Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was officially released on June 21, 2024, and is fully playable on the PlayStation 4. This massive expansion serves as the first and only major DLC for FromSoftware’s 2022 masterpiece, taking players to an entirely new region called the Land of Shadow. For owners of the aging PS4 hardware, the primary concerns revolve around performance, entry requirements, and the breadth of content available in this scorched realm.

Direct Answers and Release Information

Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion, not a standalone game. This means you must own the base Elden Ring game on your PS4 to access the new content. If you are a digital owner, purchasing the DLC on the PlayStation Store typically grants access to both the PS4 and PS5 versions, ensuring that your investment carries over if you decide to upgrade your console later.

The expansion is currently available for digital download. While there are "Shadow of the Erdtree Edition" physical discs available for the PlayStation 5 that include both the base game and the DLC on one disc, the PS4 version remains largely digital-focused for the expansion component. PS4 players who own the base game on a physical disc can simply purchase the DLC digitally and it will integrate seamlessly with their physical installation, provided the regions of the disc and the PSN account match.

Technical Performance on PlayStation 4 Consoles

One of the most frequent questions from the community is how a decade-old console handles the highly detailed landscapes of the Land of Shadow. In practical testing, the PS4 version of Shadow of the Erdtree maintains a performance profile very similar to the original base game.

Frame Rate and Resolution

On a standard base PS4, the game targets 30 frames per second (fps) at 1080p resolution. While it generally holds this target in open fields like the Gravesite Plain, certain boss encounters involving heavy particle effects—such as those with Messmer the Impaler or the Divine Beast Dancing Lion—can cause noticeable frame rate dips. These drops rarely make the game unplayable, but they do require players to be more precise with their timing, as the input window for dodges can feel slightly different during stuttering.

Loading Times

If you are playing on a traditional mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD), be prepared for significant loading times. Traveling between the Lands Between and the Land of Shadow, or respawning after a boss death, can take anywhere from 30 to 50 seconds. Upgrading your PS4 with an internal Solid State Drive (SSD) is highly recommended for this expansion, as it can cut these wait times by nearly half, significantly improving the "die and retry" loop that defines the Elden Ring experience.

Visual Fidelity

The visual experience remains breathtaking despite the lower resolution compared to modern consoles. FromSoftware’s art direction carries the weight here. The draw distance in the Shadow Altus is impressive, even on older hardware. You will notice some "pop-in" where textures or shadows appear suddenly as you ride Torrent across the fields, but the overall atmospheric quality—the ghostly trees, the scorched ruins, and the crimson skies—remains intact.

How to Access the Realm of Shadow

Accessing the expansion is not as simple as selecting it from a menu. In typical FromSoftware fashion, players must meet specific in-game criteria within the base Elden Ring campaign before they can enter the new world.

Required Boss Defeats

To enter the Land of Shadow, you must defeat two major optional bosses in the Lands Between:

  1. Starscourge Radahn: Located in Caelid at Redmane Castle. You must trigger the Radahn Festival and defeat this legendary demigod. For PS4 players struggling with this fight, remember that summoning the various NPCs on the battlefield is a core mechanic of this encounter and does not significantly impact frame rate stability.
  2. Mohg, Lord of Blood: Located in Mohgwyn Palace. This is a late-game boss. To reach him quickly, you can follow White Mask Varre's questline to receive the Pureblood Knight's Medal, which teleports you directly to the palace approach.

The Entry Point

Once both Radahn and Mohg are defeated, go to the Cocoon of the Empyrean in Mohg's boss arena (at the top of the palace). You will see a new NPC, Needle Knight Leda, standing near the withered arm hanging from the cocoon. Interacting with this arm will transport you to the Gravesite Plain, the starting area of the expansion.

Key Features and New Content in the Expansion

Shadow of the Erdtree is vast, comparable in size to the Limgrave and Liurnia regions combined, but with much higher verticality. The expansion introduces a wealth of content that changes how the game is played.

Eight New Weapon Categories

While there are over 100 new individual weapons, the most exciting addition is the inclusion of eight entirely new weapon types:

  • Great Katanas: Slower but more powerful versions of the traditional katana with excellent reach.
  • Light Greatswords: Offering a fluid, dancing move set that bridges the gap between straight swords and curved swords.
  • Backhand Blades: Focused on high agility and unique horizontal slashes.
  • Hand-to-Hand Arts: Allowing players to fight with kicks and palm strikes, reminiscent of the Monk classes in other RPGs.
  • Perfume Bottles: Now a dedicated weapon type with infinite uses, rather than a consumable.
  • Thrusting Shields: Combining defense and offense in a single tool.
  • Throwing Weapons: Specifically daggers that return to the hand, allowing for a mid-range playstyle.
  • Beast Claws: For aggressive, feral combat styles.

The Land of Shadow Geography

The map design is a masterclass in verticality. Unlike the relatively flat Lands Between, the Land of Shadow is built in layers. You might find a cavern in the Gravesite Plain that leads to the Scadu Altus base, which then winds up into a completely different fortress. Exploring every nook and cranny is essential, as the expansion hides its most valuable upgrade materials in the most obscure places.

The Shadow Realm Blessing System Explained

If you enter the DLC with a Level 150 character and expect to breeze through, you will be in for a shock. To prevent high-level players from trivializing the content, FromSoftware introduced a new progression system specific only to the Land of Shadow.

Scadutree Fragments

These are the most important items in the expansion. Found at Miquella's Crosses and various churches, Scadutree Fragments allow you to increase your Scadutree Blessing at a Site of Grace. This blessing provides a percentage-based boost to your attack power and damage negation. Without these fragments, even basic enemies can kill a high-level character in two or three hits.

Revered Spirit Ashes

Similar to Scadutree Fragments, these items upgrade your Revered Spirit Ash Blessing. This increases the damage negation and attack power of your Spirit Ashes (like the Mimic Tear) and your spectral steed, Torrent. Given the extreme difficulty of the DLC bosses, keeping your spirit summons leveled up is vital for those who prefer not to play solo.

It is important to note that these blessings are only active within the Land of Shadow. If you return to the Lands Between to finish the base game, your character will return to their normal stats.

Buying Guide and Version Comparison

For PS4 users, there are several ways to purchase the expansion:

  1. Shadow of the Erdtree (Standard Expansion): This is just the DLC. It is the best choice if you already own Elden Ring.
  2. Shadow of the Erdtree Edition: This bundle includes the base game and the expansion. It is ideal for new players.
  3. Premium Bundle: This includes the DLC, a digital artbook, and a digital soundtrack.
  4. Deluxe Edition: This includes the base game, the expansion, and the digital artbooks and soundtracks for both.

A Note on Save Data: If you play Shadow of the Erdtree on PS4 and later purchase a PS5, you can transfer your save data. However, this is a one-way street. You can move a PS4 save to the PS5 version of the game, but you cannot move a PS5 save back to the PS4 version.

Summary

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a monumental achievement that performs admirably on the PlayStation 4. While players on older hardware will face longer loading times and occasional frame rate dips during intense battles, the core gameplay loop, the stunning art direction, and the sheer volume of content remain uncompromised. By focusing on the new Scadutree Blessing system and carefully navigating the requirements to enter the Realm of Shadow, PS4 players can fully enjoy what is arguably the most challenging and rewarding content FromSoftware has ever produced.

FAQ

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play Shadow of the Erdtree on PS4?

You do not need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play the expansion in single-player mode. However, if you wish to use online features such as co-op summoning, player invasions, or reading and leaving messages, a PS Plus subscription is required.

How much storage space is required for the DLC on PS4?

The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion itself requires approximately 15GB to 20GB of additional space. However, when combined with the base game and all previous updates, you should ensure you have at least 60GB to 80GB of free space on your PS4 hard drive for a smooth installation.

Is there a physical disc for the PS4 expansion?

No, there is no standalone physical disc for the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion on PS4. Physical editions are typically "All-in-one" bundles for the PS5. PS4 players must buy the expansion digitally through the PlayStation Store.

Can I play the DLC without beating the base game?

You do not need to finish the final boss of the base game (the Elden Beast), but you must defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. Since Mohg is a late-game boss, you will need to have progressed significantly through the main story or followed Varre's questline to enter the DLC.

Why am I taking so much damage in the DLC?

This is likely because you haven't collected enough Scadutree Fragments. The expansion is tuned to be significantly harder than the base game. Even at Level 200, you will feel weak if your Scadutree Blessing level is low. Prioritize finding Miquella's Crosses to boost your stats.

Will my PS4 save work on the PS5 version of the DLC?

Yes. If you own the digital version, you can download the PS5 version of Elden Ring and the DLC for free. You can then use the "Convert Save Data" option in the PS5 game menu to bring your PS4 progress, including your DLC progress, to the new console.