FromSoftware’s dark fantasy worlds are filled with mysterious characters, cryptic stories, and intricate side quests that reward exploration and curiosity. Among the many intriguing figures in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Needle Knight Leda stands out as a determined and enigmatic ally. Her questline is filled with decisions, evolving alliances, and combat encounters that impact the course of the DLC’s narrative. For players who wish to understand her motivations, claim unique rewards, and unravel deeper lore, completing the Needle Knight Leda questline is a must.
First Encounter with Needle Knight Leda
Meeting in the Land of Shadow
You will first meet Needle Knight Leda early in the DLC after entering the Land of Shadow. She introduces herself as a loyal follower of Miquella, guiding you and other Tarnished on your mission to find the demigod. Leda comes across as calm and purposeful, yet there is a sense of tension behind her devotion.
She appears in Belurat, Tower Settlement or close to the first Site of Grace within the DLC zone. After your initial conversation, she begins to coordinate a group of allies, including other characters like Ansbach, Moore, and Thiollier. Speaking to her frequently and exhausting her dialogue helps progress her questline.
Questline Progression
Recruitment and Alliances
As you explore further into the Shadow Realm, you’ll find Leda at various Sites of Grace where she discusses her faith in Miquella and warns about dissent within the group. She begins to suspect that some of Miquella’s followers are not truly loyal. This leads to branching decisions that affect which NPCs live, die, or become enemies.
- Leda will mention suspicions about other characters like Thiollier or Ansbach.
- You may receive opportunities to assist her, ignore her warnings, or side with others.
- Your decisions shape her development and impact later battles.
Invading NPCs
At certain points in the DLC, Leda will ask for your assistance in targeting specific characters. For example, she might suggest invading Moore or Redmane Freyja, depending on previous interactions and choices. Participating in these invasions will strengthen your relationship with Leda and earn you additional items or dialogue.
However, if you choose to protect the NPCs she marks as traitors, this may put you in direct opposition to her later in the questline. This moral dilemma reinforces the themes of trust, loyalty, and manipulation that are common in Elden Ring’s storytelling.
Turning Point of the Questline
Decision at Shadow Keep
The pivotal moment in Leda’s questline often occurs when you reach the Shadow Keep, a major location in the DLC. By this time, Leda’s suspicions of others have grown stronger, and she may request your help in dealing with those she considers threats to Miquella’s path.
Depending on how many of her invasions you’ve supported or opposed, she may react differently. If you have sided with her consistently, she will remain your ally. If you’ve gone against her, she may turn hostile or confront you with accusations.
This moment defines whether she survives until the final stages of the DLC or becomes an enemy that you must fight.
Final Confrontation and Battle
Leda’s Duel
In one of the final segments of the DLC, depending on your choices, Needle Knight Leda may summon you for a duel. This boss encounter is a highlight of the questline, as Leda uses agile moves, precise needle strikes, and light-based incantations. Her combat style is elegant and deadly, reflecting her title and devotion.
- Location: Typically occurs near Enir-Ilim or before the final boss area
- Recommended Level: 150+ with strong elemental resistances
- Reward: Leda’s armor set, Needle Blade, and potential talisman
Defeating Leda not only ends her story but may also influence other characters’ outcomes. For example, Ansbach might comment on her death if he is still alive. These interactions emphasize how interconnected all side quests in the DLC are.
Lore Behind Needle Knight Leda
Servant of Miquella
Leda’s loyalty to Miquella is absolute, and much of her dialogue centers around interpreting Miquella’s will. Unlike other characters who pursue their own goals, Leda believes she is acting in divine service. However, her extreme faith can blind her to reason, causing her to eliminate allies who challenge her beliefs.
Some fans speculate that Leda’s needle is linked to the Unalloyed Gold Needle from the base game, suggesting a connection to the Order of Rot or Malenia. Her mission may be part of a broader effort to preserve or purify Miquella’s influence in the Shadow Realm.
Quest Rewards and Consequences
Loot and Equipment
Depending on your choices, completing the Needle Knight Leda questline can offer a variety of rewards:
- Needle Knight’s Set: A light armor set with high dexterity scaling
- Needle Blade: A unique thrusting weapon with bleed and faith scaling
- Charm of the Devoted: A talisman that boosts incantation casting speed
You may also receive extra lore entries or gestures exclusive to her ending. These can be used in New Game+ or for roleplaying builds tied to Miquella’s path.
Alternative Endings
Keeping Her Alive
If you consistently support Leda and assist with her invasions, she may remain an ally through the end of the DLC. She joins you in late-game encounters and even aids you during the final boss fight, depending on your choices. This version of her ending reinforces the idea that absolute faith in Miquella can lead to strength though at the cost of others’ lives.
Betraying Leda
Refusing to help Leda in her crusade results in a darker outcome. She eventually becomes consumed by her quest and attempts to eliminate the Tarnished (you) for disobedience. Her boss battle becomes inevitable, and her fall from grace echoes other tragic figures from Elden Ring’s world.
The Needle Knight Leda questline is one of the most emotionally layered and morally challenging stories in Shadow of the Erdtree. Through your interactions with Leda, you must decide whether loyalty, doubt, or independence defines your Tarnished journey. Her fate rests entirely on your choices, making this quest a memorable part of the expansion. For lore seekers, PvE enthusiasts, or completionists, following her story from beginning to end offers rich rewards and lasting narrative impact in the world of Elden Ring.