FromSoftware is usually very subtle about most of the stories and characters in their games. Sometimes an item description can reveal a larger truth, like the possible connection between Dark Souls and Bloodborne, while other times a character might reference another from games past, like Siegward and Siegmeyer of Catarina.
Elden Ring features one recurring character that fans of FromSoftware have been looking for from the moment the game was released. Patches has been in almost every FromSoftware game ever made, including very early titles like Armored Core, and as it turns out he can be found in Elden Ring too. If you are hoping that he's changed for the better, though, you'll be disappointed.
Patches, FromSoftware's Favorite Recurring Character
Patches was first seen in Armored Core, but his most iconic appearance was in Dark Souls, where he punishes players for being greedy by kicking them down a hole and turning traps on them. He always plays the trickster in some form, and in Bloodborne he was distinctly non-human, appearing as a spider with a gigantic, bald, pale head.
In Dark Souls 3 Patches' title was Unbreakable Patches, owing to the fact that he was one of the few who never submitted to hollowing. In Elden Ring, his title is Patches the Untethered, perhaps alluding to the very fourth-wall-breaking fact that he's not tied to the Soulsborne universe (there is an in-game reason he is referred to as Untethered, though it's not quite as remarkable as traversing dimensions).
Where To Find Patches In Elden Ring
Patches can be found in a dungeon called Murkwater Cave, a location found in a valley north of Lake Agheel. When you approach Murkwater Cave's location you will be forced to dismount Torrent and the NPC invader Bloody Finger Nerijus will appear. You will have to defeat him to get into Murkwater Cave – if you avoid his attacks for a short time, another NPC will automatically be summoned to help you. Once Nerijus is defeated, enter Murkwater Cave and get to the end, where you will see a large room with a suspicious chest.
Open this chest, and Patches will talk to you from the shadows, deriding you for taking someone else's belongings. The fight begins a few seconds later, but be very careful not to do too much damage to him. As opposed to most bosses in Elden Ring, Patches will surrender if he takes enough damage. Stop attacking him when he submits, wait a few seconds, and the battle will be over. Patches' quest can only be completed if he is spared, and because he doesn't give that many Runes or great items, it's best to spare him – even if you hate him.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.