Elden Ring: Unconventional Quest Item Substitutes as Scadutree Fragment

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC presents a significant difficulty spike, prompting players to seek unconventional strategies. A recent Reddit thread highlights the unexpected utility of Boiled Crab, a quest item, as a viable alternative to the limited Scadutree Fragments. While Fragments offer both offensive and defensive boosts, their scarcity contrasts sharply with the readily available Boiled Crab.

Boiled Crab, obtainable in the base game, grants a 20% physical damage negation for 60 seconds. Its unlimited availability compensates for the temporary effect, providing a consistent advantage against the DLC's challenging encounters. However, accessing Boiled Crab hinges on completing a specific quest, easily missed by players. Failing to interact with Rya and defeat Blackguard Big Boggart before reaching Volcano Manor permanently locks the quest.

Many players report missing this crucial questline, underscoring the item's elusive nature. Fortunately, alternative options exist. The Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman offers a similar 20% physical damage reduction, though it occupies a valuable talisman slot. Furthermore, the Opaline Hardtear provides a broader 3-minute damage negation across all damage types, offering a powerful but time-limited boost. These alternatives, alongside the Boiled Crab, provide players with multiple avenues to mitigate the increased difficulty of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.