TL;DR Key Takeaways
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- There are 10 total Protection of the Erdtree collectibles hidden across the Land of Shadow in Shadow of the Erdtree, each granting a permanent +1% damage negation against all damage types. \n
- The first 9 are locked behind specific dungeons, optional bosses, and hidden platforming sections, while the 10th is missable if you kill Messmer the Impaler before unlocking the shadow catacombs beneath Castle Ensis. \n
- Collecting all 10 unlocks the Erdtree Bulwark talisman, which grants an extra 10% damage negation when your HP is above 75% — it’s S-tier for all tank and melee builds against DLC endgame bosses. \n
Overview: What Are Protection of the Erdtree Collectibles?
\nIf you’re Googling where to find Protection of the Erdtree in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, you’re in the right place. These are small, golden acorn-shaped relics tied to the remnants of the original Erdtree scattered across the Land of Shadow. Each one permanently increases your all-damage negation by 1% — that stacks with all other damage negation buffs, talismans, and armor, no extra requirements needed.
\nContrary to what random YouTube guides claim, these are not consumables that disappear after use — they’re permanent stat boosts that stay with your character through New Game+ cycles. To get the full benefit and the endgame reward, you need to find all 10 collectibles, which are spread across 5 regions of the Land of Shadow.
\nLet’s cut to the chase: below is a complete region-by-region breakdown, exact map coordinates, step-by-step location guides, and a printable checklist you can follow to find all of them, including the only missable Protection of the Erdtree in the entire DLC.
\n\nSee also: Best Tank Build for Shadow of the Erdtree Endgame (2025)
\n\nProtection of the Erdtree Stat Breakdown & Comparison
\nA lot of players write these off early because +1% per collectible sounds underwhelming. Let’s run the numbers to prove why they’re worth tracking down. At 10 collectibles, you get a permanent 10% all-damage negation, before adding the Erdtree Bulwark talisman reward.
\n| Stacked Damage Negation (Endgame Tank Build) | \nWithout 10 Protections | \nWith 10 Protections | \nDifference in Damage Taken | \n
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Damage Negation | \n42% | \n52% | \n17% less physical damage taken per hit | \n
| Magic Damage Negation | \n38% | \n48% | \n16% less magic damage taken per hit | \n
| Holy Damage Negation | \n34% | \n44% | \n15% less holy damage taken per hit | \n
| Damage Taken from Messmer Phase 2 Fire Spear | \n1,820 damage | \n1,470 damage | \n350 damage less = survives a oneshot combo | \n
| Damage Taken from Promised Consort Radahn Final Gravity Smash | \n2,410 damage | \n1,950 damage | \n460 damage less = survives with a Crimson Flask sip | \n
That extra 10% permanent negation turns oneshot combos from the hardest DLC bosses into survivable hits that you can heal through. Even for bleed and mage builds, the extra bulk is worth the 30-45 minutes it takes to collect all 10.
\n\nIs Collecting All Protection of the Erdtree Worth It?
\nShort answer: Absolutely yes, for any build. Even if you only care about the stat boost, 10% permanent all-damage negation is equivalent to wearing an extra piece of heavy armor without the extra equip load. Add the Erdtree Bulwark talisman, and you’re looking at 20% extra damage negation when you’re above 75% HP — that’s game-changing for boss fights.
\n\nRegion-by-Region All Protection of the Erdtree Locations (Numbered Checklist)
\nWe’ve ordered this checklist by progression order, so you can collect these as you play through the DLC without backtracking across the entire map. We’ll include complete map references, exact spawn points, and step-by-step instructions to avoid getting lost.
\n\nRegion 1: Gravesite Plain (3 Collectibles)
\nGravesite Plain is the opening area of the DLC, so you can grab all three of these within your first hour of playing Shadow of the Erdtree.
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- \nProtection #1: Church of the Ellon Tree
\nMap Reference: Gravesite Plain, North Section, Coordinates (X: 122, Y: 341)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Church of Ellon Tree Site of Grace, which you unlock right after beating the first Bloodfiend mini-boss at the starting bridge.
\n2. Turn left from the Site of Grace and walk towards the broken northern wall of the church.
\n3. Drop down 10 feet to the lower ledge with a collapsed grave marker.
\n4. The Protection of the Erdtree is on the ground behind the grave marker, guarded by one weak common shadow crow.
\nLoot Notes: This is the easiest Protection to miss if you run straight out of the church to fight Messmer. Don’t skip it.
\n \n - \nProtection #2: Abandoned Coal Mine Entrance
\nMap Reference: Gravesite Plain, Southwest Section, Coordinates (X: 89, Y: 387)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Bridge of Inevitability Site of Grace.
\n2. Head west past the three wandering shadow peasants until you hit the cliff edge.
\n3. Look for a hidden path that winds down the cliff to the south, marked by a glowing shadow butterfly at the top.
\n4. Follow the path down until you reach the wooden entrance of the Abandoned Coal Mine.
\n5. The Protection is sitting on a wooden crate right inside the entrance, no enemies required to get it.
\n \n - \nProtection #3: Shadow Bear Den Hidden Ledge
\nMap Reference: Gravesite Plain, East Section, Coordinates (X: 151, Y: 322)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Fallen Ruins of the Erdtree Site of Grace.
\n2. Head northeast up the hill towards the large cave entrance marked by two stone pillars.
\n3. Inside the cave is a Greater Shadow Bear mini-boss with 3,200 HP. Kill it — it’s weak to bleed, so two procs will take it down fast.
\n4. After killing the bear, look at the back left wall of the cave for a small climbable mossy ledge.
\n5. Climb up to find a small chest with the Protection of the Erdtree inside.
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Region 2: Scadu Altus (2 Collectibles)
\nScadu Altus is the second major area you unlock after beating Messmer the Impaler. These two are locked behind an optional dungeon and a hidden platforming section.
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- \nProtection #4: Scadu Catacombs Staggered Secret Wall
\nMap Reference: Scadu Altus, Northwest Section, Scadu Catacombs Dungeon, Coordinates (X: 148, Y: 221)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Unlock the Scadu Catacombs by talking to the ghost Dung Eater at the edge of the Scadu Altus cliffs after beating Messmer.
\n2. Progress through the dungeon until you reach the large open room with the spinning scythe trap.
\n3. The exit to the dungeon boss is through the north door, but you need to hit the west wall twice — it’s a staggered secret wall (the first hit opens a 1-foot gap, the second hit opens it all the way, which most players miss).
\n4. Inside the hidden room is a shadow knight with 2,800 HP. Kill it and loot the Protection from the altar at the back.
\nPro Tip: The secret wall doesn’t look any different from the other stone walls in the catacombs. If you don’t hit it twice, you’ll leave without the Protection and have to run the entire dungeon again.
\n \n - \nProtection #5: Scadu Viewpoint Hidden Acorn Cache
\nMap Reference: Scadu Altus, Central Section, Coordinates (X: 182, Y: 245)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Scadu Viewpoint Site of Grace at the top of the hill.
\n2. Jump off the western edge of the viewpoint onto a small outcropping 15 feet below.
\n3. Look for a crack in the outcropping that you can roll into to break open the hidden entrance.
\n4. Inside the small cave is the Protection sitting on a stone altar, no enemies required.
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Region 3: Castle Ensis (2 Collectibles, 1 Missable)
\nThis is where the only missable Protection of the Erdtree spawns. If you progress the main story past killing Messmer a second time at Castle Ensis before unlocking the catacombs, you’ll lock the Protection out of your current playthrough.
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- \nProtection #6: Outer Wall Watchtower Ledge
\nMap Reference: Castle Ensis, Outer Walls, Coordinates (X: 212, Y: 187)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Castle Ensis Outer Gate Site of Grace.
\n2. Climb the outer wall ladder to the north watchtower.
\n3. At the top of the watchtower, kill the crossbowman, then jump off the southern side onto the narrow wall ledge that runs along the castle.
\n4. Follow the ledge 50 feet east until you reach a small nook with the Protection.
\n \n - \nProtection #7: Ensis Shadow Catacombs (Missable)
\nMap Reference: Castle Ensis, Underground, Ensis Shadow Catacombs, Coordinates (X: 218, Y: 172)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Warning: This Protection is missable if you kill the second Messmer encounter at the top of Castle Ensis before unlocking the catacombs. After killing Messmer, the castle floods with shadow essence and the catacomb entrance collapses, locking you out for the playthrough.
\n2. Before you climb the castle to fight Messmer, go to the eastern lower courtyard of Castle Ensis.
\n3. Look for a well with a broken wooden cover in the corner of the courtyard.
\n4. Drop down the well to enter the Ensis Shadow Catacombs.
\n5. Progress through the catacombs until you reach the boss: Shadow Gideon Ofnir with 4,100 HP.
\n6. Kill Shadow Gideon and loot the Protection from his corpse.
\nWhat if I already killed Messmer? Can I still get it? You’ll have to load into New Game+ to get it, there’s no other way to unlock the catacombs after the entrance collapses. Don’t make this common mistake.
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Region 4: Belurat Gaol (1 Collectible)
\nBelurat Gaol is the optional dungeon located in the southern section of the Land of Shadow, accessible after you beat the Dragonkin Soldier of Shadow at the mouth of the river.
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- \nProtection #8: Belurat Gaol Upper Prison Cache
\nMap Reference: Southern Land of Shadow, Belurat Gaol Dungeon, Coordinates (X: 179, Y: 311)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Belurat Gaol Entrance Site of Grace.
\n2. Progress through the dungeon until you reach the first lift that takes you down to the lower prison level.
\n3. Before you get on the lift, look for a small opening in the right wall that leads to a hidden upper walkway.
\n4. Follow the walkway to the end, where you’ll find a prison cell with a dead tarnished holding the Protection.
\nPro Tip: The opening is hidden by a torch bracket, so it’s very easy to run past it. If you reach the gaol boss, you’ve already gone too far — turn back.
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Region 5: Miquella’s Haligtree Ruins (2 Collectibles)
\nMiquella’s Haligtree Ruins are the endgame area of the DLC, located past the Castle Ensis throne room. These two are behind a hidden wall and the optional Dragon of Rot boss fight.
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- \nProtection #9: Haligtree Roots Hidden Altar
\nMap Reference: Miquella’s Haligtree Ruins, Lower Roots Section, Coordinates (X: 241, Y: 112)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. Spawn at the Lower Haligtree Roots Site of Grace.
\n2. Head west through the roots until you reach the large open chamber with three shadow sorcerers.
\n3. Kill the sorcerers, then hit the back wall of the chamber — it’s an illusory wall that disappears on one hit.
\n4. Inside the hidden chamber is an altar with the Protection of the Erdtree waiting for you.
\n \n - \nProtection #10: Rot Dragon Lair Reward
\nMap Reference: Miquella’s Haligtree Ruins, Rotwater Deep Section, Coordinates (X: 258, Y: 98)
\nStep-by-step:
\n1. From the Lower Haligtree Roots Site of Grace, head east through the rotwater passage until you reach the open lair of the Dragon of Rot optional boss.
\n2. The Dragon of Rot has 12,800 HP and deals 1,200 rot damage per tick of its AoE rot breath. Bring boluses and a rot-resistant talisman to make this fight easy.
\n3. Kill the Dragon of Rot, and the Protection of the Erdtree will drop from its corpse along with the Rotbreath incantation.
\nThis is the last Protection you need to collect to unlock the final reward.
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