Should I Kill Patches?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You enjoy high-risk, high-reward playstyles and are comfortable re‑rolling NPC services or finding replacements later.
• Good fit: You have already completed most of Patches’ questlines and no longer need his items or information for your current objectives.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You rely on Patches for specific items, such as his unique weapon upgrades or the ability to trade rare goods.
• Warning sign: You are early in the game and want to keep all possible allies available for future areas and boss fights.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Eliminating Patches removes a potential future ambush, giving you a cleaner exploration experience.
• His death often yields valuable loot, such as rare crafting materials or a unique weapon that fits certain builds.

Cons

• You lose access to his merchant services, which can include exclusive items, limited‑time upgrades, or information about hidden locations.
• Killing an NPC may affect the game’s narrative tone and can trigger unintended consequences, like increased enemy aggression in his vicinity.

Decision Checklist

• Do I already have the items or information Patches provides, or can I obtain them elsewhere?
• Am I prepared for the immediate combat challenge of confronting him?
• Will killing him impact any long‑term quest or story elements I care about?

Alternatives to Consider

Instead of killing Patches outright, you could: (1) ignore him and let his quests expire naturally, preserving the option to revisit later; (2) temporarily avoid his area and focus on other regions before returning when you are better equipped; or (3) trade with him for the specific items you need and then decide later whether to eliminate him.

Final Recommendation

If you have already exhausted Patches’ utilities and thrive on risk‑focused gameplay, killing him can be a satisfying choice that rewards you with rare loot. However, for most players—especially those who value a full suite of NPC services or are early in the campaign—avoiding the confrontation or postponing it is wiser. Always weigh the immediate benefit against the long‑term loss, and remember to back up your save before making permanent changes.