A mysterious illness is sweeping through the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2, turning loyal pawns into ticking time bombs. Known as Dragonsplague, this insidious affliction can transform your trusted companions into village-slaughtering monsters overnight-unless you recognize the subtle symptoms and take drastic, often heartbreaking, measures to stop it in its tracks. Uncover the causes, spot the warning signs, and learn the only true cures before your next rest becomes a nightmare.
In this Dragon’s Dogma 2 guide, we’ll give you a brief explanation of what Dragonsplague is. We’ll also tell you some of the common Dragonsplague symptoms and show you how to fix it (if you’re unlucky enough for your save file to contract it).
What is Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2?
Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a unique and highly dangerous affliction that only affects Pawns-your AI companions in the game. This contagious disease can be contracted either by fighting dragons or by hiring Pawns already infected through the online network. While afflicted Pawns gain increased combat power, the real danger lies in the progression of the disease: if left unchecked, an infected Pawn will eventually transform into a massive dragon, triggering a catastrophic event that wipes out all NPCs in the town where you rest and permanently alters your save file. The disease is not tracked in the status menu, making it essential for players to watch for subtle behavioral changes and physical symptoms in their Pawns.
Dragonsplague is a disease that can only be aqcuired by pawns in Dragon’s Dogma 2. It’s also contagious, and can jump from one pawn to another in your party. The above breakdown from RageGamingVideos has a lot of great details about Dragonsplague, and they’ve seen symptoms of the plague I haven’t yet, so I recommend checking it out for a thorough explanation.
In short, Dragonsplague causes any infected pawns to become stronger and more effective in combat. However, it will also, eventually, cause them to turn into a massive dragon and wipe out whatever town you’re currently resting in, killing every villager and then saving your game in the process. Not great!
There’s a pretty simple way to tell whether or not you’ve run into Dragonsplague. If you’ve seen a pop-up tutorial about the illness in your game (the screenshot above), you’ve seen it. If not, you’re in the clear.
What are the Dragonsplague symptoms in Dragon’s Dogma 2
Pawns infected with Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2 display a range of distinct symptoms that set them apart from healthy companions. The most recognizable sign is their glowing red or purplish eyes, which are easiest to spot in low-light conditions. Infected pawns often act out of character: they may become noticeably disobedient, refusing to follow commands or acting aggressively both in and out of combat. Behavioral changes include increased restlessness, bold or rude speech, and a tendency to ignore orders, especially during battles. Physical symptoms can also manifest, such as pawns holding their heads as if suffering from headaches or appearing lethargic and sitting down unexpectedly. These warning signs do not appear in any status menus, so players must closely observe their pawns’ actions and appearance to detect Dragonsplague before it leads to catastrophic consequences.
There are a number of Dragonsplague symptoms in Dragon’s Dogma 2, and it seems like your infected pawn can exhibit a number of them. However, not every infected pawn will exhibit every symptom before becoming a destruction monster capable of obliterating an entire town.
Here are some of the common Dragonsplague symptoms, and how to spot them:
- Glowing red eyes – your pawn’s eyes glow red (easiest to spot in a dark room)
- Lethargy – you witness your pawn sitting down on the ground
- Headaches – your pawn holds their head or physically acts like they’re in pain
- Independent action – your pawn stops listening to commands like “to me” or “go”
- Sass – your pawn is overly animated, including (and especially) copping an attitude
- Increased power – your pawn becomes oddly effective and strong in combat
In an update on April 25, Capcom did make three adjustments to the game that should make Dragonsplague easier to spot and deal with.
First, the studio reduced the frequency in which pawns get infected with Dragonsplague, meaning the entire disease will be less common. Second, Capcom has increased the intensity levels of the dragonsplague symptoms. The patch only calls out the glowing eyes here, but, based on the wording, it’s certainly possible that your infected pawns will sass you or laze about more often. And finally, you can now zoom in on your pawn’s faces to really get a good look at them and their eyes.
Now, even with all of those updates in mind, Dragonsplague is still very dangerous and you need to stay vigilant. Pawns are known for serving the Arisen at any cost. If your pawns start to deviate from that – no matter how jazzed you are to have a sassy pawn (I know I would be) – you should consider attempting to “cure” them .
How do you cure Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2?
Curing Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2 requires drastic action, as there is no traditional remedy or curative item that can remove the disease from your pawn. The most reliable method is to kill the infected pawn-either by letting them fall in battle or by throwing them into deep water, where the Brine will consume them. Afterward, you can resummon your main pawn from a Riftstone, and they will return free of the disease. For support pawns, simply dismissing them from your party will prevent further spread, though this does not truly cure them, just removes the risk to your game. While passing the disease to another pawn is technically possible, it is not recommended due to the risk of further spreading the infection. Always act quickly if you notice symptoms to avoid catastrophic consequences for towns and NPCs.
“Death” is the only cure for Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2. However, keep in mind that pawns can’t really die forever. When a pawn you’ve summoned bleeds out, they simply leave your party. And when your main pawn dies, you can just summon them again from a Riftstone.
The most effective way to kill a pawn is to throw them off a cliff – either a really high one that takes them out via fall damage, or one above water that takes them out via the Brine.
If you come in contact with Dragonsplague, the safest option is to kill all three of your Pawns, summon your main pawn back, and then summon two completely new pawns from a riftstone.
Does the Eternal Wakestone fix Dragonsplague?
The Eternal Wakestone does not cure Dragonsplague itself, but it is the most effective way to recover from the catastrophic aftermath if the disease wipes out a town. When a Dragonsplague-infected pawn triggers a disaster, causing the deaths of numerous NPCs, using the Eternal Wakestone will revive every fallen NPC within a large area, essentially restoring the city to normal. However, it is a single-use item and only one can be obtained per playthrough, so it should be reserved for the worst-case scenario-such as a Dragonsplague outbreak that devastates a settlement. While this item cannot prevent or directly cure the affliction in pawns, it is the only way to undo the mass casualties caused by Dragonsplague after the fact.
You can fix Dragonsplague if you don’t catch it quickly enough. Because Dragonsplague kills everyone in a city, you’d need to use a lot of Wakestones to get everyone up. But there is actually a much more efficient method: the Eternal Wakestone.
The Eternal Wakestone is a reward you can get from killing the Sphinx and acquiring her key in Dragon’s Dogma 2. This is a single use item, but will revive every dead NPC in a large area – you know, like a city that just got leveled by a Dragonsplague-infected pawn. Just walk into town, use it, and things should return to normal.
If the stone doesn’t get everyone, just revert to your inn save and bring all the bodies to the center of town and use the Eternal Wakestone while standing next to them.
Just know that there is only one Eternal Wakestone per playthrough, so if Dragonsplague gets you twice, you’re going to need to get more creative with your Wakestones or straight up start a new game.
How can I prevent my pawns from catching Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2
How to Prevent Pawns from Catching Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2
Key Prevention Strategies
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Dismiss Hired Pawns Before Resting: The most effective way to prevent Dragonsplague from triggering is to dismiss all extra (hired) pawns before you rest for the night. This stops any infected pawns from spreading the disease or causing catastrophic outbreaks while you sleep.
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Monitor Your Main Pawn: If you are absolutely certain your main pawn is not infected, you don’t need to take action. However, if there’s any doubt, the only guaranteed way to prevent disaster is to kill your main pawn (for example, by throwing them into water or off a cliff) before resting. You can then resummon your main pawn at a Riftstone.
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Watch for Symptoms: Learn to recognize the signs of Dragonsplague:
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Disobedience or ignoring orders
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Hostile or strange voice lines
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Holding their head in agony or being stunned
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Glowing red eyes or a red aura
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Act Quickly if You Notice Symptoms: If any pawn shows symptoms, dismiss hired pawns immediately or, for your main pawn, kill and resummon them. Never rest with a symptomatic pawn in your party, as this can lead to the disease wiping out entire towns.
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Avoid Summoning High-Level Pawns: Dragonsplague is more likely to appear when you summon pawns that are much higher level than you. Be cautious when hiring new pawns, especially if you notice the in-game tutorial pop-up warning about Dragonsplague.
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Limit Frequent Resting: Avoid resting for several days in a row, especially if you have recently summoned new pawns, to reduce the risk of the disease developing unnoticed.
By staying vigilant and acting decisively at the first sign of infection, you can protect your party and the world from the devastating effects of Dragonsplague.
What are the best strategies to avoid Dragonsplague without losing pawns
Best Strategies to Avoid Dragonsplague Without Losing Pawns
While Dragonsplague in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a serious threat, there are several strategies you can use to minimize risk without permanently losing your pawns:
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Limit Rift Interactions: Pawns only contract Dragonsplague by entering the Rift and getting infected, so minimizing how often you swap or hire new pawns reduces your risk. If you stick with the same party and avoid frequently changing pawns, you greatly lower the chance of infection.
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Careful Pawn Selection: When hiring pawns from the Rift, inspect them for symptoms such as glowing red eyes, odd or aggressive behavior, or ignoring commands. Avoid hiring pawns that show any signs of infection.
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Monitor for Symptoms: Stay vigilant for early signs of Dragonsplague-such as pawns holding their heads, acting disobedient, or displaying a red aura. If you spot symptoms, act quickly to isolate the affected pawn.
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Dismiss, Don’t Kill: If a hired pawn shows symptoms, dismiss them from your party immediately rather than killing them. This removes the infection from your group without permanent loss, as you can always hire new pawns.
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Avoid Resting with New or Suspect Pawns: The risk of Dragonsplague causing disaster spikes when you rest with an infected pawn. If you suspect infection, dismiss the pawn before resting. For your main pawn, only take drastic action (such as killing and resummoning) if you are certain they are infected.
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Don’t Rest Repeatedly: Avoid resting for several days in a row, especially after hiring new pawns, as this can give the disease time to progress unnoticed.
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Listen to Pawn Banter: Pawns may comment on Dragonsplague or odd behavior among their ranks. Pay attention to their dialogue for subtle warnings.
By following these strategies-limiting rift usage, carefully screening pawns, acting swiftly at the first sign of symptoms, and avoiding unnecessary resting-you can significantly reduce the risk of Dragonsplague without having to lose or kill your pawns.
