Patches the Untethered is one of the most recognizable tricksters in Elden Ring, continuing his mischievous legacy from previous FromSoftware games. Equal parts thief, liar, and accidental ally, Patches can play multiple roles throughout your journey, field boss, merchant, and quest-giver. Locating and following his questline offers rewards in the form of Elden Ring Runes, gear, unique gestures, and character interactions.

 

Whether you're seeking rare Elden Ring Items, looking for a good laugh, or simply trying to uncover all of the game's secrets, here's how to find and complete Patches' full questline.

 

Where to Find Patches First

 

Your first encounter with Patches is in Murkwater Cave, located in Limgrave. This is an optional dungeon, and Patches appears as a Field Boss within. As you enter the cave, you'll trigger a chest trap that leads to a boss battle with Patches himself.

 

However, this fight is unique. Once Patches reaches about half health, he surrenders and begs for mercy. If you choose to spare him, he will cease fighting and open a shop right there in the cave, selling a limited selection of goods.

 

If you choose to defeat him instead, he drops:

 

    800 Elden Ring Runes

    Spear +7

    Leather Armor Set

    Patches' Bell Bearing (which can be offered to the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold to access his inventory)

 

Choosing mercy is the better long-term option, as it opens up his full questline and gives access to more Elden Ring Items over time.

 

Patches' Later Locations and Movements

 

Patches is a wandering NPC, and his movements across the map mirror your progress through the main regions of the game. Each time he moves, his shop updates, and his dialogue offers new insight, or deception.

 

Liurnia of the Lakes

 

After progressing into Liurnia, Patches relocates to the Scenic Isle Site of Grace. You'll find him lounging on a rock, maintaining his merchant persona. He doesn't offer much in terms of new goods, but it's an important step to keep his quest active.

 

Mt. Gelmir

 

Once you reach Altus Plateau, Patches will journey further to Mt. Gelmir, just west of the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite Site of Grace. He appears on a narrow rock bridge, and in typical fashion, he will kick you off the ledge if you get too close, true to his FromSoft heritage.

 

Tip: If you don't encounter him here, and have already defeated Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, without talking to him during Volcano Manor quests, you may find his bell bearing and discarded personal items at the site of the betrayal.

 

Volcano Manor

 

If you've joined Volcano Manor, Patches appears again, this time in the manor's entrance hall. While combat is disabled here, he offers minor commentary and continues to pose as a loyal member of the group. He doesn't sell anything new at this stage, but speaking to him keeps the questline from breaking.

 

The Shaded Castle

 

After Rykard's defeat, Patches relocates to the Shaded Castle, positioned on the bridge leading toward the boss Elemer of the Briar. You won't be able to interact with him much here, but simply finding him ensures that the final part of his quest triggers correctly.

 

Return to Murkwater Cave

 

Following your victory over Elemer of the Briar, return to Murkwater Cave. Patches will once again appear as a boss, though this time, it's a familiar act. Wait a few seconds into the fight without attacking, and he will recognize you and stop fighting.

 

This humorous callback earns you the Patches Crouch Gesture. Reload the area, and his shop will reopen, allowing you to buy from him once again. His stock now includes higher-tier Elden Ring Items, including consumables and trick items perfect for PvP or trap-setting.

 

Summoning Patches

 

Interestingly, Patches can be summoned during the Starscourge Radahn boss fight. However, in true Patches fashion, he immediately flees upon entering the battlefield, offering comic relief and reinforcing his cowardly nature.

 

Consequences of Killing Patches

 

While you can kill Patches at almost any point after first encountering him, doing so early locks you out of his questline and merchant services. If you defeat him, make sure to loot:

 

    His Spear +7

    Full Leather Armor Set

    Patches' Bell Bearing (to give to the Twin Maiden Husks for access to his shop)

    A modest amount of Elden Ring Runes

 

Why Complete Patches' Questline

 

Patches doesn't provide game-changing equipment, but his presence adds flavor, lore, and humor to the world of Elden Ring. His shifting role between adversary, ally, and opportunist provides a consistent reminder that not all characters in the Lands Between are noble heroes, or even trustworthy.

 

Additionally, completing his quest ensures access to rare and tricky Elden Ring Items, including those useful for PvP and strategic play. His final shop inventory includes:

 

    Margit's Shackle (if not purchased earlier)

    Festering Bloody Fingers

    Stamina-reducing talismans

    Mysterious consumables like the Grace Mimic

 

These items can be niche but valuable for certain builds and situations, especially when farming Elden Ring Runes through invasions or challenging areas.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Patches remains one of the most iconic and enduring NPCs in FromSoftware's history. In Elden Ring, he's as slippery, amusing, and rewarding as ever. Following his questline not only nets players quirky gestures and rare Elden Ring Items, but also enriches the game's world with a sense of continuity, dark humor, and unpredictability.

 

Whether you let him live or strike him down, Patches will leave an impression, just as he always does.