Talk:Andre of Astora/@comment-5651348-20141012021419/@comment-172.250.99.30-20141012030842

Undead Merchant offers a lot off good early game equipment, and a few unique weapons. The biggest thing is probably that he's the only source of Repair Powder, which is a boon when using weapons that have durability consuming special attacks like the Drake Sword or Golem Axe.

Shiva of the East also sells an unlimited amount of Uchigatanas. Thus the only benefit to killing the UM is getting an Uchigatana early.