FromSoftware is known for making exceedingly challenging games, yet plenty of fans have foundShadow of the Erdtree, the first and only DLC expansion forElden Ring, to be too difficult even for them. We have several guides for helping you in your journey through the Realm of Shadow (including one onthe best early weapons in the DLC), but if you’re really struggling, there are PC mods that aim to tone down the difficulty.
Such mods have been popping up over the weekend, and come in a variety of flavours. One simply titledEasyShadow of the Erdtreejust reduces the amount of damage enemies deal by 25%, while another reduces the damage you take by 50%, doubles your own damage output, gives you regenerating health and Focus Points, and lets you recover Runes immediately. That second one is fittingly dubbedWolverine Mode.
Another one is calledNo more Scadutree grind, which outright removes theScadutree fragmentsintroduced in the DLC and readjusts the damage scaling to be similar to how it is in the base game. Scadutree fragments are how you increase your character’s strength and defence inShadow of the Erdtreebut, clearly, some fans aren’t too keen on it and would prefer if leveling up worked like it did inElden Ring. There’s also a mod that’s meant for taking screenshots (appropriately namedScreenshot Difficulty), though its creator advises against using this if you actually want to play the game since it “makes you take way, way less incoming damage.”
It’s fascinating seeing modders craft their own easy modes forShadow of the Erdtreewhen people have been so vehemently against the idea of FromSoftware games adding difficulty options, since the high level of challenge is the point. And yet whileElden Ringhas maintained an overall Very Positive user rating on Steam,user reviews onShadow of the Erdtreeare mixed. Some criticisms, though, aren’t solely about how difficult the DLC is, and are lobbied against its performance and frame rate issues.
There are also more positive user reviews than negative, with plenty of fans perfectly content with how difficult the DLC is and, unsurprisingly, telling complainers to simply get better. Not to mentionShadow of the Erdtreehas been a critical darling, earning high scores from most outlets and overtakingThe Witcher 3′sBlood and Wineexpansion asthe best-reviewed DLC on Metacritic.
