The release of the *Elden Ring* DLC, titled *Shadow of the Erdtree*, has reignited one of gaming’s most debated questions: when a major expansion drops for an already-complete RPG, is it worth returning to square one? For many players, finishing the Lands Between was a months-long journey filled with triumphs, defeats, and hard-earned mastery. Now, FromSoftware asks us to consider doing it all over again — but this time with new weapons, enemies, lore, and mechanics. So, is the new content substantial enough to justify replaying the entire base game?
The answer isn’t simple. It depends on how you played the original, what you valued about it, and what kind of experience you’re seeking now. This article breaks down the key differences between the base game and the DLC, evaluates the scope of the new content, and helps you decide whether a full replay is truly worthwhile.
Understanding the Scope of Shadow of the Erdtree
*Shadow of the Erdtree* is not a minor add-on. At 40+ hours of gameplay for completionists and featuring entirely new biomes, boss fights, and a parallel storyline tied to Queen Marika’s past, it stands as one of the largest single-player DLC expansions in recent history. The expansion introduces the Land of Shadow — a haunting, fog-laden region that feels both alien and deeply connected to the core mythos of the Elden Ring universe.
New mechanics include the “Tarnished Pulse,” a stamina-like resource used for spectral summons, and dual-wielding heavy relics that alter spellcasting dynamics. There are over 30 new bosses, including several optional mega-fights that rival Radahn or Malenia in complexity. The gear set alone includes more than 50 unique weapons and armor pieces, many of which redefine build viability.
Despite its scale, the DLC does not overhaul the base game’s core structure. It’s a standalone expansion accessible after obtaining a specific item late in the main campaign. That means you can technically play through the DLC without ever touching the base game again — assuming you meet the level requirements. But here’s where the dilemma begins: should you revisit the base game to prepare?
Is Replayability Built Into Elden Ring’s Design?
One of *Elden Ring*’s strengths has always been its high replay value. With over 10 distinct starting classes, countless weapon combinations, and a branching world design that encourages multiple paths, few players experience the same journey twice. The game rewards experimentation — trying a faith build after mastering dexterity, or exploring areas previously skipped due to difficulty.
However, completing the game once often diminishes the sense of discovery. Landmarks lose their mystery. Boss patterns become muscle memory. The awe of stumbling upon Castle Morne or witnessing the Erdtree for the first time fades. Replaying the base game purely for nostalgia rarely sustains motivation beyond the early zones.
Yet, the arrival of the DLC changes that calculus. New runes, incantations, and Ashes of War introduced in *Shadow of the Erdtree* can be backported into earlier builds. Some of these — like the “Echo of the Ancients” summon or the gravity-defying whip “Uchigatana of the Eclipse” — are so powerful they incentivize re-rolling characters just to optimize around them.
“Expansions like *Shadow of the Erdtree* aren’t just about new content — they’re about recontextualizing the old. Every area gains new meaning when you know what lies beyond.” — Kaito Nakamura, Senior Game Analyst at Pixel Depth
DLC vs Base Game: A Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Base Game | DLC (*Shadow of the Erdtree*) |
|---|---|---|
| Playtime (Average) | 50–100 hours | 40–60 hours |
| New Biomes | 9 major regions | 3 vast new zones + interconnected ruins |
| Boss Fights | ~45 (including optional) | +30 (7 mini-bosses classified as \"Hidden Saints\") |
| New Weapons | 300+ | 55 new additions |
| New Spells/Incantations | 100+ | 38 new, including hybrid sorcery-incantation fusion |
| Level Cap Increase | Max 713 (level 50 in all stats) | Max 800 (new stat: Omen Vitality) |
| Multilayered Lore | Deep, fragmented narrative | Direct exploration of Marika’s origins and pre-Elden era |
The table illustrates that while the DLC doesn’t surpass the base game in total volume, it delivers concentrated depth. The Land of Shadow may occupy less map space than Limgrave or Caelid, but its density of secrets, layered enemy AI, and environmental storytelling exceeds anything in the original release. Players report finding hidden catacombs that require precise parry timing just to unlock — a sign that FromSoftware pushed challenge and reward deeper than before.
When a Full Replay Makes Sense
Replaying the entire base game isn’t mandatory, but certain player types will find immense value in doing so:
- Completionists who want to unlock every achievement and see all endings.
- New Build Experimenters eager to test DLC weapons within fresh character arcs.
- Lore Enthusiasts who appreciate how the DLC reframes events like the Shattering or Godfrey’s exile.
- Casual Returnees who stopped at 70% completion and now have renewed motivation.
A full replay allows you to integrate DLC knowledge retroactively. For example, knowing that the Two Fingers appear in the Land of Shadow as corrupted oracles adds eerie weight to their early-game appearances. Similarly, understanding the fate of Miquella — heavily teased in the DLC — transforms interactions with NPCs like Gowry or the Imprisoned Shopkeeper.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Your Approach
- Assess Your Current Progress: Did you finish the game? Explore all major sites of grace? If not, consider finishing your current run before diving into the DLC.
- Evaluate Your Build Satisfaction: Are you happy with your current character? If yes, carry them into the DLC. If no, plan a rebuild.
- Check DLC Requirements: You’ll need the “Unseen Ancestry” rune, obtained late in the base game. This ensures you’ve seen most of the world.
- Decide on Integration Strategy: Will you use DLC items in a new base-game playthrough? Or keep runs separate?
- Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s testing a bleed-focused build or uncovering all mural clues, having objectives prevents aimless grinding.
Real Example: Sarah’s Dual Journey
Sarah, a long-time Soulsborne fan, completed *Elden Ring* in 80 hours with a golden-focused pyromancer. She initially planned to skip a replay and jump into the DLC with her endgame character. But after reading community theories about Miquella’s connection to the Land of Shadow, she decided to start fresh.
She created a new character — a misfit with a focus on somber knight gear and shadow-based incantations. As she progressed through Limgrave and Liurnia, she noticed subtle audio cues and NPC dialogues referencing “the forgotten prince.” These were easy to miss the first time but now felt significant. By the time she reached Leyndell, she had pieced together a theory about Miquella’s failed apotheosis — one later confirmed in the DLC.
Her second journey wasn’t faster; it was richer. Returning to Stormveil Castle with contextual knowledge transformed rote combat into narrative payoff. When she finally entered the Land of Shadow, she didn’t feel like a tourist — she felt like a scholar uncovering forbidden history.
Sarah’s experience highlights a truth: replay value isn’t just about mechanics or content volume. It’s about perspective. The DLC doesn’t just add new layers — it changes how you see the old ones.
Checklist: Should You Replay the Base Game Before the DLC?
- ☐ I haven’t finished the base game yet
- ☐ I want to try a completely different build (e.g., strength → faith)
- ☐ I missed major areas like Nokron or Crumbling Farum Azula
- ☐ I’m interested in lore connections revealed in the DLC
- ☐ I enjoy the process of leveling and discovery, not just endgame power
- ☐ I plan to use NG+ to enhance difficulty and carry over key items
If three or more apply, a replay is likely worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to beat the base game to play the DLC?
No, but you do need to progress far enough to obtain the “Unseen Ancestry” rune, typically found during or after the penultimate story beat. This ensures you’ve unlocked sufficient stats and equipment to survive the DLC’s challenges.
Can I transfer DLC items to my old save file?
Yes. Any items, runes, or spells collected in the DLC remain accessible in your account-wide inventory. You can return to earlier playthroughs or alternate characters and equip them.
Is the DLC harder than the base game?
In terms of raw difficulty, yes. Enemies scale faster, combo patterns are more aggressive, and some areas feature relentless ambush mechanics. However, the expanded skill tree and new defensive options (like the “Veilstep Dodge”) help balance the curve.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Replaying Everything?
The decision to replay *Elden Ring*’s base game before tackling *Shadow of the Erdtree* ultimately hinges on what you seek from the experience. If you’re after pure efficiency — to reach the DLC’s endgame as quickly as possible — then no, a full replay isn’t necessary. Load your max-level character, grab the required rune, and dive in.
But if you value depth over speed, if you relish uncovering how every line of dialogue and environmental detail fits into a grander tapestry, then replaying the base game offers unparalleled enrichment. The DLC doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s a mirror held up to the original, reflecting hidden meanings and buried tragedies. Seeing the Lands Between anew — with the weight of what comes next — transforms repetition into revelation.
FromSoftware has crafted more than an expansion. They’ve built a dialogue between two halves of a fractured legend. And for those willing to listen, the second journey can be even more profound than the first.
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