Should I Talk to Granny Rags in Dishonored? A Deep Dive
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Absolutely! Talking to Granny Rags is a pivotal decision in Dishonored, one that significantly branches the storyline and impacts both gameplay and your moral alignment. Interacting with her opens up a unique series of side quests, provides access to valuable Runes, and ultimately forces a confrontation with Slackjaw, the leader of the Bottle Street Gang. However, be warned: dealing with Granny Rags comes with ethical complexities and can heavily influence your chaos level, achievements, and the overall ending of the game. Proceed with caution and a clear understanding of the consequences.
The Allure and Peril of Granny Rags
Granny Rags, also known as Vera Moray, is one of the most intriguing and morally ambiguous characters in Dishonored. She’s an ancient, powerful witch living in the Flooded District sewers, offering cryptic quests and possessing a warped sense of justice. Engaging with her side missions unlocks unique opportunities, but it also pulls you into a web of deceit and violence.
Benefits of Engaging with Granny Rags
- Runes: Completing Granny Rags’ quests, particularly in Mission 1 and potentially influencing events in Mission 2, can net you 2-3 Runes. These are crucial for upgrading Corvo’s powers, enhancing your gameplay experience and making traversal more efficient, and boosting combat prowess.
- Non-Lethal Options: Ironically, interacting with Granny Rags can lead to a non-lethal solution for dealing with the Pendleton brothers, if you then choose to assist Slackjaw later on. This is vital for players pursuing a Clean Hands achievement.
- Intriguing Storyline: Granny Rags’ storyline is one of the most compelling side narratives in Dishonored. It provides insight into the history of Dunwall, the nature of the Outsider, and the corrupting influence of power.
- Loot: The area around Granny Rags’ home contains valuable items, including the coveted cameo under her pillow. These resources aid in purchasing upgrades and supplies, making Corvo more formidable.
Risks and Drawbacks of Engaging with Granny Rags
- Increased Chaos: While the impact is often considered negligible, completing certain quests for Granny Rags, particularly the poisoning mission in Mission 2, can raise your chaos level. High chaos leads to a darker ending with more enemies and rats throughout the game.
- Moral Implications: Granny Rags’ requests often involve morally questionable actions, such as poisoning an entire gang or betraying Slackjaw. These choices can weigh heavily on players striving for a morally “good” playthrough.
- Ghost/Clean Hands Challenges: Successfully navigating Granny Rags’ missions without being detected or killing anyone requires careful planning and execution. It’s a significant challenge for players aiming for a Ghost/Clean Hands run.
- Complexity and Confusion: The questline can be confusing, with multiple objectives and branching paths. It requires paying close attention to details and understanding the consequences of each action.
How to Approach Granny Rags
If you decide to engage with Granny Rags, consider the following tips:
- Plan Ahead: Understand the implications of each quest before accepting it. Research the potential outcomes and consider how they align with your desired playstyle (high chaos, low chaos, Ghost, Clean Hands).
- Utilize Non-Lethal Tactics: If aiming for a low-chaos or Clean Hands run, prioritize non-lethal solutions whenever possible. Sleep darts are your best friend.
- Consider the Consequences: Every action has consequences. Think about the long-term impact of your choices on the story, your chaos level, and your overall experience.
- Exploit Opportunities: Look for ways to benefit from the situation without compromising your moral compass. Can you manipulate events to your advantage while minimizing harm?
- Explore Alternatives: Remember, you don’t have to complete every quest offered by Granny Rags. You can bypass her entirely or choose to help Slackjaw instead.
Alternatives to Helping Granny Rags
If you’re concerned about the negative aspects of helping Granny Rags, consider these alternatives:
- Bypass Her Entirely: Simply ignore her existence. You’ll miss out on some opportunities, but you’ll avoid the moral complexities and potential chaos increase.
- Help Slackjaw Instead: Choose to support Slackjaw against Granny Rags. This offers a different set of rewards and quests, with its own set of ethical considerations.
- Non-Lethally Eliminate Her: Burning her cameo and then using sleep darts offers a way to eliminate her without killing her, potentially opening up the opportunity to then rescue Slackjaw.
- Focus on Main Quests: Prioritize the main storyline and side quests that align with your desired path. Don’t feel obligated to complete every optional objective.
Granny Rags and Your Dishonored Experience
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to talk to Granny Rags depends on your personal preferences and your desired Dishonored experience. There’s no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to understand the potential consequences and make informed choices that align with your goals. Whether you embrace the chaos and embrace her twisted logic, or choose to steer clear of her shadowy influence, Granny Rags is an unforgettable character that adds depth and complexity to the world of Dunwall. Exploring the moral dimensions of gaming experiences can provide insights into ethical decision-making, which aligns with the principles of the Games Learning Society whose goal is to explore the connections between video games and learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Granny Rags
1. Does killing Granny Rags increase chaos?
Yes, killing Granny Rags directly will increase your chaos level. However, there are ways to deal with her non-lethally, which is crucial if you’re aiming for a low chaos ending.
2. Can you save Slackjaw without killing Granny Rags?
Yes! It’s possible to save Slackjaw without killing Granny Rags. Burn her cameo in the furnace and then use sleep darts to subdue her. This allows you to release Slackjaw and collect his reward.
3. Do sleep darts work on Granny Rags?
Yes, but with a caveat. Using sleep darts after burning her cameo is the safest approach for a non-lethal takedown. Using them before can sometimes glitch the game and result in her death.
4. What happens if I don’t help Granny Rags?
If you bypass Granny Rags entirely, you’ll miss out on her side quests and the associated rewards, including Runes. You’ll also skip the later confrontation where you either assist Slackjaw or Granny Rags.
5. Is Granny Rags a witch?
Yes, Granny Rags is revealed to be a powerful witch with the ability to control rats and manipulate reality to some extent. Her immortality is linked to her cameo.
6. What should I do with Granny Rags?
The best course of action depends on your playstyle. If you want the Runes and don’t mind a potential chaos increase, complete her quests. If you’re aiming for low chaos, consider non-lethally eliminating her or helping Slackjaw.
7. What does Slackjaw give you?
Slackjaw will reward Corvo with 600 coins if you free him after the confrontation with Granny Rags.
8. How powerful is Granny Rags?
Granny Rags is incredibly powerful due to her immortality and witchly abilities. She can control rats, teleport short distances, and manipulate her physical form to a degree. The destruction of her cameo is the only way to truly defeat her.
9. Does Granny Rags have the Mark of the Outsider?
The article states that Granny Rags is killed in the sewers, and her marked left hand was discovered by Paolo later on. This seems to imply that Granny Rags had a mark on her body.
10. Is it better to help Granny Rags or Slackjaw?
Slackjaw’s reward (600 coins and access to a non-lethal option) is generally considered more valuable than Granny Rags’ initial offerings. However, Granny Rags’ quests offer unique gameplay opportunities and lore.
11. Does killing rats affect Clean Hands achievement in Dishonored?
No, according to Arkane developer Harvey Smith, killing rats (or wolfhounds and river krusts) does not count toward your body total for the Clean Hands achievement.
12. Can you spare Delilah in Dishonored?
Yes, the official non-lethal method for eliminating Delilah is to place the corrupted rune on her, use the Heart on her, and then knock her out in the painting.
13. What is the low chaos ending in Dishonored?
The low chaos ending results in a more optimistic outcome for Dunwall, with fewer enemies and a happier resolution for Emily and the other characters.
14. Is it worth not killing in Dishonored?
Yes, it’s definitely worth considering a non-lethal playthrough. It leads to a lower chaos level, a more positive ending, and it presents a unique challenge that forces you to utilize different strategies and powers.
15. What is the Outsider’s real name in Dishonored?
The Outsider’s real name is revealed to be the Mark, written in a language only the dead can read.