Needle Knight Leda is the primary NPC you’ll meet in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Her story and related questline runs from the very first moments of the DLC all the best way to simply earlier than its closing battle, spanning roughly the complete story. The alternatives you make whereas coping with her decide a few fights you might or might not have, and a few allies you might or might not be capable to name on for assist later within the sport.
Our Elden Ring DLC information will stroll you thru the place to search out Leda, and all of the steps you’ll must take to finish her questline, together with the Hornsent or Leda alternative and the Ansbach or Leda alternative.
Needle Knight Leda places
You’ll meet Needle Knight Leda for the primary time again within the Lands Between after defeating Mohg — she’ll usher you into the Shadow Realm the place the DLC takes place. It’ll be a bit earlier than you communicate along with her once more — after finishing Belurat and Citadel Ensis. When you attain Shadow Hold, although, issues change with Leda and also you’ll have some robust selections to make.
Leda first assembly at Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Needle Knight Leda in the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0Q-9_LzbPQhJhq6x3M6POLTpM-Q=/0x0:2560x1440/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:2560x1440):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25509139/Elden_Ring_Screenshot_2024.06.09___16.47.02.82.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
Needle Knight Leda is the primary NPC you’ll meet within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Technically, you’ll meet her earlier than you even begin the DLC. After you defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood, she might be standing subsequent to the brand new Cocoon of the Empyrean Web site of Grace. Communicate along with her there, after which begin your journey into the Shadow Realm.
Discover notes from Leda
The following two instances you hear from Leda are technically simply notes she’s left you. You’ll discover the Tower Shadow Message after defeating the Divine Beast Dancing Lion in Belurat, Tower Settlement, after which the Message from Leda subsequent to the Citadel Ensis Checkpoint Web site of Grace inside Citadel Ensis.
Leda second assembly at Highroad Cross Web site of Grace
You may summon Needle Knight Leda to combat with you to defeat Rellana, Twin Moon Knight in Citadel Ensis, however that is elective for her questline. After the combat, you’ll head out onto the Scadu Altus the place the primary web site of grace you discover there may be the Highroad Cross Web site of Grace.
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Hornsent and Leda at Highroad Cross Site of Grace](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ywTmrMKrQuIbYLuWXFsEvnIgWnw=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25509136/Elden_Ring_SotE_Leda_2.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
At Highroad Cross, you possibly can chat with each Leda and Hornsent. You gained’t get a lot out of them but, although.
Carry the attraction and return to Leda
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree notification that a powerful charm has broken near the Shadow Keep](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0uSRAKQW_TATZjjBo7WeniCWW80=/0x0:2880x1622/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:2880x1622):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25501237/Elden_Ring_SotE_Hornsent_questline_3.jpg)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
Earlier than anything can occur with Leda, it’s essential to method Shadow Hold. Simply earlier than you attain the entrance door, you’ll get a pair of messages — “Someplace, an incredible rune has damaged…” and “And so too has a strong attraction.” These each relate to Miquella and the NPCs you’ve met to date.
You may proceed as much as the Shadow Hold Essential Gate Web site of Grace, however don’t begin the Golden Hippopotamus boss combat but — particularly if you wish to progress Hornsent’s questline. As an alternative, warp again to Essential Gate Cross Web site of Grace to speak with Moore, after which to Highroad Cross and verify in with Leda.
Help (or don’t) Leda in opposition to Hornsent — elective
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree player speaking to Leda at the Scadu Altus](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sfwpcqxfSPcSn5b1G0l_-HRhWZU=/0x0:2880x1622/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:2880x1622):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25501241/Elden_Ring_SotE_Hornsent_questline_12.jpg)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
While you speak to Leda after the attraction is damaged, she’ll be a little bit extra bloodthirsty than she had been beforehand. She’ll flip her consideration to the opposite NPCs she’s determined she will be able to’t belief. She’ll ask you to assist resolve between killing Thiollier or Hornsent. What you select right here doesn’t actually matter — she doesn’t contemplate Thiollier a menace, and he or she’ll land on Hornsent even when you by no means make a suggestion.
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree player deciding to assist Leda or Hornsent](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3_tYGRcRFL15m3WZhoy6XbO6vt4=/0x0:2880x1622/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:2880x1622):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25501243/Elden_Ring_SotE_Hornsent_questline_11.jpg)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
Again in Shadow Hold, on the rampart above the Essential Gate Plaza Web site of Grace, you’ll be capable to select to help both Leda or Hornsent. Hornsent is the safer ally right here — he’ll combat with you in the course of the Messmer the Impaler boss combat, you’ll get a particular drop from Leda (the Swift Slash Ash of Battle).
Help (or don’t) Leda in opposition to Ansbach — elective
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Sir Ansbach](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rDvHhknWiQ2bdEkn_6u05r84DVs=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25498035/Elden_Ring_SotE_Shadow_Keep_32.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
When you’re within the Shadow Hold, be sure to speak to Sir Ansbach and Redmane Freyja. Ansbach is in a again room to the northeast of the Storehouse, First Flooring Web site of Grace. Freyja is up on subsequent to the Storehouse, Seventh Flooring Web site of Grace.
To finish their steps:
- Speak to Ansbach.
- Speak to Freyja.
- Speak to Ansbach once more.
- Discover the Secret Ceremony Scroll and provides it to Ansbach.
- Relaxation at a web site of grace.
- Speak to Ansbach and get the Letter for Freyja.
- Ship the letter to her (and obtain the Golden Lion Defend).
- Ship her message again to Ansbach.
- Relaxation at a web site of grace so Ansbach leaves the Storehouse.
In spite of everything of that’s carried out, end Shadow Hold and defeat Messmer the Impaler (with or with out the assistance of Hornsent).
After Messmer, return to the Highroad Cross Web site of Grace and speak to Leda. She’ll have turned her consideration to Ansbach now.
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree player choosing to assist Ansbach or Leda in Shadow Keep](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/go_72aC3L5xEe4dflw8YDxMNs9M=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25509146/Elden_Ring_SotE_Leda_6.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
Return to Ansbach’s room on the primary ground of the Specimen Storehouse. He’ll be gone, however there might be a pair of summon indicators there — a purple one for Leda and a gold one for Ansbach. Your alternative is similar because it was for Hornsent — help certainly one of them in opposition to the opposite. And once more, the protected alternative is to ally your self with Ansbach in opposition to Leda.
Defeat her to select up the Ansbach’s Longbow weapon.
Burn the Sealing Tree
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree player about to burn the Sealing Tree](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NQ6dwScUBBvNthkDJXu2j9uhq-4=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25507693/Elden_Ring_SotE_Enir_Ilim_43.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
Earlier than you possibly can deliver Leda’s questline to an finish, you’ll must cross the Rauh Ruins, defeat Romina, Saint of the Bud on the Church of the Bud, after which lastly use Messmer’s Kindling to burn the Sealing Tree.
That may open the Tower of Shadow and teleport you to Enir-Ilim.
Defeat Needle Knight Leda and her allies
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree player facing off with Needle Knight Leda](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/86xS2FoyeEvuagqs23kVq04ydfw=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25509148/Elden_Ring_SotE_Leda_8.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
After making in by way of Enir-Ilim, you’ll come to a big enviornment and have your closing showdown with Needle Knight Leda and her allies. Relying on how your sport went, you’ll need to face Redmane Freyja, Dryleaf Dane, probably Sir Moore, after which Leda herself.
![Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Leda after the boss fight](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b3EbONZInGWRSa1cSXSM4hhsT_4=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25507768/Elden_Ring_SotE_Enir_Ilim_38.png)
Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco by way of Polygon
After the combat, you’ll get Leda’s Sword. Just a little previous the world, you’ll discover Leda’s physique within the hallway the place you possibly can choose up Leda’s Armor.
On the lookout for extra Shadow of the Erdtree guides? Take a look at our guides on the Rely Ymir, Dryleaf Dane, Hornsent Grandam, Sir Ansbach, and Redmane Freyja NPC quests, or peruse our interactive Elden Ring DLC map.