What Do You Get For Killing Gostoc in Elden Ring?
Killing Gatekeeper Gostoc in Elden Ring might seem like a morally ambiguous decision, given his initial, seemingly helpful demeanor, but there are tangible rewards for doing so. In short, defeating Gostoc grants you:
- Gostoc’s Bell Bearing: This is the most significant reward. You can give this bell bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, which allows you to purchase Gostoc’s inventory from them, even after his death.
- Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot: This item temporarily boosts the amount of runes you obtain from defeating enemies, which is useful for farming.
- Glass Shard: A fairly common crafting material that can be used to create various items.
While these items are useful, the real impact of killing Gostoc lies in freeing yourself from his insidious rune-stealing and opening up the possibility to purchase his unique items without having to tolerate his trickery.
Why Should You Consider Killing Gostoc?
Gostoc is not a straightforward NPC; he operates with questionable motives. Here’s why many players ultimately choose to eliminate him:
Rune Theft
Perhaps the biggest reason to kill Gostoc is that he steals a portion of your runes every time you die within Stormveil Castle. This “death tax” can be incredibly frustrating, especially for players struggling to progress through this early-game dungeon. By killing him, you immediately stop this theft.
Treacherous Behavior
Beyond rune theft, Gostoc is responsible for locking you in a room with a Banished Knight. This is an early example of his deceitful nature, as he feigns helpfulness but places you in dangerous situations. His continued stalking and manipulating of the player makes him an undesirable presence within Stormveil Castle.
Access to His Inventory via Bell Bearing
Although Gostoc does sell items, his behavior often outweighs any potential benefit. Killing him and obtaining his bell bearing removes the moral conundrum of whether to interact with him for commerce. You get the items without needing to engage his duplicity. The bell bearing allows access to his wares without the hassle of his presence, including:
- Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot: (200 Runes) A valuable item for rune farming.
- Ruin Fragment: (100 Runes) Used in crafting.
- Furicalling Finger Remedy: (1000 Runes) Used for cooperative play.
No Major Questline Disruptions
Importantly, killing Gostoc does not lock you out of major questlines. While he plays a minor role in the castle’s narrative, his death has limited negative consequences. However, you will miss an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone that Gostoc eventually gives if he is not killed early in the game. This is a key detail that many players overlook. You won’t be able to buy it from the Twin Maiden Husks even if you gave them his bell bearing. This means there is a tradeoff in terms of resources for your weapon upgrades.
When Should You Kill Gostoc?
The most impactful time to kill Gostoc is before you defeat Godrick the Grafted. Here’s why:
Rune Recovery
If you are killed in Stormveil, Gostoc will steal a portion of your runes, but those runes are only recoverable by killing him before you defeat Godrick. After that, he no longer holds the stolen runes. If you’re wanting to recoup your losses, this is the optimal time to end his life.
Avoid Late-Game Frustration
Waiting too long can lead to more lost runes and a general sense of betrayal. Killing him sooner rather than later simplifies your experience in Stormveil and allows you to focus on the challenges ahead, without the looming threat of further theft.
Important Considerations
Despite the benefits, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Lost Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
As mentioned, by killing Gostoc early, you will miss out on an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. This is a rare material that’s crucial for upgrading end-game weapons. For many, this single downside may lead to delaying killing Gostoc.
No Impact on Questlines
Killing Gostoc will not lock you out of Nepheli Loux and Kenneth Haight’s questlines. These quests can still be completed even if Gostoc is not alive, however, they are linked to Gostoc’s unique reward of an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Gostoc a good guy?
No. Despite appearing helpful initially, Gostoc is not a good guy. He steals your runes, locks you into dangerous situations, and generally acts in a self-serving manner. You should take his path but should not trust him.
2. How do I stop Gostoc from stealing my runes?
To stop him from stealing runes, you must talk to him at the first three locations in Stormveil, then at a fourth location in the castle, and then return to his position at the gatehouse and talk to him again. Then he will stop stealing runes. However, many players opt to simply kill him instead.
3. Does Gostoc drop a bell bearing?
Yes, Gostoc drops Gostoc’s Bell Bearing upon death. This allows you to buy items from his inventory at the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold.
4. What items does Gostoc sell?
Before you kill him, Gostoc sells: Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot, Ruin Fragments, and Furicalling Finger Remedies. His bell bearing allows you to continue buying these items from the Twin Maiden Husks.
5. Can I get my runes back after Gostoc steals them?
Yes, if you kill Gostoc before defeating Godrick the Grafted, he will drop the runes he stole from you. If you defeat Godrick first, you will not recover the runes. You will only get back what you lost from the “death tax”.
6. Is Gostoc the “creepy guy” in Stormveil Castle?
Yes, Gostoc is the character who locks you in rooms with enemies and steals your runes. His stalking behavior and generally deceptive nature make him a disliked presence in the game.
7. Does killing Gostoc affect Nepheli Loux’s questline?
No, killing Gostoc does not impact Nepheli Loux’s questline. It can still be completed even if he is dead, but you do lose access to the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
8. What happens if I donate 10 runes to Thops?
Donating 10 runes to Thops allows you to progress his questline. After donating, Thops will reveal his wish to return to Raya Lucaria Academy. You will eventually need to obtain the Academy Glintstone Key and give it to Thops to progress his questline.
9. What happens if I accidentally hit an NPC?
You can reset NPC aggression by going to the Church of Vows and using a Celestial Dew. This will remove the hostile status if you didn’t kill them.
10. Is The Great Rune permanent?
The effects of a Great Rune are only active as long as you are alive after using a Rune Arc. Once you die, you lose the buff and must use another Rune Arc to regain its effect.
11. How many runes does it cost to reach the level cap in Elden Ring?
Reaching the level cap in Elden Ring requires approximately 1,692,558,415 runes, which is a staggering amount.
12. What Golden Rune gives 10,000 runes?
Golden Rune [13] provides 10,000 runes when used or sold.
13. Who should you not kill in Elden Ring?
There are many NPCs you should avoid killing, especially ones that progress important quests or provide valuable services. A popular example is Miriel, the Turtle Pope, as he sells spells and is generally considered a wholesome character.
14. What level should I be to tackle Stormveil Castle?
It’s recommended that players be between levels 30 and 40 when facing Godrick the Grafted. However, you can explore most of the castle before this level.
15. Is there a secret boss in Stormveil Castle?
Yes, there is a secret boss located in a hidden underground area. After finding the Secluded Cell Site of Grace, head southwest into a small area with a collapsed floor. This area contains an Ulcerated Tree Spirit boss fight.
Conclusion
Killing Gostoc in Elden Ring offers several immediate and long-term benefits: stopping his rune theft, getting his bell bearing for item access, and freeing yourself from his treachery. While you’ll miss out on an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone that he eventually gives, many players find the trade-off to be worth it. Ultimately, the decision of when and if to kill Gostoc rests with you, but understanding the full implications can help you make a more informed choice.