12 More Amazing Secrets You May Not Know

Dom
Jun 26, 2024
4 min read

Updated: May 18

by Dom's Roundtable

The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is filled with mysteries, and even the most seasoned Tarnished are bound to miss hidden areas, secret mechanics, and cryptic NPC interactions. While many guides cover the main bosses and questlines, this deep dive will reveal 12 lesser-known secrets that will change how you explore the Realm of Shadow.

From NPC quest twists and powerful spirit ashes to gameplay-changing mechanics tied to the moon, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dive in!

The Power of the Moon – Hidden Nighttime Effects

In Shadow of the Erdtree, the moon isn’t just for ambiance—it has direct gameplay effects.

Hidden Pools of Moonlight appear only at night, revealing valuable Larval Tears scattered throughout the Realm of Shadow. NPCs react differently at night, unlocking exclusive dialogue options and quest interactions. Certain spells and buffs become more powerful under the moon’s glow—experimentation is key!

💡 Bonus Tip: If you progress Tool’s quest and obtain his concoction, you can use it on specific NPCs at night to uncover hidden lore, items, and new paths in their storylines.

The Dragon Communion Priestess – A Secret Identity Revealed

One of the most well-hidden NPC secrets involves the Dragon Communion Priestess at Jagged Peak.

If you follow her questline and defeat Baale the Dread, then return at night, you can use Tier’s Concoction to put her into a deep sleep. After resting until the following night, she awakens as the ancient dragon Florx. You’ll be rewarded with Dragon Bolt of Floras Sax, a devastating dragon spell, and unlock her as a Spirit Ash summon.

💡 Bonus Tip: Florx is one of the strongest dragon summons in the game—her lightning attacks can wipe out bosses in seconds.

Iris of Grace vs. Iris of Occultation – Two Paths for NPCs

Throughout the DLC, you’ll find two powerful items:

Iris of Grace – Grants light and a peaceful ending for certain NPCs.
Iris of Occultation – Denies all light and kills the recipient.
Use these on either Swordhand of Knight Yolan or Fire Knight Quine to determine their fate.
Grace grants you their Spirit Ash summons (making them powerful allies).
Occultation kills them but rewards their unique weapons instead.

💡 Bonus Tip: Yolan’s Spirit Ash summon can later be upgraded into the most powerful summon in the game (more on that later).

Remembrance Duplication Returns – But With a Twist

In the base game, Walking Mausoleums allowed players to duplicate Remembrances. However, in the DLC, they take on a new form:

Sarcophagi hidden across the map act as new duplication altars.
Unlike Walking Mausoleums, these don’t move, making them harder to find but easier to use once discovered.
There are only a handful, so choose carefully which boss rewards you duplicate.

💡 Bonus Tip: Wait until you complete the DLC before choosing which Remembrances to duplicate—you’ll want the best possible rewards.

The Hidden Path to Lower Raw – The Most Missed Map Fragment

One of the most difficult areas to find is Lower Raw, as it has no direct route or signposting.

To access it, start at Morth Ruins, then navigate through an underpass beneath the mountains to reach the Ancient Ruins of Rah.
The only way to unlock the map fragment for this region is by reaching the Lower Raw Site of Grace - completely missable if you don’t explore carefully.

💡 Bonus Tip: Many hidden areas in the DLC require gestures or illusionary walls—explore every corner!

The Forager Brood – A New Kindred of Rot NPC Questline

Not all Kindred of Rot are hostile. The Forager Brood are peaceful, and befriending them unlocks powerful items.

One Forager, near the Church of Crusade, is injured—place a Warming Stone near them, and they recover and reward you.
If you inform Mo of your kindness, you’ll receive a new crafting book containing upgraded Bewitching Branches (allowing you to charm entire enemy groups).
New Raisin Recipe – Allows Torrent to perform a charge attack, knocking enemies aside while galloping.

💡 Bonus Tip: If you miss this interaction, you lose access to these items permanently—act quickly!

Yolan & Anna – The Ultimate Spirit Summon

If you unlock Swordhand of Knight Yolan’s Spirit Ash, you can upgrade it into the strongest summon in the game.

Travel to the southeastern cliffs of Shaman Village.
Carefully navigate the rocky descent to Rath’s Rise.
At the base, interact with the inanimate doll—this fuses Yolan with the spirit of Anna, creating a dual-summon Spirit Ash.

💡 Bonus Tip: Yolan & Anna together cause massive bleed buildup and swap aggro between them, making them perfect for tough boss fights.

Hanging Pots – The Secret to Infinite Crafting Mats

Some rare crafting materials are now infinitely available—but only if you shoot down hanging pots scattered across the map. These pots contain rare materials like Strings, Resins, and special crafting components. Essential for PvP players who need to craft items in bulk.

💡 Bonus Tip: Many pots are hidden on cliff edges or high structures—always look up!

The Hidden Gesture That Unlocks an Entire Area

One of the biggest hidden areas in Shadow of the Erdtree is locked behind a single gesture:

The “Oh Mother” Gesture, found north of Bonny Village, is required to unlock a path behind Shadow Keep.
Performing the gesture in front of a specific statue of Marika reveals the entrance to the Hinterlands.

💡 Bonus Tip: Always experiment with gestures near suspicious statues or altars—they unlock more than you think!

Miquella’s Great Rune – Breaking the Charm Alters the Entire World

Miquella’s Great Rune affects every NPC in the Realm of Shadow, and breaking it changes the game world permanently.

DO NOT cross certain areas too early (Central Scadu Altus & Bonny Village) unless you are ready to break the Rune.

If you break it too soon:

Certain NPCs die or disappear.
Some questlines become permanently locked.
The world state shifts drastically.

💡 Bonus Tip: Complete all NPC questlines first before triggering this event!

Final Thoughts – Have You Discovered These Secrets?

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is overflowing with hidden mechanics, lore twists, and cryptic puzzles. Some of these secrets change gameplay, while others reveal untold stories of the Realm of Shadow.