Elden Ring DLC speculation kicks off again after one player finds a big hint buried in a shield that everyone forgot, and it might be the RPG's best-kept secret

GamesRPGElden RingElden Ring DLC speculation kicks off again after one player finds a big hint buried in a shield that everyone forgot, and it might be the RPG’s best-kept secretWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesRPGElden RingElden Ring DLC speculation kicks off again after one player finds a big hint buried in a shield that everyone forgot, and it might be the RPG’s best-kept secretWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Elden Ring Messmer

Elden Ring DLCspeculation is heating up once again now that a player has discovered an item that seemingly ties into the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

Regardless, Redditor Cudakid210 points to what appears to be a fairly standard wooden shield tucked away behind an illusory wall in the Sage’s Cave in Atlus Plateau. Its description reads: “A tall, medium-sized wooden shield. Light for its size, and easy to handle.”

Again, seems pretty unspectacular, right? But it’s this second half of the description that has Elden Ring players making connections to Shadow of the Erdtree: “Thought to represent a surreptitious prophecy of cardinal sin, the lit candle-tree design was forbidden.”

See, the recentElden Ring DLC trailershows that the “lit candle-tree design” featured on the face of the newly resurfaced shield is actually the symbol representing Messmer’s faction - Messmer being the malevolent boss of the Lands of Shadow, the completely new area being introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree. The footage in the trailer shows troops under Messmer’s command bearing weapons and armor with the same candle-tree symbol.

Finally, is there any deeper significance to the shield itself or is it simply a banal clue that’s been subtly hinting at Messmer and the Lands of the Shadow since Elden Ring’s launch in February 2022? With any luck, we’ll know the answer to at least one of these questions when Shadow of the Erdtree launches June 20, 2024.

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In the meantime, here’s the story ofone brave Elden Ring player who’s died at least 2,333 times across “2-3 months,” beating the RPG at level 1 even though “I’m terrible at these games.”

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

Squid Game season 2

1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

1

Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2

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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

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