Decoding Death: Unraveling the Maximum Body Count in Dishonored

So, you’re plunging into the dark, atmospheric world of Dishonored and wondering just how many bodies you can leave in your wake before things go south? The answer isn’t as simple as a single number, but let’s cut to the chase: To secure the “good ending” (low chaos), you need to aim for a kill rate of less than 20% of the human population within each mission. Exceed that, and you risk tilting the scales towards high chaos and the consequences that follow, though achieving that requires killing over 50% of the human population. Now, let’s dive into the intricacies of how Dishonored’s chaos system works, and how your actions impact Dunwall’s fate.

Understanding the Chaos System

Dishonored’s chaos system is a dynamic morality mechanic that reacts to your playstyle. It isn’t just about raw kill counts; it’s also influenced by how you interact with the world. A high chaos rating triggers a darker narrative outcome, reflected in the environment, character interactions, and ultimately, the ending you receive. On the flip side, low chaos leads to a more optimistic resolution.

Factors Influencing Chaos

Beyond simply eliminating targets, several elements contribute to the chaos level of each mission and, cumulatively, the overall game world:

• Kills: This is the most direct and obvious factor. Killing guards, civilians, and other human NPCs will increase your chaos rating.
• Alerts and Detections: Being spotted by enemies and triggering alarms raises chaos. Stealth is your friend if you’re aiming for low chaos.
• Body Discoveries: Leaving bodies out in the open for guards to find increases the overall sense of panic and contributes to a higher chaos level. Hiding bodies becomes crucial.
• Civilian Panic: Causing civilians to flee in terror elevates chaos, representing a breakdown in social order.
• Certain Side Objectives: Some side quests have choices that lead to either lethal or non-lethal outcomes. Picking the lethal option will, of course, affect your chaos score.
• Rewired Traps: Kills caused by traps you have rewired also affect the Chaos level.

Calculating Your “Safe” Kill Count

While the game doesn’t display an exact numerical chaos meter, the 20% rule is a good guideline. However, remember that it’s an approximation. A single mission with excessive bloodshed can push you into high chaos, especially if you’ve already accumulated some “chaos points” in earlier levels.

The game internally tracks the total number of ‘characters’ in each mission. By character, it often means Human NPCs. Keep in mind, the Dishonored engine caps the number of bodies rendered at 5-10. This will allow for more processing for the player and the enemies.

Exceptions and Nuances

• Non-Lethal Alternatives: Dishonored excels at providing creative non-lethal solutions. Choking out enemies, using sleep darts, or utilizing powers like Possession to avoid direct conflict are key to low chaos.
• Accidental Deaths: Indirectly causing deaths can still impact chaos. For example, if you disable a Wall of Light and an enemy subsequently walks into it, it may count as a kill towards your total.
• High Chaos Run: The high chaos run needs to be greater than 50%, and even then, you are not necessarily guaranteed a bad ending. The decisions throughout the story and characters met along the way will also dictate the ending.

Living with the Consequences

The most immediate consequence of increasing chaos is a change in the game world. Expect the following:

• Increased Rat Population: The city becomes infested with rats, reflecting the decay and disease spreading through Dunwall.
• More Weepers: The number of Weepers (plague victims) increases, creating a more dangerous and oppressive environment.
• More Alert Guards: Guards become more vigilant and patrol more aggressively, making stealth more challenging.
• Shift in Dialogue: NPCs will react differently to Corvo, reflecting the fear and suspicion caused by his actions.

Ultimately, the biggest impact is on the ending you receive. Low chaos results in a brighter future for Dunwall and Emily, while high chaos depicts a darker, more tragic outcome. The game world will have clear skies with Low Chaos.

Is It Worth It?

Playing Dishonored with different approaches can affect the outcome of the story. Do you want to use your powers to bring justice to the empire and save the Empress? Or do you want to become an unstoppable force of violence that only brings destruction and misery wherever you go? Each approach results in a different story. Understanding the nuances of the chaos system is key to shaping the narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do non-human kills affect chaos?

No. Rats, River Krusts, and Wolfhounds do not count towards your kill total or chaos rating. However, some believe it is morally wrong to kill these animals, and there are powers and items that will allow you to make your experience easier.

2. Do dogs count towards kills in Dishonored?

Yes, killing a dog is an automatic kill on the scoreboard. It does not count towards the Chaos level, though.

3. Does knocking out enemies count as a kill?

No. Knocking out or using sleep darts on enemies is a non-lethal option and does not contribute to your kill count or chaos.

4. Can I kill the Pendleton twins and still get low chaos?

While technically possible to kill the Pendleton Twins and maintain Low Chaos, it is difficult and heavily depends on your actions in other missions. Using non-lethal methods to deal with the twins is highly recommended for a Low Chaos playthrough.

5. Do kills from rewired traps count towards my kill count?

Yes. Kills caused by traps you’ve rewired, such as Wall of Lights or Arc Pylons, will contribute to your kill count and chaos level. So, be mindful of where you place them and who might be affected.

6. Does killing Weepers increase chaos?

Yes, killing Weepers will increase the chaos level.

7. Does killing Nest Keepers count towards chaos?

Yes. Killing Nest Keepers counts as a lethal takedown and will increase the chaos level.

8. Does killing Granny Rags affect the ending?

Yes, killing Granny Rags does affect the ending, or rather, your choice to kill her or not.

9. What actions cause high chaos?

• Killing many guards and civilians.
• Being detected frequently by enemies.
• Triggering alarms.
• Leaving bodies in plain sight.
• Causing civilians to panic.
• Choosing lethal options in side quests.

10. Is it possible to get a “perfect” no-kill run?

Yes, it is possible to complete Dishonored without killing anyone. This requires careful use of stealth, non-lethal takedowns, and powers like Blink, Possession, and Bend Time. It also takes patience and strategic thinking. This type of gameplay is useful for researching video game learning, similar to the research done at the Games Learning Society.

11. What’s the best way to minimize chaos?

• Prioritize stealth.
• Use non-lethal takedowns whenever possible.
• Hide bodies to prevent them from being discovered.
• Avoid triggering alarms.
• Choose non-lethal options in side quests.
• Utilize powers to bypass enemies instead of engaging them directly.

12. How does the chaos level affect the final mission?

In low chaos, the last mission is set in daylight with clear skies.

13. Which ending is considered canon?

The low chaos ending is generally considered the canon ending.

14. What is the maximum number of bodies allowed per level?

Dishonored attempts to maintain a maximum of five bodies per level and has an absolute maximum of ten bodies per level. This is more of an engine limitation than a gameplay mechanic, but it highlights the importance of hiding bodies.

15. Does completing side objectives affect the ending?

Yes. Some side objectives have choices that can affect the ending.

Conclusion

Dishonored’s chaos system is a complex and rewarding mechanic that encourages thoughtful gameplay. While a precise “maximum body count” is difficult to define, aiming for under 20% kill rate per mission is a good rule of thumb for a low-chaos run. Remember that every action has consequences, and the fate of Dunwall rests in your hands. Happy gaming! For more on the educational applications of gaming, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.