Dragons Dogma 2: What is Dragonsplague? Dragons Dogma 2 guide, tips

Dragonsplague is one of the most subtle, yet most dangerous mechanics in the entire DD2 game. On this page of the guide, we explain what it is, how to detect it and the consequences of ignoring it.

Last update: 10 April 2024

While playing Dragons Dogma 2, sooner or later your pawns will start talking about Dragonsplague - a mysterious disease that only Pawns can suffer from. Although at first this dialogue may seem like just world building, Dragonsplague does exist - and even you, as the main characters, are not safe. On this page of the guide, we have described what Dragonsplague is, what causes the disease, how to detect it, how to get rid of it and what are the consequences of ignoring or overlooking it.

• What is Dragonsplague and how can one catch it?
• What does Dragonsplague lead to?
• How to cure Dragonsplague?

What is Dragonsplague and how can one catch it?

1. Dragonsplague is a disease that affects the minds of Pawns. As its name suggests, the source is dragons. There are two ways to catch Dragonsplague. The first is getting infected by another, already sick Pawn. The second is infection by dragon-like enemies, such as Drake - infection is caused by a grapple attack that these dangerous bosses use. Some Pawns you hired online may also already have Dragonsplague.
2. Dragonsplague develops in the infected Pawn for several days and its symptoms increase over time and become more noticeable. The infected Pawn becomes more powerful, but also rebellious. They will start refusing to obey orders, talk back or even insult the main character. Standing still, they may start holding their head and shaking with pain. The most obvious symptom is red eyes that develop over time.
3. Your first encounter with Dragonsplague displays a tutorial that will inform you about this disease. Thanks to this, you will be sure that one of your Pawns is sick, but only this one time - you will have to diagnose the next cases on your own.

What does Dragonsplague lead to?

1. The consequences of overlooking or ignoring Dragonsplague are enormous. If you have spent a few days with a sick Pawn, allowing the disease to reach a critical stage, your next rest at home or at an inn will bring an unpleasant surprise. The sick Pawn will undergo a transformation and return to where it came from, triggering an explosion of evil magic.
2. When you wake up, the infected Pawn will no longer be in your party. Moreover, almost all NPCs in a given settlement will be killed. Regular NPCs, shopkeepers, and even key quest characters, such as Captain Brant, can become a victim. Their death will also prevent you from completing the quests they are associated with. Although characters can be resurrected using Wakestone, there will be too many casualties to resurrect everyone. The only way to reverse the massacre is to use the very rare Eternal Wakestone, which most players will never even encounter.
3. Although the main plot can be completed despite the death of important NPCs, you will be left without any clues and will have to blindly look for the next.

How to cure Dragonsplague?

1. There are two ways to get rid of Dragonsplague and neither is pleasant. The first is to infect another Pawn - the infecting Pawn will then be cured. This method can work against you because a sick Pawn can easily infect your main Pawn.
2. The second, and at the same time the only practical way, is to get rid of the sick Pawn. The death of a Pawn destroys the disease - you can then summon them back at a Riftstone. The easiest way to eliminate a Pawn is by picking them up and dropping them from a height or throw into deep water.
3. You can also dismiss the sick Pawn at a Riftstone - but this will endanger other players if you play online.
4. To effectively protect yourself from Dragonsplague, you must be very careful. Pay attention to what your Pawns say and how they behave, look out for symptoms and don't hesitate to kill a Pawn if you suspect the disease - you can always summon them again using Riftstone. When hiring Pawns from other players, pay attention to their appearance, watch their eyes and listen to how they introduce themselves.
5. If Dragonsplague worries you, you can reduce the chances of it happening by playing offline. None of the Pawns created by Capcom are affected by Dragonsplague, so you won't be exposed to it by hiring them - the only way to get it will then be one specific attack from the Drakes.