In Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, four secret characters can be unlocked as summonable allies: Rya, Diallos, Sir Ansbach, and the Hidden Mimic Tear. Each requires completing a specific NPC questline, obtaining a unique key item, and using it at a designated summoning pool. Below is a step‑by‑step breakdown for each character, including exact locations, required items, and boss encounters.
Overview: Secret Characters in Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree introduces four hidden NPCs that become summonable spirits after their personal questlines are completed. Unlocking them grants access to unique combat styles, passive buffs, and exclusive lore. The table below summarizes each character, the questline name, the key item needed, and the summoning location.
- Rya – Witch of the Evergaol – Key Item: 'Rya's Luminous Stone' – Summon Pool: Ruin-Strewn Precipice (near the Church of Elleh)
- Diallos – Warrior of the Shadow Keep – Key Item: 'Diallos' Oath Blade' – Summon Pool: Castle Ensis Courtyard
- Sir Ansbach – Scarlet Knight of the Abyssal Woods – Key Item: 'Ansbach's Crimson Sigil' – Summon Pool: Abyssal Woods, beside the Giant's Grave
- Hidden Mimic Tear – Secret Spirit of the Dragonbarrow – Key Item: 'Mimic Tear Core' – Summon Pool: Dragonbarrow, atop the Broken Statue
Step-by-Step: Unlocking Rya, the Witch of the Evergaol
Prerequisites
Before starting Rya's questline, you must have defeated the boss Magma Wyrm Makar in the Mt. Gelmir region and obtained the Golden Seed from the nearby Erdtree sapling. Additionally, equip a weapon with at least +10 upgrade level (e.g., Rivers of Blood at +10) to survive the early encounters.
Questline Steps
- Travel to the Ruin-Strewn Precipice (coordinates approx. X: -112, Y: 78) and locate the NPC Rya sitting beside a broken statue.
- Speak with her; she will ask you to retrieve the Lost Moonlight Talisman from the Evergaol of the Forgotten (found north of the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, behind an illusory wall).
- Enter the Evergaol, defeat the mini‑boss Spectral Knight (uses a thrusting spear combo; dodge left/right to avoid the sweep). After victory, loot the talisman.
- Return the talisman to Rya; she will reward you with Rya's Luminous Stone and reveal her true purpose.
- Proceed to the Church of Elleh (the small ruin near the first Site of Grace) and place the Luminous Stone on the summoning pool pedestal.
- Rya will appear as a summonable spirit, wielding a
Glaivethat deals 120 physical damage plus 30 magic damage per hit.
Summoning Rya in Combat
When summoned, Rya uses a two‑phase attack pattern: Phase 1 – quick glaive sweeps (damage 80 each); Phase 2 – she channels a lunar burst (radius 4 m, damage 150 magic). Keep distance to avoid the burst, then punish with heavy attacks.
Step-by-Step: Unlocking Diallos, the Warrior
Prerequisites
Diallos appears after you have cleared the Shaded Castle dungeon and obtained the Shard of Alexander (found in a chest behind the false wall). Your character should have at least 30 Vigor and 20 Endurance to survive his trial.
Questline Steps
- Head to Castle Ensis (the large fort east of the Ruin-Strewn Precipice). Locate the NPC Diallos training near the western barracks.
- Diallos will challenge you to a duel. Accept; you must defeat him using only straight swords (no curved or thrusting weapons). Use a weapon like
Lordsworn's Straight Swordupgraded to +15. - Upon victory, Diallos will grant you the Diallos' Oath Blade, a unique greatsword that scales with Strength (S) and Dexterity (C).
- Travel to the Castle Ensis Courtyard (the open area with the broken fountain). Place the Oath Blade on the summoning pedestal.
- Diallos will appear as a summonable ally, wielding the Oath Blade with a two‑hit combo that deals 180 physical damage and applies a Bleed buildup of 30 per hit.
Summoning Diallos in Combat
Diallos fights aggressively: he launches a charging lunge (distance 6 m, damage 200) followed by a sweeping arc. Dodge the lunge, then counter‑attack during his recovery (≈1.2 s window).
Step-by-Step: Unlocking Sir Ansbach, the Scarlet Knight
Prerequisites
To start Ansbach's questline, you must have acquired the Scarlet Aeonia item from the Abyssal Woods (dropped by the Scarlet Rot enemy) and have at least 40 Faith, as his miracles require it.
Questline Steps
- Venture into the Abyssal Woods (south of Castle Ensis, marked by twisted trees and purple fog). Find the NPC Sir Ansbach kneeling beside a ruined altar.
- Ansbach will ask you to cleanse the altar by using three Golden Seeds. Collect them from the nearby Erdtree Saplings (one at the woods entrance, one near the rotten corpse, one at the hilltop).
- After placing the seeds, defeat the mini‑boss Scarlet Aeonia Wyrm (phase 1: poison spit; phase 2: tail swipe). Use fire‑based weapons (e.g.,
Blasphemous Blade+10) to exploit its weakness. - Upon victory, Ansbach will give you the Ansbach's Crimson Sigil, a talisman that boosts fire damage by 15 %.
- Go to the summoning pool located at the Giant's Grave (the large stone monument in the woods). Place the Sigil on the pedestal.
- Sir Ansbach appears as a summonable spirit, wielding a
Greataxethat deals 220 physical damage and adds 40 fire damage on each hit.
Summoning Ansbach in Combat
Ansbach’s attack pattern: overhead slam (damage 200, stagger), followed by a quick side swipe (damage 120). Predict the slam by watching his wind‑up (shield raise) and dodge backward; then punish with a jumping heavy attack.
Step-by-Step: Unlocking the Hidden Mimic Tear
Prerequisites
The Hidden Mimic Tear is unlocked after completing the Dragonbarrow area and defeating the secret boss Ancient Dragon (optional). You need a weapon with at least +20 upgrade (e.g., Rivers of Blood +20) and 50 Arcane to use the Mimic Tear Core effectively.
Questline Steps
- Enter Dragonbarrow (the volcanic region northeast of Castle Ensis, marked by lava pools and dragon bones). Locate the hidden NPC Mimic disguised as a treasure chest near the lavafall.
- Interact with the chest; it will reveal itself and ask you to prove your strength by defeating three waves of enemies.
- Wave 1: 5x Stone Soldiers (use quick thrusts). Wave 2: 3x Lava Elementals (weak to lightning). Wave 3: 1x Draconic Sentinel (boss‑like, uses fire breath and tail swipe). Use a lightning‑infused weapon (e.g.,
Grafted Blade Greatsword+15 withLightning Grease). - After clearing all waves, the Mimic will drop the Mimic Tear Core.
- Travel to the summoning pool on top of the Broken Statue (the large fractured dragon skeleton in the center of Dragonbarrow). Place the Core on the pedestal.
- The Hidden Mimic Tear appears as a summonable spirit that copies your equipped weapon and armor, dealing 100 % of your damage output and gaining a 10 % damage bonus per stack (up to 3 stacks).
Summoning the Mimic Tear in Combat
The Mimic mirrors your actions with a 0.3‑second delay. Use this to set up combos: attack, then let the Mimic follow up for extra damage. Be cautious of lag in multiplayer; the delay can cause overlapping hitboxes.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Unlocking
General Advice
- Keep a Respec ready (use Larval Tears) to adjust Vigor/Endurance/Faith as needed for each questline.
- Use the respec guide to reallocate points without losing progress.
- Farm runes efficiently with the gold farming guide to afford weapon upgrades.
- Check the secret characters guide for ARC Raiders for similar unlocking patterns.
- Consult the official wiki for detailed maps: Shadow of the Erdtree Wiki.
- For fast leveling, see leveling guide.
- To unlock mounts quickly, refer to mount guide.