Summary
A theory circulating amongElden Ringfans argues that theShadow of the Erdtreeexpansion will be taking players underground and could even be bringing back a favorite boss. Since its release in 2022,Elden Ringhas continued to hold the attention of gamers who enjoy testing different builds and strategies while they wait for new content. Those waiting for something new in the Lands Between will soon be getting their wish when a new expansion releases this summer.
Last week, fans got to see thefirst trailer forElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which provided a launch date of June 21 and offered plenty of beautiful visuals and tantalizing hints about what the expansion will be about. Since then, players have been watching and rewatching the trailer and picking it apart as they look for clues and theorize about what different pieces might mean. Now, a new theory is looking at where the DLC could take players within the world of the Lands Between.
On Reddit, a post from a fan going by Spare-Ad-4632 is filling up with responses, some of which theorize thatShadow of the Erdtreewill take place, at least in part, underground. The post features an image from the trailer of a skeletal figure riding, or perhaps merged with, a pale horse, and solicits theories from fellow gamers. One of the dominant takes on the image appears to be that the creature is in an underground cavern and that players will need to venture below the earth to complete the new adventure.
Fans Also Theorize About the Return of Radahn
Regarding the skeleton rider, other fans are speculating that it could be the boss Radahn on his horse Leonard. Redditors appear much more split on this point, with some arguing it could be any skeleton on a horse and doesn’t need to be an existing character. Still,Shadow of the Erdtreeappears to be revamping one ofElden Ring’stoughest bossesin the form of the Fire Giant, so it’s not impossible that another boss could be making a return as well.
Of course, this is all just speculation and guesswork for now. As with theories aboutthe importance of Messmer’s Snake inElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, gamers won’t know anything for certain until they can get their hands on the expansion in June.
Excitement is certainly high for the upcoming expansion, and all the online discussion speaks to this passion. With director Hideka Miyazaki recently revealing that anElden Ringsequel isn’t in FromSoftware’s plans,Shadow of the Erdtreecould well be the last trip fans get to make into its dark world. Gamers can expect the debate and theorizing to continue all the way to this summer.
Elden Ring
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ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
