There are 12 NPCs in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, all with various quests and storylines to discover. Like the NPC questlines from the original Elden Ring, the characters in Shadow of the Erdtree will give you exclusive items and rewards. But be warned: Some NPC quests in the DLC can be easily missed, and there is an important point of no return that will lock you out of some NPC quest progression.
Our Elden Ring DLC guide lists all DLC NPC questlines introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree and the best order in which you should complete them.
Spoiler warning: This guide contains minor spoilers for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
What are the best NPC quests in Elden Ring’s DLC?
Naturally, you’ll want to complete all of Shadow of the Erdtree’s NPC questlines to get the most out of its story (and get every NPC’s weapons and armor). And some questlines, like those of Sir Ansbach and Thiollier, will ultimately be helpful in the long run, because you can summon them for one of the game’s toughest boss fights.
But some of the later NPC quests, particularly Count Ymir and Jolán’s and Igon and Dragon Communion Priestess’, are directly tied to important boss battles and unlocking the ability to transform into a dragon. Ymir and Igon’s quests should be on your must-do list, if only to hear the latter’s amazing diatribe against Bayle the Dread.
All Elden Ring DLC NPC quests in the best order
There’s some amount of flexibility in completing the dozen NPC quests in Shadow of the Erdtree, and pursuing one doesn’t necessarily lock you out of any others. But here’s the general order in which you can expect to find and complete each Elden Ring DLC NPC quest.
Below, we’ll break down a bit more about what you’ll encounter from each questline, while the links on the bulleted list above will lead you to a full walkthrough for each quest.
Needle Knight Leda
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Needle Knight Leda will be the first NPC you encounter. She’ll first appear in Moghwyn Palace, standing near Miquella’s cocoon after you’ve defeated Starscourge Radahn and Mogh, Lord of Blood in the base game. After traveling to the Shadow Realm, you can catch up with Lena at Highroad Cross Site of Grace, north of Castle Ensis in Scadu Altus.
You’ll want to pursue Needle Knight Lena’s quest if you want to earn the Ash of War: Swift Slash for your backhand blade weapons.
Redmane Freyja and Hornsent
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
You’ll meet Redmane Freyja and Hornsent, and start their respective questlines near the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace in Gravesite Plain. They’re almost assuredly the first followers of Miquella you’ll encounter in the Shadow Realm, and you’ll want to pursue Redmane Freyja’s quest to acquire the Golden Lion Shield (and its Ash of War, Roaring Bash) for your strength build. Hornsent’s quest will let you summon him for the Golden Hippopotamus boss battle and is interwoven, narratively, with Leda’s questline.
Sir Ansbach and Moore
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
You’ll meet Sir Ansbach and the merchant Moore at the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace outside Belurat Tower Settlement. Ansbach’s quest ties into Leda and Freyja’s, and you’ll get Ansbach’s Longbow for your dexterity build if you see it to completion. Follow Moore’s quest, which ties into Thiollier and St. Trina’s questlines, for an opportunity to feel sad. (No matter how you deal with Moore, you’ll get his heavy armor, shield, and Bell Bearing by the end of the game.)
Hornsent Grandam
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Hornsent Grandam can be encountered early in Shadow of the Erdtree at Belurat Tower Settlement. Her brief questline is optional, but you’ll unlock an incantation (Watchful Spirit) and a tasty healing item (Gourmet Scorpion Stew) for completing all of Hornsent Grandam’s quest steps.
Fire Knight Queelign
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Your introduction to Fire Knight Queelign will come in the form of an invasion in Belurat Tower Settlement. You’ll battle this NPC twice over the course of Shadow of the Erdtree, and depending on a certain choice in his questline, you’ll unlock either Fire Knight Queelign’s Greatsword or his Spirit Summon Ash.
Thiollier and St. Trina
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
The intertwined quests of Thiollier and St. Trina overlap with other NPC quests, particularly those of Moore and the Dragon Communion Priestess. Thiollier’s quest is also the only way to acquire the St. Trina’s Smile talisman. St. Trina’s quest is an opportunity to experience one of the weirdest interactions of any Elden Ring NPC.
Dryleaf Dane
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
Find Dryleaf Dane at the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace in Scadu Altus for a short-and-to-the-point quest that will earn you the Dryleaf Arts weapon and Dane’s Hat helm. The rest of his gear can be earned in Leda’s quest and in a late-game boss battle.
Count Ymir and Jolán
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
The sorcerer Count Ymir and his swordhand Jolán are central to a major, must-complete quest in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Getting to Count Ymir in Manus Metyr cathedral is easy, and his questline is easy to complete, but it will take you all over the Shadow Realm’s map. Complete this quest to earn multiple powerful sorceries and weapons, unlock a useful Summon Spirit Ash, and face a major Remembrance boss battle (that’s also optional).
Igon and Dragon Communion Priestess
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco
You can meet Igon and Dragon Communion Priestess relatively early on in Shadow of the Erdtree, but considering their questline pits you against some fearsome dragons, you may want to wait until near the end of your journey through the Shadow Realm to complete their quests. Igon’s is straightforward, and worth doing if you want to experience Elden Ring’s best voiceover performance. The associated Dragon Communion Priestess interactions are worth doing if you’ve invested in Dragon Communion Incantations.
Igon and Dragon Communion Priestess’ quests are worth doing if you have any intention of killing Bayle the Dread.
What is the point of no return for Elden Ring DLC’s NPC quests?
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco
There are two major quest progression points that affect a number of Elden Ring DLC NPCs that you need to be aware of.
- The first point of no return comes as you approach Shadow Keep in Scadu Altus. You’ll see pop-up messages that warn “Somewhere a great rune has broken” followed by “And so too has a powerful charm.” This signifies that certain characters are no longer affected by Miquella’s charming spell and that they’ve moved from their original locations.
- The second, and most crucial, point of no return comes when you burn the Sealing Tree with Messmer’s Kindling after defeating the Remembrance boss Romina, Saint of the Bud. Burning the Sealing Tree is the point of no return for many NPC quests. Do what you need to do before burning the Sealing Tree.
Looking for more Shadow of the Erdtree guides? Check out our guides on new Elden Ring DLC weapons, armor, map fragments, and talismans. We’ve also got location guides on where to find Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, and an interactive Elden Ring DLC map.