Upgrades in Dishonored affect Corvo’s weapons and armor. With these boosts you can make the game easier and pass tough episodes quicker. But you should know what upgrades suit your playstyle bets. Here we will reveal the most valuable buffs for stealth and combat strategies as well as universal upgrades. But let’s start with treasures called blueprints. They give access to cool upgrades which you cannot unlock at once.
Blueprints
In this section, we provide the most valuable upgrades in the game. But you have to find plans to unlock them. Blueprints are hidden almost in every location. You can buy them, steal them or simply find during your adventures. Once you have found a blueprint, new upgrades in a Pero’s room will be unlocked. Some plans let you boost existing ammunition and others create new equipment.
Here are all blueprints and some tips on their locations:
- Lens Magnification. Provided by Griff in his shop for 200 gold coins. Complete side quests during 2 mission to rescue Griff and then you can visit his shop in this and following missions. Unlocks Mask Optics 2 which increases mask’s zoom.
- Sokolov’s Formula. Similarly provided by Griff for 200 gold coins. Alternatively, this blueprint is in Sokolov’s lab in the 4 mission. Unlocks Sokolov’s Elixir which restores your health points.
- Bonded Galvani Weave. You can locate it during 2 mission near the end. This plan is in the locked office in the Back Yard. Unlocks Improved Armor which significantly reduces damage taken by Corvo.
- Incandescent Paste. It is in the Distillery that is a location of 3 mission. Cast Blink or improved jump/sprint to pass a closing metal door. Unlocks Incendiary Bolts with which you can set fire to enemies.
- Folded Galvani Resin. It is located in the 4 mission in the warehouse near the start location. You will see it right on the table near the lever. Unlocks Boot Stealth 1 which lets you move quieter.
- Spiked Grenade Housing. It is in 5 mission near the mansion’s entry. Find security room and enter there with an invitation or through sewers. Unlocks Sticky Grenade which can adhere to surfaces and objects.
- Small Scale Combustion Refinement. Located in the 6 mission in the apartments of Tobias. It is near apartments of Lord Regent which you may know due to the safe’s location. Unlocks Pistol Explosive Shot which deals area damage.
Certain blueprints which you have missed will be in apartments of Daud during 7 mission named Flooded District.
There are a few blueprints in DLCs as well:
- Small Scale Explosive Refinement. Also unlocks Pistol Explosive Shot with the same effect. In 1 DLC it is in the 1 mission in the shipping office chest. In 2 DLC it is in the 2 mission in the office near lab of Nurse Trimble.
- Compact Arc Amplifier. Unlocks access to arc and stun mines which can eliminate or immobilize enemies. In 1 DLC it is on the 1 mission in the warehouse near the entrance to the main location. In 2 DLC it is on the 1 mission in the guard post.
- Bonded Galvani Weave. Has the same effect as analog from the original game. In 1 DLC it is in the 2 mission in the safe of Timsh. In 2 DLC it is in the prologue in the starting location.
- Folded Galvani Resin. Has the same effect as analog from the original game. In 1 DLC it can be found during 2 mission in the Watch Office. In 2 DLC is also located in starting location of the prologue.
- Baffle Dust. This unique blueprint for 2 DLC unlocks better Chokedust with which you can stun foes and avoid alerts. It can be found during 1 mission in cell A25 or in the 2 mission near Small Scale Explosive Refinement blueprint.
We claim that all blueprints allow you to buy best upgrades. That doesn’t mean you should find all plans, but they can seriously facilitate any playthrough. However, some upgrades are better for stealth strategy when others suit combat way more. We also will not cover some less useful upgrades at all. Let’s start with universal upgrades for both builds!
Essential upgrades
Some equipment and weapons are so cool that you want to upgrade them regardless of your game strategy. Here are 3 main categories and it’s suggested unlocking all available upgrades in each of them:
- Mask upgrades. Corvo’s mask is the main tool for exploring. Without upgrades, it is a just stylish accessory which hides your face. Buy Mask Optics 1 for 300 gold coins and you will be able to zoom. Mask Optics 2 requires blueprint and 400 gold coins, but this upgrade doubles zoom distance and lets you overhear conversations.
- Bone charm upgrades. Bone charms are artifacts which provide bonuses and boost your character. Normally you can activate up to 3 bone charms. With Bone Charm Capacity 1 and 2, you will be able to use 4 and 6 items respectively. Means more bonuses will be active which is pretty useful. Upgrades cost 300 and 450 gold coins.
- Sword upgrades. Here is the only one upgrade named Sword Crossing. At first sight, it’s a good choice for combatants and bad for stealth men. But if you are not a maniac who wants to pass entire game without detections and fights, this skill will be useful. It allows you more effectively counter attacks and push enemies back. It costs 600 gold coins.
Best upgrades for stealth playthrough
These upgrades are priceless for all who want to use stealth strategy. But they are also almost useful for fighters. Note also that stealth playthrough will be way easier with Mask Optics 1 and 2. Here are just 2 categories:
- Crossbow upgrades. So far as you are a true assassin you will use a crossbow. Unlock all upgrades: Crossbow Accuracy, Crossbow Range and Crossbow Reload for 300, 450 and 600 gold coins to empower your weapon. Grab also Combat Dart Sleep for 600 gold coins which will put targets to sleep instantly. Incendiary Bolts can fire enemies, but this upgrade isn’t essential for you. It also requires blueprint and 600 gold coins.
- Boot Stealth upgrades. They are a part of Armor upgrades, but you don’t need to buy Improved Armor. However, Boot Stealth 1 and 2 are your best friends in a silent mode. These upgrades make Corvo’s walking and running completely silent. 1 part requires blueprint and costs 450 gold coins. 2 part costs 600 gold coins and unlocks after 1 one.
Best upgrades for combat playthrough
Upgrades here can make you a killing machine which eliminates all enemies. But pay attention to your health. Corvo is an assassin and he can die from a few hits. Plan your combats wisely and use special powers. These upgrades will help you:
- Pistol upgrades. Here are a lot of cool buffs for the main weapon of fighter. Unlock Corvo’s Pistol Upgrade for 600 gold coins to gain access to all other boosts. Take all levels of Pistol Accuracy, Pistol Magazine, Pistol Reload and Bullet Capacity for 300-600 gold coins each. Also, grab Pistol Explosive Shot to cause little explosions with each bullet. This last upgrade requires blueprint and costs 600 gold coins.
- Grenade upgrades. The best option for several enemies. Unlock Grenade Capacity for 450 gold coins to carry 9 grenades at all. Also, take Sticky Grenade to perform creative kills. You can combine grenades with bottles, heads, walls, doors and so on. The second upgrade costs 600 coins and requires blueprint.
- Improved Armor upgrade. This boost is located in Armor upgrades category. Boot Stealth 1 and 2 are useless for you so just grab Improved Armor. It will significantly reduce damage taken. To unlock it you have to find a blueprint and pay 600 gold coins. But it’s worth it, trust us!
That’s all upgrades you should unlock. Choose your strategy and beat the game!
