Companion Quests Unraveled: Your Guide to Needle Knight Leda in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree

So, Tarnished, you’ve embarked on the challenging journey through Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and you’re wondering how to navigate Needle Knight Leda's intricate questline. Fear not! This guide will hold your hand through the foggy realms and twisty plots to ensure you complete every segment of her storyline with precision. Leda is a key character whose quest interlinks with many others, affecting the overall narrative and your adventure. Let's delve into each step together.

Step 1: The First Encounter – Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum

You’ll meet Needle Knight Leda inside the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum once you’ve finished conquering Starscourge Radahn and Mogh, Lord of Blood. Head to the Site of Grace called 'Cocoon of the Empyrean'. Here, Leda introduces herself and expresses her devotion to Miquella, urging you to touch the withered arm hanging from the cocoon.

By interacting with the arm, you’ll be transported to Gravesite Plain, the entrance to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Now, before you proceed further into Leda's quest, explore this new area first. Initiate questlines linked to characters such as Redmane Freyja, Hornsent, Ansbach, and Moore.

Step 2: The Second Encounter – Scadu Altus

After making your way through Castle Ensis and defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, you’ll reach a new Site of Grace named 'Highroad Cross' in the region of Scadu Altus.

Needle Knight Leda will be there, disclosing that all of her compatriots are bound together by charms created by Miquella. This tether allows them to serve as a unit but has the potential for dissension. She also references Hornsent, offering more background about him if you choose to ask.

Finish up your activities in Scadu Altus and prepare to head towards the Shadow Keep, your next destination.

Step 3: The Third Encounter – A Great Rune is Broken

Advance towards the Shadow Keep or enter Rauh Base until you receive the message: "Somewhere, a great rune has broken...". This notification serves as an advancement marker in NPC questlines.

Fast travel back to 'Highroad Cross' and talk to Leda again. She’ll inform you that the charm has dissolved, causing a rift among the group. Leda only grows more steadfast in her faith but is suspicious of others, seeing this as a chance to purge the weak.

Here, you’re given three options: suggest Thiollier, suggest Hornsent, or leave without making a choice.

• Suggest Thiollier: Leda dismisses Thiollier as non-threatening and requests another recommendation.
• Suggest Hornsent: Leda will deliberate but ultimately agree that Hornsent needs to be dealt with, placing her focus on him.
• Leave: Delay your decision, but Leda will target Hornsent by default.

Regardless of your choice, Leda’s focus on Hornsent is inevitable. However, your interactions here will influence Hornsent's questline.

Step 4: The Fourth Encounter – Shadow Keep

Upon entering Shadow Keep, you’ll find that several NPCs have also relocated here. Needle Knight Leda will only appear via summoning tablets rather than physically.

Targeting Hornsent:

After defeating the Golden Hippopotamus on the southern ramparts, you'll encounter two summoning tablets, one red (for Leda) and one golden (for Hornsent). Make sure your choice here aligns with your overall narrative goals:

• Help Leda: Ends Hornsent's questline, earning you Hornsent's Armor Set and Flax weapon. Leda rewards you with the Lacerating Crossed-Tree Talisman. She then targets Ansbach.
• Help Hornsent: Continues Hornsent's questline. You gain the Ash of War: Swift Slash and Leda's Rune.
• Skip the Fight: Not engaging with the tablets or confronting Messmer first continues Hornsent's questline. Summon Hornsent during the Messmer battle to prove his value to Leda.

Record your choice and strategize, for Leda's next target will be Ansbach. Navigate carefully to influence the least or most disruption.

Targeting Ansbach:

If Leda switches focus to Ansbach, locate the next set of summoning tablets on the first floor of the Specimen Storehouse within Shadow Keep:

• Help Leda: Ends Ansbach's line, removing his availability as an ally pre-final boss. You receive Ansbach's Armor Set and Longbow, plus a Retaliated Crossed-Tree Talisman from Leda.
• Help Ansbach: Continues Ansbach's storyline. You retain Ansbach's Longbow and Leda’s Rune.
• Skip the Fight: Missing this battle keeps both questlines active.

In case you advance past these fights, Needle Knight Leda remains at 'Highroad Cross' until her next scripted appearance.

Step 5: The Final Encounter – Enir-Ilim Showdown

Your final face-off with Leda happens in Enir-Ilim, just before the ultimate boss. Rest at Site of Grace 'Cleansing Chamber Anteroom' and proceed to a vast sandy arena where she'll confront you.

She accuses you of following personal ambitions instead of Miquella’s guidance, resulting in a duel initiation. Depending on your prior decisions, the battle lineup varies:

Leda’s Allies:

• Dryleaf Dane: Always against you.
• Moore: Against you if earlier choices led him to doubt.
• Redmane Freyja: Turned foe if given Ansbach's letter.
• Hornsent: Opposes you if not summoned for Messmer and eliminated in Rauh ruins.

Your Allies:

• Ansbach: Summoned if the questline is intact and not disrupted at Shadow Keep.
• Thiollier: Usable if quest fulfillment regarding words of St. Trina.

Post-fight, acquire Leda's Sword and find her body near the arena exit, holding:

• Leda's Armor
• Oathseeker Knight Helm
• Oathseeker Knight Gauntlets
• Oathseeker Knight Greaves

Conclusion

Seeing Needle Knight Leda's journey to the end is a testament to your persistence and strategic acumen. Each choice you make affects the tapestry of Elden Ring's world, illustrating the delicate balance of power and loyalty. With this detailed guide, you have every tool to navigate Leda’s questline seamlessly, unraveling the many layers of Shadow of the Erdtree.

Ready your blade and spirit — for the final boss challenges await, and you stand at the precipice of destiny. Good luck, Tarnished. May the Erdtree's shadow guide your path!