Patches is a character that appears multiple times from FromSoftware, making appearances in several of their games since 2009’s Demon’s Souls.
In Elden Ring, Patches continues his tradition of trickery and deception, including his infamous habit of pushing players into traps. Here’s a complete guide to Patches questline in Elden Ring.
First Encounter: Murkwater Cave
Your first encounter with Patches happens in Murkwater Cave, one of the earliest locations you can go through in Elden Ring. To find the cave, follow the shallow stream from the north side of Agheel Lake. As you traverse the stream, be prepared to face a hostile NPC invader and eliminate any skeletons you encounter along the way.
After reaching Murkwater Cave, head inside and start the site of grace. Inside the cave, Patches will ambush you after you open a specific chest, starting a boss fight. When you decrease his health, Patches will ask for mercy.
If you leave him, he will become a merchant, offering items such as Margit’s Shackle, a Stonesword Key, and PvP invasion items. Sparing Patches also grants you the Grovel for Mercy gesture.
While Patches remains in Murkwater Cave, you can attack him again and use the Grovel gesture to ask for mercy. This may earn you the Extreme Repentance gesture, though outcomes can vary. If Patches kills you, he will still be friendly upon your return.
Also, a new chest will appear in the room. Opening it teleports you to Mistwood Ruins, and Patches will disappear from Murkwater Cave. But don’t worry, he will reappear later.
Second Location: Scenic Isle in Liurnia
After leaving Murkwater Cave, Patches move to the Scenic Isle in southern Liurnia, near the telescope icon on the map. Here, he continues selling his wares and provides a “hot tip” about a special Abductor Virgin. Following his advice leads to a deadly dungeon in Volcano Manor instead of the Erdtree base.
Third Location: Mt. Gelmir
On your way to Volcano Manor, you may come across with Patches again on Mt. Gelmir. Near the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite site of grace, you will find a message from Patches instructing you to follow rainbow stones to a treasure.
Approaching the cliff, Patches will kick you down into a chasm filled with Basilisks. You can face Patches near the second and third glowing stones, but he will still push you off the cliff.
Fourth Location: Volcano Manor
Despite Patches’ tries to kill you, you will at the last find him in Volcano Manor. To make Patches appear, complete one recusant mission for Tanith.
Exhaust his dialogue, and he will give you his own assassination mission. After completing it, return to speak with him, reload the area, and he will reward you with the Magma Whip Candlestick.
If you win against Praetor Rykard, the boss of Volcano Manor, all NPCs, including Patches, will leave.
Fifth Location: Shaded Castle
Patches’ next hideout is in Shaded Castle, located between Altus Plateau and Mt. Gelmir. Patches waits on a wooden walkway leading to the boss fog.
If you have already finished Shaded Castle, teleport to the Castellan’s Hall site of grace to find him. Here, Patches gives you the Dancer’s Castanets and asks you to pass them to Tanith, though this has no significant effect.
Final Encounter: Return to Murkwater Cave
To finish Patches questline, return to Murkwater Cave after meeting him at Shaded Castle. You will find a green boss fog wall blocking his original room.
Get in the fog and open the chest to provoke Patches into attacking you again. He quickly surrenders, and you will receive the Patches’ Crouch gesture.
Reload the area, and Patches’ Emporium will reopen for business. If you missed the Extreme Repentance gesture earlier, you can attack Patches, use the Grovel for Mercy gesture when your health is low, and earn it now. If Patches kills you, he will be friendly upon your return, and you can get any dropped runes.
Now, you can select to kill Patches, gaining Patches’ Bell Bearing, his Spear +7, and the Leather Armor set.
Also read: The Best Elden Ring Mods