing Needle
00:18:08 - Grace #1 - Church of Dragon Communion
00:20:29 - Somber Smithing Stone [1]
00:24:12 - Smithing Stone [3]
00:25:28 - Grace #2 - Stormveil Cliffside
00:26:08 - Marred Leather Shield
00:28:12 - Hookclaws
00:33:06 - Curved Sword Talisman
00:38:12 - Grace #3 - Rampart Tower
00:52:00 - Brick Hammer
00:55:32 - Stonesword Key
00:57:22 - Smithing Stone [1]
00:57:51 - Claw Talisman
01:02:33 - Ash of War: Storm Assault
01:04:44 - Marred Wooden Shield
01:10:00 - Aspects of the Crucible: Horns
01:13:13 - Smithing Stone [2]
01:29:33 - Somber Smithing Stone [2]
01:30:21 - Hawk Crest Shield
01:30:27 - Misericorde
01:31:38 - Iron Whetblade
01:33:18 - Chrysalid's Memento