How to Reclaim Siegward’s Armor in Dark Souls 3: A Knight’s Guide

So, you’ve found yourself in a sticky situation: Patches, that ever-scheming rogue, has your beloved Siegward’s armor. Fear not, Ashen One! This guide will walk you through exactly how to get that onion-shaped gear back where it belongs. The path isn’t always straightforward, but with a little patience and some strategic gameplay, you’ll be back to impersonating your favorite Catarina knight in no time.

The short answer: You get Siegward’s armor back from Patches after he’s trapped you in the Firelink Shrine Bell Tower. He then becomes a vendor in Firelink Shrine where you can buy the armor back (if you gave it to Siegward earlier) or kill him to reclaim it.

The Steps to Retrieving Your Onion-y Goodness

Here’s a breakdown of the process, assuming you’ve already encountered Siegward of Catarina and potentially given him his armor:

1. The Cathedral of the Deep: First, you must clear the Deacons of the Deep boss fight. This is a crucial step, as it unlocks the subsequent events needed for Patches to appear.

2. The Tower Key: After defeating the Deacons, return to Firelink Shrine and purchase the Tower Key from the Shrine Handmaid. This key unlocks the tower behind the Shrine.

3. Patches’ Prank: Head up the tower. Patches will lock you in and disappear. This is his way of making his grand entrance. Either use a homeward bone or allow yourself to fall to the ground below.

4. Patches, the Merchant: Return to Firelink Shrine. Patches will now be squatting near the entrance to the tower, disguised as ‘Unbreakable’ Patches, a merchant.

5. The Armor Dilemma: Here’s where things branch depending on whether you gave Siegward his armor earlier in the game.

   • If you GAVE Siegward the Armor: Patches will be selling Siegward’s set (minus the shield). You’ll need to cough up the souls to buy it back. It’s an investment in style and quest progression.

   • If you NEVER gave Siegward the Armor: and acquired it on an earlier playthrough. He will spawn in the tower in Firelink Shrine. This bypasses his usual Cathedral encounter.

   • The Alternative: You can choose to kill Patches to retrieve the armor. He isn’t particularly challenging, but consider the consequences. Killing him will deny you access to his other useful items later in the game. This will also impact his role in Greirat’s Questline.

6. Completing Siegward’s Questline: Once you have the armor, you can proceed with Siegward’s quest. This usually involves finding him trapped in a well outside the Cleansing Chapel bonfire within the Cathedral of the Deep area, and tossing him his armor so he can continue his quest.

Considerations

• The game’s triggering mechanics can be a little finicky. If Patches isn’t appearing where he should, try warping away and back to the Firelink Shrine or the Cathedral of the Deep to reload the area.
• Patches’ questline intersects with other NPC quests, most notably Greirat’s. Be mindful of your decisions, as they can have far-reaching consequences.
• Souls are a renewable resource in Dark Souls 3. Buying the armor is generally the better option, as it keeps Patches alive and accessible for other purchases and quest-related events.

FAQs: The Finer Points of Armor Acquisition

Do I really need Siegward’s armor?

While not strictly necessary to beat the game, Siegward’s questline is one of the most rewarding in Dark Souls 3. Completing it grants you a Titanite Slab, a valuable upgrade material, and contributes to a satisfying narrative arc. Plus, that armor just looks fantastic.

What if I accidentally killed Patches early on?

Unfortunately, if Patches is dead, you won’t be able to get the armor from him. Unless you are on new game plus, that armor will not be accessible during this run.

Can I give Siegward some of the armor pieces?

It’s best to give Siegward the complete set at once. Giving him only part of it will likely break the quest progression.

I can’t find Siegward in the well. Where is he?

Ensure you’ve:

1. Triggered Patches to appear as a merchant.
2. Opened the main doors of the Cathedral of the Deep.

If you gave Siegward the armor before you met Patches if you kept it from a previous playthrough he will not spawn in the Cathedral and will spawn in the tower in Firelink Shrine.

Does Siegward have to die at the end of his quest?

Yes. This is an unavoidable part of his storyline. He fulfills his promise to Yhorm and then peacefully passes away.

Is it possible to save Greirat if I told Patches where he went?

Sadly, no. If you tell Patches about Greirat’s location, Greirat will inevitably die in Irithyll. It’s a harsh lesson in the consequences of your choices.

What are the consequences of not forgiving Patches?

Forgiving Patches has no major gameplay impact. He’ll still sell you items either way.

How important is Siegward to the overall Dark Souls 3 lore?

While he isn’t directly tied to the main overarching narrative, Siegward’s story is thematically resonant with the game’s themes of duty, friendship, and facing inevitable decline.

What’s the significance of the Storm Ruler sword?

The Storm Ruler is specifically designed to fell Yhorm the Giant. Its charged attack unleashes a powerful wind blast that staggers and damages Yhorm significantly. It makes the fight much easier.

Is Siegward related to other characters from the Dark Souls series?

Siegward is a character that appears in Dark Souls 3, and is unrelated to Siegmeyer and Sieglinde, a confusing fact given their nearly identical appearances.

Why does Patches keep tricking me?

Patches is a recurring character throughout the Soulsborne series, known for his mischievous nature and tendency to betray the player. It’s just his… charm.

Does it matter what order I do things in?

The order of events is crucial for Siegward’s questline. Missing a step can break the progression, requiring you to start over in a New Game Plus cycle.

I accidentally hit Siegward! Is he hostile now?

If you’ve accidentally aggroed Siegward, you can absolve your sins at the statue of Velka in the Undead Settlement. This will reset his disposition towards you.

Are there any other characters with similar armor?

The Catarina armor is unique to the knights of Catarina, known for their distinct onion-shaped helmets and rotund appearance.

How can I improve my overall gaming skills and understanding?

Consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society. They can provide valuable insights into game design, strategy, and the broader impact of gaming. GamesLearningSociety.org offers a wealth of information for gamers of all levels.

Conclusion: Onward, Knight of Catarina!

Getting Siegward’s armor back is a key step in experiencing one of Dark Souls 3’s most memorable questlines. By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling Siegward’s promise and earning some sweet loot along the way. Just remember to watch out for Patches – he’s always lurking. Good luck, Ashen One!