The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for Elden Ring brings new zones, terrifying bosses, and some of the most memorable NPC battles in the game. Among these encounters, one of the most dramatic is the clash with Needle Knight Leda and her allies, a confrontation that forces the player to face a group of Miquella's most loyal followers. Unlike other skirmishes in the DLC, this fight is not optional, you must defeat Leda and her band to progress further into the story.

This battle is a unique twist compared to the usual boss fights. Instead of fighting a single monstrous creature, you're thrown into an NPC showdown where tactics, preparation, and resource management matter as much as raw combat skill. Victory rewards you with a generous cache of Elden Ring Runes and valuable Elden Ring Items, making this a crucial turning point in the expansion.

Who Is Needle Knight Leda

Leda is one of Miquella's most faithful servants, acting as both protector and guide to those who follow him. She leads a faction of warriors devoted to ensuring Miquella's apotheosis into godhood. However, your journey in Shadow of the Erdtree places you at odds with her mission. For Leda, you are not just an intruder, you are a threat to her god's ascension.

By the time you face her, she has already gathered a band of skilled allies, each with distinct abilities and personalities. This makes the battle not only mechanically difficult but also emotionally weighty, as it pits the Tarnished against characters who have been built up as central figures in the DLC's narrative.

Where to Find Leda and Allies

The confrontation with Leda occurs deep within the progression of the Shadow of the Erdtree storyline. As you approach the later stages of Miquella's arc, she and her followers will challenge you in a multi-phase battle. This is an unavoidable encounter, advancing beyond this point in the DLC is impossible without emerging victorious.

Because of the location's intensity and the stakes of the fight, it's wise to prepare ahead of time. Farming nearby areas for Elden Ring Runes to increase your level, upgrading your favorite weapons with rare Elden Ring Items, and crafting consumables that give you an edge will all make the battle far more manageable.

Recommended Level and Preparation

By the time you reach Leda, a character level of 130–150 is recommended. Her group of allies can quickly overwhelm under-leveled Tarnished, so bolstering your stats is essential.

Key Preparations:

Farm Runes: Use rune-rich areas in the expansion to stock up before entering the fight. A few extra levels in vigor or endurance can mean the difference between life and death.

Upgrade Weapons and Spirits: Invest in Elden Ring Items like Smithing Stones and Spirit Ash upgrades to maximize your damage and survivability.

Mix Your Physick Wisely: Combine tears like the Opaline Hardtear for damage resistance or the Cerulean Hidden Tear for longer spellcasting uptime.

Bring Consumables: Craft or purchase throwing knives, rot pots, and boluses. These can help control the flow of battle when multiple enemies swarm you.

The Battle

The fight against Leda is unique because it mirrors an NPC invasion or PvP skirmish, with multiple human-sized enemies attacking at once. Each ally she brings has distinct strengths, making the battle chaotic and varied.

Common Enemy Roles in the Fight:

Leda herself: A balanced melee combatant who uses her spear with both precision and aggression. She is dangerous up close but not invincible if you bait her attacks.

Mage Ally: Provides ranged pressure with sorceries. Closing the gap quickly and eliminating this ally early can prevent constant harassment.

Heavy Knight: Tanky and slower, this ally can stagger you if you're careless. Focus on dodging rather than blocking their heavy swings.

Assassin-Type Ally: Fast and elusive, this character is designed to punish reckless healing or ranged casting.

The key is to avoid being surrounded. Drawing one or two enemies away at a time gives you a chance to eliminate them without being overwhelmed. Spirit summons are invaluable here, distracting part of the group while you focus on priority targets.

Best Strategies

Target Weak Links First: Mages and assassins tend to fall faster than knights or Leda herself. Taking them down early reduces the chaos.

Use Spirit Ashes: Summons like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche can split enemy aggro, making the fight far more manageable.

Exploit Terrain: The arena often has obstacles, use them to block line-of-sight from ranged attackers while dealing with melee threats.

Manage Stamina Carefully: Fighting multiple foes at once makes stamina a precious resource. Avoid over-committing to attacks.

Elemental Damage: Experiment with lightning, frost, or bleed builds. NPC enemies tend to have exploitable weaknesses compared to bosses.

Patience and precision are more important than sheer aggression. Treat this fight like a duel multiplied several times, and avoid greedy combos that leave you open to punishment from another enemy.

Rewards

Emerging victorious in this encounter is both narratively and mechanically rewarding. The battle drops a large amount of Elden Ring Runes, letting you level up before the final challenges of the DLC. These Runes are especially valuable if you've been saving stat boosts for the last stretch of content.

In addition, you'll receive unique Elden Ring Items tied to Leda and her companions. These may include powerful weapons, talismans, or spells previously wielded by her allies. Such rewards make the encounter a treasure trove for players seeking to expand their arsenal or experiment with new builds.

The loot also carries narrative significance, defeating these characters means inheriting parts of their legacy, reinforcing the idea that every victory in Elden Ring leaves its mark on both the story and your character.

Final Thoughts

The battle against Needle Knight Leda and her allies stands out as one of the most memorable moments in Shadow of the Erdtree. It's a confrontation that blends lore, emotion, and mechanical challenge into a single unforgettable clash. Unlike massive boss fights, this encounter feels personal, forcing you to face a squad of loyal followers determined to stop you at all costs.

By farming Elden Ring Runes ahead of time, upgrading your weapons with essential Elden Ring Items, and carefully planning your strategy, you'll overcome this daunting fight. In doing so, you'll not only progress the story but also gain a deeper appreciation of the world FromSoftware has built, where every victory feels hard-earned and meaningful.