Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC presents a significant difficulty spike compared to the base game. Players are discovering creative workarounds, with Boiled Crab emerging as an unexpected alternative to the limited Scadutree Fragments. While Scadutree Fragments provide valuable offensive and defensive boosts, their scarcity has driven players to seek alternative solutions.
Boiled Crab, obtainable in the base game, offers a 20% physical damage negation for 60 seconds. Its unlimited availability makes up for its temporary effect, proving a useful asset in the challenging Land of Shadows. A Reddit post highlighted this strategy, showcasing Boiled Crab as a viable Scadutree Fragment substitute.
However, accessing Boiled Crab isn't guaranteed. Many players have missed the crucial quest tied to this item, which involves interacting with or defeating Blackguard Big Boggart. Progressing too far in the story before speaking to Rya permanently locks this quest, leaving players without access to this helpful consumable.
Fortunately, other options exist. The Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman offers a comparable 20% physical damage reduction but occupies a valuable talisman slot. Alternatively, the Opaline Hardtear provides a substantial 3-minute damage negation across all damage types, offering significant relief against the challenging boss encounters frequently cited as a difficulty point in the DLC. These alternatives, while not perfectly replicating Boiled Crab's effect, provide viable strategies for players struggling with the DLC's increased difficulty.
