10 Incredible Secrets You Might Have Missed

Dom
Jul 1, 2024
4 min read

Updated: May 18

by Dom's Roundtable

The Realm of Shadow is a land steeped in mystery, and no matter how many hours you spend exploring, there’s always more to uncover. After our first deep dive into Shadow of the Erdtree’s secrets, many of you asked for more—and trust me, we’re far from done.

Through testing, exploration, and some incredibly lucky discoveries, I’ve unearthed 10 more hidden mechanics, lore details, and powerful items that will change how you approach the DLC. Some of these alter gameplay mechanics, while others offer game-changing rewards—so let’s dive in!

Not All Enemies Are Equal – Location Matters for Item Drops

Unlike the base game, enemy drop rates and loot tables change based on their location—and in some cases, this ties directly into the DLC’s lore.

A perfect example? The Messmer Soldiers near the wrecked Furnace Golem outside of Shadow Keep.

Unlike other Messmer warriors, these six soldiers have a rare chance to drop Furnace Visages—a powerful crafting material previously thought to be limited. This ties into the Furnace Keeper’s note, which warns about using fire pots and Whirlwind flame pots—suggesting these soldiers were directly involved in past Furnace Golem incidents.

💡 Bonus Tip: Equip Discovery-enhancing gear and farm these soldiers to infinitely craft some of the most powerful fire-based items in the game.

The Moon’s Influence – A Time-Sensitive Secret

In Shadow of the Erdtree, the Moon is more than just decoration—it actively influences gameplay, questlines, and item discovery.

Pools of Moonlight appear at night, revealing previously hidden Larval Tears and unique loot.
Time matters—these pools disappear instantly at sunrise.
If you’ve ever sprinted toward a glowing item only for it to vanish before your eyes, it’s because dawn arrived at that exact moment.

💡 Bonus Tip: If you suspect an item disappeared due to sunrise, rest at a Site of Grace, set the time to night, and check again.

The Abyssal Woods – A Bloodborne Nightmare

If you felt a certain area in the DLC screamed Bloodborne, you’re not alone. The Abyssal Woods is one of the most haunting, cryptic locations in the game, filled with notes warning you to stay away.

The main threat? A terrifying enemy reminiscent of Bloodborne’s Winter Lanterns. These creatures inflict Madness, and if they grab you, you’re almost certainly dead. Unlike most enemies, they are initially invulnerable—but parry them once, and they become vulnerable to damage.

💡 Bonus Tip: One Winter Lantern-like enemy, found southwest of the Woodland Trail Site of Grace, drops Aged One’s Exaltation, a talisman that boosts attack power when Madness is triggered nearby.

Dragon Harpoons – An Endless Supply of Anti-Dragon Weaponry

The Jagged Peak Mountain Side Site of Grace has a hidden farming spot for Sharp Gravel Stones, a material needed to craft Dragon Harpoons. Just outside the Grace, you’ll find a cluster of around 10 lightning slimes. Farm them for Sharp Gravel Stones, allowing you to craft unlimited Dragon Harpoons—a game-changer for Bayle the Dread and other dragon fights.

💡 Bonus Tip: If you struggled against dragons in the DLC, stock up on harpoons before heading into battle.

The Pre-Patch Black Knight Drop – A One-Time Exclusive

If you played Shadow of the Erdtree immediately at launch, you might have killed the Black Knight at the Church of Consolation and received the Black Steel Greatshield. Post-patch, this drop was changed to the Great Hammer. If you managed to farm the Greatshield before the change, you own a duplicate of a rare item that only a handful of players ever obtained.

Miquella’s Broken Rune – A Lifesaver in the Final Boss Fight

After defeating the Scadutree Avatar, you obtain Miquella’s Broken Rune—a seemingly useless item. But in the final boss fight, if Radahn grabs you and Miquella begins charming you, you can use the Broken Rune to nullify the effect. Without it, a second grab is a guaranteed death.

💡 Bonus Tip: Even if you don’t plan to explore every inch of the DLC, grabbing Miquella’s Broken Rune can be crucial for the final boss fight.

The Silver Horn Tender – Only Certain Enemies Drop It

The Silver Horn Tender, a rare and valuable crafting item, isn’t dropped by all Shadow Denizens—only those of high social status.

Example:

The Shadow Citizens outside of Belurat never drop it.
The nobles inside the settlement, however, drop Silver Horn Tenders frequently.

💡 Bonus Tip: Social status from the old world carries over into item drops, reinforcing the idea that the Realm of Shadow retains echoes of its past hierarchy.

Breaking Miquella’s Great Rune – A Point of No Return

The breaking of Miquella’s Great Rune doesn’t just progress the story—it fundamentally alters the game world. All NPCs under Miquella’s charm regain free will, changing their dialogue, actions, and even questlines.

🔹 Two specific locations trigger the Great Rune break:

Near Shadow Keep (around the Furnace Golem wreckage)
Northeast of Bonny Village, leading into Scadu Altus East

💡 Bonus Tip: If you want to complete all NPC questlines, do so before progressing past these points—otherwise, certain characters will die or disappear.

Why Some NPC Summon Signs Only Appear Inside Boss Arenas

Unlike the base game, some NPC summon signs only appear inside boss arenas. These summons are required for quest progression. If NPCs were summoned outside the arena, the boss’s health would scale up, making fights harder.

By summoning them inside, the boss’s stats remain the same, ensuring a fair fight.

💡 Bonus Tip: If an NPC summon sign appears in a boss fight, summon them! It’s a guaranteed quest progression step.

Most NPCs in the DLC Can’t Be Killed – With One Exception

Unlike the base game, most NPCs in the DLC are invincible—you can’t attack them for their loot or bell bearings. Exception: Egon is one of the few NPCs who can be killed—but I strongly advise against it. Why? His questline is one of the best in the DLC, and he’s an invaluable ally in the Bayle boss fight.

💡 Bonus Tip: If you want a character’s items, engage with their questlines instead of trying to fight them.