Do Sleep Darts Count as Kills in Dishonored? The Definitive Answer
No, sleep darts themselves do not count as kills in Dishonored. Using sleep darts is generally considered a non-lethal method of incapacitating enemies. However, the consequences of your actions after using a sleep dart can lead to unintended deaths, which will count against you, especially if you’re aiming for the coveted “Clean Hands” achievement. Think of it this way: sleep darts put enemies out of the picture temporarily, but their fate is still in your hands. Mishandle them, and you might inadvertently become a grim reaper in stealth game clothing.
Navigating the Non-Lethal Path: A Deep Dive
Dishonored’s morality system, tied heavily to the Chaos level, is a nuanced beast. While blasting through the game with a sword might feel empowering, aiming for a low Chaos run, often desired for the “good” ending, requires a more delicate touch. Sleep darts become your best friend. They allow you to bypass or subdue enemies without directly causing their demise. This keeps the body count down and maintains a more peaceful (relatively speaking) Dunwall.
However, just because the dart itself isn’t fatal doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. The game’s physics and environmental hazards can turn your best intentions into unintended fatalities. This is why careful disposal (or rather, placement) of unconscious bodies is crucial.
Avoiding Unintentional Deaths: Tips and Tricks
Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when using sleep darts in Dishonored:
- The Dreaded Fall: This is the most frequent culprit. Knocking someone out near a ledge, rooftop, or staircase and letting them tumble to their death will absolutely count as a kill. Always be mindful of your surroundings when subduing enemies. Try to place them safely on the ground.
- Drowning Dangers: As the provided text already stated, tossing unconscious bodies into water is practically a guaranteed kill. The game seems to assume they’ll drown face-down, unable to right themselves. Avoid rivers, canals, and even shallow puddles if you want to maintain your non-lethal status.
- Rat Swarms and Weepers: Leaving an unconscious body exposed in an area infested with rats or weepers is a recipe for disaster. The rats, while generally not contributing to your kill count unless summoned by you, might nibble on an incapacitated body to death. Weepers, those plague-ridden souls, can also pose a lethal threat if left unchecked. Relocate the unconscious to a safe zone.
- Enemy Awareness and Aggression: Even if you use a sleep dart, the enemy might have alerted other guards before they fully succumbed. Those other guards may then attack the defenseless body you left behind. Use a stealthy takedown on other enemies to prevent that scenario.
- Rewired Traps and Automated Defenses: Be wary of automated defenses like rewired Arc Pylons or Watchtowers. If an unconscious enemy stumbles into one of these, you’ll be responsible for their demise. Disable these traps before incapacitating enemies in their vicinity.
- Environmental Hazards and Fire: Leaving an unconscious body near fire, explosives, or other environmental hazards can obviously lead to their death. It is a death and you will get the blame. Think critically of your actions.
- Possession and Environmental Harm: Freezing time, possessing someone, and making them stand in front of an oncoming bullet counts as a kill for you. This also goes for all other environment-based deaths.
The Philosophy of Non-Lethal Gameplay
Dishonored isn’t just about completing objectives; it’s about making choices and dealing with the consequences. The game subtly encourages players to consider the impact of their actions, even when opting for non-lethal methods. Do you simply knock someone out and leave them to be tormented by rats, or do you take the extra step to ensure their safety, even if it takes more time and effort? These are the questions the game implicitly asks.
Choosing the non-lethal path often leads to a more satisfying and nuanced gameplay experience, forcing you to think strategically and creatively. It demands patience, observation, and a willingness to explore all the tools at your disposal. It also provides a deeper connection with the world and its inhabitants, even the ones you’re trying to avoid killing.
Dishonored and Learning
Games like Dishonored offer more than just entertainment, they present engaging environments for problem solving. See what the Games Learning Society has to say about the learning benefits of gaming. You can visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website to learn more.
Dishonored: A Reminder of Choices and Consequences
In conclusion, while sleep darts themselves don’t count as kills, your actions following their use can easily lead to unintended fatalities. Pay attention to your surroundings, carefully consider the placement of unconscious bodies, and be mindful of environmental hazards. Only then can you truly master the non-lethal path in Dishonored and achieve the coveted “Clean Hands” achievement. Good luck and happy (non-lethal) gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about kills, non-lethal approaches, and their implications in Dishonored:
1. What counts as a kill in Dishonored 1?
Basically, any NPC that can be assassinated (Guards, Civilians, Weepers, and Dogs) counts against you if they die for any reason attributable to your actions. This includes direct attacks, deaths from rewired machines and accidental deaths after you’ve incapacitated them.
2. Does possession count as a kill in Dishonored?
Yes, absolutely. If you possess someone and then cause their death, even indirectly (e.g., by making them walk into danger), it counts as a kill against you.
3. Do non-lethal takedowns count as kills in Dishonored if something happens to the enemy after?
Yes. Anytime someone dies after you’ve knocked them out or engaged in combat with them, it counts as a death.
4. Are there benefits to not killing in Dishonored?
Yes! A low kill count leads to a lower Chaos level, resulting in a “good” ending and a less oppressive atmosphere in the game world. Conversely, high chaos changes the levels, making combat heavier.
5. Do sleep darts work on all enemies?
Sleep darts are effective on most human enemies. Some robotic enemies, like Clockwork Soldiers in Dishonored 2, may be immune.
6. Is it OK to kill dogs in Dishonored if I’m aiming for Clean Hands?
Yes. Wolfhounds (dogs) do not count towards lethal kills in mission summaries. This allows you to achieve the “Clean Hands” achievement even if you eliminate them.
7. What doesn’t count as a kill in Dishonored?
Deaths caused by naturally occurring events, like a fight between guards and weepers not triggered by you, or deaths caused by rats not summoned by you, do not count as kills.
8. Do rats count as kills in Dishonored 1?
Rats don’t count as kills unless you summoned them yourself using the “Devouring Swarm” power.
9. Does choking someone out count as killing in Dishonored?
No, choking them out or using sleep darts themselves do not count as kills unless they subsequently die due to your negligence.
10. Does killing affect the story in Dishonored?
Yes. Killing a significant portion of the population (around 20% per mission) will lead to a high Chaos level and the “bad” ending. Your choices truly do matter!
11. Can I avoid killing Granny Rags in Dishonored?
Yes, it is possible to render Granny Rags unconscious. Make sure to destroy her cameo as well to ensure she can’t recover.
12. Does killing nest keepers count towards chaos?
Yes. Killing Nest Keepers counts as a lethal takedown and contributes to your Chaos level.
13. Are there different endings in Dishonored?
Yes, there are three main endings available, determined by your Chaos level throughout the game.
14. Do Dogs count as detection in Dishonored?
They also do not count towards detection of your character. Wolfhound kills do not count towards Chaos, but they can detect your character.
15. Does killing weepers count?
Weepers do count towards detection. They do raise the Chaos level if they are killed.