The Dragonrot Cure: Restoring Life and Lore in Sekiro

Curing Dragonrot in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice effectively reverses the negative consequences of this affliction. Specifically, performing a Dragonrot Restoration at a Sculptor’s Idol, after using a Dragon’s Blood Droplet, achieves the following: It cures all NPCs currently afflicted with Dragonrot, allowing you to once again progress their questlines and access their dialogue, restores your Unseen Aid percentage to its maximum (30%), and clears all Rot Essence items from your inventory. This, in turn, prevents the penalty of reduced Unseen Aid chance (the percentage chance to avoid losing experience and Sen upon death) from impacting your gameplay. It allows you to engage with the story and NPCs without penalties.

The Blessing and the Burden of Restoration

While curing Dragonrot is beneficial, understand it’s a temporary reprieve. If you continue to die without resurrecting, Dragonrot will inevitably return, requiring further Dragon’s Blood Droplets for future restorations. This creates a compelling risk-reward cycle: do you hoard your droplets for a critical questline or spend them proactively to maintain the highest possible Unseen Aid chance?

A Matter of Perspective: To Cure or Not To Cure?

The decision to cure Dragonrot often hinges on your playstyle and progress. If you’re struggling with a particular area or boss and dying frequently, curing Dragonrot might be less beneficial in the short term as the ailment will quickly return. However, if you are planning to engage with an important questline or have a significant amount of Sen (money) and experience you want to protect, a Dragonrot Restoration is highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dragonrot and its Cure

Here are some frequently asked questions about curing Dragonrot in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice:

1. Does curing Dragonrot permanently prevent its return?

No. Curing Dragonrot using a Dragon’s Blood Droplet only temporarily removes the affliction from affected NPCs. The condition will return if the Wolf continues to die without resurrecting, and it can become a recurring cycle.

2. How do I know when to cure Dragonrot?

Cure Dragonrot when you need to advance a side quest blocked by the affliction, or when your Unseen Aid percentage has dropped significantly and you are planning on a large exploration or boss battle.

3. Are Dragon’s Blood Droplets limited in the game?

Yes, there is a finite number of Dragon’s Blood Droplets available per playthrough, initially, but some vendors restock on the item after you’ve used one. So, you are limited by the amount of Sen you have to purchase them.

4. What happens if I run out of Dragon’s Blood Droplets?

If you run out of Dragon’s Blood Droplets, you won’t be able to cure Dragonrot until you find more or begin New Game Plus. This means questlines blocked by Dragonrot will remain inaccessible, and your Unseen Aid chance will remain reduced.

5. Does Dragonrot affect the game’s ending?

No, Dragonrot itself does not directly impact which ending you receive in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. However, some endings require completing specific NPC questlines, which can be blocked by Dragonrot.

6. Is there any benefit to not curing Dragonrot?

There is no direct gameplay benefit to not curing Dragonrot. While NPCs don’t die from the disease, it does halt their questlines and reduce your Unseen Aid chance. A player might choose to ignore the issue for a while to save Dragon’s Blood Droplets.

7. Does resurrecting on the battlefield contribute to Dragonrot spread?

Resurrecting on the battlefield using your resurrection power does not directly contribute to the spread of Dragonrot. Only true deaths (dying and respawning at a Sculptor’s Idol) cause Dragonrot to spread.

8. How many deaths does it take before Dragonrot starts to appear?

Dragonrot typically begins to manifest after approximately four true deaths (respawning at a Sculptor’s Idol).

9. Does Dragonrot affect vendors?

Yes, Dragonrot can affect vendors. While they remain accessible and sell items, they may not offer the full range of goods or provide valuable lore until cured.

10. Does difficulty increase as Dragonrot spreads?

No, the game difficulty itself doesn’t directly increase with the spread of Dragonrot. The challenge lies in the reduced Unseen Aid chance and the inability to progress certain NPC storylines.

11. Can I cure Dragonrot multiple times in a single playthrough?

Yes, you can cure Dragonrot multiple times, as long as you have Dragon’s Blood Droplets available. Remember that the condition will return if you continue to die.

12. What is Unseen Aid?

Unseen Aid is a mechanic that gives you a percentage chance to avoid losing half of your Sen (money) and experience points upon death. This percentage decreases as Dragonrot spreads.

13. Can I prevent Dragonrot entirely?

You can minimize the spread of Dragonrot by being cautious and skilled in combat, minimizing true deaths. This is a useful tactic for conserving Dragon’s Blood Droplets.

14. What is Rot Essence?

Rot Essence is an item that appears in your inventory when an NPC contracts Dragonrot. Each Rot Essence represents a specific afflicted character. Curing Dragonrot removes all Rot Essences from your inventory.

15. How does Dragonrot impact lore and story elements?

Dragonrot prevents you from progressing the questlines of afflicted NPCs. This can cause you to miss out on crucial story elements, lore details, and potentially, certain game endings. Engaging with and understanding games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice can provide valuable insights into game design and its impact on learning, a subject of interest within the Games Learning Society.

Conclusion: Mastering the Cycle of Life and Death

Understanding the implications of curing Dragonrot is crucial for maximizing your Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice experience. It’s a mechanic that encourages thoughtful gameplay, strategic resource management, and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of the game’s world and characters. Ultimately, the choice of when to cure Dragonrot lies with the player, depending on their playstyle and the goals they are trying to achieve.

To learn more about game design and educational aspects of gaming, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.