Is It Good to Kill Rats in Dishonored? A Definitive Guide
The answer, like many things in the morally ambiguous world of Dishonored, isn’t a simple yes or no. Whether or not killing rats is “good” depends entirely on your playstyle, your goals for the game, and your interpretation of its mechanics. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, killing rats can be incredibly beneficial. They offer resources and advantages, but they also come with potential consequences depending on your desired ending. You will want to consider your chaos level and play accordingly!
The Pragmatic Rat-Killer: Benefits of Dispatching Rodents
From a gameplay perspective, there are several compelling reasons to thin out the rat population of Dunwall.
- Resource Acquisition: The Blood Sacrifice and Spiritual Sacrifice bone charms provide health or mana restoration upon killing rats (or bloodflies). For players relying on active abilities like Blink or Possession, this can be a vital source of sustainable energy. In Dishonored 2, the Carrion Killer bone charm provides an Adrenaline boost from killing rats, which can be useful when engaging in combat scenarios.
- Environmental Control: Rats are dangerous, especially in large swarms. Eliminating them can clear pathways, make areas safer to traverse, and prevent being overwhelmed by the plague. Certain areas are practically impassable without dealing with the rats first. Additionally, in some scenarios, clearing rats can lead to saving a non-player character (NPC), which can have additional gameplay benefits.
- Mana Restoration: The Gutter Feast perk allows you to eat White rats for mana, creating a sustainable resource for mana-hungry players!
The Moral Dilemma: Chaos and Consequences
While strategically advantageous, indiscriminately slaughtering rats might conflict with a “low chaos” playthrough aimed at achieving a positive ending. However, the game mechanics are forgiving in this aspect:
- Chaos Neutrality: The game explicitly states that killing rats (along with hagfish and river krusts) does not increase your chaos level. This means you can freely eliminate them without impacting your overall moral standing in the game.
- Clean Hands Achievement: Similarly, killing rats does not prevent you from obtaining the coveted Clean Hands achievement, which requires completing the game without killing any human characters.
Therefore, the moral dilemma is largely self-imposed. If you feel uneasy about killing even virtual rodents, you can certainly avoid it. But from a purely mechanical standpoint, there are no negative consequences for doing so.
Rat Encounters: A Case-by-Case Basis
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to kill rats depends on the specific situation. Sometimes, avoidance is the best option, especially in areas with seemingly endless swarms. Other times, a quick dispatch is the most efficient way to progress. Remember that rat tunnels provide a way for the swarm to go out of sight, while the Bend Time power can allow you to safely walk through swarms of rats. Consider using sleep darts on human enemies to have the rats eat them rather than risking a high-chaos approach. The true beauty of Dishonored lies in the freedom to choose your own approach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does killing rats increase chaos in Dishonored?
No, killing rats, hagfish, and river krusts does not raise your chaos level in either Dishonored or Dishonored 2. You’re free to exterminate them without affecting your overall moral alignment.
2. Does killing rats affect the Clean Hands achievement?
No, eliminating rats will not lock you out of the Clean Hands achievement. This achievement is only affected by killing human NPCs.
3. Do rats eat unconscious bodies in Dishonored?
Yes, in Dishonored, rats will consume unconscious bodies if left on the ground, resulting in a kill that will affect your chaos level and potentially void the Clean Hands achievement. It’s crucial to hide unconscious enemies in elevated or inaccessible locations.
4. Are there any benefits to NOT killing rats?
The primary benefit of avoiding killing rats is maintaining a sense of personal morality and role-playing a character who avoids violence whenever possible. Mechanically, there’s no direct advantage to sparing them.
5. Can I use rats to my advantage in combat?
Yes, you can use the Devouring Swarm power (acquired through the Outsider’s mark) to summon a swarm of rats to attack your enemies.
6. Do White rats have any special properties?
White rats can be eaten for mana if you have the Gutter Feast perk, making them a sustainable mana resource.
7. Are there any specific bone charms related to killing rats?
Yes, the Blood Sacrifice and Spiritual Sacrifice bone charms restore health or mana (respectively) when you kill rats or bloodflies. The Carrion Killer bone charm boosts adrenaline upon killing rats or bloodflies in Dishonored 2.
8. Does killing rats affect mission scores or statistics?
No, rat kills are not tracked in mission summaries and do not contribute to your overall kill count.
9. What are the best ways to kill rats efficiently?
Fire is highly effective. Other powers like Windblast can also quickly dispatch rat swarms. Direct attacks with your sword or pistol work as well, though they are less efficient against large groups.
10. Are rats more dangerous in higher chaos playthroughs?
The presence of rats is generally consistent regardless of your chaos level. However, a higher chaos world state may have more overall enemies, making rat encounters more frequent.
11. Does the difficulty setting affect rat behavior or damage?
The difficulty setting primarily affects the damage you receive from rats and the overall enemy alertness. Rat behavior remains consistent across difficulties.
12. Are there any rats that should be avoided entirely?
Generally, all rats are treated the same from a mechanical perspective. There are no “special” rats that grant unique benefits or penalties upon killing them.
13. Can I get infected by the rat plague?
No, Corvo (and Emily in Dishonored 2) are immune to the rat plague.
14. Are there any alternate methods for dealing with rats besides killing them?
Beyond outright avoidance, the Bend Time power allows you to safely traverse areas swarming with rats.
15. Where can I learn more about the game design and narrative elements of Dishonored?
Delving into the game design and narrative aspects of games like Dishonored can be further explored through resources like the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org, which provide insights into the educational and social impacts of gaming.
Conclusion: Your Rats, Your Choice
In the end, the decision to kill or spare the rats of Dishonored is a personal one. There are strategic advantages to thinning their numbers, and no mechanical penalties for doing so. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what kind of player you want to be in the grim, rat-infested world of Dunwall. Happy gaming!