Accidentally Killed Patches Elden Ring

Let's be honest, Tarnished, we've all been there. You're exploring the vast and unforgiving world of Elden Ring, cautiously approaching a seemingly innocent NPC, and... well, things go south. Maybe you panic-rolled into them during a fight. Perhaps your finger slipped and you unleashed a stray spell. Or, maybe, just maybe, you were a little too eager to test out that shiny new weapon. Whatever the reason, you accidentally, tragically, killed Patches. And now you're wondering: what did you do?

Patches. That wily, balding trickster who’s been a staple of FromSoftware games for ages. He's the guy you simultaneously love to hate and hate to love. He's the master of deception, the king of kick-downs, and the purveyor of… surprisingly useful wares. He's in almost every Souls-like game, and in Elden Ring, he’s just as slippery as ever. Accidentally ending his journey early can have some, ahem, interesting consequences.

So, why is accidentally killing Patches a topic of such…enduring appeal? Well, partly it's the shared trauma. Many players have done it! It’s a rite of passage, a badge of dishonor you wear with a slightly sheepish grin. But more than that, it highlights the precarious nature of NPC interactions in Elden Ring. Every swing of your sword, every spell you cast, carries a weight. You're never quite sure what will happen when you push the boundaries. Plus, missing out on Patches' questline can lock you out of some unique items and maybe even influence certain endings.

But before you reload a backup save (if you're lucky enough to have one!), let's talk about what you've potentially missed out on. Patches, despite his less-than-savory methods, offers some crucial benefits. He sells the Shabriri Grape which is necessary for advancing Yura's questline. He sells Stonesword Keys, always a valuable commodity in the Lands Between. And, perhaps most importantly, he offers access to unique armor sets and weapons through his quest, some of which are tied to Volcano Manor. Essentially, killing Patches early removes a useful merchant and potentially locks you out of valuable loot and quest progression.

Okay, so you've offed him. What now? Sadly, there's no reviving Patches in that playthrough. He's gone. Dust. Returned to the Erdtree. You’ll have to wait until New Game Plus to try and redeem yourself. However, don't despair entirely! You can still acquire his bell bearing, which allows you to purchase some of his wares from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold. This mitigates some of the loss, but you'll still miss out on the specific quest-related items and interactions.

Consider this a valuable lesson, Tarnished. Elden Ring is a game of consequences. Think before you swing! (Unless it's a Mimic chest. Then, swing away!). And next time you meet Patches, maybe, just maybe, show a little restraint. He might just surprise you… or, more likely, try to trick you again. But hey, that's Patches, and that's why we (sort of) love him.