Can You Not Kill Campbell in Dishonored? A Deep Dive into Non-Lethal Options
Absolutely! One of the core tenets of Dishonored is player choice, and that extends to how you deal with your targets. High Overseer Thaddeus Campbell is no exception. You are not obligated to kill him, and the game offers a variety of interesting and narratively satisfying non-lethal ways to eliminate him as a threat.
The Allure of Non-Lethal Playthroughs
Many players gravitate towards non-lethal playthroughs in Dishonored for a variety of reasons. Some enjoy the challenge of navigating the game’s intricate systems and enemy patrols without resorting to violence. Others are drawn to the moral implications, wanting to minimize Corvo’s impact on Dunwall and achieve the “low chaos” ending, which results in a more optimistic outcome for the city and its inhabitants. A low chaos playthrough usually involves the need to explore all non-lethal options.
Branding Campbell: A Classic Non-Lethal Choice
The most widely known and arguably most poetic non-lethal option for Campbell involves branding him as a heretic. This not only removes him from his position of power within the Overseer hierarchy but also effectively exiles him from Dunwall society.
To execute this, you’ll need to:
- Infiltrate the High Overseer’s Office: Stealth and careful planning are key here. Utilize Corvo’s powers and the environment to avoid detection.
- Acquire the Heretic’s Brand: This is located in the interrogation room.
- Subdue Campbell: This can be done through a variety of methods, from sleep darts to chokeholds. The key is to render him unconscious without killing him.
- Transport Campbell to the Interrogation Room: Carefully carry his body (or drag it if necessary) to the interrogation room. Be mindful of guard patrols.
- Apply the Heretic’s Brand: With Campbell unconscious in the interrogation chair, interact with him to apply the brand.
Later in the game, you might encounter Campbell again, a shadow of his former self, suffering from the plague. This outcome serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of your actions, even when choosing a non-lethal path.
Letting Curnow Take the Fall
Another non-lethal (and arguably morally ambiguous) option involves manipulating events to allow Captain Geoff Curnow to kill Campbell. This requires a bit more finesse and observation of the game’s narrative.
Here’s how you can engineer this scenario:
- Spill the Tyvian Red: In the meeting room, interact with both glasses of Tyvian Red to spill them. This will trigger a cutscene where Campbell accuses Curnow of treachery.
- Follow Campbell and Curnow: They will retreat to Campbell’s secret room, where Campbell intends to betray Curnow.
- Intervene (or Don’t): You have two choices here:
- Alert Curnow: Before Campbell attacks, reveal his intentions to Curnow. Curnow will then kill Campbell in self-defense, freeing you from the responsibility.
- Remain Silent (and Turn Off the Music): By turning off the music after Campbell draws his sword, Curnow becomes aware of the danger and swiftly deals with the High Overseer.
Either way, Curnow survives and Campbell is eliminated, but you aren’t directly responsible for his death. This method is less about mercy and more about strategic manipulation.
Dumpster Disposal
A third, more simple, non-lethal solution, involves knocking Campbell unconscious and placing him in the dumpster. This is also the method used to save Callista Curnow’s uncle.
- Subdue Campbell using non-lethal methods.
- Take Campbell’s unconscious body to the dumpster.
- Deposit Campbell in the dumpster.
This will mark the non-lethal completion of the Campbell mission.
Why Choose Non-Lethal?
Beyond the challenge and the moral implications, pursuing non-lethal solutions in Dishonored offers several tangible benefits:
- Lower Chaos: A non-lethal playthrough significantly reduces your chaos level, leading to a more favorable ending for Dunwall.
- Fewer Weepers: Lower chaos also means fewer Weepers (plague-ridden citizens) in later missions, making them less dangerous and more manageable.
- Unique Dialogue and Encounters: Some characters and situations will unfold differently depending on your choices, revealing hidden layers of the game’s story.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to kill Campbell is yours. Dishonored empowers you to shape the world and its inhabitants through your actions, offering a rich and rewarding experience regardless of the path you choose.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding High Overseer Campbell and your options for dealing with him:
1. Does poisoning Campbell count as a kill?
Yes, poisoning Campbell’s drink, whether in his office or during the meeting with Curnow, counts as a kill. This method is the primary lethal option for eliminating him.
2. What happens if I spill both glasses in the meeting room?
Spilling both glasses of Tyvian Red will trigger a scene where Campbell accuses Curnow of treachery. He will then lead Curnow to his secret room to deal with him personally, opening the door to the aforementioned non-lethal opportunity to have Curnow kill Campbell.
3. Can I save Curnow if Campbell attacks him?
Yes, you can save Curnow. By either alerting him to Campbell’s intentions or turning off the music in the secret room after Campbell draws his sword, Curnow will defend himself and kill Campbell. You can also simply knock Campbell unconscious before he can harm Curnow.
4. Is Campbell a truly “bad” person in Dishonored?
While Campbell is certainly presented as an antagonist, his motivations are complex. He is corrupt and power-hungry, but he also believes he is serving the greater good by combating perceived heretics and maintaining order within the Overseer ranks. His actions are often driven by fear and a desire to maintain control.
5. Does poisoning the still count as a kill?
No, poisoning the still does not directly count as a kill. However, it will increase your chaos level, leading to more Weepers in subsequent missions. So while it is a “non-direct” kill, it will result in the death of those who consume the product from the still, and it will affect your end game results.
6. Do kills by assassins summoned with Corvo’s power count towards my kill count?
Yes, in general, kills caused by your powers or summons do count towards your kill count. If an assassin you summoned kills someone, it will likely register as a kill for Corvo.
7. How do I get Curnow to kill Campbell himself?
As mentioned earlier, the easiest way is to spill the drinks, follow them to the secret room, and then either alert Curnow to the danger or turn off the music. Curnow will then react and kill Campbell.
8. Where is Campbell’s secret room located?
To access the secret room, go through the kennels and find the exit that isn’t the locked door (the locked door requires code 217). Then search for a bust with a shiny eye and interact with the eye mechanism.
9. How do I save Callista’s uncle?
To save Callista’s uncle, you need to deliver his unconscious body to the dumpster. This ensures his survival and contributes to a lower chaos playthrough.
10. How many endings does Dishonored have?
Dishonored has two primary ending categories: Low Chaos and High Chaos. The specifics of the ending will vary depending on your actions throughout the game.
11. Is it detrimental to complete Granny Rags’ quests?
Completing Granny Rags’ quests, especially the one involving poisoning the Bottlestreet Gang elixir, will increase your chaos level, making the game more difficult and leading to a less favorable ending.
12. Do kills by rats count against me?
Only kills that YOU initiate with rats count against you. So, rats that kill someone because you summoned them count against you, but rats killing bodies on their own will not.
13. Is Campbell considered a sociopath?
Campbell’s character exhibits traits that might be associated with sociopathy, but that is not explicitly stated in the game.
14. Where is the interrogation room key found?
The Interrogation Room Key can be found on one of the Overseers inside the Archive Room of the Office of the High Overseer.
15. Where do I put Curnow to save him?
The intended location for saving Curnow is the dumpster located near the backyard exit, close to Samuel’s boat.