Is Patches Worth Killing?
Patches the Hyena is a familiar figure in the world of Dark Souls and Elden Ring. He is known for his cunning and underhanded tactics, earning him a reputation as the game’s resident trickster. But is he actually worth killing? In this article, we’ll explore both sides of the argument.
Why You Should Let Patches Live
Allowing Patches to continue living in the world is crucial for several reasons.
• Access to valuable shop items: If you show mercy to Patches during your initial encounter, you’ll be rewarded with rare and valuable items from his shop. These items might include consumables, key items, and even potent weapons and armor.
• Potential impact on the story: Keeping Patches alive could play a significant role in your overall story progression. Avoiding his demise might offer new paths, quests, or character interactions that simply wouldn’t be possible had you killed him.
• Morality and player empathy: Allowing Patches to live raises questions of morality and empathy. Playing the role of a benefactor rather than a vigilante can create a thought-provoking experience, providing insight into the complexities of human nature.
But Is Patches Really Worth Saving?
While there may be benefits to sparing his life, it’s critical to consider the potential challenges and drawbacks of keeping him alive.
• Reduced challenge and difficulty spike: By allowing Patches to continue living, his merchant activities could lead to a reduction in overall challenges and difficulty spikes. Eliminating him could create empty space for other enemies, items, or mechanics in the game world.
| Enemy | Description |
|---|---|
| Mimic | A master of disguise, can create fake versions of itself |
| Tree Sentinel Guard | Armed with ancient magic, they protect the tree with deadly force |
• Risk of exploit or imbalance: If managed incorrectly, Patches might become overpowered or abuse his abilities, creating uneven gameplay or exploit opportunities.
• The moral repercussions of sparing a life are subjective: The decision whether to spare or kill Patched is a personal stance that depends on individual tolerance and perspective.
Killing Patches: Its Implications and Consequences
Eliminating Patches would have far-reaching impact on the game world.
• Loot and progression: You’ll receive both souls and 4 Humbra as a reward but lose access to his initial shop items.
• Impact on story and community: Patches’ legacy might influence other characters within the world, potentially forging new storylines or paths.
| Humbra | Description |
|---|---|
| Souls | 2000 souls |
| 4 Humanities | Used to imbue characters with new vitality |
• Killing Patches: Pure and Simple
For die-hard Dark Souls fans eager to prove their mettle, eliminating Patches ensures a pure, uncluttered experience.
Final Verdict: Whether you prefer to save or kill Patched, both options demand consideration of the game-world’s intricacies and mechanical balance. Remember, his survival is tied to larger themes and narrative threads shaping the game’s story arcs. Ultimately, the approach you choose is a personalized expression of your gaming soul.
What’s your personal stance on killing Patches? Share your thoughts or share your experience in Elden Ring’s world; I’d love to debate with you!