Board Thread:Dark Souls II/@comment-24.150.90.12-20140319175308/@comment-24684538-20140319220514

When considering using Human Effigy, see if you can solo the boss first (try three times or so) before using a Human Effigy. Also this will help even if you need help since after fighting the boss a few times you will know his/her attack patterns so you don't die whilst a summon is helping you. The penalty for dying is 5% (could be 10% but doesn't seem that much) health reduction every time you die up to a maximum of 50%, which is removed when becoming human.

Also I'll put a way to avoid using Human Effigy below but you may consider it a spoiler.


 * SPOILER*

When you get to the Shrine of Amana, you can unlock a door after the Demong of Song by becoming human. Past this door is a Flame altar that restores your humanity if you have no Human Effigy (this may work if they are simply stored in the item box but needs testing).


 * SPOILER*