Patches in Elden Ring: A Complete Guide to the Scheming Scoundrel

Introduction

FromSoftware games are renowned for their challenging gameplay, intricate worlds, and memorable characters. Among these characters, few inspire as much simultaneous frustration and affection as Patches. A recurring figure across multiple titles, Patches embodies the archetype of the treacherous trickster, a character you love to hate (and sometimes hate to love). In Elden Ring, this tradition continues. Patches returns to the Lands Between, bringing his familiar brand of deceit, cunning, and surprising resilience. He is more than just a simple villain; he is a complex entity whose interactions with the player yield both perilous situations and valuable rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran familiar with his antics or a newcomer encountering his schemes for the first time, understanding Patches is crucial to navigating the treacherous world of Elden Ring. This guide will delve into everything you need to know about this scheming scoundrel, from his initial appearances to his surprisingly nuanced questline. Navigating his schemes and choosing the right path will test your wits and decision-making skills, but the rewards are definitely worth it.

Who is Patches? Unveiling the Treacherous Merchant

Patches is a name that strikes fear (and perhaps a little amusement) into the hearts of many who have braved the worlds of FromSoftware. He’s not a colossal boss or a world-ending deity, but rather a cunning, cowardly, and undeniably persistent individual who has appeared in various forms across different games. He debuted in Demon’s Souls, then tormented players in Dark Souls, made a cameo appearance in Bloodborne, and even tried his hand at trickery in Sekiro. What unites these incarnations of Patches? A penchant for deceit, an unwavering self-preservation instinct, and a remarkable ability to survive situations that would kill lesser beings.

In Elden Ring, Patches retains these core characteristics. He’s still a trickster, always looking for an angle to exploit. He’s still motivated by greed, eager to relieve unwary adventurers of their hard-earned Runes. And he’s still remarkably good at escaping situations where he’s outmatched. However, Elden Ring also presents a more layered version of Patches, offering a surprising amount of depth to his interactions with the player. He is a merchant of sorts, selling valuable items, but trusting him with your hard-earned runes is always a gamble.

Physically, Patches is recognizable by his somewhat unkempt appearance and his distinctive crouching posture. This crouch is not merely an idle animation; it’s often a prelude to some form of treachery, a telltale sign that something is amiss. Watch out for this.

Encountering Patches in Elden Ring: Treachery Unfolds

Patches’s journey through the Lands Between takes him to several key locations, each encounter offering new opportunities for deceit and surprisingly, sometimes, camaraderie.

Murkwater Cave

His first appearance occurs in Murkwater Cave, located in Limgrave. The cave itself is a relatively straightforward dungeon, populated by bandits. However, at the end of the cave, you’ll encounter a chest seemingly unguarded. Approach with caution, because upon opening the chest, you trigger an ambush. Patches appears, wielding a spear and shield, and attacks. The fight itself isn’t particularly difficult, especially if you’re properly leveled. However, the key to surviving this encounter lies not in defeating Patches outright, but in reducing his health to a critical point. When his health is low, Patches will surrender, begging for his life. Choose to spare him, and he’ll become a merchant, offering a selection of goods, including a Margit’s Shackle, which can be incredibly useful in the fight against Margit, the Fell Omen. Killing him at this stage grants you his bell bearing, which can be given to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, allowing you to purchase his wares even after his demise.

Scenic Isle (Liurnia of the Lakes)

After your initial encounter in Murkwater Cave, Patches resurfaces in Liurnia of the Lakes, specifically on the Scenic Isle, easily located on the map and accessible by Torrent. Head to the marked location, and approach the edge of the cliff face. As you approach the marked area, Patches will reappear in front of you, and give you some advice, suggesting that you look over the edge to get a great view. You can guess what happens next: He kicks you off. This act of treachery is both infuriating and hilarious, a classic Patches moment. Fortunately, the fall isn’t fatal, and you’ll find yourself in a lower area with some useful items near the Site of Grace.

Volcano Manor

Patches also makes his way to Volcano Manor, a location in Altus Plateau dedicated to serving the Greater Will. You can find him loitering in the manor’s corridors, seemingly reformed and integrated into the household. At Volcano Manor, Patches will assign you assassination contracts. Completing these contracts will grant you various rewards, and advance his questline. He also sells items at Volcano Manor, which may be useful in your journey.

Shaded Castle

Patches also appears later in the game in the Shaded Castle. The location is on the border between Altus Plateau and Mt Gelmir. Killing him at this location will yield unique items that won’t be dropped in any other location.

Navigating Patches’s Questline: Decisions and Consequences

Patches’s questline in Elden Ring is intertwined with the events unfolding at Volcano Manor and offers a unique perspective on the manor’s inhabitants and their motivations. By completing his assassination requests, you’ll delve deeper into the lore of the manor and uncover some of its secrets.

Crucially, at Volcano Manor, you’ll be presented with a choice: kill Patches or spare him. Each decision has its own set of consequences. Killing him at Volcano Manor will obviously end his questline and grant you his bell bearing. However, sparing him allows you to continue his questline and potentially unlock even more rewards.

Once you’ve completed the Volcano Manor questline given to you by Tanith, you will find that Patches will disappear from the Manor, presumably moving on to a new location.

Patches’s Impact on the Player Experience: More Than Just a Villain

Patches’s presence in Elden Ring is more than just an occasional annoyance. He serves as a constant reminder that the Lands Between are a dangerous and unpredictable place, filled with individuals who are not always what they seem. His trickery can be frustrating, especially when you fall victim to one of his traps. But it also adds a layer of levity and humor to the otherwise grim and desolate world.

He’s a character that players love to hate. His schemes are so outrageous and his cowardice so transparent that it’s hard not to find him somewhat endearing. He’s a survivor, a rogue who manages to navigate the perils of the Lands Between through cunning and a healthy dose of self-preservation.

Engaging with Patches’s questline also offers unique benefits. He sells valuable items that can aid you in your journey, and his interactions provide insights into the lore and characters of Elden Ring. He forces you to think carefully about your decisions, to weigh the risks and rewards of trusting (or not trusting) a character who has proven time and time again that he is not to be trusted. He is an important feature of the game, whether you agree with his actions or not.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the Scheming Scoundrel

Patches is a defining character in Elden Ring. He’s a constant, irritating reminder that the world is not a fair one, and that trust is a luxury you can rarely afford. From his ambush in Murkwater Cave to his potential involvement with the assassination plots of Volcano Manor, Patches leaves a lasting impression on anyone who crosses his path.

He embodies the core themes of Elden Ring: the struggle for survival, the ambiguity of morality, and the enduring power of human (or demi-human) nature. He is a character that players will remember long after they have defeated the final boss and claimed the Elden Ring. He might be greedy and cowardly, but he also plays an important role in the game’s narrative, and he challenges us to think carefully about who we choose to trust.

Ultimately, Patches is a testament to FromSoftware’s masterful character design. He is a villain, a trickster, and a survivor, all rolled into one unforgettable package. Whether you choose to kill him on sight or navigate his questline to its conclusion, one thing is certain: your journey through Elden Ring will be richer and more memorable for having encountered the scheming scoundrel known as Patches. His legacy in the world of FromSoftware continues, and we can be sure that he will continue to surprise us in the future.