When should I cure dragonrot? I seem to be managing with it.

[rightfn]

In a game like this, my biggest fear is misusing a consumable item that is limited in number, so I've never cured anyone's dragonrot. I've died about 4 billion times so I'm sure people have it that I've never met in game. Besides the NPC's gratitude and the unseen aid mechanic, which I've learned to live without, what else am I missing out on?

And more importantly, how do I know when is the best time to use the cure, assuming I have much dying in my future...

[Crash]

After spreading dragonrot about 2 or 3 times you could use it. I used to do it this way when i first started the game and it worked for me very well. You will find a lot of the item to undo it, you can even use it earlier. And as you get better you die less, so won't get dragonrot that much later on.

[Varyn [GER]]

Use it when you need to talk to an infected npc about quest stuff. In case you dont know if you can/should continue the quest with an infected npc: cleanse it after the next boss. You find more than enough dragonblood droplets anyway. I would estimate at least 2 droplets per boss.
So in the end, dragonrot isn't really threatening if can you live without a high unseen aid chance. But who needs it anyway: Before going to a boss (and most bosses are pretty obvious) get enough xp to reach the next skillpoint and spend all money so you won't lose much when dying through a boss. When fighting mini bosses or running through the world: flee when you died one time and think you could die a second time.

[Drat Souma]

It's mainly for NPC story purposes, they can't talk properly when they are infected since they are in pain. I usually clean them after a boss fight (i.e lots of death and infected npcs), and then talk with all known npcs before moving forward or just before the next boss fight.

[Goilveig]

I agree - clear after a major boss, and when you need to use vendors and such.

[rightfn]

Originally posted by Crash:

After spreading dragonrot about 2 or 3 times you could use it. I used to do it this way when i first started the game and it worked for me very well. You will find a lot of the item to undo it, you can even use it earlier. And as you get better you die less, so won't get dragonrot that much later on.

For the purpose of this thread let us assume that I will not be dying less as the game progresses. :) Although I understand your reasoning behind this.

Well, the seven spears guy may have been the most miserable boss so far. My take on him is there is no trick, not even the repeated air jump, you just have to fight him normally which means try to parry everything, counterattack and wound when possible, and eventually he dies before you do. Eventually.

Good advice all around here, thanks all