Elden Ring DLC on Xbox One: What You Need to Know Before the Shadows Rise
Few gaming experiences in recent memory have gripped players quite like Elden Ring. FromSoftware’s sprawling open-world epic redefined what soulslike games could be — vast, mysterious, punishing, and profoundly rewarding. And now, with the long-awaited expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, the journey isn’t over. For the millions who’ve braved the Lands Between on Xbox One, one question burns brighter than Malenia’s scarlet rot: Can you play the Elden Ring DLC on Xbox One? And more importantly — should you?
Let’s cut through the fog gate and deliver the truth — no runes required.
The Short Answer: Yes, But With Caveats
Good news first: Elden Ring DLC is fully playable on Xbox One. Whether you’re rocking the base model, Xbox One S, or the slightly more powerful Xbox One X, Shadow of the Erdtree will run. Bandai Namco and FromSoftware confirmed cross-gen support early in the DLC’s promotional cycle, ensuring that players who haven’t upgraded to Xbox Series X|S aren’t left behind.
But — and this is a big but — performance and visual fidelity vary significantly depending on your console. If you’ve played the base game on Xbox One, you already know the drill: occasional frame rate dips, longer load times, and texture pop-in are part of the package. The DLC, which introduces even more dense environments, dynamic lighting, and complex enemy AI, pushes these limitations further.
Performance Breakdown: Xbox One vs. Xbox One X
Let’s get technical — but not too technical.
On the standard Xbox One and Xbox One S, Shadow of the Erdtree targets 30 FPS, but expect frequent drops during intense combat or when traversing new regions like the “Land of Shadow.” Resolution hovers around 900p, and asset streaming can lag, especially when riding Torrent through open fields teeming with new enemies.
The Xbox One X, however, delivers a noticeably smoother experience. With its enhanced GPU and extra RAM, it maintains a steadier 30 FPS (though not locked), renders at a dynamic 1080p–1440p, and loads textures faster. If you’re on Xbox One hardware, this is the version you want.
Case in point: A Reddit user (@LichSlayer42) reported that while exploring the new “Belurat, Tower Settlement” area on Xbox One S, their frame rate dropped to 22 FPS during a boss ambush — playable, but jarring. On Xbox One X, the same sequence hovered around 28–30 FPS.
Storage Space: The Silent Boss Battle
Here’s a sneaky challenge most don’t anticipate: storage.
The base Elden Ring install is roughly 50GB. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adds another 20–25GB. If you’re on an Xbox One with the default 500GB or 1TB drive, you might be cutting it close — especially if you’ve got other games installed.
Pro tip: Use an external USB 3.0 drive. Xbox One supports them for game storage, and they’re cheap. A 2TB portable SSD (~$80) not only frees up space but can slightly improve load times. Just don’t expect Series X|S-level speed — the internal SATA drive bottleneck remains.
Gameplay Experience: Is It Worth It on Last-Gen?
Absolutely — if you’re patient.
The soul of Elden Ring — its atmosphere, its challenge, its awe-inspiring world design — remains fully intact in the DLC, regardless of platform. The new weapons, spells, bosses, and lore-rich zones are just as thrilling on Xbox One. You’ll still gasp when you first glimpse the towering new Erdtree branches piercing storm clouds. You’ll still scream in delight (or despair) during the DLC’s secret boss fights.
That said, if you’re sensitive to performance hiccups or expect buttery-smooth 60 FPS gameplay, you’ll feel the strain. The DLC’s new stealth mechanics, mounted combat enhancements, and spell effects demand more from the hardware. There’s no ray tracing or 4K here — but there is wonder, danger, and discovery.
How to Install and Access the DLC on Xbox One
Getting started is simple:
- Ensure your base game is updated to the latest patch (1.10 or higher).
- Purchase Shadow of the Erdtree via the Xbox Store — it appears as a standalone add-on.
- Download and install. The DLC content unlocks once you reach a certain point in the main game (interacting with the “Mending Rune of the Deathprince” — no spoilers).
- Optional: Move the game to an external SSD for faster asset loading.
Important: You do not need Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold to access the DLC — only an internet connection for download and a copy of the base game.
Tips for Optimizing Your Xbox One Experience
Want to squeeze every drop of performance from your aging console? Try these:
- Close background apps before launching. Double-tap the Xbox button and clear everything.
- Enable “Energy-Saving” mode in Settings > General > Power Mode. Surprisingly, some users report fewer thermal throttling issues.
- Lower in-game settings: While options are limited, turning off “Depth of Field” and “Motion Blur” can reduce GPU load.
- Play in short sessions