The Wandering Footpad: A Comprehensive Guide to Patches’ Locations in Elden Ring
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Patches, that slippery scoundrel, that lovable rogue! He’s been a recurring character in FromSoftware titles for a reason: players love (and love to hate) him. In Elden Ring, he’s no different. If you choose the path of mercy and don’t kill him, Patches embarks on a surprisingly complex journey across the Lands Between, popping up in various locations with new schemes and questionable wares. So, where exactly does he go? After you spare him in Murkwater Cave, Patches relocates to the Scenic Isle in Liurnia of the Lakes, then on to Volcano Manor, Shaded Castle, and finally back to Murkwater Cave. His exact location at each stage depends on how far you’ve progressed in other quests and which bosses you’ve defeated.
Patches’ Itinerary: A Detailed Breakdown
Patches’ journey is less about strict linearity and more about opportunistic relocations. He’s a survivor, adapting to the changing landscape and the Tarnished’s progress. Here’s a more detailed look at his various haunts:
Murkwater Cave: The First Encounter
This is where your relationship with Patches begins. North of Agheel Lake in Limgrave, find the cave and brave the invasion of Bloody Finger Nerijus. Inside, you’ll encounter Patches in a small arena. Fighting him down to about half health triggers his surrender. Accepting his plea for mercy is key to continuing his questline. Sparing him leads to him opening a shop within the cave, selling useful items like Margit’s Shackle and a Stonesword Key.
Scenic Isle, Liurnia of the Lakes: Artistic Ambush
After dealing with Patches in Murkwater Cave, he moves north to the Scenic Isle in Liurnia of the Lakes. You can find him here only after triggering the boss fight with the Abductor Virgin at the bottom of Raya Lucaria Academy. The boss fight will then transport you to the Volcano Manor. If you go back and reload the area after the boss fight in Raya Lucaria Academy, you will find a marker on your map that looks like a campfire. This is the sign that Patches is somewhere in the area waiting to ambush you. He’ll try to trick you with a path leading off a cliff. Trust us, do not try and travel down the path.
Volcano Manor: Recusant Ambitions
This is a significant stop on Patches’ journey. You’ll find him in the entry hallway of Volcano Manor after progressing through the Recusant assassination questline. He offers more quests and continues his shady dealings within the manor’s twisted atmosphere. Completing his assassination quests rewards you with items and further advances his storyline.
Shaded Castle: A Dance with Death
After Volcano Manor, Patches can be found on a small bridge within the Shaded Castle, north of Altus Plateau. This area is notoriously poisonous, so be prepared. He’s lying prone on the bridge, and interacting with him gives you the Dancer’s Castanets. Giving these to Tanith at Volcano Manor advances her questline. After this interaction, Patches vanishes from the Shaded Castle.
Murkwater Cave: Back to Basics
Remarkably, Patches eventually returns to his original location in Murkwater Cave. Upon returning to Murkwater Cave, Patches will be there and you will have the opportunity to fight him again. After this fight, Patches goes back to being a merchant. This time, he serves as a boss fight! Approaching the area where you initially fought him will trigger a fog gate. Entering reveals an empty room and a chest. Interacting with the chest triggers Patches to drop from the ceiling for a rematch. Defeating him doesn’t kill him; he simply returns to being a merchant, offering an expanded inventory. This concludes his main questline.
Patches: Friend or Foe?
Ultimately, the decision to spare or kill Patches is yours. While killing him grants you his bell bearing, allowing the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold to sell his wares, keeping him alive unlocks a surprisingly rewarding questline filled with unique items and memorable encounters. Plus, who can resist that sly grin? Remember that understanding video game mechanics is important for completing your quest. You can gain a deeper knowledge of video game mechanics from resources like the GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Patches in Elden Ring
1. What happens if I kill Patches in Elden Ring?
If you kill Patches, you’ll obtain his bell bearing. Giving this to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold allows you to purchase his items from them. You miss out on his questline, potential rewards like the Patches’ Leather Set and the Dancer’s Castanets, and any future interactions with him.
2. Can you miss Patches’ questline in Elden Ring?
Yes, it’s possible to miss parts of Patches’ questline. For example, if you progress too far into the game without encountering him in Murkwater Cave, he might move to a later location. Similarly, it’s easy to miss him in the Shaded Castle due to the area’s hazardous environment and focus on reaching the boss.
3. Is Patches’ questline worth doing in Elden Ring?
Absolutely! Patches’ questline offers unique items, armor sets, and memorable moments. The Patches’ Leather Set is a stylish and functional armor set, and the Dancer’s Castanets are crucial for progressing Tanith’s questline at Volcano Manor.
4. What items does Patches sell in Murkwater Cave?
Patches initially sells items like Margit’s Shackle, a Stonesword Key, and various consumables. After returning to Murkwater Cave as a merchant after the final boss fight, his inventory expands to include items related to his past escapades.
5. Does Patches appear in the Radahn boss fight?
Yes, Patches is one of the summonable NPCs available during the Radahn boss fight. However, summoning him is more of a comedic relief than a strategic advantage, as he immediately runs away from the battle.
6. Where does Patches go after Volcano Manor?
After Volcano Manor, Patches relocates to the Shaded Castle. You’ll find him lying on the bridge leading to the boss arena.
7. What do I do with the Dancer’s Castanets from Patches?
Give the Dancer’s Castanets to Tanith at Volcano Manor. This progresses her questline and unlocks new dialogue options.
8. Does killing Patches affect other quests in Elden Ring?
Killing Patches mainly affects his own questline. However, his absence can impact the progression of Tanith’s questline if you haven’t already obtained the Dancer’s Castanets.
9. Can Patches be trusted in Elden Ring?
Trusting Patches is a matter of perspective. He’s a trickster and a schemer, but he also offers valuable items and assistance. Approach his offers with caution and be prepared for potential betrayals.
10. Is it possible to complete Patches’ questline without fighting him?
No, you need to fight Patches at least once in Murkwater Cave to initiate his questline. However, you must choose to spare him after reducing his health to a certain point.
11. What are the benefits of keeping Patches alive in Elden Ring?
Keeping Patches alive unlocks his full questline, provides access to unique items and armor sets, and allows for humorous and memorable interactions throughout the game.
12. How do I trigger Patches’ return to Murkwater Cave?
Patches returns to Murkwater Cave after progressing through the game and visiting the Shaded Castle and completing the dancer castanets quest. Reloading the area will trigger his return.
13. What happens if I attack Patches after he becomes a merchant?
Attacking Patches after he becomes a merchant will cause him to become hostile. You’ll have to defeat him to return him to his merchant state.
14. What is Patches’ role in the overall story of Elden Ring?
Patches’ role is primarily that of a recurring trickster and merchant. He doesn’t significantly impact the main storyline, but his presence adds flavor and humor to the world of Elden Ring. He also reflects the game’s broader themes of ambition, survival, and the moral ambiguity of the Lands Between. You can deepen your knowledge of video game design and narrative through resources like the Games Learning Society.
15. Why is Patches such a popular character in FromSoftware games?
Patches’ popularity stems from his consistent personality, his unpredictable nature, and his blend of humor and malice. Players enjoy his recurring appearances across different games, making him a familiar and beloved (or reviled) figure. His presence often serves as a reminder that not all characters in these worlds are straightforward heroes or villains, adding depth and complexity to the overall experience.