Trusty Patches is arguably the most recognizable NPC in the history of FromSoftware's games. Known variously as Patches the Hyena, Unbreakable Patches, or even Patches the Untethered, this bald, squatting trickster has made it his life's mission to lure unsuspecting adventurers into deadly traps. Yet, despite his repeated attempts on the player's life, veteran players almost always choose to forgive him.

Understanding Patches is essential for anyone navigating the treacherous landscapes of Lordran, Lothric, or the Lands Between. He is not merely a source of frustration but a vital merchant, a purveyor of rare lore, and a philosophical anchor in a world filled with hollowed husks and corrupt gods. This guide explores his encounters, his twisted logic, and why he remains a fan favorite across the entire Soulsborne franchise.

Who is Trusty Patches? The Iconic Trickster of the Souls Series

Patches is defined by his opportunism. He is a scavenger who preys on the greedy, using the promise of treasure to lead players to their doom. His signature move involves a cutscene where he kicks the player off a ledge or locks them in a room, only to feign innocence or beg for mercy once the player inevitably survives and confronts him.

What separates Patches from a common villain is his self-proclaimed identity as an "honest thief." In his worldview, the world is full of hypocrites—particularly clerics and men of faith—who hide their greed behind self-righteousness. Patches, by contrast, is openly cynical. He wants your loot, and he’ll be the first to admit his cowardice if it means living to scavenge another day.

Detailed Encounter Guide for Patches in Dark Souls 1

In the original Dark Souls, Patches (referred to as Trusty Patches) provides some of the most memorable moments in the game. His questline is easy to break if you aren't careful, so understanding the triggers is key to unlocking him as a merchant.

Meeting Him in the Catacombs: The Spiked Bridge Trap

The earliest you can meet Patches is in the Catacombs. If you head there before Reah of Thorolund and her company depart for their pilgrimage, or if you haven't yet defeated the area boss Pinwheel, you will find him near the second spiked bridge.

  1. The Dialogue: He will stand near a lever and ask if you are a cleric. Always answer "No"—even if you are running a faith build. Answering "Yes" flags you as a target for his immediate hostility.
  2. The Trap: As you attempt to cross the bridge, Patches will flip the lever, causing the bridge to rotate and likely sending you to your death.
  3. The Confrontation: If you survive and return to talk to him, he will play it off as a mistake. If you answer "Yes" when he asks if the bridge caused you trouble, he will bribe you with a Humanity.

The Infamous Kick in the Tomb of the Giants

If you miss him in the Catacombs, or after you defeat Pinwheel, Patches moves to the Tomb of the Giants. This is his most iconic location. He stands near the first bonfire, looking over a ledge into a dark pit.

  • The Lure: He claims there is "glittering treasure" down below. As you approach the ledge to look, a cinematic triggers where he kicks you into the darkness.
  • The Survival: The pit he kicks you into is actually progress-related. It's where you find the Skull Lantern and encounter a hollowed Vince and Nico of Thorolund.
  • The Forgiveness: After climbing back up, Patches will be terrified to see you. He will ask for your forgiveness. Choosing to "Forgive" him (answering "No" when he asks if you're angry) is the only way to ensure he moves to Firelink Shrine as a merchant later.

Forgiving the Unforgivable: Patches as a Merchant in Firelink Shrine

Once you have defeated Gravelord Nito and survived Patches' antics in the Tomb, he relocates to Firelink Shrine. You can find him squatting in a small cove near the entrance to the graveyard, not far from Kingseeker Frampt.

Spare him, and he becomes one of the most useful vendors in the game. He sells items that are otherwise difficult to farm, such as the Masks of the Father, Mother, and Child, which were formerly exclusive drops from Pinwheel. He also sells the Crescent Axe, an excellent weapon for faith builds, ironically stolen from his many cleric victims.

Navigating the Complex Questline of Unbreakable Patches in Dark Souls 3

In Dark Souls 3, Patches returns with even more elaborate schemes. His role here is expanded, tying into the questlines of other major characters like Siegward of Catarina and Greirat of the Undead Settlement.

The Cathedral of the Deep and the Siegward Deception

In the Cathedral of the Deep, Patches steals the iconic Onion Knight armor from Siegward. You will find someone who looks like Siegward standing near a bridge. This "Siegward" will encourage you to cross to find treasure.

Mid-crossing, the "Siegward" (who is actually Patches in disguise) lowers the bridge, dropping you into a pit with a Giant Slave. To progress his quest, you must find his true location by taking the rafters of the Cathedral and dropping down to the area near Rosaria's Bedchamber. When confronted, he will apologize and give you the "Prostration" gesture.

The Tower Lockout in Firelink Shrine

If you purchase the Tower Key (20,000 souls) and explore the bell tower behind Firelink Shrine, Patches will lock the door behind you while you are inside the elevator. He taunts you from the other side, expecting you to die so he can loot your corpse.

To escape, you must drop down the stone coffins inside the tower. Once back in the main shrine area, you will find him squatting on the upper floor. Again, if you choose not to punish him, he becomes a permanent merchant.

The End of an Era: Lapp in The Ringed City DLC

One of the most profound moments in the series occurs in the Ringed City DLC. Players meet an amnesiac knight named Lapp. Through a long questline involving the Purging Monument, Lapp eventually remembers who he is: Patches.

Despite regaining his memory and his treacherous nature, he helps the player one last time before his "final" betrayal, which actually points the player toward the correct path to proceed. This version of Patches has survived until the literal end of the world, proving his moniker "Unbreakable" is more than just a boast.

Understanding the Philosophy of the "Honest Thief"

Why does Patches do what he does? To the casual observer, he is a villain. But to lore enthusiasts, he represents a unique moral compass in a dying world.

The Deep-Seated Hatred for Clerics

Patches’ animosity toward clerics is consistent across all games. In Dark Souls, he targets Reah, Petrus, and the player if they admit to faith. He views the Way of White and other religious institutions as predatory. To Patches, a cleric uses the promise of "heaven" or "enlightenment" to control people, which he sees as a far more sinister form of thievery than his own physical traps. He is a "greedy" man who hates "greedy" people who pretend they aren't.

A Mirror to the Player's Greed

From a gameplay perspective, Patches serves as a meta-commentary on the player. Why do we fall for his traps? Because we want "treasure." We see a shiny item on a ledge and ignore the obvious red flag of a bald man standing behind us. Patches punishes the player for the same greed he possesses. By surviving his traps, we "prove" our strength, and by forgiving him, we acknowledge our shared nature as scavengers in a ruined world.

Inventory Analysis: Why Patches is One of the Best Merchants

While his personality is abrasive, his shop inventory is top-tier. In Dark Souls 1, he is the only merchant who sells:

  • Mask of the Father: Increases equipment load (essential for the "Giant Dad" build).
  • Mask of the Mother: Increases HP.
  • Mask of the Child: Increases stamina recovery speed.
  • Humanity & Twin Humanities: Limited stock, but vital for staying human and summoning.
  • Eyes of Death: Required for the Gravelord Servant covenant.

In Dark Souls 3, he sells the Catarina Set, which is required to save Siegward. He also sells Human Pine Resin and Alluring Skulls, which are staples for PvP and speedrunning.

The Multiverse of Patches: From Armored Core to Elden Ring

The genius of Patches is his ubiquity. He is a mascot for Hidetaka Miyazaki’s games, appearing in almost every major title:

  1. Armored Core: For Answer: As "Patch the Good Luck," a pilot who retreats and begs for mercy the moment his health gets low.
  2. Demon’s Souls: As "Patches the Hyena," where he traps you in a pit with a Primeval Demon.
  3. Bloodborne: As "Patches the Spider," a terrifying human-headed arachnid who worships Amygdala and pushes you into the toxic swamps of the Nightmare Frontier.
  4. Elden Ring: As "Patches the Untethered," found in Murkwater Cave. He starts as a boss fight but surrenders halfway through, eventually becoming a merchant and moving to the Volcano Manor.

In every iteration, his voice actor, William Vanderpuye, delivers that signature sneering, cockney-adjacent accent that makes players both hate and love him.

Conclusion

Patches is the ultimate survivor of the Dark Souls universe. He doesn't seek to become a Lord of Cinder or a King; he simply wants to live, laugh at the self-righteous, and find a bit of loot along the way. While he will undoubtedly kick you into a pit the first chance he gets, sparing him is always the right choice. Between his invaluable shop items and his status as a recurring piece of gaming history, the Souls experience wouldn't be the same without its "trusty" trickster.

FAQ

Q: Should I kill Patches for his gear? A: Generally, no. While he drops the Crescent Axe and some humanity, his value as a merchant throughout the game far outweighs the immediate reward of his death.

Q: What happens if I tell Patches I am a cleric in DS1? A: He will become immediately hostile or refuse to interact with you for the rest of the game, effectively locking you out of his shop and his questline.

Q: How do I trigger Patches in the Cathedral of the Deep (DS3)? A: You must open the main blue double doors of the Cathedral (leading to the graveyard), then reload the area. If you go to the rafters first, he may skip this encounter and move directly to the Firelink Shrine tower trap.

Q: Is Patches in Elden Ring? A: Yes, as Patches the Untethered. He can be found in Murkwater Cave in Limgrave. It is highly recommended to stop attacking him when he begs for mercy at 50% health.

Q: Why does Patches squat? A: The "Patches Squat" has become an iconic emote in the series. It represents his casual, unimpressed attitude toward the world. In DS3, talking to him while he is in this position eventually grants the player the gesture.