Mastering Combat in Dishonored: A Guide for Aspiring Assassins and Pacifists

So, you want to know how to fight in Dishonored? It’s a multifaceted question with no single answer. Combat in Dishonored is a dynamic blend of stealth, swordplay, supernatural powers, and tactical thinking. Whether you choose to be a lethal predator or a ghostly pacifist, understanding the mechanics is key to survival and achieving your desired outcome. The game emphasizes player choice, so combat is rarely just about hacking and slashing. It’s about assessing the situation, using your resources effectively, and adapting to the challenges that Dunwall throws your way. You can choose to utilize a sword, a variety of gadgets, supernatural powers, or even the environment around you. Success in combat depends on creativity and adaptability rather than brute force.

The Core Combat Mechanics

At its heart, Dishonored‘s combat revolves around a few key mechanics:

• Sword Fighting: Your primary melee weapon, the sword, is used for both offensive and defensive maneuvers. Learning to parry incoming attacks is crucial for survival, especially on higher difficulties. Timing is everything, as a perfectly timed parry will stagger your opponent, leaving them vulnerable to a counter-attack. Regular attacks can be chained together, but be mindful of your stamina.
• Stealth: Staying out of sight is often the best form of combat. Use Blink (Corvo) or Far Reach (Emily) to traverse the environment unnoticed, taking advantage of shadows and verticality to outmaneuver your enemies.
• Powers: Supernatural abilities are integral to both lethal and non-lethal combat. Blink/Far Reach allows for quick escapes and repositioning, Bend Time can create opportunities for easy assassinations or knockouts, and Possession can turn enemies against each other or allow you to bypass dangerous situations entirely.
• Gadgets: From springrazors and grenades to sleep darts and stun mines, Dishonored offers a variety of gadgets to incapacitate or eliminate your enemies. Choosing the right tool for the job is vital.
• Environmental Awareness: Dunwall is full of hazards that can be used to your advantage. Oil slicks can be ignited, chandeliers can be dropped, and high ledges can be used for deadly drop assassinations.

Lethal vs. Non-Lethal Approaches

Dishonored distinguishes itself with its Chaos system, which is directly impacted by your combat choices. Killing enemies increases Chaos, leading to a darker world state with more guards, more rats, and a generally bleak ending. Conversely, a non-lethal approach leads to a brighter outcome.

Lethal Combat: Embrace the Assassin

If you choose the path of a deadly assassin, here are some key strategies:

• Aggressive Offense: Don’t be afraid to engage in direct combat. Master parrying to create openings, then unleash a flurry of sword attacks.
• Power Combos: Combine your powers with your sword skills. Blink behind an enemy and deliver a killing blow, or use Bend Time to line up multiple headshots with your pistol.
• Environmental Kills: Look for opportunities to use the environment to your advantage. Lure enemies into traps, drop heavy objects on them, or push them off ledges.

Non-Lethal Combat: The Ghostly Pacifist

A non-lethal playthrough presents a unique challenge, requiring patience, planning, and creative use of your powers and gadgets:

• Prioritize Stealth: Avoid direct confrontation whenever possible. Use Blink/Far Reach to navigate the environment undetected and bypass enemy patrols.
• Master Non-Lethal Tools: Sleep darts, stun mines, and chokeholds are your best friends. Learn to use them effectively to incapacitate enemies without killing them.
• Utilize Chokeholds: Approaching an unaware enemy from behind allows you to choke them unconscious. Be careful not to be spotted during the animation!
• Strategic Placement: When knocking enemies out, make sure they’re not in a position where they could fall to their death or be discovered by rats. Hide them in dark corners or out-of-reach areas.

Advanced Combat Techniques

Beyond the basics, mastering advanced techniques will elevate your combat prowess:

• Slide Attack: Utilize the slide attack to quickly close the distance to an enemy and either assassinate them (lethal) or knock them out (non-lethal).
• Drop Assassinations/Knockouts: Attacking from above is a powerful tactic. Landing on an enemy’s head will instantly eliminate or incapacitate them.
• Headshots: Aim for the head with your pistol or crossbow for maximum damage. Headshots are especially effective against heavily armored enemies.
• Quick Reload: Learn the timing of the quick reload mechanic to minimize downtime during combat.

No matter your playstyle, experimentation is key. Dishonored rewards creativity and encourages players to find their own unique ways to approach combat encounters. You may learn something new even after multiple playthroughs. The Games Learning Society encourages exploration and innovation in gaming, and Dishonored is a perfect example of a game that allows for this. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the intersection of games and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you fight without killing in Dishonored?

The key is stealth and non-lethal tools. Utilize sleep darts, stun mines, and chokeholds to incapacitate enemies instead of killing them. Focus on avoiding detection and using your powers to bypass threats.

2. Do you have to kill in Dishonored?

No! Dishonored is designed to be played without killing a single enemy. This requires a greater emphasis on stealth and non-lethal tactics.

3. How do you perform a slide knockout?

While sliding toward an enemy, tap the block button (or mash it!) at the right time. This will initiate a fluid slide knockout animation.

4. What is the best way to play Dishonored?

There is no single “best” way. The game encourages experimentation and offers a variety of playstyles. Whether you prefer a lethal, action-packed approach or a stealthy, non-lethal one is entirely up to you.

5. Should I play as Corvo or Emily?

For a first playthrough of Dishonored 2, Emily is often recommended. Her storyline is considered more canonical and her powers are arguably more versatile. However, both characters offer unique gameplay experiences.

6. Which Dishonored game is harder?

Many players find Dishonored 1 to be more challenging due to its less refined movement mechanics and slightly less forgiving AI.

7. Can you kick in Dishonored?

Yes, under certain circumstances. You’ll automatically kick enemies near ledges, and you can kick downed enemies after choking them out. An upgrade also allows you to kick enemies after blinking.

8. How does Chaos work?

Chaos increases based on the number of people you kill and how often you are detected. High Chaos leads to more enemies, rats, and a darker ending. Low Chaos results in fewer enemies, a cleaner environment, and a more optimistic ending.

9. Are there boss fights in Dishonored?

No, Dishonored does not feature traditional boss fights. Instead, the game focuses on challenging encounters with groups of enemies or powerful individual opponents.

10. What happens if you don’t kill anyone in Dishonored?

You achieve the “Clean Hands” achievement/trophy and unlock the “Good” ending. The game world will also be noticeably less bleak, with fewer rats and fewer security measures.

11. Can you beat Dishonored without a sword?

While you can’t completely avoid the sword, you can minimize its use by focusing on stealth, powers, and gadgets. It’s possible to complete the game with very few sword kills.

12. Who has better powers, Corvo or Emily?

This is subjective. Corvo’s Blink is simpler and arguably more efficient for traversal, while Emily’s Far Reach offers more versatility. It comes down to personal preference and playstyle.

13. Does choking count as killing in Dishonored?

No, choking an enemy unconscious does not count as a kill, unless they fall from a height after being choked out. Be mindful of where you place incapacitated enemies.

14. Does Dishonored have guns?

Yes, Corvo (and sometimes Emily, depending on which game) can use a pistol as one of their weapons. The pistol can be upgraded to increase its damage, accuracy, and reload speed.

15. Is there a God in Dishonored?

The closest thing to a god in Dishonored is the Outsider, a mysterious figure who resides in the Void and grants individuals supernatural powers. He is not a benevolent deity, but rather a neutral observer who is fascinated by those who possess power.