Is Elden Ring completed yet? Could this be an issue?

When we finish Elden Ring, we have the choice between continuing our adventure — to explore everything in Between (or even beat optional bosses) — or launching what we call a New Game Plus (or New Game Plus). It allows you to embark on a new session, while maintaining your progress and your arsenal. Many things are reset (example: teleport points) and enemies are even tougher.

The New Game MoreElden Ring is interesting for launching a new challenge or discovering another of the game's many endings. However, it will pose a problem for the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion: to access the new area, you will have to have defeated two enemies. But since New Game Plus overwrites your previous game, the game will consider that you haven't really finished. Elden Ring…nor accomplished anything you’ve already done.

FromSoftware didn't think about Elden Ring's New Game Plus for DLC

Shadow of the Erdtree will not be accessible through the main menu, as might be the case with any expansion. FromSoftware requires players to pass by the game, by meeting certain conditions. Concretely: we will only be able to go to the new region after having beaten Radahn and Mogh – two optional bosses ofElden Ring.

It is therefore important to have these conditions in mind before launching Shadow of the Erdtree. Luckily, there are quick methods to beat Radahn and Mogh without needing to complete the game again. But this step will still take a few hours of your time, so you might as well do it now in anticipation of the release of the additional content .

Also note that launching the DLC from an NG+ game will mechanically increase the difficulty. If this point scares you (normally, you have a high enough level to resist), nothing is stopping you from starting a new classic game. Otherwise, perhaps you have planned ahead by keeping a backup before launching an NG+. In which case, you were very smart.