This is a guide on how to find and clear the Rotted Woods in Elden Ring Nightreign. We've listed how to unlock this event, should you go?, Dormant Powers, and other rewards.
Shifting Earth GuideTable of Contents
Rotted Woods Unlock Conditions and Rewards
| Unlock Conditions | Defeat 5 types of Nightlord |
|---|---|
| Recommended Level | Lvl. 9 or higher |
| Rewards | Favor of the Rotted Woods - Nullifies scarlet rot and increases max HP. - Attacks after receiving damage partially recover HP. |
| Bosses | Multiple Great Enemies appear |
| Features | Scarlet Rot builds up inside the Rotted Woods |
Unlocked by Defeating 5 Types of Nightlords
Rotted Woods stays hidden until you've defeated five different Nightlords. Defeat them all and watch as this mysterious area finally appear for you to explore.
Obtain Favor of the Rotted Woods to Nullify Scarlet Rot
Once you've reached the Rotted Woods, you'll have the opportunity to earn the Favor of the Rotted Woods, an invaluable item that nullifies the constant build-up of Scarlet Rot. This rot tends to accumulate as you explore the area, so secure the Favor of the Rotted Woods first before taking on boss battles or venturing further.
The Day 2 Boss Appears Inside the Rotted Woods
When you reach the Rotted Woods, you'll confront the Day 2 boss as well as a buildup of Scarlet Rot. Without the Favor of the Rotted Woods to counteract the rot, the fight becomes unmanageable.
Favor of the Rotted Woods Increases Max HP
Once you start an expedition inside the Rotted Woods, make sure to complete the event in order to earn the Favor of the Rotted Woods. This bonus not only boosts your maximum HP but also heals some of the damage you take, making you a lot tougher in boss battles.
You Can Obtain Trophies
- IconAchievement Conditions
- Rotted Woods
Cleared "Rotted Woods" -
Completing the Rotted Woods quest will reward you with the "Rotted Woods" trophy. This trophy is also a requirement if you're aiming to achieve the "Shifting Earth" trophy.
How to Get to and Unlock the Rotted Woods
Located in the Southeast Part of the Map
When a Shifting Earth is active, the Rotted Woods appear in the southeast portion of the map. If you want to know if a Shifting Earth is active, simply select a Nightlord on the Expedition screen and look to the right side for its status indicator.
Enter from the North or West of the Rotted Woods
The Rotted Woods can be accessed from the western or northern part of the map. If you're far away, use the Spectral Hawk Trees located on the west and east edges of the map to instantly travel to the Rotted Woods entrance.
Can Occur Randomly After an Expedition
Shifting Earth events may be triggered randomly after running expeditions.
Guaranteed to Occur When Rotted Woods is Unlocked
After defeating five types of Nightlords, the Rotted Woods will be active. Currently, this is the only way to trigger a Shifting Earth event.
How to Complete Rotted Woods
- Level up and challenge on Day 2
- Enter from south of the Fort or via a Spectral Hawk Tree
- Aim for the Fort on the south side of the area
- Obtain the clue on the 2nd floor of the Fort
- Obtain the Favor of the Rotted Woods
- Defeat the Formidable Great Enemies throughout the Rotted Woods
Level Up and Challenge on Day 2
| Recommended Level | Level 9 or higher |
|---|
In the Rotted Woods, you'll face several tough Great Enemies. Taking them down can boost your level and earn you Dormant Power. But here's the catch: fighting on Day 1 while you're under-leveled and without the right weapons can be tough. It's best to reach around level 9 and then return on Day 2.
Pick Up Preserving Boluses
When you step into the Rotted Woods, you'll quickly notice that Scarlet Rot starts building up and drains your health even before any combat begins. Before you head in, whether it's Day 1 or Day 2, prepare by grabbing any Preserving Boluses you find. The pink-colored Preserving Boluses cures Scarlet Rot buildup and grants permanent resistance.
Preserving Boluses - How to Get, Effects & UsesEnter from the North or West of the Rotted Woods
You can enter the Rotted Woods from either the western or northern side. And if you're far away, don't worry since you can use the Spectral Hawk Trees on the map's west and east edges to instantly travel to the entrance.
How to Go to the Rotted Woods
Head to the Fort on the South Side of the Woods
Once you enter the Rotted Woods, make your first stop at the fort located in the southern part of the map. Use the red flag pin on your map as your guide to reach it.
Obtain the Clue on the 2nd Floor of the Fort
Once you reach the Fort, head up to the second-floor tower and interact with the treasure map inside, it will show where the Scarlet Rot Tree is located. Fair warning though, the Scarlet Rot Tree's location is random for each Expedition.
Obtain the Favor of the Rotted Woods
When you reach the marked spot, take a moment to inspect the Scarlet Rot Tree. You'll notice a blooming flower on its branches, its the Favor of the Rotted Woods. Simply climb up to claim it. Keep in mind that if you're playing with a party, each member has to collect this Dormant Power.
Effects of the Favor of the Rotted Woods
Once you obtain the Favor of the Rotted Woods, you'll gain resistance against the Scarlet Rot and you can now roam the entire area and beat some bosses to get items or drops.
Defeat the Formidable Great Enemies Throughout the Rotted Woods
Multiple Formidable Great Enemies appear in the Rotted Woods. If you defeat them, you can obtain a large amount of Runes and Dormant Power, so let's go around defeating Formidable Great Enemies as time permits.
Confirmed Formidable Great Enemies
- Erdtree Avatar
- Ulcerated Tree Spirit
- Tree Sentinel
- Draconic Tree Sentinel
- Royal Carian Knight
- Death Rite Bird
- Magma Wyrm
- Ancestor Spirit
Head Towards the Circle
Once you've collected the Favor of the Woods Dormant Power and taken down a few bosses, make your way to the circle. You'll find the Day 2 circle on the western side of the Rotted Woods, so it won't take long to reach.
Rotted Woods: List of Appearing Bosses
- Erdtree AvatarFormidable Great Enemy
- Fight with hit-and-run tactics
- Dodge light projectiles by dashing sideways
- For other attacks, keep distance and move sidewaysStrike - Ulcerated Tree SpiritFormidable Great Enemy
- Avoid the front and attack from the sides
- For explosions below 60% HP, guard or create distance
- Dodge the charge attack after the roar by moving left or rightStandardSlashStrikePierceFire - Tree SentinelFormidable Great Enemy
- Separate the Tree Sentinel and the @@{王都の騎士}@@@
- Beware of the charge attack after it gives a command
- If the shield glows, it's a signal for a jump attackLightning - Draconic Tree SentinelFormidable Great Enemy
- Watch its movements carefully and react to delays
- Always keep the Draconic Tree Sentinel in sight while fighting
- While it's buffed, focus more on dodging than attackingNone - Royal Carian KnightFormidable Great Enemy
- Prioritize dodging magic and wait for an opening
- Magic is enhanced below half healthUnder Investigation - Death Rite BirdFormidable Great Enemy
- Shared Order and Holy affinity are particularly effective
- Pinpoint target its weak head
- It has many high-power attacks, so don't be recklessStrikeHoly - Magma WyrmFormidable Great Enemy
- Be careful of the scattered lava
- Sticking to it from its belly to its tail is effective
- Dodge its charge by sprinting awayUnder Investigation - Ancestor SpiritFormidable Great Enemy
- When it breathes pale blue breath, create distance
- Dodge the triple jump by rolling forward
- Dodge the continuous stomps by rolling through the 4th stompSlashStrikeStandardPierceFireHolyLightning
Should You Go to the Rotted Woods?
For Leveling Up and Gaining Dormant Power
In the Rotted Woods, you'll earn the Favor of the Rotted Woods Dormant Power when you clear the area, which is a great boost in itself. More than that, you'll face several formidable Great Enemies that help you level up and gather more Dormant Powers. Even if you spend your entire Day 2 there, the rewards make it well worth your time, so when the Rotted Woods shows up, take the opportunity to dive into this Shifting Earth event.
Especially Recommended When Challenging Nightlords
The Favor of the Rotted Woods boosts your maximum HP and heals you, making it an invaluable boost for any boss battle. It's particularly helpful when you're taking on a Nightlord for the first time or haven't cleared one yet since this Dormant Power gives you a critical edge against enemies you might otherwise struggle with. So if the Rotted Woods has appeared, don't hesitate even if its your first time to challenge a Nightlord.
How to Make the Rotted Woods Disappear
Resting in Bed Makes the Shifting Earth Event Disappear
If you want to make the Rotted Woods event disappear, just take a break at the bed in the Waiting Room. You'll find this room tucked away in the lower right corner of the Roundtable Hold, and you can even warp there using the map.
Roundtable Hold GuideDisappears Naturally After Several Expeditions
If you keep launching expeditions while the Rotted Woods event is unlocked and active, the Shifting Earth event will end. Make sure you tackle it early rather than waiting too long.
Elden Ring Nightreign Related Guides
Recommended Articles
Growth & Farming
| How to Level Up | Rune Farming |
| Murk Guide |
Roundtable Hold Related
| Roundtable Hold Functions | How to Get Relics |
| Sparring Grounds Functions | Small Jar Bazaar |
| Vessels | How to Get and Change Skins |
Combat & Field
Shifting Earth
| List of Shifting Earth Types | The Crater |
| Mountaintop | Rotted Woods |
System & Settings
Other Useful Info
| How to Enter Product Codes | DLC Information Summary |
| Latest Update Information | Latest Maintenance Information |
