How Many Runes Does Gostoc Steal From You?
Gostoc, the creepy gatekeeper of Stormveil Castle in Elden Ring, is notorious for his sneaky rune-stealing habit. So, to answer directly, Gostoc steals 30% of the runes you drop upon death within the confines of Stormveil Castle. This theft occurs every single time you meet your demise inside the castle walls, regardless of whether you entered through the main gate or his suggested alternative route. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are attempting to recover a large sum of runes after a challenging encounter. It’s not a percentage of your total held runes, but rather a percentage of what you lose upon death.
Gostoc’s Rune-Thieving Mechanics
The key to understanding Gostoc’s rune-stealing lies in his hidden stalking behavior. After certain trigger points within Stormveil Castle, Gostoc will materialize in specific locations, usually out of sight but close enough to witness your demise. These locations include:
- On a ruined watchtower.
- Inside the rampart tower.
- On the roof of the cathedral where Rogier resides.
When you die in Stormveil Castle while Gostoc is present in one of these locations, he will automatically pilfer 30% of the runes you lost. This makes him a significant threat to your hard-earned currency, especially during the early stages of the game when rune acquisition is crucial for leveling up.
How to Stop Gostoc’s Thievery
Fortunately, Gostoc’s rune-stealing isn’t a permanent feature. You can put an end to his kleptomaniacal tendencies by engaging in a series of dialogues. To do this:
- Talk to him at any of the first three listed stalking locations.
- Speak to him again at the fourth location, which is usually after clearing the area and moving through the castle.
These dialogues will halt his rune-stealing ways. Once you complete the dialogue sequence, Gostoc will no longer steal your runes upon death within the castle.
The Consequences of Killing Gostoc
After you have finished the required dialogue with Gostoc, you are presented with a choice: you can either leave him alone or confront him. If you decide to kill Gostoc after he stops stealing from you, you will receive:
- Gostoc’s Ball Bearing: This item can be given to the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold, unlocking Gostoc’s shop with a limited selection of items.
- The runes he has stolen from you: You will get back all the runes he has previously taken from you.
Is Killing Gostoc Worth It?
Initially, killing Gostoc was a simple way to reclaim your stolen runes and gain access to his item shop. However, a March 2022 update changed this dynamic significantly. Gostoc now sells an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for 20,000 runes after you defeat Godrick. This is a valuable item that can be difficult to obtain, making Gostoc’s survival potentially more beneficial than his demise. It is therefore no longer always considered a good idea to kill him, particularly if you need that easy-to-access Smithing Stone.
Making The Choice
Whether or not you kill Gostoc is now a matter of strategic consideration. If you do not require the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, you can still kill him to get your stolen runes back and access his shop early. However, if the smithing stone is important to your build progression, it’s advisable to let him live and purchase it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Gostoc steal runes if I die outside of the main castle area in Stormveil?
No, Gostoc’s rune-stealing is limited to the interior of Stormveil Castle. The area outside the castle, where the Warhawks are present, is safe from his thievery.
2. Does Gostoc always steal runes?
Yes, if you die within the castle walls, and you haven’t completed the required dialogues, Gostoc will steal 30% of your dropped runes every time. It’s not a choice; it’s a mechanic linked to his presence in the hidden locations.
3. How do I get Gostoc to stop stealing from me?
You need to talk to him at any of the first three listed locations, and then again at the fourth location. This will trigger a dialogue sequence that will halt his rune-stealing.
4. If I kill Gostoc, do I get all my stolen runes back?
Yes, upon killing him, you will receive all the runes that he had stolen from you throughout your time in Stormveil Castle.
5. What else does killing Gostoc give me?
Besides your stolen runes, killing Gostoc provides you with Gostoc’s Ball Bearing, which can be given to the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold to access his shop.
6. What items does Gostoc sell?
Gostoc sells:
* Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot (200 runes)
* Ruin Fragment (100 runes)
* Furicalling Finger Remedy (1000 runes)
* After defeating Godrick the Grafted, he sells an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone (20,000 runes).
7. Where are Gostoc’s stalking locations?
Gostoc is found stalking you on a ruined watchtower, inside the rampart tower, and on the roof of the cathedral where Rogier resides.
8. Does Gostoc’s rune stealing affect my ability to level up?
While the 30% rune theft is annoying and impactful, it doesn’t affect your actual ability to level up. It simply means you are losing a portion of the runes you died with and will have to earn more to achieve your leveling goals.
9. What happens if I ignore Gostoc’s recommended path?
You can choose to ignore Gostoc’s suggestion and enter through the main gate, which he claims is heavily guarded. You will still experience the game’s intended difficulty, but Gostoc will still try to steal your runes if you die in the castle, regardless of your choice of entry.
10. Is Gostoc the only NPC in Elden Ring who steals runes?
Yes, Gostoc is unique in his rune-stealing mechanic. There are no other NPCs in Elden Ring that steal runes in the same manner.
11. Is it necessary to kill Gostoc for game progression?
No, killing Gostoc is not required for game progression. It’s entirely optional and based on whether you want to recover stolen runes, obtain his ball bearing, or prefer to keep him alive for his smithing stone sales.
12. Can I get the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone elsewhere?
Yes, Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones can be found in other locations later in the game. However, the one sold by Gostoc is a relatively early and convenient source.
13. Does the percentage stolen by Gostoc change during the game?
No, Gostoc always steals 30% of your dropped runes inside Stormveil Castle as long as the dialogues haven’t been triggered.
14. Is Gostoc related to other NPCs in the game?
There is no known direct familial relationship or significant connection between Gostoc and other NPCs within Elden Ring.
15. How do I know if Gostoc is currently stealing my runes?
You’ll know Gostoc is actively stealing your runes if you have not completed the required dialogue, and you are dying within the walls of Stormveil castle.