Does Lord Shaw Count as a Kill in Dishonored?

Yes, killing Lord Shaw in Dishonored does count as a kill towards your overall kill count and will affect your chaos level. However, the method you use to “deal” with him matters significantly. Specifically, if you use the dueling pistol as intended during the duel, it absolutely counts as a kill. There are, however, ways to handle the situation with Lord Shaw that avoid adding to your lethal tally, preserving your low chaos playthrough.

The beauty of Dishonored lies in its flexibility. While a frontal assault is always an option, the game actively encourages creative problem-solving. Lord Shaw and his duel are no exception. Avoiding his death contributes to the ‘Clean Hands’ achievement. Let’s explore the nuances of this encounter, and how to manage it strategically.

Dealing with Lord Shaw: Lethal vs. Non-Lethal Approaches

Your confrontation with Lord Shaw is one of the earlier moral choices presented in the game. The game is designed to provide various paths to achieve the same goal, each with its own consequences.

The Lethal Route

• Using the Dueling Pistol: This is the most obvious and straightforward method. If you participate in the duel and fire the dueling pistol, Lord Shaw will die. This is a confirmed kill and will impact your chaos level. This is the route to take if you are not worried about kill counts or prefer a high chaos playthrough.
• Killing Shaw and his guards before the duel: This still results in kills that count against your overall total, and even alters the clues received during the mission.

The Non-Lethal Route

• Sleep Dart Strategy: The game allows for less violent solutions. Before the duel begins, equip your crossbow and switch to sleep darts. At the start of the countdown, swiftly fire a sleep dart at Lord Shaw. This will incapacitate him, ending the duel without resulting in his death. While the guards might initially react with alarm, you will still technically “win” the duel.
• Avoiding the Duel Entirely: If you don’t deliver Pendleton’s note to Shaw in the first place, you will never trigger the duel sequence. This avoids the possibility of killing Shaw altogether. Though you will still get the important story information from Pendleton after doing so.

Chaos Level and its Impact

Your actions throughout Dishonored influence the game’s chaos system. High chaos, driven by a high kill count, leads to a darker ending, increased enemy presence, and a generally grimmer atmosphere. Low chaos, achieved by minimizing kills and opting for non-lethal solutions, results in a more optimistic ending. The choice of how you handle Lord Shaw, while seemingly minor, contributes to this overall dynamic. The Games Learning Society knows that player agency is important! And Dishonored provides it in spades.

Consequences of your Actions

The choices you make in Dishonored have tangible consequences, impacting both the narrative and gameplay. Killing Lord Shaw might provide a sense of immediate satisfaction or efficiency, but it pushes you further down the high chaos path. Opting for the sleep dart, or avoiding the duel altogether, keeps you on the low chaos path, preserving the possibility of a “good” ending and unlocking the “Clean Hands” achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is the “Clean Hands” achievement?

The “Clean Hands” achievement is earned by completing Dishonored (excluding the prologue) without killing anyone. This demands a commitment to non-lethal tactics and careful navigation of each mission.

2. Do rat swarms or river krust count as kills?

No. According to Arkane developers, creatures like rat swarms and river krusts do not count toward your kill total. Feel free to use them to your advantage without worrying about compromising your “Clean Hands” run.

3. What if Lord Shaw dies indirectly because of my actions?

If Lord Shaw’s death is a direct consequence of your actions, even if not through a direct attack, it will likely count as a kill. For example, if you set a trap that indirectly leads to his death, it may affect your chaos level.

4. How does chaos level affect the game?

The chaos level influences enemy behavior, the number of guards present, the amount of bloodflies, and ultimately, the game’s ending. Higher chaos results in a more bleak and violent experience.

5. Can I lower my chaos level after raising it?

Yes, it is possible to lower your chaos level. This can be achieved through specific actions in certain missions, such as saving key characters or completing objectives non-lethally.

6. Do weepers count as kills in Dishonored?

Yes, weepers do count as kills. They are still considered human, albeit afflicted by the plague. Eliminating them will contribute to your kill count and impact your chaos level.

7. Does incapacitating an enemy count as a kill?

No, incapacitating an enemy, such as through sleep darts or chokeholds, does not count as a kill. These methods are crucial for maintaining a low chaos playthrough.

8. What happens if I fail to deliver Pendleton’s note?

If you fail to deliver Pendleton’s note to Lord Shaw, Pendleton will reveal some of its contents. He will disclose that he compared Lord Shaw’s wife’s face to that of a plague rat. This information still allows you to proceed with the mission.

9. Do sleep darts work on Tallboys?

No, sleep darts do not work on Tallboys. Their heavy armor provides complete protection against sleep darts and chokeholds.

10. Can I avoid killing any of the Boyle sisters?

Yes, there are non-lethal ways to deal with all the Boyle sisters. One option is to deliver the correct Boyle sister to Lord Brisby, who will ensure she is never seen again.

11. How is chaos level calculated?

The chaos level is primarily determined by the number of people Corvo kills, as well as certain side objectives and actions that contribute to overall violence and instability in the game world.

12. What is considered a “good” ending in Dishonored?

A “good” ending is typically associated with a low chaos playthrough, where Corvo minimizes kills and chooses non-lethal options. This results in a more positive outcome for Dunwall and its inhabitants.

13. What are the requirements for the “Shadow” achievement?

The “Shadow” achievement is unlocked by completing the game without being detected. This requires stealthy gameplay and avoiding enemy detection at all costs.

14. Does killing dogs, rats and fish affect the chaos level?

No, killing dogs, rats, and fish does not affect the chaos level.

15. Is there any way to bypass the Lord Shaw duel entirely?

Yes, as previously stated, if you don’t deliver Pendleton’s note to Shaw in the first place, you will never trigger the duel sequence, entirely bypassing the encounter.

The decision of how to handle Lord Shaw is yours. Do you embrace the lethal path, accepting the consequences of high chaos? Or do you strive for a cleaner approach, aiming for the elusive “Clean Hands” achievement? The choice is yours to make in this engaging stealth game. The intersection of gameplay and moral decisions can also be further explored at GamesLearningSociety.org.