Elden Ring Theory Points to Possible New Underground Area in Shadow of the Erdtree

A theory circulating among Elden Ring fans argues that the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion will be taking players underground and could even be bringing back a favorite boss. Since its release in 2022, Elden Ring has 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 the first trailer for Elden 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 that Shadow of the Erdtree will 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.

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 Erdtree appears to be revamping one of Elden Ring's toughest bosses in 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