The Lands of Shadow inElden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeDLC are vast, make no mistake. But rather than the vastness of the Lands Between, the Lands of Shadow use space in a more vertical fashion. This is very apparent in the design of Fog Rift Fort, a vertically climbing dungeon in the walls of a canyon rift.

You may have found this fort the first time on foot, wondering how you were going to climb this monstrosity of a fort, only to have found no ladders. Thankfully, however, you’ve found this guide. It includes everything you’ll need: from the entrance to the notable items to the froggiest boss the series has seen since the Demon of Song.

Player crouches, inspecting the bottom entrance of Fog Rift Fort in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Where Is Fog Rift Fort?

There are two sections of Fog Rift Fort. If you thought the bottom section was all there was to it, you forgot the oldest Souls rule in the book:

Always look up.

You likely encountered the bottom area of Fog Rift Fort by venturingwest from the campsite at the base of Castle Ennis.

This deathtrap of enemies and exploding barrels stands between you and the Fog Rift Catacombs where the dreaded Death Knight dwells.

Player stands in the rain, inspecting the tops of Fog Rift Fort from an above ledge in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Above is the real destination, however. And to reach it, you’ll have toenter the Scadu Altussomehow, which you can do (for example) by:

  1. Using the Spirit Spring to the Fort of Retribution, or

Player lands on the top of Fog Rift Fort besides the summoning pool in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

2. Defeating Twin-Moon Knight, Rellana, in Castle Ennis.

Once in the Scadu Altus,make your way to the Scadu Altus, West Site of Grace(west of Castle Ennis and the Highroad Cross Site of Grace).

A ledge can be found just southwest of it and over the side of the clifface.

Player prepares to use Wave of Gold on unsuspecting enemies and barrels atop Fog Rift Fort in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Jumping downonto it, you can make your way onto one of the tower crowns and enter this area with a much better scenic view.

How To Find The Serpent Flail

The first objective of this fort is tofind the unique weapon, theSerpent Flail.

To do that, you must take on this fort that actually functions as it was intended to do: fortify against invaders. Red or not, you are the invader here.

Player finds the ladder down Fog Rift Fort to the Serpent Flail in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree.

Your first obstacle is a long path with several enemies and exploding barrels. There area few ways to go about this encounter:

Mages will have the best timehere, but melee fighters might need to get a little crafty.

Player defeats the enemies guarding the Serpent Flail at Fog Rift Fort in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree.

We filthy casuals used theWave of Gold Skillto vaporize everything on the ramparts after having our pride wounded on the first attempt.

you’re able to use summons here if you wish for the entire fort or bring your friends. This can be a fun way to spice up this location a little and perhaps ease any difficulties you may be finding here.

Player receives the Serpent Flail from a chest in Fog Rift Fort in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree.

Once inside the tower, there aretwo enemies and more exploding barrels, so watch out. The same can be said past the tower and on your right.

You could venture across the bridge here, butdon’t do that. Not yet.

Player lands a backstab on Black Knight Garrew in Fog Rift Fort in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree.

Instead,head for the laddergoing down at the end of the path on your left (past the bridge).

Down here, there are even more enemies, and this time, they brought the artillery. Literally.

Player receives the Black Steel Greatshield for defeating Black Knight Garrew in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree.

While down here, you’ll want totread cautiouslyandfocus on defeating the enemies manning the artilleryfirst (unless, of course, you just use Wave of Gold or similar effects).

Two staggered rows of enemies guardinga chest in a tent at the back of the area. Inside is the Serpent Flail.

Player picks up the Greater Potentate’s Cookbook [3] at the end of Fog Rift Canyon in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree.

After grabbing it,return to the ladder and then to the bridgefrom earlier.

How To Find And Defeat Black Knight Garrew

Across that bridgewe ignored earlier,Black Knight Garrew patrols.He looks like your average black knight but quickly humbles the overconfident.

Don’t make the same mistake we did, rushing in like he’s your standard elite.

Granted, Garrew isn’t as hard as bosses go in the DLC, and he’s not particularly challenging as a boss.

Things to keep in mindwhen fighting him include:

In general, we recommendusing heavier weaponsthat can stagger Garrew thanks to his lower poiseand builds that can allow you to easily backstab.

Using items or weapons that inflict status effectsare also very useful against him.

Garrew’s greatest strength is his large HP and bulk,so anything you’re able to do to negate that is helpful against Garrew.

Once you defeat him, you’ll earn theBlack Steel Greatshieldand, in the chest inside the tower he guards, aSmithing Stone [7].

Finishing Up Fog Rift Fort: How To Find The Greater Potentate’s Cookbook [3]

With Garrew defeated,return to the area across the bridgeandhead toward the tower- but not in it!

Rather,look to the left of the tower doorto spy a small set of stairs over the ledge and wrapping around the tower to a bridge.

There is also a Somber Smithing Stone [2] to the right of Garrew’s tower. However, it is guarded by a section of exploding barrels and an enemy with a fiery rock. Sometimes, it’s easier just to buy things at Round Table Hold.

There are several enemies on this bridge, sowe recommend ranged combatto draw them up to where you’re standing. This will prevent any unnecessary accidents out on the bridge (gravity is the player’s greatest foe, after all).

From here, all you must do isventure across the bridgeto the corpse on the other side.Loot itfor theGreater Potentate’s Cookbook [3].

Watch out for the enemies on the ground beneath the Fog Rift. Some of these can throw projectiles onto the bridge, so practice caution.