Is it Worth Killing the Merchant in Undead Burg? A Deep Dive
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No, it is generally not worth killing the Undead Burg Merchant in Dark Souls. While the immediate rewards of his death might seem tempting, the long-term benefits of keeping him alive far outweigh the short-term gains. This seemingly insignificant character plays a surprisingly crucial role in early game progression and convenience, making his loss a significant setback for most players. The small collection of items he drops upon death, while helpful, can ultimately be found elsewhere or obtained through alternative methods. Let’s delve into why eliminating him is a choice most would regret.
The Downside of Dispatching the Undead Burg Merchant
Loss of Essential Supplies
The most compelling reason to spare the Undead Burg Merchant lies in the convenience he provides. He sells a range of crucial early-game items that are difficult to come by consistently elsewhere. Most notably, his stock of arrows and Lloyd’s Talismans is invaluable. Arrows are a staple for ranged combat and drawing aggro, essential for navigating the treacherous world of Lordran. Lloyd’s Talismans, used to prevent Estus consumption, are incredibly helpful against specific enemies and in PvP situations. These items become vital as you progress, and their constant availability at a low cost from the merchant makes life much easier.
Early Game Convenience
Beyond specific items, the Undead Burg Merchant offers repair powder which can be very useful early on, especially for players still developing their proficiency with combat. Also, he is the earliest source of the bottomless box allowing players to store items. These small benefits significantly contribute to a smoother early game experience.
Undead Burg Merchant’s Unique Information
While the Male Undead Merchant isn’t pivotal to the plot, he is a source of unique and lore-related information. He mentions the presence of bosses like the Capra Demon, Taurus Demon, and the Hellkite Dragon, giving a sense of the dangers ahead. This kind of information adds to the overall experience and helps build the world of Dark Souls.
The “Rewards” for Killing the Merchant
A Few Items
The Undead Burg Merchant drops a few items upon his demise: a Residence Key, a Humanity, an Orange Guidance Soapstone, and an Uchigatana. The Residence Key can unlock a cage later in the game to free the sorcerer, Griggs of Vinheim, but is not necessary to complete the game. The Humanity is a useful consumable, but it’s not exactly rare and can be obtained in various locations and through normal gameplay. The Orange Guidance Soapstone is also not necessary to progress in the game, and players are likely to obtain one early on through other means.
The Uchigatana
The Uchigatana is probably the most valuable item he drops. It’s a powerful katana, ideal for Dexterity builds, and is available immediately upon his death. However, it’s important to note that while this is a good weapon, you can acquire one later in the game in Blighttown. So killing the merchant just to get one faster isn’t worth cutting off essential supplies for the long term.
The Myth of the “Easy Key”
Many players may have heard the idea that killing the merchant is beneficial for obtaining the Residence Key, to free Griggs earlier. This is a misconception. While the key does allow early access, freeing Griggs and purchasing his sorceries is not critical for game completion or success. Furthermore, the key can be obtained elsewhere.
Is There a Good Time to Kill Him?
While generally not recommended, there might be very specific reasons why you might consider killing the merchant, such as:
- Challenge Runs: In unique challenge runs, such as “no merchant” runs, or even speed runs, killing the merchant could be part of the rule-set.
- Experimentation: Players may kill the merchant simply out of curiosity and to explore the repercussions of their actions.
- For the Uchigatana: For players with very specific builds or early strategies, the Uchigatana might be very compelling.
However, it’s crucial to note that in most situations, these reasons are highly situational and generally don’t outweigh the overall convenience of having the merchant alive.
Conclusion
The Undead Burg Merchant isn’t just another NPC; he is a vital asset for players navigating the early stages of Dark Souls. The long-term loss of his services far outweighs the short-term gains of his death. While the allure of a free Uchigatana and an early key might be tempting, the convenience and utility of his supplies make him more valuable alive than dead. Unless you have a very specific reason or are engaging in a unique challenge run, it’s almost always better to spare the Undead Burg Merchant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the Undead Burg Merchant Respawn?
No, the Undead Burg Merchant does not respawn. Once he is dead, he is gone for the rest of your playthrough. This underscores the importance of thinking carefully before deciding to kill him.
2. What Happens if I Aggro the Undead Burg Merchant but Don’t Kill Him?
If you accidentally attack the merchant but don’t kill him, he will become hostile. You can absolve your sin and return him to a friendly state by speaking to Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish, but this will cost you souls.
3. What Items Does the Undead Burg Merchant Sell?
The Undead Burg Merchant sells a variety of basic items, including: arrows, bolts, Lloyd’s Talismans, repair powder, throwing knives, a shortsword, a leather shield, and a bottomless box. He is also a good source of starting armor.
4. Is the Uchigatana Good?
The Uchigatana is a very solid katana and can carry you throughout the game if you like a Dexterity-based playstyle. It has a good damage output and moveset, though it doesn’t scale as well as some other weapons.
5. Can I Get the Residence Key Anywhere Else?
Yes, you can obtain the Residence Key through other means. It can be obtained after defeating a boss later in the game. So while it may be available to you earlier by killing the merchant, it is not unique to him.
6. What is the Purpose of the Residence Key?
The Residence Key is used to unlock the cage where Griggs of Vinheim is imprisoned. Freeing Griggs will allow you to purchase sorceries from him.
7. Who is the Female Undead Merchant?
The Female Undead Merchant is another merchant in the game. She is located in the aqueduct tunnel behind bars, connecting Firelink Shrine to the Depths. She sells different items than the Male Undead Merchant.
8. Is it Worth Killing Any Merchant in Dark Souls?
Generally, no. In most cases, merchants are more valuable alive for the services they offer. There are very few unique rewards in killing them which outweigh the loss of that unique service.
9. Is It Better to Buy or Find Arrows?
While you can find some arrows, buying from the merchant is the most reliable and cost-effective method of obtaining a consistent supply, especially in the early game.
10. Can I Get Lloyd’s Talismans Elsewhere?
Lloyd’s Talismans are available as loot drops throughout the world, but they are not easily farmed. Purchasing them from the merchant is more efficient and less time-consuming.
11. What Are Other Good Early Game Weapons?
The shortsword sold by the merchant, as well as the Battle Axe found in the Undead Burg, are good options to start with. Also the Longsword found in the Undead Parish is a solid choice.
12. What is the Bottomless Box?
The Bottomless Box allows you to store an unlimited number of items, letting you offload your inventory and carry only what you need.
13. How Does the Undead Burg Differ From the Undead Settlement?
The Undead Burg is an early game location, meant to teach the player how to play the game. The Undead Settlement found in Dark Souls 3, expands on the idea of the lore. It builds on the aftermath of the curse and gives a deeper insight into its history.
14. Can I get unlimited repair powder anywhere?
The female merchant also offers it for sale, and the repair box allows for unlimited repairs at bonfires, so repair powder is not a long-term need.
15. Are there any other weapons as good as the Uchigatana in the area?
Yes, the Longsword, mentioned earlier, and the Claymore found in the Undead Parish, are also good options for early weapons.