Does Killing Rats Affect Clean Hands in Dishonored? A Definitive Guide
The short answer is: No, killing rats does not affect the Clean Hands achievement in Dishonored. You can gleefully decimate hordes of the little critters without jeopardizing your quest for a bloodless run. However, like many things in the world of Dishonored, there are nuances to this seemingly simple answer. Let’s dive deep into the rat-infested alleys of Dunwall and clarify the rules once and for all.
Rats and the Clean Hands Achievement: Understanding the Mechanics
The Clean Hands achievement in Dishonored is awarded to players who complete the game without killing anyone. This means zero human casualties, zero Hound deaths, and absolutely no unintended accidents. However, the game’s mechanics are specifically programmed to exclude certain creatures from this tally. Rats, along with other vermin, are considered part of the environment and are expendable without impacting your achievement.
This exception is crucial because rats play a significant role in the game. They can be a nuisance, a distraction, or even a strategic tool, particularly if you’ve unlocked certain abilities. Restricting players from interacting with them would severely limit gameplay options and increase the difficulty of an already challenging achievement run.
It’s important to note that the game clearly distinguishes between different types of creatures and their impact on the Clean Hands achievement. Weepers, for instance, are considered humans infected with the rat plague, and therefore, killing them will void the achievement. The distinction lies in the lore and classification of the creatures within the game’s universe.
Beyond Clean Hands: Rats and Other Achievements
While rats don’t impact Clean Hands, they can influence other aspects of your playthrough. For example, killing rats might restore health or mana if you’ve invested in related bone charms or powers. Additionally, some players utilize rats strategically, summoning swarms to eliminate enemies (though this obviously would affect the Clean Hands achievement if it results in human deaths).
This brings us to a crucial distinction: directly killing enemies using rats, even if the rats themselves aren’t counted as kills, will still void the Clean Hands achievement. It’s the intention and result that matter. If your actions lead to a human’s death, regardless of the tool used, you’ve broken the conditions of the Clean Hands run.
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Important Considerations:
- Summoned Rats: If you summon rats via a power, and they subsequently kill an enemy, this will void the Clean Hands achievement. It’s the chain of causation that matters.
- Indirect Deaths: Be extremely careful of environmental hazards. Setting off traps or causing structural collapses that result in enemy deaths will also ruin your Clean Hands run.
- Non-Lethal Take Downs: The preferred method for a Clean Hands run is non-lethal takedowns, followed by careful body placement to avoid accidental deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rats and Clean Hands
Here’s a comprehensive list of FAQs to further clarify the role of rats in a Dishonored Clean Hands run:
Q1: Can I use rats to distract enemies without voiding Clean Hands?
Yes, using rats for distraction is perfectly acceptable. As long as you don’t actively cause an enemy’s death via rat swarm, it won’t affect the achievement.
Q2: What about bloodflies? Do they count against Clean Hands if I kill them?
Like rats, bloodflies are considered part of the environment and killing them will not void the Clean Hands achievement.
Q3: I accidentally summoned rats, and they killed a guard! Is my run ruined?
Unfortunately, yes. If your summoned rats directly caused a human’s death, the Clean Hands achievement is no longer attainable in that playthrough.
Q4: Are there any creatures I should avoid killing altogether for a Clean Hands run?
Yes. You must avoid killing any humans (including Weepers), Hounds (including Wolfhounds and Gravehounds), and Clockwork Soldiers.
Q5: What happens if an enemy falls into a swarm of rats and dies? Does that count against me?
If the enemy directly falls into the swarm and dies as a direct result of the rats attacking them, it will count against Clean Hands. It’s crucial to avoid situations where rats are the immediate cause of death.
Q6: I have a bone charm that makes rats attack enemies. Can I still use it?
Using such a bone charm is risky. While killing the rats themselves is fine, the outcome of their attacks on enemies matters. If the rats kill an enemy, you’ve voided your Clean Hands achievement.
Q7: Do Hagfish count as kills?
No, Hagfish are considered part of the environment and do not count as kills for the Clean Hands achievement.
Q8: I accidentally knocked an enemy unconscious near a rat swarm. Will they be eaten?
Unconscious enemies are vulnerable. If rats devour them and they die as a result, it will count against Clean Hands. Move bodies to safe locations after knocking them out.
Q9: Can I eat rats without affecting Clean Hands?
Yes! If you’ve invested in abilities that allow you to consume rats for health or mana, go right ahead. It doesn’t affect the achievement.
Q10: What about River Krusts? Are they safe to kill?
Yes, River Krusts are safe to eliminate without impacting your Clean Hands achievement.
Q11: Are there any specific missions where rats are particularly problematic for Clean Hands?
Generally, missions involving heavily infested areas require extra caution. The Flooded District, for example, has numerous rat swarms and opportunities for accidental deaths.
Q12: Does the difficulty level affect the Clean Hands achievement?
No, the difficulty level does not affect your ability to achieve Clean Hands. You can pursue the achievement on any difficulty.
Q13: Do rat corpses count towards “bodies found” for the Ghost achievement?
No, rat corpses do not count towards the “bodies found” statistic.
Q14: Can I use Possession to control a rat and explore areas?
Yes, using Possession to control rats is perfectly acceptable and doesn’t affect the Clean Hands achievement.
Q15: If a guard is killed by another guard (friendly fire), does that affect Clean Hands?
No, deaths caused by other NPCs, such as guards killing each other, will not void your Clean Hands achievement. It is important that you do not cause the death, directly or indirectly.
Conclusion: Rats are Your Friends (In Moderation)
Ultimately, rats in Dishonored are more of a strategic asset than a threat to your Clean Hands achievement. While you need to be mindful of how you use them – avoiding situations where they directly cause human deaths – they can be a valuable tool for distraction, resource gathering, and exploration. So, go forth and conquer Dunwall, one rat swarm at a time, with the peace of mind knowing your Clean Hands are safe… unless you want them to get a little dirty. Good luck!