Getting Started

Getting Started Guide for Dishonored 2

Welcome to Karnaca! This guide will help you survive your first hours in Dishonored 2. Whether you're a veteran of the first game or a complete newcomer, these tips will set you on the path to becoming a deadly sneaky assassin.

Character Creation (or the Lack Thereof)

At the very start, after the opening cutscene, you are given one choice: Play as Emily Kaldwin (the Empress) or Corvo Attano (her father and former Royal Protector).

• No stat differences; both have the same health, mana, and movement speed.


• Power differences: Emily has Far Reach (a telekinesis grab) and Domino (link enemies), while Corvo has Blink (teleport) and Possession. Both are excellent. For beginners, Corvo may feel more familiar if you played Dishonored 1; Emily’s powers are more versatile for creative players.


• Recommendation: Pick Emily if you want a fresh experience; pick Corvo for a more classic stealth-powerset. You can’t change later, so choose wisely!

Controls on All Platforms

#### PC (Keyboard + Mouse) – Default Layout
#### PlayStation 4 / PS5
#### Xbox One / Xbox Series
Pro tip: Rebind controls to your preference, especially Quick Save (F5 on PC) – you’ll use it constantly.

User Interface (UI) Overview

Your HUD in Dishonored 2 shows:

• Top center: Objective marker (golden diamond), distance, and optional waypoint.


• Top left: Health bar (red), Mana bar (blue). A full mana bar allows casting most powers.


• Bottom left: Weapon/equipment wheel indicator (shows current item: sword, crossbow, pistol, etc.).


• Bottom center: Ammo count for crossbow/pistol.


• Bottom right: Runes (small icons) indicating your current power cooldown or active effects.


• Crosshair: Dynamic – widens when running, narrows when sneaking. White when neutral, red when enemy is alert nearby.


• Compass/Map: Press M (PC) or Touchpad (PS4) to open full map with objective markers, explored areas, and important points like black markets, shrines.


• Journal: Press J (PC) or Options to see mission details, notes, and objectives.




First Hour Walkthrough: From the Coup to the Dreadful Wale



1. Prologue: You start as Emily in Dunwall Tower. Follow the linear corridor to see the Outsider’s prophecy. No enemies here. After the cutscene, you witness the coup.
2. Escape: After Delilah takes the throne, you regain control of Emily (or Corvo) in the Tower basement. Your objective is to get to the streets.
- Pick up the Blink rune (Corvo) or Far Reach (Emily) – it’s on a table.
- Follow the sewer path, using stealth to avoid or kill a few guards. Use the power to reach ledges.
3. The Dreadful Wale: You meet the supernatural boat captain Meagan Foster. She explains: head to Karnaca to stop the usurpers. You set sail, and the game transitions to the first real mission.
4. First Mission: Edge of the World:
- Arrive in Karnaca. Talk to Meagan. You are on a small island. Follow the road to the city gates.
- Do: Explore the street, find a coin purse, and buy a map from the Black Market shop (first building on left). This reveals all mission objectives.
- Do: Locate the Heart (given by Meagan before you leave the ship) – equip it via the weapons wheel. Use Heart to find runes and bonecharms (glowing outlines).
- Main objective: Meet your contact at the Addermire Institute (the big clocktower building). To get there, cross the bridge (heavily guarded) or sneak through the sewers.
- Optional: Find the bone charm in the first alley, and a Rune in the sewer grate near the Black Market.
5. Key moment: After crossing the bridge, you’ll trigger a cutscene. Follow the golden objective marker to the Institute roof. The first mission ends with you using the Spectral (a device) to disable the Grand Guardian’s shield.

Time estimate: 30-45 minutes for the entire prologue and first mission (if you take it slow).



Essential Early Objectives




• Acquire the Heart: It’s essential for finding loot and secrets.


• Find a Black Market: Buy the map – it marks runes, bonecharms, and side objectives.


• Collect Runes and Bonecharms: These permanently upgrade your powers and give passive bonuses.


• Learn your power: Use your main movement power (Blink/Far Reach) to reach high ledges and avoid ground-level enemies.


• Complete the first mission: Unlocks the Dreadful Wale as a hub with crafting and mission selection.




What to Do First (and What to Avoid)



#### ✅ Do This

• Save often – Quick Save (F5 or manual) before you enter a new area, before fights, and after picking up important loot.


• Explore thoroughly – Rooftops, vents, open windows. Dishonored rewards curiosity.


• Read books/notes – They contain codes, safes, and lore.


• Use non-lethal takedowns – You can choke out enemies (hold attack from behind while sneaking). This lowers chaos, making the ending better and reducing enemy count later.


• Use the Heart often – It reveals hidden items and lore about people (also helps track runes).


• Buy the crossbow upgrade – The crossbow with sleep darts is a silent ranged downer. Prioritize this.


#### ❌ Avoid These Mistakes

• Don’t rush into combat – You are fragile; a few hits can kill you. Stealth is king.


• Don’t ignore the wind – In Karnaca, wind currents can mask sneaking footsteps. Use them.


• Don’t waste springrazors on early trash – Save for later tough enemies like Clockwork Soldiers.


• Don’t forget to refill mana – Use mana potions or drink from whale oil tanks (green glowing barrels) to refill.


• Don’t kill civilians – It increases chaos and gives negative outcomes.


• Don’t ignore the black market – They offer useful gear and sometimes unique bonecharms.




Early Resource Priorities



1. Runes – Each rune unlocks a new power or upgrades an existing one. Early on, focus on upgrades that help movement (e.g., Blink range, Far Reach speed) or survival (Bonecharm crafting from Corvo’s powers).
2. Bonecharms – Collectable passive buffs. Examples: increases mana, reduces fall damage, etc. Equip 4 initially (max 5 without upgrades).
3. Coins – Spend on:
- Map from Black Market (first purchase)
- Crossbow (if you choose not to take the free one – but you start with crossbow, so buy sleep darts)
- Pistol upgrades (optional – only for high chaos runs)
- Capacity upgrades (increase ammo carry)
4. Mana Potions – Always carry 2-3. Use sparingly; drink from whale oil tanks when possible.
5. Health Elixirs – Rare, keep for emergencies. Alternatively, find food (apples, fish) to heal slowly.



Common Beginner Mistakes




• Not using Quick Save: You will die suddenly. Use F5 (PC) religiously.


• Forget to equip the Heart: Missed runes and bonecharms can cost you precious upgrades.


• Alarming guards too early: In the first mission, if you alert everyone, you’ll face a firefight. Sneak around back alleys.


• Using powers in front of guards: Far Reach and Blink are silent, but if seen, guards will become suspicious. Use them only when hidden.


• Skipping side areas: The first mission has a safe with 200 coins behind a painting – easy to miss.


• Not checking the Dreadful Wale after mission: Between missions, you can upgrade gear, get new abilities from the blackboard, and rest to recover health.




Day-One Checklist



Your first play session (2-3 hours) should accomplish:

• [ ] Complete Prologue (choose character, escape Dunwall)


• [ ] Arrive at the Dreadful Wale, talk to Meagan


• [ ] Complete first mission “Edge of the World”


• [ ] Find and equip the Heart


• [ ] Buy the map from the Black Market


• [ ] Collect at least 2 Runes (one from the sewer, one from a guard’s desk in the clocktower)


• [ ] Find at least 1 Bonecharm (in the alley near start)


• [ ] Learn to use Quick Save/Load


• [ ] Practice non-lethal takedown on a guard


• [ ] Save game before entering the clocktower (boss fight checkpoint)


• [ ] Unlock the Dreadful Wale blueprint station (teaches you how to craft upgrades)

Once you’ve crossed off that checklist, you’re ready to set sail for the heart of the conspiracy. Welcome to Karnaca, and may the Outsider watch over you.