How to get the Dragon form in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

While it was hinted at in some capacity, the Dragon form was never available in the base game of Elden Ring, outside of the Dragon Communion Incantations. However, with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for the game, FromSoftware has finally added a proper Draconic transformation, which buffs Dragon Incantations and turns the wielder into a "Dragon-Man."

Unfortunately, unlike the Dragon Communion Incantations, unlocking the Dragon transformation is quite tricky, and also challenging. Getting the Dragon form involves completing the Dragon Priestess' questline and also defeating what is one of the most difficult bosses in the DLC - Bayle the Dread.

Here's a comprehensive guide on how to unlock the Dragon form in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree.

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How to unlock the Dragon form in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree?

The easiest way to complete the Dragon Priestess' questline and get the Dragon form in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is to follow the Drake-Hunter Igon's questline and make your way to the Jagged Peaks. Fortunately, Jagged Peaks is available to explore pretty early in the expansion, and so is Drake-Hunter Igon's brief but very memorable questline.

The Jagged Peak in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (Image via FromSoftware)

To get access to Jagged Peaks, you first need to clear the Dragon Pits dungeon, which can be found southeast of the Castle Front Site of Grace. The Dragon Pits dungeon features the Ancient Dragon-Man boss, who, upon defeat, lets you make your way to the Jagged Peaks and also rewards you with the Dragon Hunter's Katana.

As you make your way to the Jagged Peaks out of the Dragon Pits dungeon, head to the right side of the crossroad, just near the Jagged Peak Drake. Making your way forward through the path to the right eventually takes you to the Ancient Dragon Communion, and also the Dragon Priestess.

Talk to the Dragon Priestess to start her questline. Talking to the Priestess will reveal new information about the Drakes inhabiting not only the Jagged Peak. The Priestess also reveals the reasons behind Dragonlord Placidussax's injuries and how Bayle the Dread came to reside within the bowels of the Jagged Peak.

Igon's Furled Finger is a key item needed to complete his questline (Image via FromSoftware)

After talking to the Dragon Priestess, you need to head further into the Jagged Peak, where you will eventually have to fight another Jagged Peak Drake and also Ancient Dragon Senessax. After taking down both these Drakes, you will be able to continue Igon's quest, who will request you to summon him for the battle against Bayle.

And once you defeat Bayle, which I highly recommend doing after you've received at least 12 Scadutree Blessings, you will need to take Bayle's Heart to the Dragon Priestess. Rest at the Site of Grace near the Dragon Communion, and you will find the Priestess Heart in the place where the Dragon Priestess once was.

The Priestess Heart is a consumable akin to Rock Heart and Miquella's Great Rune, which you can use to get the Dragon form in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree. Do note that you need to unequip all armor before you can transform into a Dragon. The Dragon form is Elden Ring works basically identical to how it worked in Dark Souls 3.

You need to defeat Bayle the Dread to get the Dragon form (Image via FromSoftware)

While the Tarnished is technically naked while in Dragon form, the transformation does buff the overall defenses considerably. The main reason why you'd want to use the Dragon transformation is Shadow of the Erdtree, outside of the cosmetic reason of course, is that it significantly buffs Dragon roar Incantations.