Does Killing Fish Count in Dishonored? A Deep Dive into Lethality and Chaos
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No, killing fish does not count as a kill in Dishonored 1 or 2 and will not lock you out of the “Clean Hands” achievement. Unlike guards, civilians, or even dogs, fish are considered part of the environment and are exempt from the kill count.
Understanding the Dishonored Lethality System
Dishonored is celebrated for its intricate morality system. Players are encouraged to consider the consequences of their actions. Each choice, especially regarding who lives and dies, affects the game world. This system, called Chaos, impacts everything from the number of rats infesting the streets to the types of enemies you encounter.
Low Chaos playthroughs, often associated with non-lethal approaches, typically lead to a brighter, more hopeful ending. High Chaos, fueled by a bloodbath, paints Dunwall and Karnaca in darker hues. But what counts towards your body count? Knowing what lives you can take without tipping the scales is key to mastering the game.
Defining a “Kill” in Dishonored
Not every creature’s demise is registered as a “kill” that contributes to your Chaos level or prevents you from obtaining the Clean Hands achievement. The game distinguishes between humanoids and certain animal types. Generally, if a creature is capable of rational thought or has a significant role in the game’s narrative, killing it will likely have consequences. The exceptions lie in animals or environmental creatures that exist primarily as set dressing. This includes fish.
Why Fish are Exempt
Fish, for all intents and purposes, are treated as part of the environment, not unlike seaweed or coral. They are not characters in the story, they do not pose a direct threat (unless you are very small and they are very big), and their deaths do not contribute to the overall sense of chaos that pervades the game world after a killing spree. This is in contrast to guards, weepers, and civilians, all of whom are classified as humanoids and whose deaths directly influence chaos.
Dishonored Kill Hierarchy
To illustrate the complex kill count, here is a list of what actions count or don’t count as a kill.
Counts as a Kill:
- Guards and Overseers
- Civilians and Weepers
- Dogs and Hounds
- Rewired machines (Wall of Light, Arc Pylons) that cause deaths
- Deaths caused by accidental actions.
- Deaths caused by summoned rats.
Does NOT Count as a Kill:
- Rats
- Fish
- Hagfish
- River Krusts
- Blood Briars
- Clockwork Soldiers
- Gravehounds
- Whale (in the DLC)
- Enemies killing each other.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the nuances of the lethality and chaos system in Dishonored:
1. Do rats summoned by Corvo or Emily count as kills if they kill someone?
Yes, if you summon rats with Corvo’s “Devouring Swarm” power or Emily’s “Doppelganger” power and those rats kill someone, it will count as a kill against you. The game considers you responsible for their actions, even if indirectly. This is a cruel twist to bear in mind while playing a low chaos playthrough.
2. If an enemy falls off a building and dies, does it count as a kill?
Yes, any death caused, even indirectly, by your actions counts as a kill. If you knock an enemy unconscious and they fall to their death, the game counts it against you. Be mindful of where you leave incapacitated enemies!
3. Do deaths caused by rewired security systems count towards my kill count?
Absolutely. If you rewire a Wall of Light or Arc Pylon to kill enemies, those deaths are attributed to you. This is a particularly important point for Clean Hands runs, as these automated systems can easily rack up a body count.
4. Does choking out an enemy and leaving them for rats count as a kill?
While controversial, generally, yes, it does. If you leave an unconscious body in a rat-infested area and the rats consume them, the death is considered your responsibility. It’s best to find a safer spot for unconscious bodies to avoid this scenario.
5. Do I need to avoid killing absolutely everyone to get the “Clean Hands” achievement?
No, there are certain exceptions. You can kill targets that the main story requires to progress without voiding the achievement. For instance, during the first game’s initial mission, you can kill a target without any ramifications. However, a true Clean Hands run means no unnecessary killings.
6. Does killing the Overseer Campbell in a non-lethal way still count as a kill?
No. The point of the chaos system is that you decide what happens to characters. Torturing them or scarring them for life does not raise Chaos. It may, however, affect your perception of your playthrough.
7. Does killing civilians or Weepers increase the Chaos level more than killing guards?
Yes, killing civilians and Weepers generally contributes more to your Chaos level than killing guards. They are considered innocent or vulnerable, and their deaths have a greater impact on the game world. Try to resolve these conflicts as peacefully as possible.
8. Do wolfhounds count as kills?
No, wolfhounds do not count towards lethal kills in the mission summaries.
9. Can enemies killing each other affect the Chaos level?
No. If enemies from opposing factions kill each other in combat, these deaths do not count towards your Chaos level. The game does not view them as allies, so their demise is not your responsibility.
10. What is the low chaos limit in Dishonored?
To remain in Low Chaos, your kill count for each mission needs to be low, typically less than 20% of the map’s population. This ensures you get the favorable ending.
11. Do fish count toward the body count?
No, fish do not count toward the body count in the Dishonored series.
12. What is the difference between killing a whale in the Knife of Dunwall DLC and harming other animals?
Killing the whale in the Knife of Dunwall DLC is unique. It is regarded as an act of mercy rather than a standard kill and, as such, does not affect your Chaos level. Hurting other animals, although not necessarily counting as a kill, might still have other in-game consequences.
13. Does killing Clockwork Soldiers raise my Chaos level?
Killing or destroying Clockwork Soldiers does not count toward your kill count. They are robots and don’t count as humans.
14. Where can I learn more about the effects of gameplay on learning and player experience?
To delve deeper into how games influence learning and player experience, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. You will find studies and insights into the educational potential of games.
15. Does the way I kill someone influence the chaos?
No. The game does not care whether you blew someone up or slowly killed them. What matters is that you killed them at all.
Conclusion: Master the Art of Non-Lethality
The Dishonored series rewards careful planning, patience, and creativity in navigating its challenges. By understanding the nuances of the lethality system, and knowing that fish are entirely guilt-free targets, players can truly master the art of non-lethality and shape the fate of Dunwall and Karnaca according to their own moral compass. Good luck to you on your low chaos run!