The Art of Vanishing: How Many Bodies Can You Hide in Hitman?
In the meticulously crafted world of Hitman, Agent 47’s actions often speak louder than his silenced pistol. A key element of mastering the art of assassination is the ability to eliminate witnesses and conceal evidence. A big part of that is understanding the limitations, or lack thereof, when it comes to body disposal. The short answer? It depends on where you’re trying to hide them. Certain locations offer virtually unlimited capacity, while others present more realistic constraints. Let’s delve into the details of body hiding in the Hitman universe.
Unlimited vs. Finite: The Geometry of Grim Storage
The Hitman series has evolved over the years, but some core mechanics remain consistent. Specifically, the concept of certain locations acting as bottomless pits for bodies.
The Infinite Void of Laundry Chutes and Manholes
In Hitman: Absolution, and carried through to some extent in later titles, laundry chutes and manholes possess a peculiar characteristic: they can hold an unlimited number of bodies. Yes, you can theoretically stuff an entire level’s population down a single chute, provided you have the time and the stamina to drag them all there.
The game mechanics, however, often don’t reward this behavior. Dumping bodies down these convenient disposal units typically doesn’t contribute to your score. So, if you’re aiming for that coveted Silent Assassin rating, overuse of these “infinite storage” locations might actually hinder your progress.
The Realistic Limits of Containers
On the other hand, the vast majority of bins, closets, containers, and even some forms of foliage have realistic limitations. These spaces can usually hold one, or sometimes two bodies, depending on their size and the specific game level. Trying to cram a third body into a bin already occupied? You’ll be forced to remove one of the previous occupants, potentially compromising your stealth and alerting nearby NPCs.
Foliage: A Natural Camouflage with Rules
Bushes and foliage offer a more natural way to conceal bodies, but they come with their own set of rules. To effectively hide a body in foliage, it must be completely contained within its boundaries. A foot sticking out, a hand exposed – any visible portion of the body will render your attempt useless, making the body just as noticeable as if it were left out in the open.
The Silent Assassin Equation: Hide or Don’t Get Caught
Achieving the Silent Assassin rating is the holy grail for many Hitman players. The core principle boils down to this: avoid detection and ensure no one discovers your handiwork.
The Crucial Distinction: Found vs. Hidden
It’s important to understand that achieving Silent Assassin doesn’t necessarily require you to hide every body. The key requirement is that no bodies are discovered by NPCs. If a body is found, and the target didn’t die due to an accident you orchestrated, you won’t earn the Silent Assassin rating. Therefore, hiding bodies becomes a strategic necessity, minimizing the risk of discovery.
Accidents are Your Friends
Engineered “accidents” are a crucial tool in the Silent Assassin’s arsenal. If you can make a target’s death appear accidental, the body being discovered doesn’t necessarily negate your rating. For example, pushing someone off a ledge or rigging an explosive device to look like a malfunction can often circumvent the usual penalties associated with body discovery.
Camera Awareness
Don’t forget about security cameras! Getting caught on camera, even without being seen by an NPC, can compromise your Silent Assassin rating. You will have to destroy the security camera recordings if you are caught on camera.
Practical Applications: Hiding in Plain Sight
Effective body disposal in Hitman isn’t just about finding a container; it’s about understanding the environment and the behavior of NPCs.
The Tactical Vision Advantage
Agent 47’s tactical vision, activated with a designated button, is your best friend. This ability highlights interactive objects in the environment, including potential hiding spots like closets, bins, and even suitable foliage. Pay close attention to the outline color, which indicates whether an object can be interacted with.
Distraction and Opportunity
Use distractions to lure NPCs away from areas where you need to dispose of a body. A strategically placed coin or a malfunctioning device can create the necessary window of opportunity to drag a body to a hiding spot without being seen.
The Importance of Disguises
Disguises are essential for navigating restricted areas and accessing potential hiding spots. A well-chosen disguise can allow you to freely move a body through a crowded area without raising suspicion.
Hitman 3: Refinements and Considerations
Hitman 3 builds upon the body-hiding mechanics of its predecessors, refining the process and introducing new challenges.
Improved AI and Awareness
The AI in Hitman 3 is generally more aware and observant than in previous games. This means that you need to be even more careful about body placement and the routes of patrolling NPCs.
Environmental Storytelling
The level design in Hitman 3 often incorporates specific body disposal opportunities that align with the environment’s narrative. Pay attention to these contextual clues, as they can often provide efficient and discreet ways to eliminate evidence.
The Challenge of Escalations and Contracts
Escalation Contracts and Player-created Contracts often impose specific restrictions on body disposal. Some contracts might require you to leave bodies in specific locations, while others might penalize you for hiding bodies at all. Carefully read the contract parameters before embarking on a mission.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Concealment
Ultimately, the number of bodies you can hide in Hitman is limited only by your ingenuity and the resources available in each level. While certain locations offer seemingly infinite storage, the key to success lies in understanding the game’s mechanics, exploiting the environment, and mastering the art of stealth. Whether you’re aiming for Silent Assassin or simply trying to survive a chaotic encounter, effective body disposal is an essential skill for any aspiring Agent 47.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you hide bodies in the bushes in Hitman?
Yes, you can hide bodies in bushes and foliage, provided that the entire body is completely within its boundaries. Any part of the body sticking out will make it visible.
2. Do all bodies have to be hidden for Silent Assassin?
No, you do not have to hide all bodies for Silent Assassin. However, no bodies can be found by NPCs. An exception is if the target died in an orchestrated “accident”.
3. Is there a penalty for killing non-targets in Hitman 3?
Yes, there is a penalty for killing non-targets. In Hitman 3, you will be penalized with a 5,000-point deduction from your total score for each non-target you eliminate.
4. Do you lose Silent Assassin if found trespassing?
If you get caught trespassing but manage to leave or get escorted out without further incident, you should still be able to retain your Silent Assassin rating. However, being caught committing a crime will void your Silent Assassin rating.
5. How do you hide bodies in Hitman?
Activate Agent 47’s tactical vision to highlight interactive objects in the environment. Closets, bins, and some foliage outlined in gold are typically receptacles for bodies. Walk over to the body, grab it, and drag it to the hiding place.
6. Can unconscious bodies wake up in Hitman?
Once an enemy has been subdued, they will stay subdued indefinitely unless found by an AI character. To prevent them from being woken up, hide the body in a box or closet.
7. What are the requirements for achieving Silent Assassin?
The requirements for Silent Assassin include: Only kill your targets, never get spotted, ensure no bodies are discovered by NPCs (accidental deaths are sometimes an exception), and do not get caught on camera (or destroy the security camera recordings if you are).
8. What does it mean to pacify an NPC in Hitman?
To pacify, also known as subdue, is the action of putting an NPC in an unconscious state.
9. Can you achieve Silent Assassin on casual difficulty?
Yes, you can achieve Silent Assassin on Casual, Professional, and Master difficulties.
10. Can you turn blood off in Hitman?
No, there is typically no option to completely turn off blood in Hitman games, although the gore is visually mild.
11. What happens if a target’s body is discovered after an accident?
If a target’s death is staged as an accident (e.g., pushing them off a ledge, causing an explosion), the discovery of their body might not necessarily void your Silent Assassin rating, depending on the specific game and circumstances.
12. Is it better to kill or subdue non-targets in Hitman?
It is generally better to subdue non-targets rather than kill them, as killing non-targets incurs a score penalty.
13. What is the hardest mission to achieve Silent Assassin on in Hitman?
Some of the hardest missions to achieve Silent Assassin across the Hitman: World Of Assassination trilogy include “Untouchable,” “Club 27,” “Freedom Fighters,” and “Situs Invertus.”
14. Can you finish Rico Delgado’s tattoo in Hitman 2 instead of killing him?
Yes, you can actually fix Rico’s tattoo for him instead of killing him in the chair.
15. How do you get rid of a patient in the Miami mission of Hitman?
You can eliminate the patient by poisoning his water or drowning him in the toilet. A more peaceful option is to turn on the sink, which allows him to urinate and cure his condition.