Shadow of the Erdtree has Spider Scorpions in it. I screamed. A lot. To exact vengeance, I figured out the most over-the-top ways to annihilate them so you won’t need to wear an adult diaper when gaming like I now have to do.
After suffering through Brightstone Cove Tseldora, its giant spiders, human spider zombies, and The Duke’s Dear Freja in Dark Souls 2, I was relieved to see that Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring were devoid of such creepy crawlies.
I am still 100% convinced that the Hand Spiders endemic throughout the Lands Between were originally modeled to be photorealistic spiders, only for someone like the marketing department, playtesters, or publishing execs, to swoop in at the last second and save us from such horrors.
Caria Manor seems like it was meant to be infested with spiders, not spider hands, and blanketed with cobwebs.
The final boss at the end isn’t even a unique enemy, it’s a ghost (or puppet?) of someone you fight much later, probably because they didn’t have time to make a new one.
Unfortunately, our anonymous hero couldn’t save us this time, as Shadow of the Erdtree has the most repugnantly photorealistic arachnid enemies I’ve ever endured in any video game ever. They even have hair.
The giant ones giant often hang down from webs too high to see*, waiting to ambush the completely innocent Elden Lord going about their business.
There are also massive swarms of little babies will pop out from around a corner and rush you all at once.
If you’re like me, you’re probably screaming and having heart palpitations every time one of those vile creatures gets within 20 ft of you, so I’ve put together a few strategies that will enable you to exterminate these soulless abominations with extreme prejudice.
Sorceries
Magic spells in Elden Ring are capable of wreaking untold destruction across a wide area, which is exactly the kind of power you’ll want to unleash upon these terrors
The Gavel of Haima
Did you know that the Academy of Raya Lucaria has a culinary program? They teach you how to use magic to make pancakes! It’s time to apply that knowledge out in the field!
You can loot the Gavel of Haima (and Cannon of Haima) from the Converted Fringe Tower in northwest Liurnia, near the Frenzied Flame Village and Grand Lift of Dectus.
Use the Erudition emote with a Glintstone Crown on to open the seal.
Meteorite of Astel
Calling down countless meteorites from the heavens and flinging them at a swarm is one of the more cathartic experiences I’ve had in Elden Ring. I highly recommend it.
You receive Meteorite of Astel as a reward for defeating Astel, Stars of Darkness, the boss at Yelough Anix Tunnel (Mines) at the Consecrated Snowfield.
If you haven’t reached the Consecrated Snowfield, I recommend using regular Meteorite, which you get for defeating the Onyx Lord at the Royal Grave Evergaol out behind Caria Manor in Liurnia.
Founding Rain of Stars
Ever hear about the itsy bitsy spider, the one who climbed up the water spout? Same principle. Bring down that Rain and wash the spiders out.
You can loot Founding Rain of Stars from the Heretical Rise, which is located in the middle of the Mountaintops of the Giants area. Check out our Legendary Sorceries and Incantations Achievement Guide for more information.
Explosive Ghostflame
Did the little ones get too close? Just bap the ground with your staff! The flash of light may temporarily blind you, but by the time you can see again, all you’ll see is ashes floating away in the Ghostflame.
You can receive Explosive Ghostflame for defeating the Death Rite Bird by the end of the frozen river (near Apostate Derelict) at the Consecrated Snowfield.
Alternatively, you can use Gelmir’s Fury, which Recusant Bernahl gives you at the Volcano Manor after completing a tag-team assassination at the Roundtable Hold building in Lyndell, Royal Capital.
Incantations
Like Sorceries, there are numerous Incantations that are exceedingly helpful with pest removal.
Flame of Frenzy Incantations
If you want to KILL IT WITH FIRE, look no further than the Flame of Frenzy! Its incantations are far better suited to the task than regular Pyromancy and Lightning. I specifically recommend Frenzied Burst for the big bugs, and The Flame of Frenzy or Unendurable Frenzy for the horde.
You can find Flame of Frenzy Incantations at places with enemies who are afflicted by Madness because they ate the bright extremely bright crazy berries that sprouted nearby! Check out our guide on the Three Fingers and Lord of Frenzied Flame Ending for more information on where to find all of these Incantations.
Named Dragon Breath Incantations
All of the Dragonbreath Incantations will disintegrate just about everything in their path, but the ones exhaled by the named dragons can be channeled in the air.
If one manages to slip past the conflagration, your ankles should be safe from the babies’ venomous tails, at least until you can turn your full attention to the remaining individual(s), if any. Though I must confess, I lack the courage to test this.
You unlock the associated named Dragonbreath Incantation at the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in southwester Caelid after defeating it in the Lands Between.
Aspect of the Crucible: Breath, which you get for defeating Tanith’s Knight in Rykard’s boss arena at the Volcano Manor, also works well.
Black Flame Ritual
You surround yourself completely with a wall of black fire. That sense of security and peace of mind in the face of…faces with mandibles…is something that money just can’t buy.
I wasn’t joking about being unable to buy it. You take the Black Flame Ritual from the Spiritcaller Snail and its Godskin Noble and Apostle spirits by violent force inside the Spiritcaller Cave at the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Wrath of Gold and Radagon’s Rings of Light
Accursed vermin can’t survive coming into direct contact with the golden light of divinity. It’s a scientific fact. Both of these incantations project holiness in all 360 degrees.
You can loot Wrath of Gold from the Woodfolk Ruins on the Altus Plateau, and learn Radagon’s Rings of Light from the Golden Order Principia at the Erdtree Sanctuary inside Lyndell.
Aspects of the Crucible: Tail, works well too, but it’s like you’re touching them and that’s a big ol’ no-no in my book.
Armor, Protection, and Poking Implements
You can take more defensive measures against the Spider Scorpions too!
Briar Armor Set
If they’re gonna jab you with their little pointy bits, it’s only fair that you get to do the same with the Briar armor set.
You can purchase the Briar Armor Set from Finger Reader Enia at the Roundtable Hold after defeating the Elemer of the Briar at the Shaded Castle at the northnern edge of the Altus Plateau.
Visage Shield
The Visage Shield lets you block AND spew fire at a cone in front of you at the same time. Protection and incineration all in one, it’s the complete package!
You can loot the Visage Shield from the chest at Calaem ruins in Caelid. It’s guarded by a duo of Mad Pumpkin Heads.
Honorable mentions go to the Spiked Palisade Shield, Briar Greatshield, and One-Eyed Shield.
Bolt of Gransax
The Bolt of Gransax lets you press the delete button with on practically any enemy in view with its Ancient Dragon’s Lightning Spear. If you ask me, it’s a quicker death than these hulking monstrosities deserve.
You can loot the Bolt of Gransax from the XL Bolt of Gransax at Lyndell, Royal Capital. Check out my Lightning Spear Build Guide for more information on how to get this weapon, and the whole shield-poke approach.
Death Ritual Spear
Instead of one big lightning spear, you get a hundred little spectral ones with which you can impale a hundred little Spider Scorpions, all from the comfort of all the way over there.
You receive the Death Ritual Spear after defeating the Death Rite Bird near Castle Sol at the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
You don’t have to invest in Faith or Intelligence. Some weapons have positively devastating unique skills that can lay waste to everything in sight.
Sacred Relic Sword
That which has brought ruin to trillions of Albinaurics can also be used to exterminate an entire hive of baby Spider Scorpions.
You can purchase the Sacred Relic Sword from Finger Reader Enia(‘s corpse) at the Roundtable Hold in exchange for 20,000 Runes and the Elden Remembrance. A lot of other boss weapons have powerful AoEs too, but this one is the best.
Sword of Night and Flame
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could unleash an inferno against the swarm AND blast the giant ones with the full power of the Primeval Current? Sword of Night and Flame has got you covered!
You can loot the Sword of Night and Flame from a chest behind a locked door at Caria Manor in northwestern Liurnia. Check out out Caria Manor Item Locations Guide for more information.
My conspiracy theory about the true history of the Hand Spiders is looking a bit more convincing now, isn’t it? Makes you wonder why Ranni has multiple sets of arms…
Spider Scorpion Loot
The Spider Scorpions also drop loot, Scorpion Liver!
I don’t know what it’s for either, which means that it’s going right in the trash with all of the pictures and footage I had to capture for this piece.
If you find the level of difficulty in the DLC’s Shadow Realm too high, I have just the guide for you! I have gathered all my experience and knowledge to prepare for you a thorough guide of legitimate tips and recommendations to help you make Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree easier! No cheats, no cheap tricks, no hacks.
