Was Patches in Dark Souls 2? Unraveling the Devious Web
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Yes, a character heavily implied to be Patches appears in Dark Souls 2. While not explicitly named “Patches” in the base game, the character “Pate” shares many of the iconic traits, behaviors, and narrative role commonly associated with Patches across the Dark Souls series and other FromSoftware titles.
Pate: The Patches Archetype in Drangleic
Pate serves as the Patches archetype in Dark Souls 2. He’s a deceptive character, a con artist, and a trickster who frequently lures players into traps. Despite his manipulative nature, he often plays a vital role in providing useful items, and his storyline has a nuanced conclusion that raises questions about his true motivations.
Locating and Interacting with Pate
Pate is first encountered in the Forest of Fallen Giants, specifically inside a house near the Cardinal Tower Bonfire. He’s behind a gate, claiming he’s trapped and needs help. If the player opens the gate, they’ll find themselves in a room filled with traps – Pate’s “treasure”.
Pate’s Questline and Ambiguous Morality
Pate’s questline revolves around his rivalry with Creighton the Wanderer. Both men claim the other is untrustworthy, and the player is forced to choose a side or remain neutral. Killing either Pate or Creighton impacts the availability of certain items and their respective storylines.
Pate’s seemingly harmless facade masks a cunning mind, willing to exploit others for personal gain. However, he sometimes offers valuable assistance, making his intentions difficult to discern. This moral ambiguity is a key characteristic of the Patches archetype.
Design and Dialogue Similarities
The design of Pate, from his clothing to his mannerisms, bears resemblance to the traditional appearance of Patches. His dialogue also hints at a shady past and a propensity for trickery, further solidifying his connection to the character archetype.
FAQs: Unveiling the Mysteries of Pate and Patches
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to delve deeper into Pate’s role and his relationship to the larger Patches archetype.
1. Is Pate actually Patches from another timeline?
This is one of the most debated questions. There is no definitive answer within the game. While Pate shares many traits with Patches, it’s impossible to confirm if he’s the same character from a different timeline, a reincarnation, or simply a similar character fulfilling the same narrative function. FromSoftware often employs cyclical themes, so both possibilities are plausible.
2. What happens if I trust Pate and kill Creighton?
If you trust Pate and kill Creighton, Pate will reward you with the Pate’s Set. This armor is relatively light and offers decent physical defense. Crucially, you can also obtain the Pate’s Spear from his final location in Earthen Peak.
3. What happens if I trust Creighton and kill Pate?
If you trust Creighton and kill Pate, Creighton will give you the Tseldora Den Key. This key unlocks a door in Tseldora, leading to a small room with chests containing the Mirrah Greatsword and the Creighton’s Steel Mask.
4. Can I side with neither Pate nor Creighton?
Yes, it’s possible to complete the questline without siding with either character. This involves exhausting their dialogue in the Shaded Woods and then returning to the area later. This will result in both of them being hostile and fighting each other. You can then kill the survivor and loot their respective items.
5. Where does Pate go after the Forest of Fallen Giants?
After the Forest of Fallen Giants, Pate moves to the Shaded Woods, near the Ruined Fork Road Bonfire. He can be found in a building with multiple exits, along with Creighton. This is where their conflict escalates, and you must choose a side (or trigger the neutral ending).
6. Where does Pate go after the Shaded Woods?
After the Shaded Woods encounter and completing the Pate/Creighton questline, Pate can be found in Earthen Peak, near the entrance to the boss fight against Mytha, the Baneful Queen. He’ll be sitting on a chair, and you can exhaust his dialogue for some final insights.
7. Does Pate’s Set offer any special advantages?
While Pate’s Set doesn’t have any unique effects beyond its stats, it’s a decent set for players who prioritize agility and fashion. It’s relatively lightweight and provides a reasonable level of physical protection, making it suitable for dodging-focused builds.
8. What is the Pate’s Spear good for?
Pate’s Spear is a decent spear with innate bleed build-up. It can be effective in PvP and PvE against enemies weak to bleed. It scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity, requiring a moderate investment in both stats.
9. Is it possible to obtain both Pate’s Set and Creighton’s Set in a single playthrough?
No, it is not possible to obtain both Pate’s Set and Creighton’s Set in a single playthrough without using exploits or save editing. You must choose one to kill and obtain the other’s equipment. The other set is lost for that playthrough.
10. Does Pate ever betray the player directly?
While Pate certainly employs deception, it is a matter of perspective if he directly betrays the player. The traps in the Forest of Fallen Giants can be deadly, but he claims he was “testing” them. Whether this is a genuine excuse or another lie is left to the player to decide. His actions in the Shaded Woods directly influence a conflict that is more situational than a directed betrayal.
11. What is the significance of Pate’s dialogue in Earthen Peak?
Pate’s final dialogue in Earthen Peak provides some insight into his character. He reflects on his life and actions, suggesting a degree of self-awareness and perhaps even regret. He questions the nature of his actions, leaving the player to consider his true motivations.
12. How does Pate compare to Patches in other Dark Souls games?
Pate shares many similarities with Patches across the series, including:
- Trapping players: He sets up or leads players into dangerous situations.
- Moral ambiguity: His motivations are unclear, and he often provides help alongside his trickery.
- Unique items: He offers specific equipment or keys related to his questline.
- Recurring archetype: He fills the role of the deceptive trickster character within the game’s world.
However, Pate is also unique in his rivalry with Creighton and the player’s role in resolving it.
13. Why isn’t Pate named Patches in Dark Souls 2?
The decision to rename Patches in Dark Souls 2 could be attributed to various reasons:
- Subtlety and lore integration: It allows the character to fit more organically within the game’s specific lore and setting of Drangleic.
- Avoiding direct repetition: It prevents the game from feeling like a simple rehash of previous titles.
- Creating a sense of mystery: It encourages players to speculate about the connection between Pate and Patches.
14. Is there any evidence that confirms Pate is a “good” person?
While Pate is undoubtedly deceptive, he is not inherently evil. He provides assistance to the player and, in some cases, seems genuinely remorseful. He certainly isn’t a paragon of virtue, but his moral complexity prevents him from being easily categorized as purely malicious.
15. Will Patches appear in future FromSoftware games?
The Patches archetype has appeared in almost every Souls-like game from FromSoftware, including Bloodborne (as Patches the Spider) and Elden Ring. Given his enduring popularity and narrative significance, it is highly probable that a character inspired by or directly based on Patches will appear in future titles. His unpredictable nature and the player’s inherent suspicion toward him provides consistent entertainment and story telling opportunites.