Shadow Keep (Main Gate) is the first of three sections of the Shadow Keep Legacy Dungeon in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This page will contain a walkthrough and guide information on how to reach Shadow Keep, all the treasures and Elden Ring items found inside, tips for navigating the dungeon, and how to defeat its boss.

How to Reach Shadow Keep

This one is fairly straightforward. From the Ensis Moongazing Grounds, exit the castle heading north into Scadu Altus. All you need to do is follow the road until you reach the castle.

Stop at the Map Stele as you pass to grab the Map - Scadu Altus. Open the map and you will see the Shadow Keep just a little further up the road.

Enter the Keep then ride the elevator up. Activate the Shadow Keep Main Gate site of grace at the top, then get ready to battle the first area boss.

Golden Hippopotamus Boss Guide

Yeah, why not, a giant hippo is guarding the main gate of the Shadow Keep. This big guy is about as straightforward as bosses get. He bites, tackles, and swings his head around and all you have to do is dodge, however, due to his massive size and the relatively small arena that isn't always as easy as it sounds.

The hippo does not have a wide range of attacks but even with multiple Scadutree Blessings, he can still kill you with 2-4 hits. Most of his attacks are single hits, so wait for the big swing and do not get baited into panic rolling.

The hippo almost always begins the battle by charging at you with his mouth open. This grab attack results in him biting you multiple times, dealing big damage.

The bite is slow but has a huge range and will often grab you even if you roll past, so I recommend just strafing around and attacking him in the side as his charge comes to an end. Most of his attacks leave enough time for one charged attack or a short combo before he strikes again, don't get greedy!

The rest of his moveset consists of various bites and head swings. When he swings his head up while keeping his front foot on the ground, he is going to do a double chin slam. Roll past both before the moment of impact.

When he stands up on his back legs he is going to do a full body slam. You can avoid this by rolling into it at the last second, or more simply by stepping to the side and jumping as the hits the ground. This way you can land a jumping attack combo as he gets up off the ground.

When he dips his head down, he is going to do an upward horn swing. This one has a slight delay before the attack and deals massive damage, so wait for the swing to begin before rolling toward and through his head. This one has a long cooldown, so use the opening to attack.

If you are attacking him from the side he often reacts with a side step/bite attack where he attempts to bump you away from him. As you might expect, you need to roll through the tackle. Watch his body movements close and dodge as he moves in.

His bite attacks are a bit more straightforward. He telegraphs them by opening his mouth wide, then dashes forward as he attempts to chomp down on you. Roll into the bite as his mouth closes and you can avoid them. Just be careful, he loves to combo these quick bites into other attacks like the head uppercut.

Like most big beast enemies the hippo is susceptible to bleed and of course staggers. Try and use charge attacks whenever you have an opening to build toward a knockdown

knockdown0% health the hippo will glow gold, signaling the start of phase two. Long quills will burst from his back, shooting needles into the ground around him. When you see him start to glow you can get a couple of attacks in before the transformation, staying close to him seems to avoid most of the needle rain.

The hippo's attacks do not change at all in phase two, except he has one new attack. After glowing gold, the hippo slams himself into the ground and shoots needles out around him. Dodge rolls away from the impact, then dodge rolls again to avoid the blast of needles. You can quickly get some attacks in as he is standing back up.

Watch carefully, keep calm, and never panic roll! Keep up the steady counterattacks until the hippo is defeated.

Your reward is the Aspects of the Crucible - Thorns, Scadutree Fragment x2, and 200,000 Elden Ring Runes. Activate the Main Gate Plaza site of grace and get ready to explore the Shadow Keep.