Killing This Classic Elden Ring Enemy In The DLC Is A Huge Mistake (2024)

Attacking a recurring enemy in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC could be the biggest mistake a player ever makes. From Software is famous for its resourceful reuse of character models. Usually, this just means that players will fight multiple variants of the same enemy throughout one game, but at least one of Elden Ring's enemies comes directly from Dark Souls.

The DLC does introduce a host of new and weird enemies to the Elden Ring menagerie, but it's not immune to reusing monsters, either. For the most part, they appear in the same context - they might just deal a different type of elemental damage, or have a new move up their sleeves. But there's one strange beast who, despite also appearing in the base game, takes on an entirely different role in the DLC. Although they were once one of Elden Ring's most feared enemies, players will surely regret attacking them in the DLC.

Don't Attack The Kindred Of Rot Pests In Elden Ring's DLC

The Forager Brood Are Friends, Not Foes In Shadow Of The Erdtree

Creepy and crawly as they may be, the alternate Lesser Kindred of Rot (or Pests) that appear in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC can actually be pretty helpful. They mean absolutely no harm, and won't deal any damage to the player unless they're provoked. They're members of a friendly faction known as the Forager Brood, and are quite content to just pick through the grass in search of helpful materials.

If the Tarnished encounters a member of the Forager Brood and interacts with them like any other friendly NPC, they'll be rewarded with a unique cookbookthat unlocks new crafting recipes. (The Foragers don't actually talk; they'll just silently hand over the goods and get back to work.) Their cookbooks can't be found anywhere else, and aren't dropped when a member of the Forager Brood is killed, so they can only be gained through conversation.

This is in stark contrast to the Lesser Kindred of Rot who appear in the base game, who are generally known as some of Elden Ring's hardest non-boss enemies. They have a powerful arsenal of melee attacks, but their difficulty is primarily due to their use of Pest Threads . Technically an incantation, Pest Threads summons a series of spindly webs that surround the Kindred. They then home in on the player, peppering them with a rapid barrage that's almost impossible to roll away from.

Hostile Pests don't seem to appear in the DLC at all, but if they do, there's no visible way to distinguish them from friendly Foragers. So if the player encounters a similar-looking enemy in Shadow of the Erdtree, it's best to approach these gentle giants slowly and be prepared to roll away. If they don't seem to react to the player's presence, they're safe to talk to.

Elden Ring's Lore Explains Why Pests Are Friendly In The DLC

Moore & The Forager Brood

The Forager Brood is friendly to humans thanks to their familiarity with Moore, a merchant NPC players will almost surely encounter as they travel through the Land of Shadow. Moore can first be found near the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace, very close to the entrance to Belurat. Speak with him, and he'll profess a love of things - all things that can be found, bought, or sold. His nearby compatriot Ansbach excuses his behavior, as Moore's work with the Forager Brood has been very helpful in equipping Miquella's followers.

Ansbach will also issue a warning. Moore has grown quite close with the Forager Brood, and won't respond kindly if they're harmed, so the Tarnished ought to mind their manners if they encounter any of its members out in the wilderness. He's not kidding: if the player character repeatedly attacks and kills Foragers, then Moore will become upset, may even become hostile. Moore doesn't sell any particularly special one-of-a-kind items, but he does have some useful consumables, and is likely to be the only merchant available for a significant portion of the player's time in the DLC. As a result, it's best to stay on his good side.

There's a lot that remains unclear about the Forager Brood - why they were selected for this task, how they came to the Land of Shadow, and whether they had to be trained. What's obvious, though, is that they can be of great help to a player who's willing to accept their unconventional appearance. Don't miss out on the unique crafting recipes offered in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - take care when interacting with the Forager Brood.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a popular game released by From Software, creators of games such as Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Players assume the role of a Tarnished, a being once exiled to the Lands Between and has returned to repair the Elden Ring after the events of "The Shattering." "The Shattering" occurred when the offspring of Queen Marika battled to claim the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes. Their war has brought lawlessness, destruction, and chaos to the land, and the player will challenge them with the assistance of a Maiden known as Melina as they travel towards the great Erd Tree to face their destiny and to become the one true Elden Lord. Players can tackle the game how they choose and can adventure across realms as they build their character how they want - be it a powerful magic caster or a brutal swordsman - they will have complete control over their build.

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software

Genre(s)

RPG , Action

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op , Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

58 Hours

Metascore

96

Platforms That Support Crossplay

PS4 &PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

PS Plus Availability

N/A