Where to go after defeating Messmer in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

So, you've gone and killed Messmer. First off, well done! That's no small feat, and you're closing in on the end game. But there's a bit more of that lovely Shadow Keep navigation to get through to reach the next major area, but we'll guide you through it.

Your next stop after Messmer will be the Rauh Ancient Ruins, and we'll be taking you through getting there, and navigating the early parts.

How to reach Rauh Ancient Ruins in Shadow of the Erdtree

Start out by teleporting yourself back to the Specimen Storehouse, First Floor, as this is the closest Site of Grace to where we need to go.

From here, whilst looking directly at the statue, go to the doorway on the left. Head on through and press on until you find an elevator which you'll be hopping on.

When you're off the elevator, continue until you're presented with an arch ahead, and an archway to the right. You're taking the one on the right, which will lead you to another hallway. The archway on the left of this hallway has a... Jar 'Person' waiting to ambush you (1), so stay on your toes and either dispatch or ignore. Continue on straight ahead (2).

When you exit the hallway, take the large staircase down to reach an infirmary area, which is filled with plenty more Jar people and smaller Jars. Take a right as you enter the room, and continue on for the doorway at the end. This will lead you to a wall with two staircases either side, continue on down them, and go straight ahead.

You'll exit out into a small bridge area, with the West Rampart Site of Grace waiting as a handy checkpoint. Rest here and then head on through the small archway next to the large door ahead.

You'll come out to a much larger bridge area, so hop on Torrent and make your way across. There'll be a bunch of bats here, but they shouldn't offer you much trouble if you elect to ignore them. At the end will be a Fire Knight however, and they'll offer some considerable resistance. Use a high poise damage weapon to keep them in a stagger loop and prevent them from pinning you down. Once he's dealt with, continue on and climb the large staircase that will end in another elevator. Hop on and go up.

When you reach the top, you'll be met with the Viaduct Minor Tower Site of Grace, so rest here before continuing on into the Rauh Ruins. Now as mentioned earlier, navigating the Rauh Ruins is a bit of a nightmare unto itself, so we'll be guiding you through to the next Site of Grace in the area so you can continue your adventure from there.

Head on through the gate at the Viaduct Site of Grace to enter the Ruins proper, and head along the waterway until you reach a path which leads to a large stone structure, which you'll then need to head into.

This underground area is the tricky part, as it's filled with heaps of enemies including Scorpions and Curseblades, so running through is your best bet unless you're starved for Runes and up for a scrap. There is however plenty of items to find, and a great many Shadow Jar Holders, who if you spot you should always take out for a chance at a Revered Spirit Ash, or Scadutree Fragment.

Head straight on until you find a corridor going right, and then take a left at the end of it. This will lead you to a room with a large brazier, which you'll need to approach and drop down to progress. Be warned that this fall will harm both you and Torrent, so ensure you can both survive the fall. In this next room, you need to look around for a square hole in the wall, which you'll need to go through to progress.

Once through the square passage, you'll enter a room with some Scorpions, you can either ignore them or fight them, but continue past them all the same. You'll come into a larger room with a view of the outside, and you'll need to progress through and enter the corridor on the right, next to the arches that overlook the outside.

Continue on until you see a Spirit Spring, which you can use to take yourself and Torrent safely down. (Make sure you're definitely jumping directly into the Spring, as it can sometimes have dodgy collision and you'll hit the deck hard and die.) Continue on until you reach another Spirit Spring, but this time ignore it and continue on. There'll be a passage leading to a verdant area, which you'll need to go through. Plenty of the Fly people here, so don't dawdle or they'll swarm you.

Carry on through the verdant area, and you'll reach a large opening outside. There'll be a Crucible Knight here who drops a unique helmet, so take him on if you're up to it. You'll soon see a Cross of Miquella, right next to a Site of Grace.

And with that, congratulations! (Again.) You've made it through the early navigational nightmare of the Rauh Ruins and can continue your journey from here. There'll be a letter waiting for you at that Site of Grace, which will inform you that your next step is to go and burn the Sealing Tree, which is located within Rauh Ruins. So get out there, and for the second time in Elden Ring, go do some environmental crime.

If you've found this guide helpful, check out some other Shadow of the Erdtree content from us here at Pro Game Guides, such as our guide on Where to get the Savage Lion's Claw, or How to get to the Jagged Peak!