Dishonored 2 follows strategies and mechanics of the previous game, but have several differences. Now your ability to choose values even more than earlier. New shiny streets of Karnaca offer fewer opportunities to hide in shadows so you have to learn new ways of stealth playthrough. If you are going to achieve Ghost trophy or just want to play stealthy make sure to read our tips and advice. Some basics are similar to the first game, although.
Let’s start with theory.
What counts as detection?
Detection counts every time a lightning bolt has appeared or a sound signal is played. Every detection ruins your Ghost achievement progress so you should load last save. Here are a full list of all events that can be counted as detection:
- Hostile human NPC sees or hears you. It includes all guards, witches and nest keepers.
- Hostile monster sees or hears you. It includes wolfhounds and gravehounds;
- Hostile mechanic sees or hears you. It includes mainly clockwork soldiers;
- Hostile plant sees or hears you. It includes mainly blood briars;
- Hostile supernatural construct sees or hears you. It includes mainly statues of Delilah;
- Neutral NPC being threatened or sees your illegal actions.
As you see, there are a lot of ways to be detected. We have collected some tips to make your stealth playthrough easier.
Use all game features
In this guide, we will combine several tips into big categories. This one is dedicated to game mechanics and options. Firstly, you have to know that there is no opportunity to restart certain mission after the end. Means saves in Dishonored 2 are even more valuable than in the previous game. You want to save one time at the beginning of the mission and use quicksaves during your playthrough. Remember about saves and loads if you want to earn Ghost trophy. In other cases don’t worry about single detection and just have fun.
At the start of the game turn on sound and listen carefully. You may not detect hostiles, but you will hear them for sure. Use crafting to boost your stealth also. Superpowers allow you to craft different bone charms and increase stats. Upgrade this skill to reduce the chance of failure while crafting. You also should know one more feature. Options menu provides a full track of your stats at the moment. Explore it to make sure you are performing well and can achieve trophies. At the end of each mission, you will also see these stats.
The main ideas: use both regular saves and quicksaves, turn on the sound, craft bone charms and track your stats during the game.
Know your enemies
In every mission, you will face both humans and different monsters, but the most common are human guards. They are not very intelligent, but cleverer than colleagues from the original game. Guards will surely notice missing patrols, turned off Walls of Light, opened or closed doors and missing valuables. Unnatural sounds and distractions also can alert guards. You can use these features to entice enemies into traps.
Let’s talk more about distractions. In each location, you can interact with several objects to distract foes. Use alarm clocks, workshop instruments, bottles and so on to lure enemies where you want. Pay attention to every guard as they are enough clever to look in the direction from where a certain object was thrown.
Mechanics of dead and unconscious bodies is the same as in previous game. You want to hide them to avoid alerting other guards. Find dumpster, metal box or bath and place a body there. Hidden rooms and basements are also good places for your victims. Don’t leave bodies just in rooms as you never know when new patrol will arrive.
Avoid patrols and single foes with knowledge of their behavior patterns. Every guard has its own cone of vision and line of sight. Don’t let enemies locate you by avoiding their cones of vision. Use covers and obstacles to hide. Upgrade Dark Vision and you will always see vision areas of every guard. But don’t forget about mana drain.
The main ideas: distract guards without alerts, hide bodies and watch out for vision.
Upgrade correct powers
Well, this advice is valid for both original game and sequel. Superpowers of Corvo and Emily will strongly facilitate every playthrough including stealth one. Playing as Corvo make sure to upgrade Blink firstly and but the ability to stop the time. Playing as Emily you want to take Shadow Walk with Mesmerize as main powers. Possession is a priceless skill for both characters. Dark Vision which we have mentioned above is pretty useful too. If you want to play without special powers stealth strategy will be more challenging, but still possible.
The main idea: use Blink, Shadow Walk, Mesmerize, Possession and Dark Vision.
Look for alternatives
The game is all about the choice. There are several alternative ways together with the most obvious one. Way more, straight playthrough is always bloody and noisy. If you want to play stealthy and non-lethally look for hidden paths, rooms, and items. We claim that the safest way to pass every mission is staying up. Use walls, roofs, overlaps, and attics, because guards look up rarely. Explore locations from above or sneak there to get rid of the chase. Remember that the game is designed for explorers!
The main idea: keep to high ground and look for secret ways.
Other tips for stealth strategy
We also have some minor tips which can help you to successfully finish the game:
- Enemies of easy and normal difficulty follow the same routes;
- NPCs in dialogues often talk about patrols and hidden areas or ways to them;
- Every enemy including bosses can be neutralized non-lethally;
- Blocking is a nice way to protect you in direct combat;
- Lean allows you to explore the huge area without being detected;
- Keyholes are also a part of gameplay and you can look through them.
Listed above advice can help you to overcome the game and follow your stealth strategy.
