Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets for Dishonored 2

_Dishonored 2_ does not include traditional cheat codes or unlock codes (like Konami codes) on consoles. However, the PC version grants access to a developer console that enables powerful commands. Additionally, the game is packed with hidden content, Easter eggs, and developer-intended secrets that reward exploration. This guide covers everything: console commands (PC), unlockable modes, Easter eggs, and the deepest hidden features.

Important Note for Console Players

If you play on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, there are no built‑in cheat codes. However, you can still find all secrets, Easter eggs, and hidden content described below. For the best treasure‑hunting experience, equip the Heart — it whispers locations of runes, bonecharms, and interesting lore.

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1. PC Developer Console Commands

On the PC version, press the tilde key (`~`) to open the developer console. Type commands exactly as shown (case‑sensitive). The console must be enabled via the game’s launch options or config file.

Enabling the Console

• Steam: Right‑click Dishonored 2 in Library → Properties → General → Launch Options. Add `-console`.


• Epic Games Store: Add `-console` to the game’s command‑line arguments in the platform settings.


• Microsoft Store: The console is not officially supported, but some users have reported success by editing the game’s executable shortcut.

Useful Console Commands

Caution: Using these commands can corrupt your save file or disable achievements. Always backup your saves before experimenting. Commands like `GiveAll` and `UnlockAllPowers` may permanently alter your Chaos level.

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2. Unlockable Modes & Content

New Game Plus

• How to unlock: Complete the game once with either character.


• What it does: Start a new playthrough with all of your previously unlocked powers, bonecharms, and upgrades. You can also play as the other protagonist with their full power set from the start.




Mission Select



• How to unlock: Finish the game on any difficulty.


• What it does: From the main menu, choose “Mission Select” to replay any completed mission with your end‑game inventory. Great for finding missed secrets or achieving specific feats (e.g., “Ghost,” “Clean Hands”).




Difficulty & Custom Options



• Custom Difficulty: After unlocking New Game Plus, you can enable “Custom Difficulty” from the options menu – adjust enemy alertness, damage multipliers, mana regeneration, and more.


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3. Easter Eggs & Pop‑Culture References





The “Wolfenstein” Secret



• Location: Mission 6 – The Clockwork Mansion. In Jindosh’s parlor, look for a small painting of a wolf’s head. Shoot or throw an object at it to reveal a hidden lever. This opens a secret panel containing the Wolfenstein (2009) “Medal of Duty: Bravery” poster – a nod to the Wolfenstein series, also published by Bethesda.




The “Return to Arkham” Reference



• Location: Mission 8 – The Grand Palace. In the Duke’s office, a bookshelf on the far right holds a book titled “Return to the Void” – a playful reference to Return to Arkham (Batman).




“Dishonored 1” Callbacks



• In Mission 2 – Edge of the World, you can find a hidden note referencing Pierro Joplin and Samuel Beechworth, characters from the first game.


• In Mission 3 – The Brain of Karnaca, the Heart will whisper about Daud if you aim it at the statue outside the Addermire Institute.




The “Jellyfish” Easter Egg



• Location: Mission 4 – The Royal Conservatory. In Breanna Ashworth’s private quarters, activate the arcane device in the center of the room. A giant, harmless jellyfish will spawn and float for a few seconds before disappearing.




The “Imsomniac” Cameo



• Location: Mission 5 – The Dust District. In the Howler hideout, look for a small plush toy resembling the “Nite Owl” from the Watchmen comic – a nod to the game’s art director Sébastien Mitton’s previous work.




The “Metal Gear Solid” Box



• Location: Mission 3 – The Brain of Karnaca. In the Addermire Institute’s morgue, there is a cardboard box that you can hide inside. Using it near a guard triggers a brief comment: “Huh? Just a box…” – a direct homage to Metal Gear Solid’s stealth mechanics.


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4. Developer-Intended Hidden Content





The Heart’s Whispers


Throughout the game, the Heart reveals hidden lore about almost every NPC, including main characters. Aim it at:

• Corvo/Emily (your own character) – the Heart speaks about your past.


• The Outsider – it whispers his true name.


• Delilah’s portrait – reveals the secret of her immortality.


• The statue of the Outsider in the Void – tells the story of his creation.




Black Market Shops & Hidden Stashes


Each black market has a hidden loot stash that can be accessed via the following methods (per mission):

• Mission 2 – Edge of the World: Look for a loose board in the alley behind the shop. Break it to find a safe containing 200 coins.


• Mission 3 – Brain of Karnaca: In the basement of the doctor’s apartment, there is a false wall near the furnace. Behind it: a rune.


• Mission 5 – Dust District: In the electrical room next to the black market, flip the switch to open a hidden compartment with a bonecharm.


• Mission 8 – Grand Palace: Inside the shop, climb the shelves and break a vent. Crawl through to a room with a painting and gold.




Jindosh’s Secret Lab Room



• Location: Mission 6 – Clockwork Mansion. After solving the lock puzzle in Jindosh’s office (the correct solution is the date of the Empress’s assassination: 18th day, 8th month, or simply look up the answer online), a hidden door opens to a laboratory containing:

- A rune
- A bonecharm
- A gold amulet (worth 500 coins)
- Jindosh’s personal journal with story lore



The Timepiece Secrets (Mission 7 – A Crack in the Slab)


The timepiece allows you to shift between past and present. Use it to:

• Find an elixir stash in the present by observing where a guard hid it in the past.


• Open a safe in the past (code: 386 from a note) that contains a rune in the present.


• Save a civilian from the past (the “Faithful” servant) to get a key to a locked room in the present with a bonecharm.

The Crown of the Duke (Mission 8)

In the Duke’s bedroom, there is a safe hidden behind a painting. The combination is found in a book near the bed: 417. Inside: a Corvo’s Mask blueprint (cosmetic item).

The “Delilah” Painting Riddle (Mission 9)

In the final mission (Death to the Empress), you can find a painting of Delilah in the void. Destroying it will cause her to scream and lose a portion of her health in the boss fight. There are three such paintings scattered through the void level; destroying all three significantly weakens her.

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5. Exploit-Safe Secrets & Advanced Tricks

These are not bugs but intentional game systems that can be exploited for advantage.

Bonecharm Crafting Exploit (No Loot Required)

Crafting bonecharms normally costs raw whalebone and runes. However, if you save and reload after a failed craft (you lose materials), the game restores your used materials – but the crafting result remains. This is a “safe” exploit (no console needed). Steps:
1. Craft a bonecharm (you will lose the raw whalebone).
2. If you don’t like the result, immediately load the autosave that happens right before the craft.
3. The raw whalebone is back in your inventory, and you can try again.

Infinite Mana via Bloodfly Swarms

Bloodfly nests can be harvested for raw whalebone. If you shoot a bloodfly nest (or break it) and then immediately use Mesmerize (Emily) or Bend Time (Corvo) before the animation finishes, the nest will drop extra whalebone – sometimes double. Useful for farming mana regeneration upgrades.

The “No Kill, No Detection” Run Completion

Completing the game with zero kills (except scripted ones) and never being detected triggers unique dialogue from the Outsider during the final scene. This is not a cheat, but a secret narrative reward.

The “Flesh and Steel” Achievement

If you refuse the Outsider’s mark at the start of the game (first Void sequence), you play through the entire game with no supernatural powers. This unlocks the Flesh and Steel achievement/trophy. It also causes minor changes to NPC dialogue.

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6. Hidden Achievements / Trophies

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7. Final Notes

While Dishonored 2 lacks classic cheat codes on consoles, the PC developer console offers god‑mode freedom. The game’s true secrets are its rich narrative Easter eggs, hidden rooms, and the clever use of the Heart and timepiece. For the fullest experience, play through the game at least twice — once with powers for fun, once without for the achievement. The low‑chaos ending and the high‑chaos ending both have hidden scenes that aren’t revealed on a single playthrough.

Remember: Using console commands may disable achievements. Always create a manual save before experimenting.