Even with a high-level character, Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is very difficult, it’s normal to get killed in 2 or 3 hits by enemies and bosses. Since there are no new direct upgrades for weapons, armor, and potions, your survival will depend on your skills as a player, but also on the Blessings of the Shadow Realm.
Map of the Splinters of the Occult Tree
There are 42 points to collect them, but there are more Splinters than you might think. Sometimes you’ll get 2 at a time. The altar at the very north of the map has 5 splinters, but reaching it is difficult, since you’ll have to defeat Commander Gaius. Others are inaccessible until near the end of the game, since they are in the Tower of Shadows. The southernmost Splinters is in the Stone Coffin Dungeon, but it is sealed before you get near the Black Castle. Collect the Map Fragments to see more clearly in the game.
Usefulness and effect of the Splinters of the Occult Tree
With these Splinters, you can acquire levels of blessing from any Faded Grace site. You only need one Splinters of the Occult Tree for the first level, but the price increases. It goes up to 2, then 3 splinters after that.
Every splinter increases all your damage by +5% and reduces damage taken by -2.5% permanently.
You can accumulate up to 20 levels of blessingwhich gives a grand total of +100% damage dealt and -50% damage received. Suffice to say that the impact is massive on the DLC bosses. Let us recall that this effect only works the Shadow Realmthe expansion card. Don’t expect to kill Malenia easily this way.
Where to find Splinters of the Occult Tree?
These items are relatively easy to find, since they almost always appear in the same type of location. Here are some examples that cover almost all cases, which will save you from having to consult the map constantly.
- Near the Miquella Crosses (golden pillars)
- In the churches, in front of the statues of Marika.
- Inside Messmer’s soldier camps there is often a small statue of Marika as well.
- On the corpse of the Shadows carrying a shiny pot on their heade. They respawn when you rest, but they only drop a splinter the first time. You have to kill them quickly, otherwise they disappear, like the beetles. They should not be confused with the Shadows whose pot does not shine, they prefer to throw it in your face and there is no special loot.
- Some special enemies like Hippos, and even some bosses like the Golden Hippo, also drop said Splinters.
The items listed above should help you on the first bosses. It is possible to have blessings at level 5 before facing the Dancing Lion of the Divine Beast, as well as Rellana the Knight of the Twin Moons.
Rellana Knight of the Twin Moons Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: How to beat this boss?
A princess of Caria who has absolutely nothing to envy Rennala awaits you in the Elden Ring DLC. Her attacks with two weapons and her devastating spells will make you suffer. Discover a video of the fight, with a written guide with tips and advice.
