Scorpion River Catacombs — one of the many optional dungeons in Elden Ring: Shadow of Erdtree, which provides additional resources and items useful for progressing through the game.

Unlike most dungeons, you can access Scorpion River Catacombs almost at the beginning of the expansion, avoiding boss fights. This guide will show you how to get there, navigate through the catacombs, and collect all items without getting lost.

How to Reach Scorpion River Catacombs

To reach Scorpion River Catacombs, enter the gorge between Scadu Altus and Rauh Ruins, using the path north of Moorth Ruins in Scadu Altus. Then, head west past two giant golems. Follow the river to the right and find the entrance in the cliffs near Rauh Ruins, slightly north of the Church of the Bud, Main Entrance grace site.

Traversing Scorpion River Catacombs

Open the gate and proceed until you reach an elevator that descends into the catacombs where you can activate a grace site. Continue down the corridor, either killing or avoiding the gargoyle-cannon in the next room by turning left. Descend the stairs and defeat another enemy.

Enter the room on the left to collect Rejuvenating Boluses, exit, and cross the stone bridge, defeating another enemy. Fight on the bridge to avoid being knocked off.

Proceed down the stairs, where a gargoyle will attack from the right. Turn left at the corridor behind the next wall from the door; there will be another enemy. Descend the stairs or jump down, kill the enemy, and collect Grave Glovewort [3] under the ledge in the left corner from where you came.

Enter the next tunnel, kill another enemy, and collect Yellow Fulgurbloom nearby, with Redflesh Mushroom ahead. Continue through the tunnel and turn right into a room with a spiked ceiling that descends. Wait for the right moment to safely run through.

Finding the Shadow Realm Rune

First, run under the right arch to a safe spot. Ahead, you'll see a corpse; wait to run to it and collect Ghost Glovewort [3]. Move forward and look behind the next wall to safely descend.

In the tunnel, you'll encounter 3 basilisks that will kill you instantly if they petrify you. Continue and collect the Shadow Realm Rune [4] from a corpse. In the next room, find Yellow Fulgurbloom and another gargoyle enemy.

Finding Black Knight Captain Huw

Climb the ladder, go through the tunnel, kill an enemy, and descend to kill another gargoyle. Collect Ghost Glovewort [5] from a corpse by the wall. Proceed through the tunnel and turn left at the stairs. You'll end up in the same room with the spiked ceiling.

Wait for the right moment, hide under the right arch, then run further into the location. There will be another spiked ceiling; repeat the arch strategy and remember the ladder for later.

Ahead, you'll face three knights. Defeat them in melee or ranged combat to avoid fighting all enemies at once. Collect Smithing Stone [5] from one knight’s corpse and summon Black Knight Captain Huw from the spirit summoning throne.

Finding Imp Head

Head under the arch where the ladder stood and climb it. Wait for the ceiling to descend, then climb onto it as it rises. Collect Ghost Glovewort [6] from a corpse. Descend to the original platform.

Notice the petrification effect from a basilisk statue nearby. Cross the stone bridge, turn left, hide behind the statue, then walk along the wall. Climb the spiked ceiling again to ascend. Collect Imp Head (Lion) from a corpse.

Finding Knight's Lightning Spear

Descend back to the statue and go through the corridor. Kill two enemies and collect Knight’s Lightning Spear. Ascend the stairs, kill more gargoyles, and collect Yellow Fulgurbloom from a corpse by the left wall.

Great Ghost Glovewort

Go through the arch ahead, descend, and turn left onto the lift button to go lower. In the tunnel, be cautious of flying basilisk eyes. Wait for them to move from right to left, then turn right and run straight.

Kill the gargoyle, climb the rocks, move forward, and turn right. You'll encounter two enemies and a giant gargoyle-cannon. Collect Grave Glovewort [4] from a corpse.

Descend the next stairs. From under the arches, two enemies will jump out, and a mage will be present. Collect Yellow Fulgurbloom and Ghost Glovewort [8] from a nearby corpse. Descend the nearby ladder and collect Great Ghost Glovewort from a corpse. Carefully ascend the ladder to avoid fighting basilisks.

Ancient Dragon Knight's Cookbook

Ascend, turn left twice, and proceed to the stairs. Wait for the flying basilisk eyes to pass, cross the bridge, and jump to the lower bridge. Collect Yellow Fulgurbloom and climb the ladder on the opposite side. In this room, kill two gargoyles, open the chest, and collect Ancient Dragon Knight’s Cookbook [2].

Reaching the Boss of the Dungeon

Go through the tunnel left of the entrance. Collect two Rejuvenating Boluses from a corpse on the right. Continue through the doorway, kill an enemy, and collect Broken Rune and Yellow Fulgurbloom. Beware of flying basilisk eyes.

Return to the statue, cross the bridge, turn right at the passage, and descend the lift. The path will lead you to the gate where the dungeon boss, the Death Knight, awaits.

Battle with the Death Knight in Scorpion River Catacombs

Equip gear and amulets that resist physical damage and lightning effects for increased survivability. If you lack these, avoid enemy attacks, wear light armor, and dodge in time. The Death Knight in Scorpion River Catacombs has a large axe and a wider range of lightning attacks. 

To defeat it, avoid its triple combo by dodging behind the boss and dealing damage. During lightning attacks, roll sideways or backward. Avoid lightning strikes, heal as needed, and continue attacking from behind.

Defeat the boss and receive 130,000 runes, the Death Knight’s Longhaft Axe, and the Cerulean Amber +3 medallion. After this, the Scorpion River Catacombs dungeon completion is considered finished. Use the portal to return to the dungeon entrance.