What happens if you hit an NPC in Elden Ring?

What Happens if You Hit an NPC in Elden Ring?

As you navigate the vast open world of Elden Ring, you’ll encounter various Non-Player Characters (NPCs) that can provide you with valuable information, quests, and items. However, some of these NPCs can be quite fragile, and if you’re not careful, you might accidentally hit them with your sword or attack them with your magic. So, what happens if you hit an NPC in Elden Ring?

Do NPCs Feel Pain?

One of the most pressing questions is whether NPCs feel pain when attacked. According to the developers, NPCs are simply algorithms with no minds or feelings, so they don’t experience pain or discomfort when hit. This means you can attack them without feeling guilty, but it also means they won’t provide you with any rewards or reactions when injured.

Consequences of Hitting an NPC

Hitting an NPC can have several consequences, depending on the character’s importance and the location. Here are some potential outcomes:

• Important NPCs: If you hit an important NPC, they might become hostile towards you, attacking you on sight. This can lead to a difficult fight, especially if you’re not well-prepared.
• Traders and Merchants: If you hit a trader or merchant, they might abandon their post, taking their goods and services with them. This can make it harder to find specific items or complete certain quests.
• NPC Questlines: Hitting an NPC involved in a questline can disrupt the story, potentially causing some quests to become unavailable or requiring you to restart from a previous checkpoint.
• Reputation: Hitting an NPC can negatively impact your reputation in certain areas, making it harder to interact with other characters or complete certain quests.

Reviving an NPC

If you accidentally kill an NPC, you might be able to revive them using certain methods. For example:

• Statues: Some statues in the game can be used to teleport NPCs to safety, potentially reviving them.
• King and Queen Statues: Using a King or Queen Statue can also revive an NPC, although this might not work for all characters.

Avoiding Accidents

To avoid hitting NPCs, make sure to approach them cautiously and use your surroundings to your advantage. Here are some tips to help you avoid accidents:

• Use stealth: Sneak up on NPCs to avoid alerting them to your presence.
• Use terrain: Make use of obstacles and cover to stay out of sight.
• Use diplomacy: Try to negotiate with NPCs before resorting to violence.
• Keep an eye on your surroundings: Pay attention to the environment and watch for signs of NPC presence.

Conclusion

Hitting an NPC in Elden Ring can have significant consequences, from disrupting questlines to affecting your reputation. However, by being mindful of your surroundings and using the right strategies, you can avoid accidents and maintain positive relationships with the game’s characters. Remember, NPCs are just algorithms, but they can still play an important role in your journey through the Lands Between.