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The Wandering Footsteps of Patches: A Comprehensive Guide to His Post-Elden Beast Location and More

Patches, the quintessential trickster of the FromSoftware universe, is back in Elden Ring, and as always, tracking his devious movements can be a bit of a quest in itself. After defeating the Elden Beast and becoming Elden Lord (or choosing an alternative ending), Patches, assuming you’ve kept him alive throughout your journey, returns to Murkwater Cave in Limgrave. You’ll find him back in his original boss arena, ready to try and pull another fast one on you. Don’t worry, it’s all part of his twisted charm!

Tracing Patches’ Path Through the Lands Between

Patches isn’t one to stay put for long. His journey across the Lands Between is a winding one, marked by betrayal, temporary alliances, and of course, the ever-present urge to kick someone down a hole. To fully understand where he ends up after the Elden Beast, it’s helpful to trace his path leading up to that point.

Murkwater Cave: This is where you first encounter Patches, initially as a boss. Defeat him (or rather, get him to surrender around 40% health), and he’ll open up shop, selling a few useful items.
Scenic Isle, Liurnia: After progressing further into the game, Patches moves to the Scenic Isle in Liurnia of the Lakes. This is just west of the telescope icon on the map.
Mt. Gelmir: Next, you’ll find Patches near the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite Site of Grace, hiding amongst some bushes. This encounter is infamous for his attempt to trick you into falling off a cliff.
Volcano Manor: Patches briefly becomes involved with the Volcano Manor questline, although his involvement can be skipped if you rush ahead. He’ll eventually appear slumped near the castle boss arena, seemingly defeated.
Return to Murkwater Cave (Post-Elden Beast): Ultimately, Patches circles back to where it all began, offering one final encounter (of sorts) after you’ve completed the main storyline.

Why Return to Murkwater Cave After Beating the Game?

While the item rewards might not be game-changing at this stage, revisiting Patches in Murkwater Cave after defeating the Elden Beast is crucial for completionists and those who appreciate the full arc of his character. Here’s why:

Patches Crouch Gesture: This is the main reason to return. By fighting him again in Murkwater Cave (even though he’ll surrender quickly), he teaches you the Patches Crouch gesture, a fitting tribute to the mischievous rogue.
Closure (of sorts): It provides a sense of closure to his questline. It showcases his cyclical nature, always returning to his roots, always looking for another scheme.
He remains a merchant: Even after this final encounter, Patches continues to offer his services as a merchant, allowing you to purchase his wares if needed.

FAQs: Decoding the Enigma of Patches

Here are some frequently asked questions about Patches and his questline in Elden Ring to further clarify his significance and his locations across The Lands Between:

Where is Patches after I kill Rykard?

Killing Rykard locks you out of all Volcano Manor quests, and drastically alters the questlines of NPCs involved, including Patches. Since you’re unable to progress with Volcano Manor quests after killing Rykard, Patches will likely not progress to the next intended step of his questline.

Can I miss Patches’ questline entirely?

Yes, it’s possible to miss portions of Patches’ questline or even the entirety of it. However, the first encounter in Murkwater Cave is usually unavoidable unless you actively avoid the area. Missing his location near Mt. Gelmir is also quite easy if you are not carefully observing your surroundings.

What happens if I kill Patches?

Killing Patches prevents you from completing his questline and obtaining certain items and gestures associated with it. However, you can still purchase his inventory by giving his Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.

Is it worth killing Patches?

Generally, it’s not recommended to kill Patches, especially early on. Keeping him alive allows you to progress his questline, purchase useful items, and obtain unique gestures.

Is Patches lying about the Iron Maiden?

When Patches directs you to the Abductor Virgin at the bottom of Raya Lucaria Academy, he claims it will take you to the base of the Erdtree. While not entirely accurate, it’s not a complete lie either. The Abductor does transport you to Volcano Manor, a location associated with a shard of the Elden Ring and a pathway towards the Erdtree, just not the base of it.

What does Margit’s Shackle do?

Margit’s Shackle is a useful item that can be purchased from Patches in Murkwater Cave. It can be used during the Margit and Morgott boss fights to briefly stun them, making the encounters easier.

What happens if I don’t forgive Patches?

Whether you forgive Patches or not after his initial betrayal doesn’t drastically change the outcome. If you refuse to forgive him, he will give you a Twin Humanities as an apology.

What is in the chest next to Patches in Murkwater Cave?

The chest in Patches’ boss arena in Murkwater Cave is a trap. Opening it teleports you to a different part of Limgrave near the Mistwood Outskirts, where you’ll find yourself face-to-face with a Runebear.

Why is Patches not showing up at a specific location?

Patches’ appearance at different locations is triggered by various events and actions. Ensure you’ve met the necessary prerequisites, such as clearing specific areas, progressing through certain questlines, or simply advancing the in-game time. If he’s missing from Volcano Manor, for instance, make sure you’ve joined the Manor and completed at least one of the assassination contracts.

What was Patches’ first appearance in a video game?

Patches’ first appearance predates the Souls series. He debuted in Armored Core: For Answer (2008), a mech-action game also directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki.

How do I initiate the fight with Patches in Murkwater Cave after defeating the Elden Beast?

Simply return to Murkwater Cave and enter his boss arena. The fog gate will reappear. Interact with the chest inside, and Patches will ambush you again, initiating the fight.

What is the reward for completing Patches’ questline?

While there isn’t a single, definitive reward for “completing” Patches’ questline, the notable rewards you’ll receive along the way include:

Margit’s Shackle: Purchased from him early in the game.
Patches’ Crouch Gesture: Acquired after fighting him in Murkwater Cave post-Elden Beast.
Access to his shop throughout the game.
Dancer’s Castanets given to you before he seemingly dies.

Can Patches die permanently?

Yes, Patches can die permanently if you kill him at any point during his questline. However, as mentioned earlier, you can still access his inventory by giving his Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks.

What happens if I give Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets?

If you give the Dancer’s Castanets to Tanith, she will comment on their origin and ultimately decide to leave Volcano Manor to be with Rykard. You can then find her consuming Rykard’s remains in his boss arena.

Is there any indication in the game that Patches has returned to Murkwater Cave after defeating the Elden Beast?

There is no explicit in-game notification that Patches has returned to Murkwater Cave. You simply have to remember to check back after completing the main storyline. This adds to the feeling of discovering his cyclical nature through exploration and curiosity.

Embracing the Chaos: The Enduring Appeal of Patches

Patches’ presence in FromSoftware games, including Elden Ring, is a testament to the developer’s ability to create memorable and morally ambiguous characters. He’s a trickster, a betrayer, and yet, somehow, he’s also endearing. His antics provide moments of levity and challenge players to constantly be aware of their surroundings and to question the intentions of those they encounter. This emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving highlights the potential of games as learning tools, a concept explored further by organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org).

Ultimately, Patches’ journey reflects the unpredictable nature of the Lands Between and the choices players must make along the way. Whether you choose to forgive him, exploit him, or even kill him, his existence adds depth and complexity to the overall experience. So, the next time you find yourself in Murkwater Cave after defeating the Elden Beast, remember to pay Patches a visit – he’ll be waiting, with a trick up his sleeve and a sly grin on his face.

Where is patches after Elden beast?