How to Stop Gostoc Stealing in Elden Ring: A Tarnished’s Guide
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So, you’ve met Gatekeeper Gostoc in Elden Ring and noticed your runes mysteriously dwindling? You suspect he’s the culprit, and you’re right! The short answer is: you can’t directly stop Gostoc from stealing runes while he is acting as the gatekeeper at Stormveil Castle. His rune-snatching is baked into the game mechanics during that phase. However, there are ways to mitigate the damage and ultimately deal with him, preventing further losses after a certain point.
Understanding Gostoc’s Thievery
Gostoc, that seemingly helpful (but clearly shifty) character at the entrance to Stormveil, is a sneaky rune thief. Whenever you die inside Stormveil Castle after first encountering him and progressing into the castle grounds, he will pilfer 10% of your runes. He’s not stealing them directly from your character, but rather, reducing the amount of runes you recover when you return to your death location. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially early in the game when every rune counts towards leveling up. The key is understanding when and why he steals, so you can tailor your strategy.
Minimizing Rune Loss During the Stormveil Siege
While you can’t completely stop him, here are some strategies to minimize the impact of Gostoc’s thievery:
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Spend Your Runes Frequently: The most obvious solution. Don’t hoard runes! Level up with Melina whenever possible, or purchase items from merchants. A rune is useless until it’s spent. The less you have on you when you die, the less Gostoc can steal.
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Focus on Rune Farming Outside Stormveil: If you’re struggling and constantly dying, consider temporarily leaving Stormveil and farming runes in Limgrave or Weeping Peninsula. Come back stronger and better equipped.
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Retrieve Runes Immediately: If you die, make a priority of retrieving your lost runes as quickly as possible. This is always good advice, but especially crucial with Gostoc around. If you die again before retrieving them, you lose the original runes, plus another 10% of whatever you are currently carrying.
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Use a Sacrificial Twig: These reusable items allow you to die without losing runes. It’s a good insurance policy if you’re exploring a particularly dangerous area.
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Recognize Death Traps and Risky Areas: Stormveil is filled with ambushes and challenging enemies. Learn their locations and approach them carefully. Use ranged attacks or summons to scout ahead.
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Consider a Different Path (Temporarily): If Stormveil is proving too difficult early on, you can explore other regions of the Lands Between. The game is open world! Coming back later at a higher level can make a huge difference.
The Turning Point: Godrick’s Defeat
Once you defeat Godrick the Grafted, Gostoc’s rune-stealing days are over. He will no longer pilfer your runes. In fact, his role shifts significantly.
Gostoc’s Transformation: From Thief to Merchant?
After defeating Godrick, return to the area near the gate where you first met Gostoc. You’ll find him stomping on Godrick’s corpse. After this, he moves to a different location within Stormveil (usually near Nepheli Loux). Talk to him here, and he becomes a merchant. While his initial inventory is limited, he can sell you valuable items, including Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones if you follow Nepheli Loux’s questline.
The Nepheli Loux Questline and Gostoc’s Redemption (or Lack Thereof)
The Nepheli Loux questline is crucial for determining Gostoc’s ultimate fate. Siding with Nepheli and Kenneth Haight can lead to Gostoc becoming a valuable ally and merchant, offering a path to a more positive outcome. However, neglecting or siding against Nepheli will likely result in a less favorable resolution for Gostoc. The Games Learning Society understands the importance of learning through games, and these kinds of moral choices are part of what makes Elden Ring so compelling. Learn more about the Games Learning Society on their website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Gostoc
1. Can I kill Gostoc early to prevent him from stealing?
No, killing Gostoc before defeating Godrick will not stop the rune stealing. The stealing mechanic is tied to his presence as the gatekeeper, not his actual life.
2. Does Gostoc steal runes even if I’m wearing a Twig of Favor?
Yes, Gostoc steals runes before the Twig of Favor activates. The Twig simply prevents rune loss entirely on that death, but it doesn’t negate Gostoc’s initial 10% reduction.
3. How do I know if Gostoc has stolen my runes?
Check the amount of runes you retrieve from your death location. If it’s noticeably less than you had before you died, Gostoc is likely the culprit. The game doesn’t explicitly tell you he’s stealing, but the missing runes are a clear sign.
4. Does Gostoc steal runes outside of Stormveil Castle?
No, Gostoc only steals runes if you die within the boundaries of Stormveil Castle after first meeting him.
5. What happens if I kill Gostoc after he becomes a merchant?
Killing Gostoc after he becomes a merchant will prevent you from purchasing items from him. You will, however, receive his bell bearing, which you can give to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold to purchase his wares there.
6. Does Gostoc’s rune stealing affect my ability to summon?
No, Gostoc’s rune stealing has no direct impact on your ability to summon spirits or other players.
7. Is there any way to get my stolen runes back from Gostoc?
No, there’s no way to directly recover the runes Gostoc has stolen. They are permanently lost.
8. What determines if Gostoc becomes a merchant after Godrick’s defeat?
Defeating Godrick is the primary trigger. Returning to Gostoc’s original location and then finding him near Nepheli Loux is crucial.
9. Is Gostoc’s stealing considered a bug or glitch?
No, Gostoc’s rune stealing is an intended game mechanic, designed to add difficulty and a sense of paranoia during the Stormveil Castle section.
10. If I skip Stormveil entirely, will I avoid Gostoc’s thievery?
Yes, if you completely bypass Stormveil and defeat Godrick through alternate routes (such as the Liurnia of the Lakes path), you will not encounter Gostoc in his gatekeeper role, and he will not steal your runes.
11. Does Gostoc steal runes from summons too?
No, Gostoc only steals runes from the host player (you). Your summoned allies are not affected.
12. Does wearing specific armor or talismans prevent Gostoc from stealing runes?
No, there are no items or equipment that prevent Gostoc from stealing runes.
13. Is Gostoc a required NPC for completing Elden Ring?
No, Gostoc is not a required NPC. You can technically complete the game without ever interacting with him or completing his associated questline.
14. What happens if I give Gostoc the Potion from Seluvis?
Giving Gostoc the potion from Seluvis will negatively impact the Nepheli Loux questline and likely result in a poor outcome for both Nepheli and Gostoc. It’s generally not recommended.
15. Does Gostoc’s existence tie in with the lore of Stormveil Castle?
Yes, Gostoc’s existence is deeply intertwined with the lore of Stormveil Castle. He is implied to be a descendant of the Stormveil lineage, acting as a self-appointed gatekeeper and having a connection to Godrick’s grafted body parts. He’s a tragic figure, highlighting the themes of ambition and desperation within the Lands Between.