In the Elden Ring DLC, you can discover rare and powerful beasts called Golden Hippopotamuses. While these are optional bosses, you shouldn’t avoid them, as they can drop Scadutree Fragments. These rare items are needed to level up Shadow Tree Blessings, which in turn increases your attack power and resistance to enemies’ attacks.
There are four hippo bosses in the Elden Ring DLC. One of them drops two Scadutree Fragments, while the rest drop just one Scadutree Fragment each. In total, you can get five Scadutree Fragments from hunting all Golden Hippos in Shadow of the Erdtree. Here are all the hippo locations in the Elden Ring DLC:
Hippo near Charo’s Hidden Grave
The first Golden Hippo boss is located in Charo’s Hidden Grave, a secret area in the upper regions of Southern Shore. You can get to Charo’s Hidden Grave by going behind the giant dead dragon near the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion. From Charo’s Hidden Grave, head west to find a small lake. You will find a hippo roaming around here. Be careful of gravebirds and miranda flowers along the way.
Hippo at the Entrance of Shadow Keep
The second hippo boss is located at the entrance of Shadow Keep. You can find the entrance to Shadow Keep by going north from the Highroad Cross site of grace located just ahead of Castle Ensis. At the entrance of Shadow Keep, there will be a lift taking you up to the Shadow Keep Main Gate site of grace. Go north from here to enter the Golden Hippo boss arena. This enemy has two-phase boss fights and drops two Scadutree Fragments when defeated. You also get the Crucible Thorns incantation.
Two Hippos near Recluses’ River
At the end of Recluses’ River, you can find two hippos for two easy Scadutree Fragments. However, you will have to find the secret entrance to Recluses’ River hidden inside Shadow Keep. Following down the Recluses’ River, you will reach the Recluses’ River Downstream site of grace. Just next to the site of grace are some stone slabs on the cliff. You can use those to get down to the bottom of the downstream. Go east to find two hippos roaming around small lakes.
Hippo in Ancient Ruins of Rauh
The Ancient Ruins of Rauh is where you will find the last hippo in the Elden Ring DLC. You can find the Ancient Ruins of Rauh by taking the lift west from the Storehouse, First Floor site of grace in Shadow Keep and heading west to find a bridge leading to the Rauh Ruins. From the Viaduct Minor Tower site of grace in the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, go south and safely drop down from the cliffs using Torrent to find a hippo in a lake. Defeat it to get one Scadutree Fragment.