Do Rats Eat Unconscious Bodies in Dishonored? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, rats in Dishonored can eat unconscious bodies, and it’s a mechanic that’s plagued many a player striving for a “Clean Hands” run. In the original Dishonored, this was a particularly notorious issue, often ruining no-kill playthroughs due to the somewhat unpredictable nature of rat swarms. While you might carefully knock out a guard and leave them in what seems like a safe spot, a pack of rats could spontaneously descend and turn your non-lethal approach into a grisly kill. This unfortunate event was often attributed to plain bad luck. Let’s delve deeper into this unsettling mechanic and its nuances throughout the Dishonored series.

Rats: More Than Just Pests

Rats in Dishonored are not just atmospheric elements; they’re an active and potentially deadly part of the environment. Their behavior and impact on gameplay vary slightly between the first and second games, but their core function remains the same: to act as a persistent threat that can complicate your stealthy endeavors.

The Rat Swarm: A Force of Nature

The most dangerous aspect of the rats is their collective behavior. Individually, they’re easily dispatched or avoided. However, when they gather in large swarms, they become capable of overwhelming even trained guards. This is graphically illustrated in the prison escape sequence, where two guards meet a gruesome end at the claws and teeth of a ravenous pack.

The key takeaways about rat behavior are:

• Aggression in Numbers: Large groups are far more likely to attack Corvo, Emily, or Daud.
• Cowardice in Isolation: Smaller groups or individual rats will generally avoid confrontation.
• Consumption of Corpses: Rats will actively consume corpses, including unconscious ones, potentially leading to unwanted kills.

Chaos and Rats: A Delicate Balance

While killing rats themselves doesn’t directly impact your Chaos level in the game, their actions certainly can. The Chaos system in Dishonored tracks your overall level of violence and impacts the game world accordingly. High Chaos leads to more enemies, more Weepers (plague victims), and a generally darker atmosphere.

Rats, being indiscriminate eaters, can inadvertently contribute to High Chaos by turning your non-lethal takedowns into lethal ones. Therefore, even though you didn’t directly kill the guard, the game might register it as a kill if the rats finish the job. It’s a frustrating but crucial distinction to understand.

Strategies for Rat Mitigation

So, how do you avoid the dreaded “rat kill” and maintain your Clean Hands? Here are some proven strategies:

• Elevated Placement: The simplest and most effective method is to place unconscious bodies in locations that rats cannot reach. Ledges, rooftops, tables, and even inside trash bins (though be mindful of patrol routes) are good options.
• Strategic Clearing: Before rendering someone unconscious, assess the surrounding area. If there’s a significant rat presence, consider eliminating the swarm before knocking out your target. Remember, killing rats doesn’t impact Chaos.
• Body Disposal: This is a riskier approach, but you can attempt to carry unconscious bodies to safer locations. Be wary of patrol routes and potential hazards along the way.
• Powers and Abilities: Corvo’s Blink and Emily’s Far Reach can be invaluable tools for quickly and safely moving bodies to secure locations. Daud also has similar abilities at his disposal.
• Bone Charms: Some bone charms can influence rat behavior, such as reducing their aggression or increasing their numbers. Experiment with different charms to find those that suit your playstyle.
• Pay Attention!: Listen for the telltale squeaking and chittering that indicates a rat swarm is nearby. React quickly to prevent them from reaching your incapacitated targets.

Dishonored 2: A Slight Improvement?

While the core mechanic of rats eating unconscious bodies persists in Dishonored 2, many players report that it’s slightly less prevalent than in the original game. Whether this is due to improved AI, adjusted spawn rates, or simply better player awareness is debatable. However, the strategies for mitigation remain largely the same.

FAQs: Rats in Dishonored

Here are some frequently asked questions about rats in Dishonored to further clarify their role and impact on gameplay:

1. Do rats count as kills for the “Clean Hands” achievement?

No, killing rats does not count as a kill and will not void your “Clean Hands” achievement.

2. Does killing River Krusts or Hagfish affect Chaos or the “Clean Hands” achievement?

No, these creatures are treated the same as rats; killing them doesn’t impact Chaos or the achievement.

3. Are dogs or Wolfhounds treated the same as rats?

No, killing dogs (Wolfhounds) is considered a kill, even if it doesn’t impact the Chaos level. They can also detect you and discover bodies.

4. How many bodies can be present at a time before despawning?

The game attempts to maintain a maximum of five bodies per level, with an absolute maximum of ten. This includes both dead and unconscious bodies.

5. Does the game have multiple endings?

Yes, Dishonored has three endings, determined by your Chaos level.

6. Is Corvo immune to the Rat Plague?

Yes, Corvo is immune. This is likely due to his Vitality ability, which grants him a healing factor that protects him from the plague. Also, health elixirs provide protection from the plague.

7. What happens if I poison the still?

Poisoning the still will not add to your kill total, but it will raise Chaos. It will also add extra Weepers to the next mission.

8. Can accidental deaths void “Clean Hands”?

Yes, accidental deaths caused by rewired machines or environmental hazards count as kills. Be careful with your modifications and environmental awareness.

9. How do I save the survivor from rats?

Kill the rats surrounding the survivor and then talk to her. If she doesn’t move, try using Possession to move her slightly before speaking to her.

10. Does killing the whale count as a kill?

No, killing the whale in Daud’s DLC does not count as a kill.

11. Is it worth not killing in Dishonored?

That’s a matter of personal preference. Fewer kills lead to lower Chaos, resulting in fewer enemies and rats in later missions.

12. What counts as killing someone in Dishonored?

Basically, any NPC that can be assassinated (Guards, Civilians, Weepers, and Dogs) counts against you if they die for any reason.

13. Do rats eat bodies in Dishonored 2?

Yes, rats do eat bodies in Dishonored 2 and their activity is nearly identical to how they behave in Dishonored 1.

14. Why aren’t the rats eating the poison baits I put out?

Rats may not eat enough bait or frequently enough if other foods are available. Even if they want to feed more on the baits, other rats may have eaten all the poison so there is none left or more dominant rats will hog the bait points, bullying less dominant rats to keep away or a combination of both.

15. Who is more powerful, Corvo or Emily?

This is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Corvo is generally better suited for stealth and evasion, while Emily has more powers focused on misdirection and controlling crowds.

By understanding the mechanics of rats and their interactions with unconscious bodies, players can successfully navigate the world of Dishonored and achieve their desired gameplay style, whether it be a high-chaos rampage or a stealthy, non-lethal playthrough. Remember that these learnings can be applied to other games as well, as understanding the rules of the game is paramount to doing well. Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org, is a great resource to learn more about game based learning. Always be aware of the environmental risks, and good luck!