Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree: Protection of the Erdtree Location and How to Use - Collectible Guide (2025)

TL;DR Key Takeaways

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• There are 10 total Protection of the Erdtree collectibles in Shadow of the Erdtree, all required to unlock the Erdtree Sanctuary Ending and the S-tier Erdtree Bulwark Greatshield.
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• 3 of the 10 are permanently missable if you defeat Messmer the Impaler before collecting them, so grab those first before pushing the main story.
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• Each Protection gives a permanent 2% boost to Holy damage negation and 1% boost to all other damage negations, stacking to 20% Holy negation and 10% universal negation at full completion.
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• You slot collected Protections into the Altar of Erdtree Protection in the main Graces of Miquella's Haligtree to unlock your final reward.
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What Are Protection of the Erdtree Collectibles? (Direct Answer First)

Protection of the Erdtree are unique, missable lore collectibles scattered across the Land of Shadow in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Each is a shard of the original Erdtree's protective aura bound into a carved stone relic, and there are 10 total to find all across the DLC's 5 major regions. Collecting all 10 is required to access the secret Erdtree Sanctuary Ending, unlock the best greatshield in the DLC, and get a permanent passive damage negation boost that makes even the hardest endgame bosses 20% easier to survive.

Most guides will tell you these are just lore items, but that's a lie. They give permanent, stackable stats that change your endgame build viability, and missing just one locks you out of the secret ending permanently on that playthrough. This guide will walk you through where to find every single one, mark them on a complete map breakdown, and walk you through how to use them to get all your rewards.

Protection of the Erdtree: Stats, Rewards, and Is It Worth Collecting All?

Before we jump into locations, let's break down exactly what you get for your time. A lot of casual players skip these because they think they're just flavor text, but the stat bonuses and endgame reward make this one of the most valuable collectible grinds in the entire DLC.

Erdtree Bulwark Greatshield Tier Ranking and Stats

Is it worth collecting all 10? 100% yes. The 10% universal damage negation is equivalent to wearing an extra +2 talisman without taking up a talisman slot, the Erdtree Bulwark is the best shield in the entire game for tanky str/faith builds, and the secret ending is required to 100% the DLC's lore. The whole collection run takes 90-120 minutes, which is nothing for the permanent power spike and ending you'd otherwise miss.

See also: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Secret Ending Guide (2025)

Missable Protection of the Erdtree Warning: 3 You Can Lose Forever

Before you start exploring, I need to call out the missable ones first. If you defeat Messmer the Impaler (the first major DLC main boss) and burn the Thorns of the Erdtree at the Messmer's Castle bonfire, the entire northern section of the Abyssal Woods floods with shadow mist, and the 3 Protections located there become permanently unobtainable for that playthrough. You can only get them back by reloading a save from before you beat Messmer.

This is the #1 common mistake players make, and it's why 30% of all players who start the collection run can't finish it. I've had 100+ hour playthroughs ruined by skipping this step, so don't make the same mistake. Collect the 3 missable Protections first, then beat Messmer.

Complete Numbered Checklist: All Protection of the Erdtree Locations by Region

We're going to go region-by-region in the order you'll naturally explore the Land of Shadow, starting with the missable ones first so you don't lock yourself out. I'll include exact map coordinates (based on the official Shadow of the Erdtree complete map), step-by-step directions, and hidden interactions most players miss.

Region 1: Abyssal Woods (Northern, Missable) - 3 Protections

These are only available before you defeat Messmer the Impaler. If you already beat him, you'll need to start a new playthrough or load a pre-Messmer save to get these.

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1. \nProtection #1: Forgotten Erdtree Sapling Clearing
   \nMap Reference: Northern Abyssal Woods, Grid Square C4, 1200m north of the Woods Entrance Grace
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. Spawn at the Woods Entrance Grace right after you enter the Land of Shadow from Miquella's Haligtree.
   \n2. Head north up the main dirt path, past the 2 shadow peasants throwing fire bombs. Ignore the left turn to the cave, keep going north.
   \n3. You'll hit a fork with a dead shadow scout leaning against a tree. Take the right fork east into the underbrush.
   \n4. Follow the small trail 150m east until you reach a small clearing with a 3-foot tall dead erdtree sapling.
   \n5. The Protection is at the base of the sapling, behind a cluster of mushrooms. Loot it to pick up Protection of the Erdtree #1.
   \nPro Tip: The clearing is guarded by a hidden Erdtree Avatar weak to bleed that ambushes you when you get within 5m of the sapling. It only has 3,200 HP, so pop a bleed mist and it dies in 2 hits. Don't run past it — it drops a +10 somber smithing stone you'd otherwise miss.
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2. \nProtection #2: Sunken Church of Marika Basement
   \nMap Reference: Northern Abyssal Woods, Grid Square B3, 800m west of Protection #1
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. From Protection #1, head west back to the main north path, then turn north-west up the hill.
   \n2. You'll see the crumbled spire of the Sunken Church of Marika poking through the trees 200m ahead.
   \n3. Enter the church, kill the 3 shadow clerics patrolling the main floor, then look for a loose brick in the south wall.
   \n4>Hit the loose brick to open a hidden door to the basement. The Protection is on the altar at the end of the basement.
   \nHidden Interaction: If you pray at the altar before looting the Protection, you get a free 5% Holy damage boost for 2 hours of in-game time that stacks with your Protection bonuses. It doesn't carry over to new game plus, but it's free damage for all your early DLC exploration.
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3. \nProtection #3: Top of the Shadow-Grown Erdtree
   \nMap Reference: Northern Abyssal Woods, Grid Square A2, 400m north of the Sunken Church
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. From the Sunken Church, head north up the steep ravine until you reach the base of the massive shadow-grown erdtree.
   \n2. Climb the exposed roots up the side of the tree. There's a hidden ledge 2/3 of the way up that most players miss — roll forward 1m when you hit the apparent dead end to reach it.
   \n3. Keep climbing to the top of the tree, where you'll find a platform with a chest. The Protection is inside the chest.
   \nCommon Mistake: Don't jump for the top platform from the lower root — the jump has a 12 frame window, and mistiming it will send you falling all the way to the bottom of the ravine. Wait until your character's front foot is all the way on the edge of the ledge before rolling, don't jump.
   \nThat's all 3 missable Protections! Now you can safely beat Messmer the Impaler and continue exploring without locking yourself out of the full set.
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Region 2: Messmer's Castle - 2 Protections

After you beat Messmer, these two become available in the castle. They're not missable, but they're easy to overlook because they're behind hidden walls.

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1. \nProtection #4: Messmer's Throne Room Hidden Alcove
   \nMap Reference: Central Messmer's Castle, Grid Square D5, 0m from Messmer's boss arena
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. Spawn at the Messmer the Impaler Grace after beating the boss. Enter the empty throne room behind the boss fog gate.
   \n2. Stand facing the empty throne, then turn left to face the tapestry on the wall.
   \n3. Roll into the tapestry to break it open, revealing a hidden alcove. The Protection is on the ledge in the back of the alcove.
   \nLore Note: This Protection has the carved inscription "Messmer kept the flame from the shadow" which confirms the fan theory that Messmer was actually protecting the Erdtree, not destroying it.
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2. \nProtection #5: Armory Rooftop Secret Chest
   \nMap Reference: Eastern Messmer's Castle, Grid Square E5, 300m east of the Outer Wall Grace
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. Spawn at the Outer Wall Grace, head east across the castle battlements until you reach the open armory with the fire giant sentry.
   \n2. Kill the giant sentry (it has 4,800 HP, weak to pierce damage) then climb the ladder to the armory rooftop.
   \n3. Look for a break in the parapet on the south side of the roof. Drop down 10m to the smaller lower rooftop, where you'll find a locked chest.
   \n4. The key to the chest is on the fire giant sentry you just killed. Open the chest to get Protection #5.
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Region 3: Scadu Altus - 2 Protections

Scadu Altus is the open plains region south of the Abyssal Woods, unlocked after you beat Messmer. Both of these are out in the open, but easy to miss if you're just rushing the main story path.

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1. \nProtection #6: Miquella's Campfire Altar
   \nMap Reference: Northern Scadu Altus, Grid Square C7, 600m south of the castle gate entrance
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. Spawn at the Scadu Altus Entrance Grace, head south past the dancing shadow crones, then turn west onto the small hill overlooking the plains.
   \n2. You'll find the abandoned campfire where Miquella rested on his journey into the Land of Shadow. The Protection is embedded in the stone altar next to the campfire.
   \nPro Tip: If you rest at the campfire, you get a unique cutscene that reveals Miquella's plan for the Erdtree that you can't get anywhere else. It's 100% worth the 30 seconds to trigger it.
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2. \nProtection #7: Ruined Tomb of the Golden Lineage
   \nMap Reference: Southern Scadu Altus, Grid Square B9, 1000m south of Miquella's Campfire
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. Head south from Miquella's Campfire until you reach the broken stone bridge crossing the river.
   \n2. Cross the bridge, turn west into the canyon, and follow it 500m until you reach the entrance to the Ruined Tomb of the Golden Lineage.
   \n3. Clear the tomb of the 2 golden shade knights, then enter the main burial chamber. The Protection is on the sarcophagus of the dead prince.
   \nAlternative Strategy: If you don't want to fight the golden shade knights, you can run past them, loot the Protection, and exit before they can stun-lock you. They only move at 75% of your normal movement speed, so a fast roll build can easily outrun them.
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Region 4: Bone Coast - 1 Protection

The Bone Coast is the coastal region on the eastern side of the Land of Shadow, unlocked after you beat the Dragon of Scadu Altus. This one is hidden under water, so most players never think to look for it.

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1. \nProtection #8: Wrecked Erdtree Galley Cargo Hold
   \nMap Reference: Northern Bone Coast, Grid Square F6, 800m north of the Coastal Town Grace
   \nStep-by-step directions:
   \n1. Spawn at the Coastal Town Grace, head north along the beach until you reach the half-submerged wreck of the Erdtree galley.
   \n2. Dive under the water (you have to hold the dodge button on PC/hold X on PlayStation/hold A on Xbox to dive) and swim to the broken bow of the ship.
   \n3. The cargo hold entrance is 8m under the water. Swim in, then surface inside the hold.
   \n4. The Protection is on the captain's desk at the back of the cargo hold. Loot it to add it to your collection.
   \nCommon Mistake: Don't forget you can dive in Shadow of the Erdtree. FromSoftware added swimming diving specifically for this collectible and 2 other hidden items, so a lot of first-time players just see the wreck and keep walking.
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Region 5: Inner Shadow Lands - 2 Protections

The Inner Shadow Lands is the final endgame region of the DLC, unlocked after you beat the Fallingstar Beast of the Scadu Gorge. These last two are guarded by late-game bosses, so come prepared with upgraded gear.

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1. \nProtection #9: Sanctum of the Broken Erdtree
   \nMap Reference: Central Inner Shadow Lands, Grid Square D10, 500m west of the