How to solve the Incursion Painting puzzle in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring has plenty of new content for players to jump into. With new bosses, new weapons, and a new story, there is tons to see, and that includes some new painting puzzles too.

These paintings offer a special reward if you can not only find the painting itself, but the location where the painting was inspired. The Incursion painting is one of them, that will gift you with a great piece of gear if you can solve this puzzle. Don’t worry, we’re here to show you how.

Where is the Incursion Painting in Elden Ring?

You can find the Incursion painting in the appropriately named artist’s shack that’s on the cliff a little north of the Church of Benediction. To get there easiest, you’ll want to go to the Cliffroad Terminus Site of Grace, and head southeast from there. 

Follow the forest southeast and jump up a set of rocks, which will lead you straight to the artist’s shack that contains the painting. 

Take note that you have to interact with the painting itself before you can solve the painting puzzle, so don’t forget this step. This is true of all the paintings, including The Domain of Dragons and The Sacred Tower.

How to complete the Incursion Painting puzzle

Now that you’ve found the painting itself, you will need to go to a small hill near the Belurat Gaol dungeon that contains an archway. This is the area that inspired the artist for the painting, where you can find and interact with their ghost.

You can use the Greatbridge North Site of Grace to get there quickly. Head due west of the Site of Grace on the south side of the lake to a small hill. It’s right on the outskirts of the Tower Settlement, between the two bodies of water.

You can find the direct location on the map below. Follow the path marked to find the painting’s solution.

Once you’ve made it here, and so long as you’ve interacted with the painting itself, the artist’s ghost will appear for you to pick up the reward they’ve dropped for you.

Incursion Painting puzzle reward in Elden Ring

For your hard work, the ghost will drop the Serpent Crest Shield for you to take. This is a Medium shield that has a good balance between weight and defense. The Serpent Crest does scale best with Strength, and while it doesn’t give you the best agility, it’s got good defense. If you’re looking for a Medium shield, this is a great one to take.