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Ansbach questline guide - Elden Ring: Shadow Of The ErdtreeHere’s our full walkthrough of Ansbach’s quest in Shadow Of The Erdtree
Here’s our full walkthrough of Ansbach’s quest in Shadow Of The Erdtree
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Looking for a full rundown of Ansbach’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree?Ansbach has an involvedNPC questlinethat involves a few different characters inShadow Of The Erdtree. As a retired follower of Mohg, his relationship with Miquella and staunch followers like Leda is somewhat complex and well worth a delve into.
Below we’ve gathered a thorough list of all Ansbach questline steps along with a closer look at important choices, consequences, and rewards like the Golden Lion Shield, Retaliatory Crossed-Tree Talisman, Ansbach’s Longbow and more so you can get the best result possible out of the quest. We’ve also listed key locations of things like the Crosses and Secret Rite Scroll so you’re geared up to take on the full quest.
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Ansbach quest steps
Below is an overview of all the steps you need to take to complete the Ansbach questline in Shadow Of the Erdtree. For more information on each step, scroll down to each section.
Where to find Ansbach in Elden Ring
Until Miquella’s charm is broken, Ansbach will be located at the Main Gate Cross Site Of Grace. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
When you first meet Ansbach in Shadow Of The Erdtree, he will be standing nearMooreat the Main Gate Cross Site Of Grace, outside Belurat Tower Settlement in the Gravesite Plain.
Here, he will introduce himself as a retired soldier and ex-follower of Mohg. He will also offer more information about the Land of Shadow and his fellow companion, Moore who acquires goods for Leda’s people (followers of Miquella).
You can also gain extra tidbits of lore from Ansbach about Miquella and his purpose within the Land of Shadow. To do this, speak to the Hornsent at the Three-Path Cross and obtain the Crosses Map. Then, return to Ansbach who will inform you that he knows of3 more Crossesto find, as well as the ones on the map. Each time you discover one of these Crosses, Ansbach will come closer to learning the truth.
Cross locations
These three Crosses will give you more dialogue from Ansbach upon discovery. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
The first Cross is located withinBelurat, Tower Settlement. Located just before the Stagefront Site of Grace. After discovering it and returning to Ansbach, choose the “Speak of the cross at the tower” dialogue option for the following information:
The next Cross is located at theScaduview CrossSite Of Gracein Scadu Altus. This is on top of a cliff overlooking the Ghostflame Dragon below. To access the area, you must jump up a sealedSpiritspring(located directly east of the route out of the Fort of Reprimand). After discovering it and returning to Ansbach, choose the “Speak of the cross where the eye was abandoned” dialogue option for the following information:
Upon speaking to him again (once you have discovered at least two Crosses), he will continue:
The third and final Cross for this part of the quest is located within theCerulean Coast, directly south along the pathway from theCerulean CoastSite Of Grace. After discovering it and returning to Ansbach, choose the “Speak of the cross at the coast” dialogue option for the following information:
It is worth noting that you can discover these crosses in any order and get each piece of dialogue from Ansbach. To advance Ansbach’s quest and that of the other NPCs in the Land of Shadow beyond this moment, you mustbreak Miquella’s charm. Make sure you find the above Crosses before doing so if you want this dialogue however, becauseafterwards Ansbach will move location.
How to break Miquella’s charm
To break Miquella’s charm, you need to travel to one of the following three locations for the first time:
Once you have, you’ll be met with the sound of shattering glass and the following words:
We have a full explainer on what “A great rune has broken” means but essentially, it signifies that you have advanced the main story, the NPCs in the Land of Shadow have retained their memories and independence and the seal that previously prevented you from entering theStone Coffin Fissurehas been removed.
Make sure you catch up with the other NPCs after breaking the charm too. In particular, speak toFreyjaat the Three-Path Cross Site Of Grace as she will interlock with this quest in the future.
Be warned:Once you defeat the boss within the Shadow Keep anduse Messmer’s fire on the Sealing Tree beyond the Church of the Bud, most NPCs on the map will disappear.
Where to find Ansbach and Freyja in The Shadow Keep
Here are the key locations in the Shadow Keep. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
At this point in the quest, you will next find Ansbach in a room adjacent to theFirst FloorSite Of Grace within theSpecimen Storehousein the Shadow Keep.
From the First Floor Site Of Grace, travel left around the specimen statue (avoiding the hiding Vulgar Militiamen in the process). Continue forward, then take the stairs upwards and avoid the Shades throwing fireballs. Turn left at the bookcases and then make a right inside the first doorway you see. This is where Ansbach awaits with a mission to figure out what has happened to Mohg’s remains.
As you explore more of the Shadow Keep and make your way up to the top of the Specimen Storehouse, you’ll also encounterRedmane Freyjaat the Seventh Floor Site Of Grace. Here, she will say a mixture of dialogue, both to herself and the Tarnished:
Naturally, this may be a tad confusing as reporting back to Ansbach doesn’t seem to move the story along. It seems in her quest to find out more about Radahn and her role, she has uncovered a tablet but cannot determine its meaning.
To progress both her and Ansbach’s quests from here, you must locate theSecret Rite Scroll. Essentially, this holds the information that both Ansbach and Freyja seek in regard to the fates of their lords,RadahnandMohg.
Note:Make sure you speak to Freyja and report her presence in the keep to Ansbachbeforegiving him the Secret Rite Scroll, as he will disappear from the area shortly afterwards.
Where to find the Secret Rite Scroll
Here is the exact location of the Secret Rite Scroll in Shadow Of The Erdtree. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Once you find the Secret Rite Scroll, return it to Ansbach to reveal more about Mohg and Miquella’s plans. Whilst you’re on the 4th Floor, you can also find another of Miquella’s Crosses, aScadutree Fragmentand a message from Ansbach called the ‘Storehouse Cross Message’. It says that the Church District has been flooded and there is no clear route to get there from the Storehouse. This alludes to the upper loft areas of the Storehouse, inaccessible until you drain the water. See ourChurch District walkthroughfor more information.
Should you give the letter to Freyja?
Essentially, Miquella has stolen Mohg’s body and plans to use it to resurrect Radahn. Ansbach is understandably upset about the misuse of his former master’s body and tells you to pass on a letter to Freyja to make her aware of the situation. From here you have two options:
Whichever option you choose, Freyja will give you theGolden Lion Shield. Now, rest at a Site Of Grace and speak to Leda at the Highroad Cross Site Of Grace in Scadu Altus. Note: To continue from here, you need to have progressedLeda’s questlineenough to have made a choice betweenThiollier and Hornsent.
Leda or Ansbach? All quest outcomes
Needle Knight Leda’s questline will intersect with Ansbach’s. During this, you will need to choose between them. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
It transpires that Leda is set on getting rid of Ansbach, fearing that he will strike against Miquella. Return to Ansbach’s room in the Specimen Storehouse and you’ll see a red and gold summon sign where he once was. You can choose to help either Ansbach or Leda but both choices will have consequences.
Assist Ansbach:
If you choose to assist Ansbach, Leda will die (for now) and you’ll recieve the following:
Assist Leda:
If you choose to assist Leda, you’ll recieve the following:
In my opinion, it is better toassist Ansbachas you should get his armor and gear anyway if you summon him for the last fight of the DLC (although, depending on your choices you may have to choose between summoning him orThiollierto assist). You’ll get his invaluable help against arguably the hardest boss in Elden Ring as well as the Obsidian Lamina Reaper (with Dexterity Scaling C and 55 passive Bleed buildup damage) as well as the Furious Blade of AnsbachIncantation. Of course, this is at the end of the DLC, so may not be much of an incentive unless you’re looking to delve into new game plus. Additionally, Leda will turn on you no matter what choices you make, as soon as you enter Enir-Ilim. But of course, the choice is always yours.
Where to find Ansbach in Enir-Ilim
Now you’ve chosen between Ansbach and Leda, there’s nothing more to do in this questline other than progress to the final region, Enir-Ilim. This means you need to defeat Messmer at the Shadow Keep and use his fire on the Sealing Tree, beyond the Church of the Bud (in the Ancient Ruins of Rauh).
As soon as you do, most of the NPCs will disappear off the map and you’ll be instantly transported into Enir-Ilim. From here, make your way through the region until you get to the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom. This is where Leda will appear and summon her allies.
This can be an extremely tough fight, but you should have at least one summon available to help (this will be Ansbach if you sided with him in the above choice).
Defeat Leda and her gang and get prepared to face the last boss of the DLC. Before advancing, if Ansbach was summoned he’ll be waiting for you at the foot of the Divine Gate stairs. Ansbach will express that he knows it was the Tarnished that killed Mohg but does not hold it against them as it was a fair fight. He will also go one further and offer his assistance against the last boss,Miquella himself.
If you summon Ansbach for the fight, you’ll be able to loot the arena afterwards for his armor, Obsidian Lamina, and the Furious Blade of Ansbach Incantation. Alternatively, if you have Thiollier as a summon option, you can get Thiollier’s gear and Thiollier’s Hidden Needle after the fight.
Ansbach questline rewards
Perhaps the greatest reward of Ansbach’s sidequest is the help he can provide in the final boss fight as an optional summon. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
The following quest rewards are what you can expect to gain from Ansbach’s questline providing you make the stipulated choices:
That rounds up our guide on the Ansbach questline in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree. For more Elden Ringtips and tricks, check out ourbest weapons,best armor,Talismans,buildsorboss locationsguides.
