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Do Assassins Count as Kills in Dishonored? A Definitive Guide

Yes, in the Dishonored universe, using assassins – whether they are summoned through your own powers or encountered as enemies – generally counts as a kill if they directly cause the death of another character. This principle applies across the entire series, and understanding it is crucial for players aiming for the coveted “Clean Hands” achievement or simply striving for a low-chaos playthrough. Let’s dive deep into the nuances of assassination and how they impact your game.

Understanding the Kill System in Dishonored

Dishonored’s morality system, represented by the chaos level, is heavily influenced by your actions, most notably, the number of kills you rack up throughout each mission. The game meticulously tracks these kills, and while some deaths are easily attributable to your direct actions (like a sword stab or a well-placed crossbow bolt), others are more ambiguous. This is where the question of assassins, and similar actions, becomes vital.

The core principle to remember is that intent matters. If your actions set in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to someone’s death, the game is likely to consider that a kill on your record.

Daud’s Assassins and Summoned Allies

When you utilize powers like summoning allies, or if Daud’s assassins eliminate targets, those deaths are typically attributed to you. The game registers these as your kills because your powers or your contracted assassins directly caused the demise. Avoiding the use of such powers is key for a non-lethal run.

Enemy Assassins

What about when you encounter enemy assassins? Even if they’re working for your enemies, if they are actively engaged in combat and kill someone as a direct result of their aggression, their kill will still affect the chaos rating. It is generally safer for “Clean Hands” runs to avoid encounters if possible, or to non-lethally neutralize the enemy assassins.

Exceptions and Gray Areas

While the general rule is “if it dies because of your actions, it’s your kill,” there are exceptions.

Naturally Occurring Deaths: Deaths caused by naturally occurring events, like rats swarming a guard who wandered too close to a nest (without your influence), or a conflict between guards and weepers that you didn’t orchestrate, don’t count against you. The game doesn’t attribute these deaths to your agency.
Animals: Typically, killing animals such as dogs, rats, hagfish, and river krusts will not count towards a lethal kill in your mission summary, making it possible to achieve a “Clean Hands” achievement.
Prologue Kills: Any kills that occur before you gain control of Corvo in his cell at Coldridge Prison do not affect your achievements. This gives you some freedom to experiment without worrying about impacting your overall chaos level.

Chaos Level and its Implications

The chaos level in Dishonored isn’t just a score; it dramatically influences the game’s narrative and ending. A low-chaos playthrough, achieved by minimizing kills and avoiding detection, generally results in a more positive ending. Conversely, a high-chaos playthrough, characterized by widespread death and destruction, leads to a darker, more grim outcome. Even secondary choices such as branding or killing a character have consequences.

This system adds significant replayability, as players can experiment with different approaches and witness the ripple effects of their decisions.

Essential Strategies for a No-Kill Run

Achieving a no-kill run in Dishonored requires meticulous planning, skillful execution, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. Here are some tips:

Prioritize Non-Lethal Options: Utilize non-lethal takedowns, sleep darts, and chokeholds to neutralize enemies without killing them.
Master Stealth: Use powers like Blink, Stop Time, and Possession to navigate environments undetected and avoid confrontations.
Manipulate the Environment: Reprogram security systems to target enemies, but avoid direct kills by your hand.
Hide Bodies: If you do knock someone out, make sure to hide their body in a safe place where they won’t be eaten by rats, drown, or otherwise meet an untimely end.
Patience and Observation: Take your time to observe enemy patrol patterns and identify opportunities to bypass them.
Use Diversions: Employ distractions like thrown objects or rewired devices to lure guards away from key areas.

Ultimately, understanding the game’s kill attribution system is essential for achieving your desired playstyle and experiencing the full depth of Dishonored’s narrative possibilities. For more insights into game design and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Dishonored Assassination FAQs

1. Does killing a guard dog count as a kill in Dishonored?

No, killing dogs typically does not count towards your kill count. However, alerting them will count as detection towards the ghost achievement.

2. If I rewire an arc pylon and it kills guards, does that count as a kill?

Yes, deaths caused by rewired machines like arc pylons, watchtowers, and walls of light are attributed to you and will count as kills.

3. Do deaths from rats count as kills?

If naturally-occurring rats kill someone, it does not count as a kill. However, if you summon the rats using the Devouring Swarm power and they kill someone, it does count as a kill.

4. Does it matter if I knock someone out and they fall off a building?

Yes, if an unconscious person falls to their death because of your actions, it will count as a kill. You are responsible for ensuring their safety after a non-lethal takedown.

5. Do Weepers count as kills in Dishonored?

Yes, Weepers are counted towards kills, and killing them will raise the Chaos level. They also count as detections.

6. If two factions fight each other and people die, does that affect my chaos level?

No, if enemies from different factions (e.g., guards and thugs) kill each other, those deaths do not count against you.

7. Does being detected increase the chaos level?

While detection itself doesn’t directly increase the chaos level, frequent detections often lead to more combat encounters, increasing the likelihood of kills, which will increase chaos.

8. Can I still get the “Clean Hands” achievement if I kill Granny Rags or Slackjaw?

No, you cannot kill Granny Rags or Slackjaw and still achieve the “Clean Hands” achievement. These are considered key characters, and their deaths will void the achievement.

9. How many kills are allowed for low chaos?

Generally, keeping your kills below 20% of the total number of NPCs in a level will keep you in the low chaos range. However, it’s best to aim for zero kills for the optimal low-chaos ending.

10. Do kills during dream sequences or flashbacks count?

No, kills that occur during dream sequences or flashbacks typically do not count towards your overall kill count.

11. If I use Possession to make someone walk off a cliff, does that count as a kill?

Yes, using the Possession power to directly cause someone’s death is considered a kill and will impact your chaos level.

12. Does choking someone out count as a kill?

No, choking someone out is a non-lethal takedown and, as long as they remain alive, does not count as a kill. Ensure that you find a safe location to place them after they are knocked out so they will not die as a result.

13. What happens if I accidentally kill someone?

Even if a kill is accidental, it will still count against you and affect your chaos level. You’ll need to be extra cautious to avoid any unintentional deaths.

14. Does killing Corrupted Citizens Count as a Kill?

Yes, Corrupted Citizens are NPCs and they will count towards your overall Kill Count.

15. Is it possible to get a “Clean Hands” achievement on my first playthrough of Dishonored?

Yes, it is possible, but it requires patience, planning, and a thorough understanding of the game’s mechanics. Most players find it easier on subsequent playthroughs.

Do assassins count as kills Dishonored?