Patches the Untethered is perhaps the most iconic recurring character in the history of FromSoftware games. Whether he is appearing as "Trusty Patches" in Dark Souls or "Patches the Spider" in Bloodborne, his role remains consistent: he is a charismatic trickster, a cowardly opportunist, and a surprisingly useful merchant. In Elden Ring, Patches returns with a sprawling questline that spans almost the entire game world, from the early ravines of Limgrave to the treacherous cliffs of Mt. Gelmir.

Interacting with Patches is not just about the loot; it is an exercise in patience and humor. For new players, he represents a dangerous encounter that can lead to early-game frustration. For veterans, he is a welcome friend whose predictable betrayals provide a sense of comfort in the bleak Lands Between. This guide covers every step of his journey, the mechanical details of his merchant shop, and how to avoid the pitfalls of his many traps.

Initial Encounter in Murkwater Cave

The first time most players encounter Patches is in Limgrave, specifically inside Murkwater Cave. This small dungeon is located in the ravine that runs north from Agheel Lake. To find him, you must travel up the river, past the invasion of Bloody Finger Nerijus, and enter the cave on the western wall.

The Boss Fight and Surrender Mechanism

Upon reaching the end of the cave, you will find a large chamber filled with supplies and a single treasure chest. Opening this chest triggers Patches to jump down from the ledge above, accused you of being a "scheming little thief," and initiating a boss fight.

Patches fights with a spear and a greatshield, utilizing a defensive style that can be annoying for early-level characters. However, unlike most bosses in Elden Ring, the goal here is not necessarily to kill him. Once his health drops to approximately 50%, Patches will realize he is outmatched. He will drop his shield, cower on the ground, and plead for mercy, shouting, "Wait, wait, please! I surrender!"

To progress his questline, you must stop attacking immediately. Standing still for a few seconds will cause the "Boss Defeated" text to appear, even though he is still alive. If you continue to attack him after he surrenders, you risk killing him permanently, which locks you out of his entire quest and his unique merchant inventory.

Why You Should Spare Patches

Killing Patches rewards you with his Bell Bearing, a +7 Spear, and the Leather Armor set. While getting a +7 weapon early seems tempting, the long-term loss is significant. Sparing him allows him to open a shop in Murkwater Cave after a short rest or reload of the area.

By keeping him alive, you gain access to Margit's Shackle, a critical item for the first major boss fight in Stormveil Castle. Furthermore, Patches is involved in the Volcano Manor questline later in the game, which provides one of the best heavy armor sets in the game—the Bull-Goat set. From an optimization perspective, sparing him is the only logical choice for a completionist run.

Patches' Emporium: Analysis of Merchant Items

Once Patches settles into his role as a merchant in Murkwater Cave, his shop becomes a vital stop for early-game preparation. His inventory reflects his nature as a bandit leader, offering tools for trickery and survival.

The Importance of Margit’s Shackle

The most valuable item in Patches' initial inventory is Margit's Shackle, priced at 5,000 Runes. In my testing, this item is the single biggest "quality of life" upgrade for players struggling with the Margit, the Fell Omen boss fight.

When used during the first phase of the fight, the Shackle slams Margit into the ground, pinning him for several seconds and allowing for free damage or a safe window to heal. It can be used twice per encounter. Interestingly, this item also has a hidden utility: it emits a massive, invisible shockwave that can trigger illusory walls and activate (or deactivate) fire-breathing pillars in dungeons, making it a permanent fixture in many veteran players' toolbelts.

Consumables and Toolkits

Beyond the Shackle, Patches sells several other noteworthy items:

  • Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot: Increases Rune gain for a short duration. He sells a limited supply, which is perfect for early-game farming.
  • Stonesword Keys: A rare commodity used to unlock Fog Walls across the Lands Between.
  • Missionary’s Cookbook [2]: Teaches you how to craft Gold-Pickled Fowl Feet and other utility items.
  • Fan Daggers: Excellent for pulling aggro from single enemies or finishing off low-health opponents in PvP. Once Patches moves to Liurnia, his stock of these becomes unlimited.

The Complete Questline Progression Across the Lands Between

Patches does not stay in Murkwater Cave forever. As you progress through the main story, he follows a nomadic path that mirrors the player's journey toward the Erdtree.

Scenic Isle in Liurnia of the Lakes

After you have progressed into the Liurnia of the Lakes region (typically after defeating Godrick the Grafted or finding the Lake-Facing Cliffs site of grace), Patches will move to the Scenic Isle. This is a small, elevated island in the southern portion of the swamp, identifiable by its Site of Grace.

Here, Patches acts as a source of information. He will tell you about Rya, a scout for Volcano Manor who has had her necklace stolen. More importantly, he will tell you a "secret" about an Abductor Virgin at the bottom of the water wheel in Raya Lucaria Academy. He claims that if you let the machine capture you, it will transport you to the base of the Erdtree.

In typical Patches fashion, this is a trap—partially. The machine does teleport you, but instead of the Erdtree, it sends you to the Subterranean Inquisition Chamber beneath Volcano Manor. While this is a shortcut to a mid-game area, it is filled with high-level enemies and requires a boss fight to escape. If you survive this ordeal and return to him, he will offer a "Calm Down!" gesture as a way of apologizing for the "misunderstanding."

The Mt. Gelmir Betrayal

Once you reach the Altus Plateau and head toward Mt. Gelmir, you can find Patches near the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite. Look for a series of glowing Rainbow Stones leading toward a cliff edge.

As you approach the edge to investigate the stones, a cutscene will trigger. Patches will appear behind you and kick you off the cliff, shouting a warning to stay away from Volcano Manor. This is a direct homage to his behavior in the Tomb of the Giants in Dark Souls. Surviving the fall is guaranteed as long as you follow the stones, and finding him again nearby will lead to more dialogue where he pretends it was for your own good.

Joining the Recusants at Volcano Manor

Regardless of his warnings, Patches eventually joins Volcano Manor himself. You can find him sitting in the entrance hallway after you have officially joined the Recusants and received the Drawing Room Key from Tanith.

At this stage, Patches offers a unique assassination contract. After you complete at least one of Tanith’s requests, speak to Patches to receive the "Letter to Patches." This contract tasks you with killing Great-Horned Tragoth, a famous NPC summon known for his incredible tanking ability.

Tragoth’s summon sign can be found in the Magma Wyrm Makar boss room at the top of the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Defeating him rewards you with the Bull-Goat Armor set, which has the highest Poise value in the entire game. Returning to Patches after the deed is done will eventually net you the Magma Whip Candlestick, though you often have to "remind" him by reloading the area and speaking to him again.

The Shaded Castle and Tanith’s Gift

Following the defeat of Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, the residents of Volcano Manor begin to disperse. Patches can next be found in the Shaded Castle, located in the valley between Mt. Gelmir and the Altus Plateau.

He is located on the bridge leading to the boss room of Elemer of the Briar. Patches appears wounded and exhausted. He gives you an item called the Dancer's Castanets and asks you to deliver them to Tanith. You can find Tanith in Rykard’s boss arena, feasting on his remains. While Tanith shows no interest in the gift, delivering them (or attempting to) concludes this phase of Patches' story.

The Return to Murkwater Cave

Many players assume Patches' story ends at the Shaded Castle, as he seems to fade away after giving you the castanets. However, if you return to Murkwater Cave (where it all began), the boss fog will reappear.

Entering the room and opening the chest will trigger one final encounter. Patches will jump down to attack, but after a few seconds of combat, he will recognize you. He will stop fighting and grant you the "Patches' Crouch" gesture. Following this, he reopens his shop in the cave for the remainder of the game, providing a full-circle conclusion to his narrative arc.

Hidden Interactions and Secret Gestures

Patches is the source of several unique gestures that are easily missed if you progress too quickly or kill him prematurely.

How to Get the Extreme Repentance Gesture

This is one of the most obscure interactions in the game. During the initial boss fight in Murkwater Cave, after Patches surrenders and becomes a merchant, you can choose to attack him again to make him hostile.

To get the gesture, you must let him reduce your health to a very low level (around 25% or less). Instead of killing you, he will offer you a chance to apologize. If you use the "Grovel for Mercy" gesture (which he taught you during the first surrender), he will forgive you and teach you the "Extreme Repentance" gesture. This showcases the unique AI scripting FromSoftware implemented specifically for this character.

Patches at the Radahn Festival

If you have progressed Patches' quest to a certain point before fighting Starscourge Radahn, his summon sign will appear on the battlefield. When summoned, Patches enters the world, looks at the massive, gravity-wielding demigod riding toward him, and immediately chooses to "Return to his own world." This provides a moment of levity in one of the game's most intense battles and perfectly encapsulates his cowardly survivalist persona.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patches

What happens if I accidentally kill Patches? If Patches dies, he is gone for that playthrough. You can take his Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold to access his basic shop inventory, but you will lose access to the Bull-Goat Armor quest and the unique gestures he provides.

Can I still find Patches if I missed him in Limgrave? Yes. If you progress to the Altus Plateau without visiting Murkwater Cave, Patches will eventually move to his later locations. However, the Murkwater encounter is highly recommended for the "Margit's Shackle" item.

Does giving the Dancer's Castanets to Tanith change the ending? Currently, giving the castanets to Tanith does not seem to change her fate or the game's ending. It appears to be a bit of world-building that emphasizes Patches' unrequited or complex feelings toward the Manor’s leadership.

Why did Patches kick me off the cliff in Mt. Gelmir? In his own twisted way, Patches claims he was trying to keep you away from Volcano Manor, which he views as a dangerous place. In reality, it is a recurring trope for the character across all FromSoftware games to lure the player with treasure and then attempt to kill them via a fall.

Summary of Patches' Journey

Patches the Untethered serves as a bridge between the player and the darker, more cynical aspects of the Lands Between. From his humble beginnings as a bandit in Murkwater Cave to his tenure as a Recusant in Volcano Manor, his journey is one of survival at any cost.

For the player, Patches is a high-value NPC whose merchant goods, particularly the Shackle and the Bull-Goat set, are invaluable for various character builds. By following his questline to its conclusion in the Shaded Castle and back to Limgrave, you not only secure the best equipment but also experience the full story of the game's most enduring trickster. Remember: always check the chest, always expect a kick from behind, and never kill a man who is willing to sell you the very tools you need to survive.