When Should You Cure Dragonrot in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice? A Comprehensive Guide

Dragonrot. It’s the bane of every aspiring Shinobi’s existence in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This insidious disease, a consequence of Wolf’s repeated deaths, impacts not just the gameplay but also the narrative fabric of the world. So, the burning question is: When should you actually cure it?

The short, definitive answer is: cure Dragonrot when it actively prevents you from progressing a crucial questline or when the Unseen Aid chance becomes critically low and you are facing a difficult boss. Don’t rush to cure it after every instance, as Dragon’s Blood Droplets are a finite resource. Strategic restoration is key.

Here’s a deeper dive into that decision, breaking down the factors you need to consider:

Assessing the Situation: Are Your NPCs Afflicted?

The first sign you need to consider a Dragonrot restoration is the spread of the disease amongst the NPCs. Key NPCs vital for quest progression can become afflicted with Dragonrot, halting your progress. They won’t die, but they will refuse to interact, effectively locking you out of vital information, items, or even entire sections of the game. Check the Sculptor’s Idol for dialogue indicating someone is ill. If crucial characters like Emma, the Sculptor, or Anayama the Peddler are stricken, a cure is likely necessary.

Monitoring Unseen Aid: Weighing the Risks

The second critical factor is the Unseen Aid percentage. This mechanic provides a chance to retain your Sen (currency) and experience upon death. With each afflicted NPC, your Unseen Aid percentage decreases, making each death far more punishing. If the percentage dips to a dangerously low level, particularly before a challenging boss fight, restoring Dragonrot becomes more appealing. Facing Genichiro Ashina with a 5% Unseen Aid chance? A restoration might be wise.

Considering Dragon’s Blood Droplets: A Limited Resource

Dragon’s Blood Droplets, the cure for Dragonrot, are not unlimited. They can be found throughout the world, purchased from merchants (some of whom restock), and occasionally received as rewards. However, you should not squander them. Conserve them for situations where progress is genuinely blocked or the risk of losing valuable Sen and XP is too high.

The Late-Game Approach: A Viable Alternative

Alternatively, you can choose to largely ignore Dragonrot until the late game. Dragonrot does not kill any of the NPCs despite what it does to their willingness to assist Sekiro. Toward the end of the game, you should have accumulated a sizable number of Dragon’s Blood Droplets. At this point, curing Dragonrot allows you to finalize any remaining NPC quests, gather all the necessary dialogue for specific endings, and maximize your Unseen Aid chance for the final encounters. This approach is especially beneficial for players focused on exploring all available content in a single playthrough.

Making the Call: A Practical Example

Imagine you’re stuck on a particular boss, dying repeatedly. Several NPCs are now afflicted with Dragonrot, and your Unseen Aid is at a measly 10%. Emma, who provides essential healing upgrades, is among the afflicted. In this scenario, restoring Dragonrot is a sound decision. It not only improves your Unseen Aid, increasing your chances of retaining progress, but it also re-enables Emma’s services, giving you a crucial edge in the upcoming battle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dragonrot

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to Dragonrot in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, designed to provide further clarity and guidance:

1. What exactly is Dragonrot? Dragonrot is a disease that afflicts NPCs in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice as a consequence of Wolf’s repeated deaths. It prevents them from assisting you and lowers your Unseen Aid chance. The more you die and resurrect, the higher the chances are NPCs will contract dragonrot.

2. Does Dragonrot actually kill any NPCs? No, Dragonrot does not kill any NPCs. Although it’s implied in the lore, and the NPCs visibly suffer, their quests are put on hold as they are unable to interact.

3. How does Dragonrot spread? Dragonrot spreads each time Wolf dies and returns to a Sculptor’s Idol. The game tracks these deaths, and after a certain number, NPCs begin to contract the disease. Resurrecting on the spot does not contribute to the spread.

4. How can I tell if an NPC has Dragonrot? You will receive a notification when a new case of Dragonrot appears. You can then visit the Sculptor’s Idol and select the “Check Rot Essence” option to identify the afflicted NPC. They will also have a unique cough and dialogue indicating their illness.

5. What are the consequences of having Dragonrot? The consequences are two-fold: a lowered Unseen Aid percentage and the inability to progress questlines associated with afflicted NPCs. You will miss unique dialogue if you have Dragonrot.

6. What is Unseen Aid? Unseen Aid is a mechanic that gives you a percentage chance of retaining your Sen (currency) and Skill Experience upon death. The base chance is 30%, but this decreases with each NPC afflicted by Dragonrot.

7. How do I cure Dragonrot? You cure Dragonrot by using a Dragon’s Blood Droplet at a Sculptor’s Idol and selecting the “Dragonrot Restoration” option. This will cure all afflicted NPCs and reset your Unseen Aid percentage to the maximum.

8. Where can I find Dragon’s Blood Droplets? Dragon’s Blood Droplets can be found scattered throughout the game world, purchased from merchants like Fujioka the Info Broker and the Memorial Mob, and occasionally received as rewards for completing quests.

9. Are Dragon’s Blood Droplets a limited resource? Yes, Dragon’s Blood Droplets are finite. There is a limited number available in each playthrough. However, some merchants will restock them after you use one, making them farmable to a degree.

10. Should I cure Dragonrot after every boss fight? Not necessarily. Curing Dragonrot after every boss is usually unnecessary and wasteful. Only cure when it is actively hindering your progress or severely impacting your Unseen Aid. You are going to be using multiple resurrection, so don’t bother.

11. Does resurrecting increase Dragonrot? No, resurrecting on the battlefield does not increase Dragonrot. Only deaths where you fully die and respawn at a Sculptor’s Idol contribute to the spread of the disease.

12. Can I prevent Dragonrot from spreading? While you can’t entirely prevent Dragonrot, you can minimize its spread by avoiding unnecessary deaths. Focus on improving your skills, learning enemy patterns, and using stealth where possible.

13. What happens if I ignore Dragonrot entirely? If you ignore Dragonrot completely, you will likely miss out on significant quest progress and valuable dialogue. Your Unseen Aid will also plummet, making the game significantly more difficult. However, if you wait until the late game you can spend it all at once.

14. Is there a way to get more Dragon’s Blood Droplets later in the game? Yes, some merchants, such as Fujioka the Info Broker and the Memorial Mob, will restock Dragon’s Blood Droplets after you use one to cure Dragonrot. This allows you to acquire additional droplets as needed.

15. Does Dragonrot affect the game’s endings? Yes, Dragonrot can indirectly affect the game’s endings. Certain endings require specific NPC questlines to be completed, and if those NPCs are afflicted with Dragonrot, you may be unable to trigger the necessary events.

Ultimately, the decision of when to cure Dragonrot in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice depends on your playstyle, your current progress, and your tolerance for risk. By understanding the mechanics of Dragonrot and carefully weighing the available resources, you can make informed decisions that maximize your chances of success in the perilous world of Ashina.

To further your understanding of game mechanics and their impact on player experience, consider exploring the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org. Understanding the impact of gameplay mechanics such as Dragonrot can provide valuable insight when creating or studying games.