Supernatural powers are one of the best things in Dishonored 2 as well as in the original game. These abilities in the sequel have some differences from the first game, although. Basically, special powers are the privilege of the Outsider. It gives skills to anyone including protagonists of both games with his mark. But in Dishonored 2 both Corvo and Emily can decline supernatural abilities and play without them at all.
Let’s imagine that you have decided to accept powers. In this case, you should know which of them are worth upgrading and which are totally useless. Starting powers are free, but additional skills and upgrades you should acquire with runes. Note that you cannot maximize all abilities as there are only 47 available runes and you need 111 ones for all upgrades. All locations of valuables are listed in our guide about runes.
Our list is good for newcomers as it provides the best powers for start. But you can experiment with it’s the funniest thing in the game. Begin with our tips, but be sure to combine them with your own style. Here is once more what you have to know. Different abilities suit different strategies. We will cover both low and high chaos styles for protagonists.
Shared powers
These abilities are available both for Corvo and Emily.
Best low chaos powers:
- Agility
As we have mentioned in one of the guides, rooftops and overlaps are the best places for all stealth men. With Agility unlocked you will be able to jump higher and reach top points easier. Be sure to buy at least 1 level of this power for jumps. If you want, you can unlock 2 level for fast sprint and 3 level for less damage from falling. Agility also lets you easier knock out enemies with drop assassination attack.
- Bone charm Crafting
Strictly speaking, this skill is cool both for low and high chaos. But stealth requires more upgrades so it’s more valuable for pacifists. Bone charm Crafting lets you – surprise – create your own bone charms. Artifacts boost certain stats and give more advantages to your hero. Upgrade this ability to maximum level and you will be able to craft runes. It’s clear that more runes mean more special powers.
Best high chaos powers:
- Reflexes
This skill has a wide variety of improvements. Basic level allows you to deflect bolts and bullets. But there are several more useful for bloody destroyer upgrades. Be sure to take Superior Deflection to hit nearby enemies by deflected shots. Also, buy Adept Parry upgrade that will slow time at the moment of countering an attack. Focused Slide and Snap Reaction are not so useful and you can ignore them at all.
- Shadow Kill
If you want to eliminate your foes, remaining in shadows this skill is essential. It turns all corpses of unaware enemies into ash so you don’t have to hide bodies. Shadow Kill strongly reduces the chance of alert. While basic upgrade works only with unaware enemies next levels disintegrate literally all corpses or turn them into bloodlines. For stealth, playthrough grab only 1 level and for high chaos strategy unlock everything!
There is also funny Blood Thirst power which lets you destroy enemies more cruel or Vitality skill which makes you healthier. But these powers are not so cool. We don’t suggest unlocking them as you want to save runes for more useful alternatives.
Corvo powers
These abilities were designed for Corvo. You can remember them from the first game.
Best low chaos powers:
- Possession
It’s your best friend for stealth strategy. With 1 level of Possession activated you can move into animals and travel inside them for a short period. During this time, you turn into a soul without a body so guards cannot detect you. Next levels let you possess humans and their corpses or directly jump between hosts without returning into your body. Possession is extremely useful for passing well-guarded locations and for hiding from a chase.
- Bend Time
Here we have the best special power for Corvo at all. Bend Time allows you to slow and after unlocking upgrades to stop time. Stealth men love this skill for the ability to crawl undetected in locations with dozens of guards. But Bend Time has an outstanding potential for regular usage! Disappear in the midst of a fight, catch falling bodies, lead your enemies into the path of their own bullets… Well, first levels of it cost 11 runes in total, but it’s worth it.
Best high chaos powers:
- Devouring Swarm
Did you dream about devastating power that can kill humans for you? You have it. Devouring Swarm summons a rat pack to kill your foes and destroy their corpses. It’s one of the most dishonest ways to win a fight, but it’s a symbol of the game. Original Dishonored were created on the basis of this skill! And in the second part you can even summon few swarms or really large one. Grab it for high chaos strategy surely.
- Windblast
It’s a rare power which makes sense for lethal playthrough and totally fails in stealth style. Windblast releases a powerful air strike which can deflect shots, destroy doors and windows or even kill enemies at the last level. It’s loud, dangerous and stylish. It makes you feel like a true Jedi. Unlock it as you are going to enter buildings pathetically! Be sure that all foes inside will quickly find you after such performance.
There is also not mentioned ability which is useful for both styles. It’s Blink. You know, it’s a magical teleport which can instantly move you from one place to another. Use it to quickly hide near the rooftop, reach your target and knock out it, travel to normally inaccessible places. There is even an achievement which requires you to finish the game without using powers at all except Blink! Make sure to upgrade it as soon as possible.
Emily powers
These abilities suit only Emily and they are quite new for all Dishonored players.
Best low chaos powers:
- Mesmerize
Here we have another Jedi-like skill. It allows Emily to trick enemies and distract them. Create a strange shadow where you want and choose up to 4 guards or hounds. They will not notice you for all time when this shadow exists. But be careful as other enemies may notice an unusual behavior of your targets and alert colleagues. Mesmerize is pretty good even at a base level, but you want to extend its duration.
- Shadow Walk
Special powers are universal things that you can use for all strategies. But Shadow Walk is better for stealth playtrough. Casting it Emily will turn into a shadow lump which can move and stun or even kill enemies. You are not totally invisible in shadow form but still can pass well-guarded areas. With Rat Shadows upgrade, you can move through rat tunnels where a lot of hidden treasures are. Extended duration and speed let you clear whole buildings as well.
Best high chaos powers:
- Domino
It’s a wonderful skill that suits Emily very well. Domino allows you to connect fates of several persons. A base level can link only 2 humans and upgrades raise this number to 4. Cast it and you will have a great variety of options. Shot a sleep bolt in one enemy to stun all connected targets. Kill a single foe to share his fate with others. Use electricity, pulls and pushes, grenades, shadow form and all effects for one human will be the same for others.
- Doppelganger
This power can create clones of Emily. 1 level has only 1 clone when upgrades create up to 3 shadow copies. For high chaos deadly playthrough we suggest making 3 clones which can fight and kill foes. Your doppelgangers are less skillful than you, but guards will face 4 armored women with superpowers! Also, this ability is suitable for stealth strategy as copies can distract enemies. Take Transposition if you want to trick guards by swapping positions with a clone.
Emily also has an analog of Blink called Far Reach. It’s more universal than Corvo’s skill as you can not only teleport yourself to a certain place but also pull enemies to you. For stealth playthrough, Far Reach is essentially same as Blink for Corvo. But combat high chaos strategy opens more options for using this skill. You can pull foes and kill them in the air which is pretty loud and fun.
And in conclusion, we want to remind you that this list is for beginners. Don’t use it as an ultimate guide for the entire game. Unlock other skills, combine and customize your experience. Dishonored 2 is about choices to make your own!
