Can You Kill and Still Get the Good Ending in Dishonored? A Deep Dive into Chaos and Consequences

Absolutely! You can kill in Dishonored and still achieve the coveted “good ending,” also known as the low chaos ending. The key is moderation and mindful decision-making. It’s not about a perfect zero-kill run, but rather about keeping your overall “chaos level” low throughout most of the game. Think of it as a delicate balancing act between vengeance and redemption.

The game tracks your actions, and a high body count will lead to a darker world, more enemies, and ultimately, the less desirable “high chaos ending.” But strategic, minimal killings, coupled with predominantly non-lethal choices, allow you to navigate the narrative towards a brighter outcome. So, breathe easy, put away the absolute pacifist ideals (unless that’s your jam!), and let’s explore the nuances of achieving the Dishonored good ending, even with a bit of blood on your hands.

Understanding Chaos: The Moral Compass of Dunwall

What Determines Your Chaos Level?

The chaos system in Dishonored is a subtle, yet pervasive, element that dictates the state of the world around Corvo. It’s not just about racking up kills, though that’s a significant factor. Several elements contribute to your overall chaos score:

• Lethal vs. Non-Lethal Actions: Obviously, killing enemies increases your chaos level more than using non-lethal takedowns like choking, sleeping darts, or bending time to slip past foes.

• Target Elimination Methods: Certain assassination targets offer opportunities for non-lethal solutions, often involving exposing their wrongdoings or leaving them in a situation worse than death. Choosing these routes significantly reduces chaos.

• Detection: Being spotted by enemies raises chaos, even if you don’t kill them. A “ghost” playthrough, where you remain completely undetected, is the purest path to low chaos.

• Body Discovery: Leaving bodies (dead or unconscious) in plain sight, where rats can devour them or guards can find them, also contributes to chaos. Hide your victims!

• Civilian Casualties: Killing civilians, even accidentally, drastically increases chaos. Avoid collateral damage at all costs. Remember that weepers count as civilian deaths.

The Threshold: How Many Kills is Too Many?

There isn’t a precise kill count that guarantees a specific ending. However, a general rule of thumb is to aim for 5-10 kills per mission (some even say you can get away with up to 20 on early missions), excluding the final mission. The game evaluates your accumulated chaos at the end of each mission, and a consistent pattern of low chaos throughout most missions is what matters.

The Last Mission Exception

The final mission offers a unique loophole. Once you trigger the low chaos version of the last level, you are locked into the good ending regardless of your actions in that final level. This means you could, theoretically, go on a killing spree in the final level (though it goes against the spirit of a low-chaos playthrough) and still achieve the good ending. Killing Samuel is, as the original text states, a rather extreme way to make that point.

Tips for Maintaining Low Chaos: The Assassin’s Guide to Redemption

Prioritize Non-Lethal Options

Whenever possible, opt for non-lethal methods. Upgrade your sleeping darts, master the art of choking out guards, and explore alternative ways to eliminate targets.

Ghost It Up

Practice stealth and avoid detection. Use powers like Blink, Dark Vision, and Possession to navigate levels undetected. The less interaction you have with enemies, the lower your chaos will be.

Hide the Evidence

Conceal bodies to prevent them from being discovered by guards or devoured by rats. Dumpsters, secluded rooms, and rooftops are your friends.

Be Mindful of Collateral Damage

Avoid harming civilians or triggering environmental hazards that could cause unintended deaths. Pay attention to your surroundings and plan your actions carefully.

Save, Save, Save!

Make frequent saves to experiment with different approaches and revert to earlier points if you make a mistake. This is crucial for managing your chaos level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I kill assassination targets and still get the good ending?

Yes! Many targets have non-lethal options. Exploring these alternatives drastically reduces chaos compared to simply killing them.

2. Do animal kills affect chaos?

No. Dogs, rats, Hagfish, and River Krust do not count as kills towards your chaos level. However, if you summon rats using the “Devouring Swarm” power, the kills do count.

3. Does getting detected increase chaos?

Yes. Being detected contributes to your overall chaos level, even if you don’t kill anyone.

4. How does body discovery impact chaos?

If guards find a body (dead or unconscious), it increases your chaos level. Rats devouring bodies also contributes.

5. Do rewired traps count towards my kill count?

Yes. Kills by rewired traps such as Watchtowers, Arc Pylons, and Walls of Light will contribute to your kill counts and chaos.

6. Is it better to knock someone out or kill them?

Knocking someone out is always better than killing them for a low chaos run.

7. Do kills in side missions matter?

Yes. Kills in side missions contribute to your overall chaos level, just like kills in main missions.

8. Can I lower my chaos level if it gets too high?

Yes, during some missions, such as saving Curnow, you can undertake special actions to reduce chaos.

9. What happens if I get the high chaos ending?

The world becomes darker, there are more enemies and weepers, and the ending is less optimistic.

10. Does difficulty affect the chaos system?

No. The difficulty setting does not affect the chaos system.

11. Do bone charms affect chaos?

Not directly. However, some bone charms can improve your stealth skills, making it easier to avoid detection and killing, thus indirectly helping you maintain low chaos.

12. How many endings does Dishonored have?

Dishonored features three major endings: a low chaos ending, a high chaos ending, and a “total chaos” ending (an even darker version of the high chaos ending).

13. Is there a corpse limit in Dishonored?

The game attempts to maintain a maximum of five bodies per level before they start to despawn, with an absolute maximum of ten bodies per level.

14. Which ending is considered canon?

The low chaos ending is generally considered the canonical ending.

15. What is the role of Games Learning Society?

The Games Learning Society, or GamesLearningSociety.org, explores how video games can contribute to educational and developmental outcomes. It is great to see how video games impact education positively. Learn more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

By understanding the intricacies of the chaos system and adopting a mindful approach, you can enjoy the thrilling gameplay of Dishonored while still achieving the satisfying and optimistic good ending. Happy gaming!