Important Notes
Warnings & Pitfalls
1. The Chaos System
Every lethal kill (including animals and unconscious bodies left in water) increases Chaos. High Chaos results in a darker story, more bloodflies, and the death of Corvo/Emily's allies, including Meagan Foster. Low Chaos is required for the best ending and for achievements like "Clean Hands" (no kills) and "Ghost" (never detected).
- Tip: If you want Low Chaos, never kill civilians, and use non-lethal takedowns (choke, sleep darts, drop knockouts) on enemies. Check your stats in the pause menu.
- Create multiple manual saves before major decisions or entering new areas. Because some choices are irreversible (e.g., selecting a mission target's fate), you can reload to try both paths.
- Do not overwrite your only save during the final mission—if you get stuck in high chaos, you might lose the low chaos ending.
- Use quick saves frequently during stealth sections; a single mistake can alert the entire level.
- Corvo retains his abilities from Dishonored 1 (Blink, Devouring Swarm, etc.) and can use his old gear.
- Emily has new powers (Far Reach, Domino, Mesmerize).
- Irreversible: You cannot switch characters mid-playthrough. Choose based on preferred playstyle and story perspective (Emily sees her city; Corvo is more detached).
- Missable content: Each character has unique dialogue and some interactions (e.g., with the Crown Killer or Stilton). Consider two playthroughs.
- Runes and Bonecharms: Each mission has a fixed number of Runes (used to upgrade powers) and Bonecharms (equippable buffs). They are hidden in mission-specific locations and cannot be returned to after you leave. Use the Heart to detect them—it pulses faster when near a charm.
- Siderian & Delilah’s paintings: Paintings by Siderian are missable if you don’t collect them (they are in mission-specific rooms). They are required for the “Dishonored 2” achievement and the “Mindful” achievement (collect all paintings).
- Contracts: In mission 6 (The Dust District), you can pick up contracts from an NPC (the “Howler” or “Overseer” depending on your choices). These are optional side objectives that give bonus coins and sometimes unique loot. Once you leave the district, they are gone.
- The Clockwork Mansion (Mission 4): The main challenge is navigating the moving rooms and avoiding Clockwork Soldiers (they are deadly and require special tactics). If you’re under-upgraded, this mission can be brutal.
- The Grand Palace (Mission 8): Heavy enemy density, tight patrols, and many alarms. Approach carefully.
- Final Boss (Delilah): She can destroy or nullify your powers if you rely too heavily on them. Stock up on grenades, crossbow bolts, and antihistamine for the bloodfly section.
- Hoard coins unnecessarily: Coins are plentiful; you only need enough to buy gear from black market shops (which have limited stock per mission). Pickpocketing or robbing the shop sometimes opens shortcuts, but you can always find alternate routes.
- Chasing every bonecharm in a single playthrough: Some are in traps or require tricky platforming. If you’re not a completionist, don’t spend 20 minutes on one—you can replay missions via mission select.
- Over-using the Heart: The Heart can be used to detect secrets, but using it too often slows down gameplay. Only use when you see a visual cue (sparkling) or hear a faint chime.
- Single-player only: No multiplayer, so no anti-cheat concerns. Achievements can be earned in any difficulty.
- Modding: Unofficial mods (e.g., “New Game Plus” or overhaul mods) may disable achievements. PC players should back up saves before modding.
- Leaderboards: None exist. No worries about speedrun comparisons affecting experience.
- Mission 2 (Edge of the World): You can kill or spare the Crown Killer (one appears later if spared). Doing so influences the Royal Conservatory’s state.
- Mission 6 (The Dust District): Siding with the Howlers or Overseers determines which faction helps you and what rewards you get. You cannot change later.
- Mission 7 (The Bank Job): You can choose to blow the safe door or lockpick it. The lockpick path gives you more loot but is harder.
- Endgame: Delilah’s fate (kill, non-lethal, or leave) affects the final cinematic. If you spare her, she remains imprisoned in Stilton’s mind—this is the best for low chaos.
- Manual saves before every mission and before major encounters (e.g., entering the Clockwork Mansion for the first time). Label them with the mission number.
- Keep a separate save at the start of the final mission (Death to the Empress) to replay without restarting the whole game.
- If you are aiming for “Clean Hands” or “Ghost,” save after every major objective and reload if you accidentally kill or get detected.
- The game has a limited number of autosave slots (10-15). Over time, old autosaves get deleted. Manual saves persist until you delete them.
- Play at your own pace. Dishonored 2 rewards exploration but punishes rushing. Save often, experiment with gadgets and powers, and don’t be afraid to reload a save to avoid a mistake.
- If you are on PC, disable V-Sync and frame limiting for smoother input. The game can have stutter on certain hardware.
- Remember: there is no “wrong” way to play, but understanding Chaos and collectibles will make your experience more satisfying.
2. Save Management
Dishonored 2 autosaves at checkpoints, but manual saves are your best friend.
3. Character Choice (Corvo vs. Emily)
4. Missable Collectibles & Side Content
5. Difficulty Spikes
6. Grinding Traps (Mistakes That Waste Time)
7. Online Etiquette & Anti-Cheat Notes
8. Things Players Commonly Regret Not Knowing Earlier
1. You can drop down on enemies from above to perform a non-lethal (or lethal) takedown without spending mana. This works on any enemy below.
2. Re-wire Walls of Light and Arc Pylons to kill enemies instead of yourself. (Requires a rewiring tool found in the world.)
3. Bloodflies are attracted to corpses. If you leave bodies lying around, bloodflies will spawn and create nests that grow over time. Dispose of bodies in containers, dumpsters, or use the “Devouring Swarm” (Corvo) to eat them.
4. Your level of Chaos affects your ending cinematic and the health of the city (more weepers, more bloodflies). You can change chaos mid-game, but it’s cumulative.
5. The “Foreshadowing” painting in mission 1 is actually a quest item for a side mission later—don’t sell it.
6. You can upgrade powers with Runes at any writing desk (like shrines) in each level. You don’t need to wait until the mission ends.
7. Emily’s “Domino” power can link enemies to a sleeping or unconscious target—great for non-lethal stealth.
8. Corvo’s “Stop Time” (Bend Time) can be upgraded to freeze enemies indefinitely—very powerful for capture runs.
9. The “Clockwork Soldier” enemies can be disabled by knocking off their heads (shoot the helmetless head with a crossbow) or using the “Stalker” bonecharm combo.
10. Your chosen character’s starting gear (Corvo’s sword, Emily’s folding blade) cannot be swapped, but you can find upgrades for each in the world.
9. Irreversible Choices Summary
10. Save Management Best Practices
11. Missable Content by Mission
Mission | Missable Items/Events
--- | ---
1 - A Long Day in Dunwall | - Painting of Delilah’s past (collectible) – found in the bar after the first vision.
2 - Edge of the World | - Rune at the top of the building with the guard tower. - Side contract from Black Eye (if you rescue her).
3 - The Good Doctor | - Paintings in Dr. Galvani’s office. - Rune in the safe behind the painting.
4 - The Clockwork Mansion | - Bonecharm in the room with the moving walls (requires timing). - Jindosh’s blueprint for achievement.
5 - The Royal Conservatory | - Rune on the roof (accessible from balcony). - Astrid’s doll (for an achievement).
6 - The Dust District | - Both faction side quests; you can only do one. - The “Underground” entrance to the Conservatory’s vault.
7 - The Bank Job | - One painting in the manager’s office. - Rune in the vault (requires solving puzzle).
8 - The Grand Palace | - Two bonecharms in the sub-basement (after draining the water). - The “Shadow” achievement (complete without killing anyone).
9 - Death to the Empress | - No new collectibles, but you can loot Delilah’s tower for extra coins.