Should I worry about Dragonrot in Sekiro?

You should not excessively worry about Dragonrot in Sekiro, as it is a manageable aspect of the game that, while affecting NPC questlines and lore, does not lead to the death of characters, and its effects can be mitigated with Dragon’s Blood Droplets. The key to handling Dragonrot effectively is understanding its causes, effects, and how to cure it, allowing you to focus on the game’s challenging yet rewarding gameplay, including mastering combat, exploring the world, and overcoming boss battles.

Understanding Dragonrot

What is Dragonrot?

Dragonrot is a disease in the world of Sekiro that affects NPCs after the player character, Wolf, suffers a certain number of deaths without resurrecting. This mechanic adds a layer of realism and consequence to the game, as repeated failures can have repercussions on the world and its inhabitants.

Causes and Effects of Dragonrot

The primary cause of Dragonrot is the accumulation of deaths without resurrection. Each time Wolf dies and does not resurrect, he increases the likelihood of spreading Rot Essence to NPCs, leading to their affliction with Dragonrot. The effects of Dragonrot on NPCs include their inability to advance in their questlines, provide lore, or offer useful items, essentially locking out potential story progress and rewards until they are cured.

Curing Dragonrot

Curing Dragonrot requires the use of Dragon’s Blood Droplets, items that can be found throughout the game world or purchased from specific merchants. These droplets are not infinitely available, with a limited number accessible in each playthrough, making their use strategic. Once used, certain merchants will restock on Dragon’s Blood Droplets, providing a consistent, albeit limited, supply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I die in Sekiro? When you die in Sekiro, you lose half of your sen (gold) and half of the experience you’ve earned towards your next skill point, but there’s a 30% chance of activating Unseen Aid, which prevents the loss of these resources.

2. How does Dragonrot affect NPCs? NPCs affected by Dragonrot cannot progress in their questlines, and they offer no useful items or lore, essentially halting any further interaction or reward from them until cured.

3. Can I permanently cure Dragonrot? There doesn’t seem to be a permanent cure for Dragonrot, other than avoiding deaths without resurrection, making the management of Dragonrot an ongoing aspect of the game.

4. Should I avoid dying in Sekiro? While dying in Sekiro comes with penalties, including the potential spread of Dragonrot, it is an inevitable part of the learning and progression process, especially given the game’s challenging nature.

5. How often can I resurrect in Sekiro? You can resurrect up to 3 times, with each resurrection costing one of your revival nodes.

6. Does resurrecting affect Dragonrot? Resurrecting does not contribute to the spread of Dragonrot; only deaths without resurrection do.

7. Can I ignore Dragonrot? Yes, for the most part, Dragonrot can be ignored, especially on a first playthrough, as the game’s challenge and progression are more critical to focus on.

8. How many Dragon’s Blood Droplets are available in Sekiro? Only 17 Dragon’s Blood Droplets can be found or acquired organically in each playthrough, making their use important and strategic.

9. What is the hardest part of Sekiro? The hardest part of Sekiro often cited by players includes its precise and punishing combat system, which requires perfect timing and quick reflexes.

10. Is Sekiro worth playing twice? Yes, Sekiro is worth playing at least twice, given the different endings and the fact that certain bosses and content are restricted to specific playthroughs or endings.

11. How long is Sekiro? It takes approximately 30 hours to beat Sekiro, but 100% completion can take upwards of 70 hours, offering a significant amount of content and replay value.

12. Does Dragonrot spread if you don’t resurrect? Dragonrot spreads after a certain number of deaths without resurrection, not due to resurrection itself.

13. Can you get rid of Dragonrot? Yes, Dragonrot can be cured using Dragon’s Blood Droplets, but it’s not necessary to cure it immediately, as its effects, while inconvenient, do not halt overall game progress entirely.

14. How do I get better at Sekiro? Improving at Sekiro involves mastering its combat mechanics, such as the Mikiri Counter, using items effectively, practicing, and emphasizing defense, among other strategies.

15. Is Sekiro more forgiving than other FromSoftware games? Sekiro is considered more forgiving than games like Dark Souls because of its resurrection mechanic and the fact that death does not result in the loss of all progress, making it slightly more accessible to new players.