Summary
Being a video game protagonist has to be hard work. It’s all aboutsaving the world, destroying armies of evil, and surviving the journey in the process. Thankfully though, there are often some people that help these protagonists along the way.
Sure, party members, love interests, and sidekicks are the first thoughts, but what about the humble merchant? Peddling guns, health potions, and useful tools, they can make or break a journey. But, which of these merchants are the most adamant on getting their loot into your hands?
10Caravaneers - Fallout Series
The Mojave And Beyond
Throughout the post-apocalyptic journeys of the Fallout games, most of the time you’ll be scavenging for the items necessary for survival, but every so often you’ll find someone who has done so for you. They go by many different names: caravaneers, prospectors, or just merchants, but they definitely want you to buy their stuff.
But why wouldn’t they? They’ve fought off mutated monsters, braved radioactive wastelands, and come to you with a pocket full of caps. Whether it’s just a can ofPork ‘N Beansor a high-tech Gauss Rifle, your caps make their hard work well-worth it.
9Stan - Monkey Island Series
A Pirate’s Life
The Monkey Island series has more than its fair share of wacky characters, but none simply want to make a quick buck (or quick gold?) as Stan. He may not have the best reputation, but that doesn’t seem to get in his way much.
It was even after an unfortunate interaction with Guybrush Threepwood, where Stan tried to upsell a luxury coffin, that he himself got nailed in that coffin. Ever the salesman though, Stan proceeded to run his shop from inside the coffin itself.
8Crazy Dave - Plants Vs. Zombies
Crazy Low Prices
Zombie apocalypses aren’t unheard ofin video games, but one thing that is unique to the Plants Vs. Zombies universe is Crazy Dave. It’s hard to say how long Crazy Dave has been the way he is, but one thing is for sure: he is keen on making the apocalypse work for him.
New plants, more lawnmowers, rakes, Dave has a little bit of everything to keep your backyard safe from the flesh-hungry horde. What he wants in return is usually pretty obscure, but surely he’s giving you a good neighbor discount too, right?
7Drebin 893 - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots
Making A Living/Killing
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots’ alternate timeline Middle East is full of people that Solid Snake is probably best avoiding completely. Someone who actually helps Snake though, is none other than the gun-runner Drebin 893.
One of the many Drebin merchants, they have overridden the controversial system of biometrics that make guns only usable by one person. In turn, the places Snake goes are horribly war-torn, but he is also more than happy to sell you some of his own supply as well.
Drebin 893 gets extra points on this list for selling obscure weapons like an ancient flintlock rifle with the ability to summon tornado-like winds. No normal merchant carries that kind of stock.
6Master Librarian - Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Books, And More
Of all the places to set up a shop, Dracula’s own castle may not be the wisest choice, but then again the Master Librarian is just there to tend to the books. Making a little money on the side seems more like a hobby for him than anything.
Still, he seems more than happy to sell Dracula’s son (who wants nothing more to defeat his father) various trinkets to help along his journey. Apparently, there are no moonlighting rules when you work for Dracula.
5Vulgrim - Darksiders Series
Souls, Not Cash
The apocalypse is beginning, heaven and hell have come to earth, andthe four horsemenhave been called down to either usher forth the end of the world or save it. Seems like the perfect time for a certain demon to start stockpiling souls, right?
Vugrim seems to think so at least. No matter which game it is in the Darksiders series, Vulgrim seems to be there in the shadows waiting for you to come offload some of those heavy souls that you’re carrying around.
4Marcus - Borderlands Series
Guns, Guns, Guns
The Borderands games are full of companies looking to make money off the planets and people of the universe. Perhaps none are so significant to your own journeys in the Borderlands series than that of Marcus.
Sure, he’s not running Jakobs or Hyperion, but he’s made quite a name for himself with the various weapon vending machines across Pandora and neighboring planets. Not to mention, he somehow got a literal cult following surrounding his guns in one game.
3Xûr - Destiny Series
Where Is He Now?
While Xûr of Destiny and Destiny 2 may not be facing the most haphazard challenges of any video game merchant, he does definitely earn a place on this list for always having something that guardians need.
There’s a reason there are multiple websites devoted to finding out where Xûr is week to week. Planet to planet, he peddles his exotic weapons and armor, giving guardians a chance no matter what part of their journey they’re at.
2The Merchant - Resident Evil 4
What Ya Buyin?
One of the first characters people think of when the concept of merchants comes up in video games, Resident Evil 4’s own Merchant has confused and creeped out players ever since the early 2000s with simple rough-spoken voice lines.
The large backpack, the red eyes, the trench-coat full of guns, all of that combined with the fact that The Merchant seems to pop-up exactly when you need him (in an infested village nonetheless) makes him Leon’s savior more often than not.
1Nomadic Merchants - Elden Ring
The Hardworking Sort
The Lands Between are no place for those who can’t defend themselves. Elden Ring has plenty of odd characters throughout the various areas you explore as a tarnished, but none may be so cryptic or adamant on getting a good deal asthe Nomadic Merchants.
Little is known about them, but they can always be found with a handful of random loot for you to spend your runes on, a weird musical instrument, and something that vaguely resembles a donkey. They’re not too pushy, but the fact that they set up shop in The Lands Between at all is a testament to their tenacity.
The Nomadic Merchant in the blood-filled caves under Mohg’s Palace gets a special call out, separate from the rest of his kindred, for picking what is one of the worst places to set up shop in the game.
