Leda’s Needle Knight Quest: A Comprehensive Guide

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Needle Knight Leda is a key character in the *Shadow of the Erdtree* DLC for Elden Ring. She leads the devoted followers of Miquella and is fiercely committed to safeguarding her lord no matter the cost.

Even after the charm’s effects dissipate and she learns the harsh truth, Leda chooses to aid Miquella in his quest for divine status by eliminating all who stand in his way.

This guide will assist you in finding Leda in *Elden Ring* and navigating her intricate yet engaging quest across the Shadow Lands.

Find Leda in the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum

After defeating Mohg, the Lord of Blood, at the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, rest at the Cocoon of the Empyrean site of grace.

This will cause Needle Knight Leda to appear near Miquella’s Cocoon. Speak with her, and she will prompt you to touch the withered arm, which will transport you to the Shadow Lands.

Discover Leda’s Letters in Gravesite Plains

Once you begin the *Shadow of the Erdtree* DLC, you’ll need to progress through the game until you arrive at the Belurat Tower Settlement in the northwest section of Gravesite Plains.

After you defeat the Divine Beast, Dancing Lion boss, head through the east door and ascend the elevator. Open the north door and climb the ladder. At this dead end, you’ll find a letter from Needle Knight Leda called the Shadow of Tower message.

“The Gate of Divinity lies in the tower sealed by shadow. That is surely where Kind Miquella is headed. We are not Empyreans, but we must find the path that will lead us there. I will follow the crosses east.”

This will guide you to venture east toward the next major dungeon, Castle Ensis. Upon arriving at Castle Ensis, continue until you reach the Castle Ensis Cross site of grace.

This location is unavoidable if you aim to explore Castle Ensis. Collect the second letter near the cross, which reads:

“Kind Miquella seeks the tower sealed by shadow, and the Gate of Divinity found there. To reach him, we must burn the tree that seals the path. For that, we need a flame.”

Summon Leda to Face Rellana

This step is optional, but we encourage you to complete it for a fuller experience of Leda’s storyline in *Elden Ring*.

Proceed through Castle Ensis until you reach the final confrontation. Here, you will challenge Rellana, the Twin Moon Knight. Use Leda’s summon sign found outside the boss door to bring her into the fight.

We provide a comprehensive guide on defeating Rellana in *Elden Ring*. Once Rellana is defeated, continue through Castle Ensis to reach Scadu Altus, where you’ll first meet Leda in person since entering the Shadow Lands.

Encounter Leda near Highroad Cross Site of Grace

Head northwest from Castle Ensis to find the Highroad Cross site of grace. Here, you’ll encounter Leda and Hornsent. You can also find a significant gesture needed for Dryleaf Dane’s quest.

Speak with Leda, and she will share details about the group following Miquella, including insights on Dryleaf Dane, Hornsent, and Moore. Make sure to talk to these three characters before engaging with Leda to unlock those dialogues.

Shatter Miquella’s Great Rune

As part of the main quest, venture to the Shadow Keep located in the heart of the Scadu Altus area. Once you arrive at the entrance, you’ll hear a loud cracking noise paired with the message:

“A Great Rune has been broken somewhere.”

This moment is crucial in the *Shadow of the Erdtree* DLC, as it triggers the progression of all questlines, including Leda’s. Return to Leda at the Highroad Cross site of grace to speak with her again.

During this conversation, Leda will express her desire to continue following Miquella despite no longer being under his sway.

She will present you with two options for further investigation:

• Investigate Thiollier
• Investigate Hornsent

If you choose to investigate Thiollier and return later, she will inform you that he isn’t a suspect.

On the other hand, if you opt to investigate Hornsent, she will declare him guilty and reveal that he has escaped. Leda will enlist your help to bring him down.

Assist Leda in Defeating Hornsent

Venture into the Shadow Keep and take down the Golden Hippopotamus Boss. Proceed through the door on the left and ascend the stairs until you reach the Dining Room, which is home to three knights.

Exit the room to reach the rooftop surrounded by burning ships. You’ll notice two summon signs near the stairs: a red one to assist Leda in defeating Hornsent and a gold one to help Hornsent defeat Leda.

If you choose to assist Leda, Hornsent will be killed, concluding his questline. You will receive the following rewards:

• Falx
• Caterpillar Mask
• Braided Cord Robe
• Braided Arm Wraps
• Soiled Loincloth
• Lacerating Crossed-Tree Talisman (after speaking with Leda at the Highroad Cross site of grace).

If you decide to support Hornsent instead, Leda will be defeated but not killed. You will, however, miss the next encounter. Your rewards for this choice will be:

• Leda’s Rune (40,000)
• Ash of War: Swift Slash

You can skip both fights entirely, allowing the quests to progress as normal. However, be aware that you would lose out on all the rewards available.

Assist Leda in Defeating Ansbach at Shadow Keep

Continue through the Shadow Keep until you reach the Specimen Storehouse First Floor. Turn left and ascend the stairs on the right.

Follow the narrow corridor until you enter the dissection room. Speak to Sir Ansbach, who stands in the corner. He may not provide much interaction at this stage.

Continue through the Shadow Keep until you reach the Seventh-Floor site of grace. Engage with Redmane Freyja and locate the Secret Rite Scroll on the fifth floor.

Return to Ansbach and hand him the Scroll, along with details about Freyja’s decision. He will offer you a letter for Freyja before departing.

Once you’re back with Leda at the Highroad Cross site of Grace, engage her in conversation about Ansbach again. Head back to the room where Ansbach was, and you’ll find two summon signs there.

Utilize the red summon sign to aid Leda in defeating Ansbach, granting you the following rewards:

• Wise Man’s Mask
• Ansbach’s Attire
• Ansbach’s Manchette’s
• Ansbach’s Boots
• Ansbach’s Longbow
• Retaliatory Crossed-Tree Talisman (after talking with Leda at the Highroad Cross site).

However, supporting Leda will terminate Sir Ansbach’s questline, and you will not be able to summon him for fights against Leda or Promised Consort Radahn. We highly advise against this.

If you choose to help Ansbach using the gold summon sign, you can defeat Leda and receive the following rewards:

• Leda’s Rune (40,000 Runes)
• Ansbach’s Great Bow

This route is recommended as it allows you to continue both Leda’s and Ansbach’s questlines while sacrificing a unique talisman.

Conquer Leda and Her Allies

Defeat Messmer (it is advisable to summon Hornsent for this encounter) and collect his Kindling. Then, travel to the Ancient Ruins of Rauh and set fire to the sealing tree after eliminating Romina, the Saint of the Bud.

As you approach the conclusion of Enir-Ilim, Leda will invade you accompanied by her allies:

• Dryleaf Dane
• Moore (if you select the “Leave it behind you” option)
• Redmane Freyja (if you deliver Ansbach’s letter to her)

At this moment, you also have the option to summon allies if specific conditions are met:

• Hornsent (if you summoned him during the Messmer fight)
• Ansbach (if you assisted him against Leda)
• Thiollier (if you completed his quest and shared St. Trina’s words with him)

Upon defeating Leda, she will drop the following items:

• Leda’s Sword
• Leda’s Armor
• Oathseeker Knight Helm
• Oathseeker Knight Gauntlets
• Oathseeker Knight Greaves

This concludes Needle Knight Leda’s quest in *Elden Ring*. You can now engage with Sir Ansbach and proceed through the fog gate to challenge the formidable Promised Consort Radahn.