What Happened to Patches in Bloodborne? The Arc of a Trickster Spider
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Patches, that infamous trickster from the Soulsborne universe, takes on a slightly different guise in Bloodborne. In this gothic horror world, he appears as Patches the Spider, a squat, multi-limbed creature who delivers a memorable encounter and a key item before largely receding into the shadows, only to reappear in the unpredictable depths of the Chalice Dungeons. After his initial encounter and the death of Amygdala, Patches’ main questline is considered over, and he departs from the main game world. His presence then becomes relegated to rare appearances as a merchant within the procedurally generated Chalice Dungeons, adding a layer of unpredictability to your dungeon crawling experience. This limited role differentiates him from his more prominent appearances in other FromSoftware titles, leaving many players wondering about his ultimate fate and purpose within the lore of Bloodborne.
Patches the Spider: A Concise Biography
Unlike some of his more overtly antagonistic incarnations, Bloodborne’s Patches initially appears helpful, albeit in a decidedly deceptive way. Encountering him after progressing through Yahar’gul, Unseen Village and being snatched by an Amygdala, the player meets Patches in the Lecture Building. He offers the Tonsil Stone, a crucial item that allows access to the Lecture Hall’s first floor and, ultimately, the Nightmare Frontier.
However, true to his nature, this “generosity” comes with a trick. Patches pushes the player into a pit in the Nightmare Frontier, a classic Patches betrayal. Whether you choose to kill him after this betrayal is up to you. If spared, Patches simply vanishes after the death of Amygdala. He ceases to be an interactable NPC in the main game world. His story doesn’t entirely end there, though.
The Chalice Dungeon Merchant: A Rare Sighting
The key to finding Patches after Amygdala lies in the Chalice Dungeons. After completing the required steps and killing Amygdala, Patches can randomly appear as a merchant within the Chalice Dungeons. His stock is notoriously overpriced, offering items that are easily obtainable in the Hunter’s Dream. This reinforces his character as a less-than-reliable source of assistance, even when he adopts the guise of a merchant.
This appearance is not guaranteed, and it requires exploring various Chalice Dungeons. This makes finding him a rare and often frustrating endeavor. His presence within the Chalice Dungeons adds a unique, albeit limited, layer of replayability, rewarding dedicated explorers with a familiar face (or spider-face) and a chance to spend their hard-earned Blood Echoes on overpriced goods.
The Great One’s Wisdom
Regardless of whether you defeat him after the betrayal in the Nightmare Frontier, Patches drops a Great One’s Wisdom. This consumable item provides insight, which fuels the player’s arcane abilities and allows them to see hidden aspects of the world. Killing him in the Lecture Building also nets you the same item. This simple fact points to the nature of the Great Ones, which are the major enemies of the game.
Patches’s Departure and Absence
The mystery surrounding Patches’ departure after Amygdala’s death and his subsequent confinement to Chalice Dungeons fuels much speculation among Bloodborne fans. Some believe this signifies a diminished role for him in the overall narrative compared to other FromSoftware games. Others suggest his presence in the Chalice Dungeons highlights their chaotic and unpredictable nature, where familiar faces can appear in unexpected places. His rare appearances, coupled with his expensive inventory, further solidify his trickster persona, reminding players that even in the depths of the dungeons, caution and resourcefulness are paramount. The Games Learning Society could definitely dig into the narrative of Patches in FromSoftware titles, which can be further investigated through GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Understanding Patches in Bloodborne
1. Can I find Patches anywhere in the main game world after killing Amygdala?
No, after the death of Amygdala, Patches will no longer appear in the main game world. His presence is then limited to the Chalice Dungeons.
2. Is Patches guaranteed to appear in every Chalice Dungeon?
No, Patches’ appearance in the Chalice Dungeons is entirely random. You may need to explore multiple dungeons before encountering him.
3. What kind of items does Patches sell in the Chalice Dungeons?
Patches sells standard consumables like Blood Vials, Quicksilver Bullets, and Fire Paper. His prices are significantly higher than those at the Messengers’ shop in the Hunter’s Dream.
4. Is it worth killing Patches in the Nightmare Frontier?
Killing Patches will reward you with a Great One’s Wisdom. However, sparing him doesn’t offer any significant advantages, as his subsequent appearances are limited to the Chalice Dungeons, where his wares are overpriced.
5. Does Patches have any unique dialogue in the Chalice Dungeons?
Patches will have some limited dialogue during the first time that you visit him in the Chalice Dungeons, but he doesn’t really have any unique dialogue.
6. Does killing Patches in the Chalice Dungeons affect anything?
No, killing Patches in the Chalice Dungeons has no impact on the main game or any other Chalice Dungeons.
7. Is Patches a Great One in Bloodborne?
No, Patches is not a Great One. He is a unique creature, a spider, who is more in line with an ordinary human, or a lesser enemy, despite dropping Great One’s Wisdom.
8. Does Patches’ appearance in Bloodborne tie into the lore of other FromSoftware games?
While Patches appears in other FromSoftware games, his presence and backstory varies in each title. There’s no explicit connection established within the game lore to link his various incarnations directly.
9. Is there a way to increase the chances of Patches appearing in the Chalice Dungeons?
No, there is no known method to influence Patches’ spawn rate in the Chalice Dungeons. His appearance is purely based on chance.
10. Does Patches offer any quests or storylines within the Chalice Dungeons?
No, Patches simply acts as a merchant with no associated quests or storylines within the Chalice Dungeons.
11. Is Patches the only NPC that appears in the Chalice Dungeons?
No, other NPCs can also appear in the Chalice Dungeons, though Patches is perhaps the most memorable due to his recurring presence across FromSoftware games.
12. What is the significance of Patches being a spider in Bloodborne?
The spider form of Patches in Bloodborne likely ties into the themes of cosmic horror and transformation prevalent throughout the game. Spiders are often associated with deception and trickery, aligning with Patches’ established character.
13. Can I summon Patches to help me in any boss fights?
No, Patches cannot be summoned for any boss fights in Bloodborne.
14. Does Patches’ appearance in Bloodborne hint at any future roles in FromSoftware games?
Patches’ recurring presence in FromSoftware games suggests he will likely continue to appear in future titles, albeit in potentially different forms and with varying roles. This is part of the charm of the character.
15. What if I kill Patches before he gives me the Tonsil Stone?
If you kill Patches before he gives you the Tonsil Stone, you will be locked out of certain areas that require the stone. This can be a problem, as his character often seems to warrant being killed. However, it is advised to let him give you the stone first.