Editorials
9 Things to Do Before the Shadow of the Erdtree Release Date
If you’ve pre-ordered Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, or if you’re thinking about doing so, there are some things you should do before the expansions release date.
After a lengthy wait, FromSoftware has finally showcased Elden Ring’s big expansion. We’ve got a trailer, we’ve got details about the storyline and the DLC’s contents, and we also have a release date.
Assuming it doesn’t get delayed, Shadow of the Erdtree will arrive on June 21st. This is the street date for Xbox, PlayStation, and Windows.
Table of Contents
As we push toward June, there are some steps buyers should take. From clearing out storage or buying an external hard drive to the pre-load to tracking new information about the DLC, we want to help prepare for the DLC’s release.
Play Elden Ring
If you want to play Shadow of the Erdtree, you need to have the base version of Elden Ring. This is a requirement and there’s no getting around it. Shadow of the Erdtree is not a standalone game.
Now would be a great time to hop into the Lands Between for the first time. Elden Ring, while difficult and time consuming, is a fantastic open-world RPG. If you’re looking for a new game, give it a look.
For those who already own Elden Ring, now might be a good time to fire it up to once again get acquainted with the storyline, world, combat, and more. Heck, some of you might want to start another playthrough.
And if you didn’t enjoy it the first time around, a second chance might be warranted. Especially if you liked what you saw from the Shadow of the Erdtree trailer.
Decide If You Want to Pre-Order
There are some great reasons to put in a pre-order, but some people might want to hang back and wait.
We’ve released a guide that will take you through the best reasons to, and not to, pre-order a copy of Shadow of the Erdtree right now. It’s worth a look if you’re on the fence.
Read our guide and any others you find and decide if the expansion is worth pre-ordering.
Pick the Right Edition
Retailers are selling several different versions of Shadow of the Erdtree. And while most people will probably want to go with a standard copy, the other editions do have appeal.
For those that already own Elden Ring, you can choose between the standard version ($39.99) which simply includes the expansion, the Premium Bundle ($49.99) which includes the expansion and the Shadow of the Erdtree Artbook & Soundtrack, or the Collector’s Edition.
The Collector’s Edition is the most expensive bundle ($249.99) and it includes:
- Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree expansion code voucher (Base game not included)
- Messmer the Impaler Figure (46 CM)
- Physical Artbook (40 pages)
- Digital Original Soundtrack
If you don’t own the base game yet, there are bundles that include it and Shadow of the Erdtree. There’s the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition and the Shadow of the Erdtree Deluxe Edition.
Make sure you choose based on your interest level and budget.
Buy a Hard Drive
Shadow of the Erdtree is a huge expansion which means it will require a fairly big download.
If you have a huge internal and/or external hard drive, you should be good to go. However, if you’re using an older console with a limited amount of space, you might want to invest in an external hard drive.
Samsung’s T7 Portable SSD is one of our favorites and the WD_BLACK 1TB is worth a look as well.
Keep Tabs on Your Order
If you decide to buy the Collector’s Edition, make sure you keep an eye on your order as we push toward the game’s release in June. This will help you avoid headaches.
Make sure your delivery information is up-to-date. If you recently moved, you may have forgotten to change your address. You’ll also want to make sure your payment information is correct.
Upgrade Your Console
If you’re playing on the original Xbox One or a PlayStation 4, and you own a 4K television, you might want to look into buying an Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, PS5, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S.
If you want the best possible Elden Ring/Shadow of the Erdtree experience, you’ll want the best possible machine.
When Digital Foundry tested the base version of the game back in 2022, it found that the version for the Xbox One was the worst version of the game to play.
The Xbox Series X and PS5 are easy to find now and you may even find a deal that suits your budget.
Make Sure Your PC Can Run It
Before you buy Elden Ring/Shadow of the Erdtree for Windows PC, make sure your computer can run it.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s minimum and recommended specifications are live. The developer doesn’t say how well the game will run on these settings, but you can assume you’ll need to run it on low settings if your PC’s specs are similar to the minimum requirements.
If your PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, you’ll want to wait until you’ve made some upgrades to your setup.
Follow Elden Ring
If you’re interested in Shadow of the Erdtree, make sure you follow the official Elden Ring Twitter account for the latest info about the DLC, its release, and more.
Shadow of the Erdtree Pre-Load
If you pre-order Shadow of the Erdtree you should be able to pre-load the game ahead of its release date. Pre-loading lets you play the game the second it unlocks at 12AM Eastern.
Elden Ring’s pre-load opened up a few days before the release date and we should see the same from the DLC. Keep an eye out for new information as we push toward June.
Pre-Order for This Bonus | ||||||||
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If you were expecting Bandai Namco and FromSoftware to sweeten Shadow of the Erdtree pre-orders with a ton of bonus content, you'll likely be disappointed. That being said, pre-orders do come with a bonus. If you buy Shadow of the Erdtree before its release date in June, you'll get a new gesture for your character with your purchase. It's called the Ring of Miquella Bonus Gesture. You can get a preview of the gesture over on Bandai Namco's website. Again, it's not a lot, but it may convince those of you who love the base game, and love to emote, to pre-order. It's unclear if the gesture will be available in-game to those who don't pre-order. We'd bet against it so if you really want the gesture, pre-order. | ||||||||
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