Does Killing Weepers Count as Killing Hostiles in Dishonored? The Definitive Answer
The answer is a resounding yes, killing Weepers in Dishonored counts towards your kill count and affects your Chaos level. They might be sick and misguided, but the game treats their deaths the same as any other civilian. Prepare to delve deeper into this controversial aspect of Dishonored.
Understanding the Weepers and Their Role in Dishonored
The city of Dunwall is ravaged by a terrible plague, and among its victims are the Weepers, civilians driven mad and physically deformed by the disease. These afflicted individuals wander the streets, their minds clouded and their bodies decaying. While not intentionally malicious, they pose a threat through their desperate attempts to find help, often attacking anyone they encounter. This brings about a moral question for the player, one that heavily influences the gameplay and ending of Dishonored.
Chaos System Mechanics: A Quick Recap
Dishonored’s Chaos system is a dynamic mechanic that responds to your actions throughout the game. It tracks the number of lethal actions you take, particularly the deaths of characters – both hostile and non-hostile. A high Chaos level leads to a darker, more desperate Dunwall with more enemies, rats, and a generally bleaker atmosphere. A low Chaos level results in a more optimistic ending, fewer enemies, and a sense of hope for the future of the city.
Why Weepers Affect Your Chaos Level
Even though the Weepers are victims themselves, the game registers their deaths as a negative action. This is likely due to their status as civilians, albeit afflicted ones. The game doesn’t distinguish between intentional malice and unfortunate necessity. Every life taken adds to the Chaos, making the decision to kill a Weeper a strategic and moral one. This presents a great opportunity to teach players about empathy and consequence in games, a topic often discussed in the Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/).
Navigating the Moral Dilemma: Killing vs. Non-Lethal Approaches
The question of whether to kill Weepers boils down to your desired gameplay style and the ending you want to achieve. Are you aiming for a low Chaos, “Clean Hands” playthrough? Then, avoiding lethal encounters with Weepers is crucial.
Here are some non-lethal strategies to consider:
- Avoidance: The most straightforward method is to simply avoid them. Use your powers like Blink or Possession to navigate around them.
- Distraction: Use distractions like bottles or alarms to lure them away from your path.
- Sleep Darts: While not always readily available, sleep darts offer a safe and effective way to neutralize Weepers without killing them.
- Environmental Manipulation: Sometimes you can use the environment to your advantage. Luring them into traps or areas where they won’t be a threat is a viable option.
- Rewiring: Rewiring electrical devices can be a good strategy for eliminating groups of enemies (beware, this will count towards kills, and affects your chaos level), but use with extreme caution, as rewiring also will count towards your chaos level.
Is it always bad to kill Weepers?
While avoiding lethal encounters is key for a low Chaos run, there might be situations where killing Weepers seems like the lesser of two evils. For example, if a Weeper is about to alert guards and compromise your mission, a swift elimination might be deemed necessary. However, be aware that this decision will come at a cost to your Chaos level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Weepers and Chaos
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the mechanics of Weepers, their impact on the game, and their role in the Chaos system of Dishonored.
1. Do Weepers count against the “Clean Hands” achievement?
Yes, killing Weepers absolutely counts against the “Clean Hands” achievement, which requires completing the game without killing anyone. This is a very difficult achievement to unlock!
2. Do Weepers count as hostile kills in mission statistics?
Yes, they do. At the end of each mission, the statistics will reflect any Weeper deaths as part of your overall kill count. This is key information when tracking progress toward low chaos.
3. Can Weepers detect me?
Yes, Weepers can detect you. While they may be disoriented, they will react to your presence and attempt to attack, alerting nearby enemies in some cases.
4. Does putting Weepers to sleep affect Chaos?
Using sleep darts on Weepers does not contribute to your kill count and therefore does not raise your Chaos level. It’s a great non-lethal option.
5. If rats eat Weepers, does that count as a kill for me?
No, if Weepers are consumed by rats without your direct intervention, it does not count as a kill for you. However, avoid luring the rats to them intentionally as that may be seen as a ‘setup’ kill.
6. Does poisoning the distillery add Weepers later in the game?
Yes, poisoning the distillery not only raises your Chaos level, but also increases the number of Weepers in subsequent missions, making your playthrough more challenging.
7. Can I drown Weepers without it counting as a kill?
Drowning any character in Dishonored is considered a lethal action. Submerging Weepers underwater will count towards your kill count and increase Chaos.
8. Do Weepers count toward the “Mostly Flesh and Steel” achievement?
Yes, you can still kill Weepers and get the Mostly Flesh and Steel achievement because Weepers do not have any powers and as such you will unlock the achievement for not having any powers.
9. Is it possible to ghost past Weepers without being detected?
Yes, it’s possible to ghost past Weepers. Utilize stealth tactics like crouching, staying in the shadows, and using Blink to move quickly and quietly.
10. Does killing Weepers affect the ending of the game significantly?
Yes, killing a significant number of Weepers will contribute to a higher Chaos level, which can result in a darker, more negative ending. Your choices matter.
11. If I rewire a trap and it kills a Weeper, does that count as a kill for me?
Yes, any kill caused by a rewired trap, including those that kill Weepers, will be attributed to you and will increase your Chaos level.
12. Are there any bone charms that make it easier to deal with Weepers?
While there aren’t specific bone charms directly related to Weepers, charms that enhance stealth, such as those that reduce noise or increase movement speed, can help you avoid them more easily.
13. Do Weepers respawn?
No, Weepers do not respawn. Once you kill or neutralize a Weeper, they are permanently gone from that area.
14. Is it better to kill Weepers quickly or let them suffer?
This is a moral choice entirely up to the player. From a gameplay perspective, a quick kill is often the most efficient way to deal with them, but the ethical implications are yours to consider.
15. Does the difficulty level affect how Weepers impact Chaos?
No, the difficulty level does not change how Weepers affect your Chaos level. The impact remains consistent regardless of the chosen difficulty.
Final Thoughts: Weighing the Cost of Every Action
Dishonored’s brilliance lies in its ability to make every action feel meaningful. The decision to kill or spare Weepers is a microcosm of the larger moral choices presented throughout the game. Understanding the consequences of your actions, including their impact on the Chaos system, is crucial for shaping your gameplay experience and ultimately, determining the fate of Dunwall. Remember, every choice has consequences, and even the smallest action can have a ripple effect.