Do Rats Count as Detection in Dishonored? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is no, rats, hagfish and river krusts do not count towards the detection of your character in Dishonored. However, navigating the intricate world of Dishonored requires a deeper understanding of its mechanics, especially when aiming for specific achievements like “Clean Hands” or a low chaos run.

Unraveling the Mechanics of Detection in Dishonored

Dishonored’s detection system is primarily focused on your interactions with human enemies (or certain non-human enemies like Wolfhounds and Clockwork Soldiers). Rats, while often a nuisance and even a weapon in Corvo’s arsenal, are considered part of the environment. They are not sentient enough to report your presence or trigger an alarm.

However, it’s crucial to distinguish between passive and active interactions. Simply being near rats doesn’t constitute detection. But, there are nuanced situations where rats indirectly affect detection. Let’s explore some scenarios:

Indirect Effects: How Rats Influence Detection

• Body Discovery: If rats are swarming around a body and a guard discovers that body, it doesn’t matter who or what killed the unfortunate individual. The guard will be alerted, and the bodies found statistic goes up. Thus, killing guards with rat swarms and leaving the body is very risky.

• Distraction: Rats can serve as distractions. Throwing a Bottle of Rat Whiskey can draw guards’ attention, potentially creating an opening for you to sneak by. While the rats themselves aren’t detecting you, their presence can manipulate guard behavior, influencing the overall state of alert in an area.

• Summoned Swarms: If you are trying to keep a low profile it’s better not to summon a swarm. If you summon a rat swarm to kill a group of guards, and you get spotted in the process, that will obviously count as detection.

Beyond Rats: Understanding the Core Detection System

While rats are benign in terms of direct detection, understanding how the main detection system works is vital:

• Enemy Indicators: Pay attention to the lightning bolts above enemy heads. These indicate their awareness level. White bolts mean they haven’t detected you. Yellow means they are suspicious and investigating, and red means you’ve been fully detected.

• Sound Cues: The game provides auditory cues. A distinct sound indicates full detection. Listening carefully will help you react quickly.

• Line of Sight: The most obvious factor is line of sight. Stay out of direct line of sight, use shadows, and utilize verticality to avoid detection.

• Noise: Avoid making excessive noise. Running, jumping, and breaking objects can alert guards. Using powers like Blink strategically is crucial for stealth.

Achieving “Clean Hands”: The Role of Non-Lethal Tactics

Many players aim for the “Clean Hands” achievement, which requires completing the game without killing anyone. In this context, understanding which creatures count as “kills” becomes crucial. Remember that rats do not count as kills for “Clean Hands”.

Rats as a Tactical Tool

Knowing rats do not raise detection opens up interesting tactical possibilities. Use them to your advantage! Distract enemies, create diversions, and exploit their presence to navigate levels undetected. Learning the ecosystem is part of mastering the game.

For further exploration of game mechanics and design, consider researching at the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) to discover how educational principles are integrated into gaming environments. The Games Learning Society provides a fascinating view into the intersection of learning and interactive entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does killing rats affect my Chaos level in Dishonored?

No. Rats, Hagfish, and River Krusts do not increase your Chaos level. Wolfhounds are an exception.

2. Do wolfhounds count as kills or detections?

Wolfhounds do not count towards lethal kills, allowing you to achieve “Clean Hands” even if you eliminate them. However, they can detect your character and will discover bodies.

3. Does killing river krusts affect Clean Hands?

No, river krusts are like rats and do not affect the Clean Hands achievement.

4. What animals count as kills in Dishonored?

In general, animals do not count as kills. The primary concern for kill count revolves around human enemies and some robotic enemies like Clockwork Soldiers.

5. Does killing clockwork soldiers affect my chaos level?

No, destroying clockwork soldiers does not affect your chaos level.

6. Do I have to kill Granny Rags?

No, there are non-lethal ways to deal with Granny Rags, preserving your “Clean Hands” achievement. Avoiding her quests can also simplify your playthrough.

7. Does killing Weepers count against Clean Hands?

Yes, killing Weepers counts against the Clean Hands achievement. Use non-lethal methods or avoid them completely to secure the achievement.

8. Do sleep darts count as kills?

No. Sleep darts are a non-lethal method and do not contribute to your kill count. They are excellent for achieving “Clean Hands.”

9. Does Corvo’s immunity to the rat plague affect gameplay?

Yes, it makes your gameplay less difficult as Corvo is immune to catching the plague, so you do not need to worry about being infected.

10. What counts as low chaos in Dishonored?

Low Chaos requires minimizing kills, especially of humans. Non-lethal tactics are essential. The threshold for Low Chaos is typically keeping your kill count below 20% of the total NPCs in a given area.

11. How does killing people change the ending in Dishonored?

Excessive killing leads to a higher Chaos level, resulting in a darker ending and increased environmental challenges like more Weepers and rats.

12. Does killing guards affect the ending in Dishonored 2?

Similar to Dishonored, killing guards in Dishonored 2 impacts your Chaos level and affects the game’s ending. Higher chaos results in a more grim outcome.

13. Is it better to help Granny Rags or Slackjaw?

The choice between Granny Rags and Slackjaw has consequences. Helping Slackjaw provides more immediate rewards, but Granny Rags’ quests can offer unique advantages, such as extra runes early in the game. Plan strategically based on your desired playstyle.

14. How do you save the survivor from rats?

Simply kill the rats swarming the woman, and then talk to her so she will move.

15. Does getting spotted by Clockwork Soldiers count as a detection?

Yes, being spotted by Clockwork Soldiers counts as a detection.

Conclusion

While rats themselves aren’t detecting you, understanding their indirect influence and the overall detection system is essential for mastering Dishonored’s stealth mechanics. Use them to your advantage, prioritize non-lethal tactics when aiming for “Clean Hands,” and remember: knowledge is your greatest weapon in the world of Dunwall.