Dragon's Dogma 2: Dragonsplague Explained

Dragonsplague is a mysterious and frightening illness you might stumble upon in Dragon's Dogma 2. This plague exclusively targets Pawns. Although it could be difficult to notice the symptoms right away, this illness can ruin your entire gameplay. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Dragonsplague in Dragon's Dogma 2 - what it is, how to avoid it, and cure it.

What is Dragonsplague in Dragon's Dogma 2?

Dragonsplague is a rare sickness that affects only Pawns. It usually occurs when your companion fights a dragon or a drake. If you hire another player's Pawn that has the sickness, it can spread to your party too. And if one Pawn in your group gets it, they can pass it on to the others.

Unlike other illnesses in Dragon's Dogma 2, you can't cure Dragonsplague with any items you find in the game. Also, you won't see it listed in your Pawn's status menu, making it hard to spot. Even when you're looking at Pawns before you hire them, you won't notice if they have it. That's why you need to be aware of how to spot it.

Here's where things get bad - if you ignore the sickness for too long, there will be serious consequences. 

What Does Dragonsplague Do if Not Cured?

Dragonsplague in DD2 has some serious consequences. The affected Pawns will turn into shadowy dragons when you rest at an inn. This can lead to the destruction of the whole town or city where the inn is, including important story NPCs and vendors. So, you might end up stuck in the game without being able to continue the main story which is the worst part. You'll get the following message:

"Dragonsplague has struck, leaving a trail of innocent lives in its wake. The pawns who brought the illness into this world have now been returned beyond the rift. If only you had been more observant, perhaps this tragedy could have been prevented."

Avoid resting, as currently, players have not figured out how long it takes before you get the fatal cut scene. Unfortunately, you can't avoid Dragonsplague's consequences by saving your game at different points. Resting at an inn triggers the transformation of infected Pawns and creates a new save point, making it impossible to undo.

Dragonsplague Symptoms in DD2

Dragonsplague could be present when you summon Pawns who are much higher level than you. The first time you call a Pawn with Dragonsplague, the game will give you a tutorial warning – make sure to pay attention to it! There won't be a second warning.

• This one is obvious, but immediately discard, dismiss, or kill the sick Pawn. They might get the rest of your party infected, so be quick.
• Pay attention to pawn banter, as some Pawns might mention Dragonsplague without saying its name.
• If any Pawn starts acting aggressively and ignoring your commands, send them back to the rift right away. "I will act on my own" or "Don't tell me what to do!" are your immediate cues to get rid of the Pawn."Not right now!" is not a sign of Dragonsplague. Remember that Pawns aren't your friends and they're meant to be your loyal companions.
• There are also visual changes - Pawns with Dragonsplague have subtle glowing red eyes that pulse every few seconds. Make sure you take a good look at your Pawns once in a while.

How to Cure Dragonsplague

Dragonsplague can't be cured with regular medicine or treatments. Unfortunately, there is only one way for you to handle the disease and it's harsh.

• If a hired member has Dragonsplague, you should get rid of them as soon as possible. Toss them into deep water or off a cliff. You can also let them die in battle.
• If your main Pawn is infected, you can deal with them in the same way, and then bring them back at a Riftstone. They'll be at your service without the illness. They might also be cured if another player hires them and they pass the Dragonsplague onto their part.

We hope we've helped you understand Dragonsplague a little better in Dragon's Dogma 2. Stay focused and pay attention to your pawns. Check out the rest of our DD2 content!