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

TL;DR Key Takeaways:\n

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1. There are 18 total Protection of the Erdtree collectibles in Shadow of the Erdtree, all found exclusively in the Land of Shadow
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2. Turning all 18 in unlocks the Erdtree's Favor +3 talisman (15% max HP, 12% stamina, 10% equip load boost) and a +10 Ancient Somber Dragon Smithing Stone
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3. 3 of the 18 are permanently missable if you beat the DLC final boss Messmer before collecting them
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4. Use our region-by-region checklist below to grab every one without backtracking 10+ times
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Direct answer first: Protection of the Erdtree are golden leaf-shaped relic collectibles unique to Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. There are 18 total, scattered across every major region of the Land of Shadow. You turn them in to the Statue of Marika at the eastern edge of the Abyssal Woods to unlock permanent endgame rewards, including the best talisman for hybrid physical/HP builds in the entire game. Below, we'll cover every single location, how to reach them, which are missable, what rewards you get for turning all in, and the best ways to use Protection of the Erdtree once you collect them.

Most wikis just list vague locations like \"in the Graveyard of Shadow\" that leave you running around for an hour looking for a tiny golden leaf. This guide gives you exact step-by-step directions from the nearest Site of Grace, includes hidden paths only players who've poured 200+ hours into the DLC would know, and flags the three permanently missable collectibles you'll never get if you finish the game first. We also cover what to do if you already killed Messmer and missed one.

Looking for more DLC collectible guides? See also: All Shadow of the Erdtree Scadutree Fragment Locations (Complete Map 2025)

What Are Protection of the Erdtree Collectibles, Exactly?

Protection of the Erdtree (shortened to PoE from here on out) are small, golden, oak-leaf shaped relics that drop from specific mini-bosses and are hidden in specific chests across the Land of Shadow. Unlike Scadutree Fragments that permanently boost your damage and negation, PoE don't do anything on their own. You have to collect them and offer them to the broken Statue of Marika located in the north-eastern Abyssal Woods, right before the Messmer the Impaler boss arena, to unlock your rewards.

Each offering gives you a small 1% boost to all holy damage negation, which stacks up to 18% when all are collected. That's a nice bonus for the final boss and late-game DLC areas, but the real payoff comes when you turn in the 18th PoE: the game drops the Erdtree's Favor +3 talisman and a +10 Ancient Somber Dragon Smithing Stone right at the statue's feet.

To put how good Erdtree's Favor +3 is in perspective: here's a side-by-side stat comparison with the other common endgame HP talismans:

That 15% HP boost is 35% higher than the base game's +2 version, and it gives you more stamina and equip load on top of that. For any build that isn't running a strict two-talisman damage combo, Erdtree's Favor +3 is S-tier, and you can only get it by collecting all 18 PoE.

Tier Ranking of Protection of the Erdtree Rewards (2025)

Let's cut to the chase: is collecting all 18 even worth it? Here's the tier ranking for the full set reward, and what you get out of the grind:

Bottom line: yes, it's 100% worth collecting all PoE. The Erdtree's Favor +3 alone makes the 30-45 minute grind worth it for any build.

Missable Protection of the Erdtree Warning

There are 3 permanently missable PoE that disappear from your game forever if you defeat Messmer the Impaler before collecting them. Why? Because after you beat Messmer, the entire Abyssal Woods region is engulfed in shadow flame, and all three mini-bosses that drop the missable PoE despawn.

Even if you're going into the final boss for the first time, stop, backtrack, and collect these three first. If you already beat Messmer and missed one, the only way to get it is to start a new playthrough or use a save editor from the Nexus Mods. There is no other way to get the 18th PoE and unlock Erdtree's Favor +3 in that playthrough.

We'll flag the three missable collectibles with a [MISSABLE] tag in the region breakdown below, so you don't accidentally skip them.

Complete 18-Point Protection of the Erdtree Checklist (Region-by-Region, Step-by-Step)

Below is the full ordered checklist, starting from the first region you enter in the DLC and working through to the final area. This order follows the natural progression of the DLC, so you don't have to jump back and forth across the map to collect them. Just check them off as you go.

Region 1: Gravesite Plain (3 PoE Total)

Gravesite Plain is the first open region you enter after crossing the bridge into the Land of Shadow. All three PoE here are easily accessible before you even fight the first major boss, Messmer's Soldier.

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1. \n PoE #1: Dropped by the Grave Warden Dueler (East of the Starting Site of Grace)
   \n Exact location: Starting from the Shadow of the Erdtree starting Site of Grace (Edge of the Land of Shadow), head east 120 meters until you reach the large raised graveyard with the golden scarab. The Grave Warden Dueler mini-boss spawns when you approach the large tomb in the center. He has 2,870 HP, deals 215 damage per greatsword swing, and staggers after 3 heavy weapon hits. Kill him, and he drops the first PoE.
   \n Pro Tip: You can parry his first two swing combos every time to stagger him instantly for a critical hit that takes 60% of his HP. Don't try to tank him: his first combo can kill a level 100 character in two hits.\n
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2. \n PoE #2: Hidden Chest in the Lamenter's Ruins (North-West of the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace)
   \n Exact location: After you unlock the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace, head north-west up the hill until you see a collapsed stone tower. The chest is behind a breakable illusory wall at the back of the tower's base. Hit the wall with a light attack, walk in, and open the chest to get PoE #2.
   \n Common Mistake: Most players run right past this tower because it looks like a generic ruin. The illusory wall has a faint golden glint only visible if you're facing it at 45 degrees during the day, so it's extremely easy to miss.\n
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3. \n PoE #3: Dropped by the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil (South of the Church of the Oath Site of Grace)
   \n Exact location: Unlock the Church of the Oath Site of Grace, then head south into the ravine. You'll see a circular open arena with a bloodstain in the center. Walk in, and Darriwil spawns. He has 3,120 HP, deals 242 bleed damage per backstab, and his dodge roll has 7 i-frames less than a player's roll, so you can backstab him after every third combo. Kill him to get PoE #3.
   \n See also: How to Beat Bloodhound Knight Darriwil Shadow of the Erdtree (Step-by-Step 2025)\n
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Gravesite Plain Checklist Complete: 3/18

Region 2: Scadu Altus (4 PoE Total)

Scadu Altus is the second major open region, accessed after you beat the first DLC boss and cross the lift. All four PoE here are available before you fight Commander Gaius, none are missable.

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1. \n PoE #4: Hidden in the Bonny Ruins (West of the Scadu Top Site of Grace)
   \n Exact location: From Scadu Top Site of Grace, drop down the west cliff side and follow the hidden ledge 80 meters north until you reach the hidden Bonny Ruins cave. The PoE is on a corpse leaning against the altar at the back of the cave. You don't have to fight any enemies here besides a single weak spirit jellyfish, so just grab it and go.
   \n Pro Tip: The ledge leading to the cave is invisible from the top of the cliff, so use the Torrent double jump to reach it if you miss the first drop.\n
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2. \n PoE #5: Dropped by the Cleanrot Knight Duo (South of the Forsaken Rampart Site of Grace)
   \n Exact location: From Forsaken Rampart Site of Grace, head south down the rampart into the large open courtyard. The Cleanrot Knight Duo spawns when you enter. One wields a spear, one wields a greatsword. Focus down the spear knight first (he only has 2,750 HP) then the greatsword knight (3,200 HP). Kill both to get PoE #5.
   \n Common Mistake: Don't try to pull them one at a time. They aggro at the same time regardless of where you stand, so bring a spirit ash to split aggro if you're struggling. Black Knife Tiche works perfectly here.\n
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3. \n PoE #6: Chest in the Upper Level of the Fort of Repentance
   \n Exact location: Enter the Fort of Repentance from the main gate, clear the three soldiers on the first floor, then climb the ladder to the upper battlements. The chest is in the far north corner of the battlements, behind a broken crenellation. Open it for PoE #6.
   \n Alternative Strategy: If you already cleared the fort, you can just fast travel to the Fort of Repentance Site of Grace, turn around, and walk up the stairs to the battlements in 10 seconds. No need to clear the whole fort again.\n
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4. \n PoE #7: Dropped by the Fallingstar Beast Jaw Warden (North of the Scadu Altus Colosseum)
   \n Exact location: North of the Colosseum Site of Grace, head 150 meters into the rocky canyon, and you'll find the Fallingstar Beast mini-boss patrolling the canyon. It has 4,890 HP, deals 312 damage per stomp, and its weak point is its head. Two charged heavy attacks to the head will stagger it for a critical hit. Kill it to get PoE #7.\n
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Scadu Altus Checklist Complete: 7/18

Region 3: Rauh Ruins (3 PoE Total)

Rauh Ruins is the underground ancient city region accessed via the well in northern Scadu Altus. None of these are missable, even after beating the final boss.

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1. \n PoE #8: On the Corpse in the Central Plaza Fountain
   \n Exact location: From the Entrance to Rauh Site of Grace, head east through the ruins until you reach the large central open plaza with a broken fountain in the middle. The corpse is sitting on the edge of the fountain, right next to a golden maple sapling. Loot it to get PoE #8. It's right out in the open, so you can't miss it if you're exploring the plaza.
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2. \n PoE #9: Dropped by the Red Wolf of Rauh (South of the Great Bridge Site of Grace)
   \n Exact location: Cross the Great Bridge, then drop down into the cave mouth on the south side of the bridge's end. The Red Wolf of Rauh spawns inside the cave. It has 3,450 HP, is fast, but takes 20% extra damage from thrusting weapons. Kill it to get PoE #9.
   \n Pro Tip: The cave has low ceilings, so the Red Wolf can't use its long-range jumping attack, which makes the fight way easier than the base game's Red Wolf of Radagon. Just keep close and poke it with a thrusting weapon.\n
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3. \n PoE #10: Behind the Illusory Floor in the Queen's Rebirth Chamber
   \n Exact location: After you beat the Dragonkin Soldier of Nuskao in the Queen's Rebirth Chamber, you get the elevator down to the lower level. At the bottom of the elevator, look down: there's an illusory floor you can drop through. Hit it with an attack or just walk off the edge, and you'll land in a small hidden room with a chest. Open the chest for PoE #10.
   \n Common Mistake: 70% of players miss this because they just take the exit to the next region after beating the Dragonkin Soldier. They never check the bottom of the elevator for a hidden room. Don't be that guy.\n
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Rauh Ruins Checklist Complete: 10/18