Is It Better to Keep Patches Alive?
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Yes, generally, it is better to keep Patches alive across the various FromSoftware games where he appears, particularly in Elden Ring and Bloodborne, despite his treacherous nature. While his antics often lead to frustration and betrayal, sparing him ultimately unlocks unique questlines, valuable items, and merchant services that would otherwise be inaccessible. Killing Patches early, while tempting, usually results in significant missed opportunities.
Why Keeping Patches Alive is Beneficial
Patches is a recurring character in many FromSoftware games, known for his devious traps and deceptive nature. Despite this, he often has a complex character arc that can be beneficial to the player if he is spared. The biggest draw for keeping Patches alive lies in the exclusive benefits he provides.
Elden Ring
In Elden Ring, choosing to let Patches live is almost essential for a completionist playthrough. By sparing him, you gain access to his shop, where he sells crucial items, and importantly, you unlock questlines tied to specific armor sets.
- Saving Greirat: If Greirat, another NPC merchant, is sent on his second scavenging mission and you have not yet acquired the Catarina Armor set, informing Patches of Greirat’s location when he asks about it, allows Patches to rescue Greirat and bring him back to the player for more items and trade. This is often cited as the easiest and safest way to continue Greirat’s questline, which would otherwise require a complex intervention with another NPC.
- Great Horned Tragoth’s Armor: Perhaps the most compelling reason to keep Patches alive in Elden Ring is his role in acquiring the Great Horned Tragoth’s armor set. This armor set boasts the highest poise in the game. Killing him early prevents this questline from starting. After his initial encounter, Patches will tell you to return, and upon your return, he will ask you to kill Tragoth. If you complete this quest, you will get the armor.
- Patches’ Shop: After sparing Patches in Murkwater Cave and exhausting his dialogue, he will move to the Scenic Isle in Liurnia. He will then operate a shop, selling useful items for your adventures.
- Magma Whip Candlestick: Patches gives you this weapon as a reward after killing Great Horned Tragoth for him.
Bloodborne
The consequences of killing Patches are less severe in Bloodborne, but there are still reasons to let him live.
- Chalice Dungeon Merchant: If you spare Patches after his encounter in the Lecture Building, he will very rarely appear as a merchant in certain Chalice Dungeons. Although the items he sells are at extremely inflated prices (equivalent to the Chalice Dungeon Bath Messengers), they can still be valuable.
- Great One’s Wisdom: Killing Patches drops a Great One’s Wisdom, but he also leaves this item behind on his desk in the Lecture Building after leaving, making it unnecessary to kill him for this particular reward.
- Questline Considerations: Choosing not to kill him after his initial betrayal leads to a more varied and potentially rewarding experience as you encounter him again later.
Dark Souls Series
In Dark Souls and Dark Souls 3, Patches is more consistently a troublesome yet ultimately useful merchant and quest giver.
- Dark Souls (Remastered): Sparing Patches allows you access to his wares and continuing his questline.
- Dark Souls 3: In this game, Unbreakable Patches is implied to be the same Patches from Dark Souls, having survived for millennia. If you refuse to forgive him after one of his traps, he will give you a gesture and a Rusted Coin before becoming a merchant. He eventually moves to Firelink Shrine to sell you goods.
The Consequences of Killing Patches
While sometimes it may seem satisfying to retaliate after a betrayal, killing Patches usually means locking yourself out of valuable content.
- Missed Merchant: In all cases, if Patches is killed before he becomes a merchant, you lose access to his unique inventory, which can sometimes include key items. While you can retrieve his Bell Bearing in Elden Ring for the Twin Maiden Husks to sell his inventory, this usually comes at a high price and is not as ideal as having Patches’ shop available.
- Lost Questlines: Killing him often immediately ends his related questlines, depriving the player of unique gear and content, such as the Great Horned Targoth set in Elden Ring.
- Limited Rewards: Although Patches may drop an item upon death, it’s often less valuable compared to the ongoing benefits of keeping him alive.
How to Keep Patches Alive
Across the various FromSoftware games, the method for keeping Patches alive is consistent: halt your attacks once he surrenders. He will typically drop to his knees and beg for mercy. At this point, simply wait, and the encounter will end without him dying. Be patient and resist the urge to strike him further.
Specific Instructions for Elden Ring
- During the fight in Murkwater Cave, attack Patches until his health is low.
- He will eventually surrender.
- Stop attacking at this point!
- Wait, and he will engage in dialogue.
- He will then become a friendly merchant.
Final Thoughts
While Patches can be frustrating, his presence is an integral part of the FromSoftware experience. He’s a character designed to test the player’s patience and decision-making skills, and the rewards for sparing him often far outweigh the immediate satisfaction of eliminating him. Therefore, in most cases, it’s strategically better to keep Patches alive and reap the benefits he offers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it really worth keeping Patches alive in every FromSoftware game?
Yes, generally. While his treachery can be annoying, the long-term benefits like access to merchant services, questlines, and unique items are usually worth the hassle.
2. What happens if I kill Patches in the first encounter?
You typically lose access to his merchant services and any related questlines, and may miss out on rare and valuable items.
3. Can I get the Bull-Goat Armor if I kill Patches?
No, killing Patches before he moves on will lock you out of getting the Bull-Goat Armor. This armor is considered a must-have for many builds.
4. What does Patches sell after he becomes a merchant?
Patches’ shop varies depending on the game but usually includes useful items such as armor, weapons, crafting materials, and consumables.
5. Does Patches move locations if I let him live?
Yes, in Elden Ring after the encounter in Murkwater Cave, he moves to the Scenic Isle in Liurnia. In Dark Souls 3, after tricking you in the cathedral, he moves to Firelink Shrine.
6. What happens if I open Patches’ second chest in Elden Ring?
Opening his second chest will teleport you to Mistwood Ruins. He will be gone when you return to Murkwater Cave.
7. Is Patches the same character in every Souls game?
While he’s a recurring figure, each version is considered a unique entity until Dark Souls 3, where Unbreakable Patches is implied to be the same Patches from Dark Souls, implying a continuity of his character through the games.
8. Why is Patches a recurring character in FromSoftware games?
Patches is a signature Easter egg used by FromSoftware, akin to the Moonlight Greatsword, meant to be a familiar experience for long-term players.
9. How long do patches for injuries last?
This is referring to the type of patch that is applied to the skin for nutrient absorption. These usually last 8-12 hours
10. Why are patches falling off (in real life, non game-related)?
Patches can fall off due to inadequate heat or pressure during application, or because of harsh washing and drying conditions.
11. Can I iron on patches?
Yes, but only on certain fabrics like cotton, cotton blends, denim, and wool. Avoid using steam and ensure a dry surface.
12. Why does Patches betray me?
Patches is motivated by self-interest, and his betrayal is a hallmark of his character. This is true in all instances in which he appears.
13. What happens if you don’t forgive Patches in Dark Souls 3?
He will apologize for tricking you and give you the prostration gesture and a Rusted Coin before becoming a merchant.
14. What happens if you don’t kill Patches in Bloodborne?
He may appear rarely as a merchant in certain Chalice Dungeons, selling items at very high prices.
15. Is it possible to shoot Patches from afar in Bloodborne?
Yes, but it’s not recommended if you’re aiming to experience his questline fully. It’s better to spare him after his initial encounter.