So, after having recently replayed all the DIshonored-games (Dishonored Definitive Edition plus DLCs Knife Of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches, Dishonored 2 and Dishonored: Death Of The Outsider) I decided to give you my favorite mission in each of the games and the DLCs.

Please be aware that there will very probably be many, many SPOILERS. Read at your own risk.

Now, the way I go about defining my favorite missions is using the main criteria I also use when reviewing a game. Is there a special meaning for the main character or the story? Is it a special setting that is a highlight of the game? Or does this mission highlight the gameplay mechanics?

Also, here is a overview of which games and missions were featured in this series so far:
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Saving Caterina Sforza: The romance, the humor! Everything about that relationship,really.
Deus ex: Mankind Divided, Claiming Jurisdiction: Do you choose the smart, stealthy approach, or brute force?
Deus ex: Human Revolution, Infiltrating Tai Yong Medical and confronting Zhao: That’s one intense infiltration mission where my sole goal is remaining undetected.
Assassin’s Creed II, Assassinating the Templar Doge: This one is Ezio’s masterpiece and a kind of deja-vu.
Thief, A Friend In Need: The master-thief may not need friends, but he does not let his allies down. Even if it means walking into a trap.
Assassin’s Creed, Assassinating William of Montferat: Over the past missions Altair has gained notoriety and this hit is the last one before he faces his arch-nemesis, so the stakes are high and the guards on high alert.
Aragami, The Last Captain: While the wraith-like aragami can usually take full advantage of the shadows and strike his enemies down like some awesome predator, in this intense confrontation he is the one being hunted.

Dishonored, Eliminating High Overseer Campbell

Why this mission?
This is Corvo’s very first mission after his break from Coldridge prison and, to me, the defining one about how you choose to play the game (which, in game, is actually the Golden Cat-mission). There are a number of choices thrown your way. The most obvious one, of course, is to rescue Calista’s uncle, who may be in peril of being eliminated himself by the High Overseer. You do not know how, you do not know when, and you do not know how Curnow will react to your plans concerning Campbell. Also, this is the first mission where you will be actively presented with the possibility of a non-lethal eliminiation.

The approach
Since I usually play Dishonored as stealthy as possible, on my way to Holger Square I avoid detection, with the exception of rescuing Griff, who will open up a black market stall for you. I’ll use the dumpster next to the house I rescued Griff from to get to the city gate to the left, sneak across, then along the front of Galvani’s house on the first level, hop down and make my way to the underpass.

Sneaking past the Bottle Street thugs is not that easy, but do it while they are still busy with the guard and you should be fine. Next, use the high ground to the left to get past the guards protecting the gate to Holger Square, sneak past and take out the guard and free Martin.

Keep to the right and to the high ground, use Blink to get to the first floor and sneak around the building outside until you get to the open window. Go through the library or use the piping to get to the meeting room where Campbell and Curnow will withdraw to for their private meeting. Pocket the rune found in there and make your choice. Push the poisoned glass to Campbell’s side, pour out both glasses or let Curnow drink the poison. If, like me, you decide to take the non-lethal approach, wait for the two men to come in, then put a sleeping dart in each when they raise the glasses for their toast.

Next, hide Curnow’s body on the ledge outside the window and take Campbell to the branding chair. That’s him dealt with. Return to Cornow and sneak around the other side of the building to the safe spot. Bend Time comes in handy here, if you have unlocked it.

For extra stealth, I don’t do anything else inside the main compound but head towards the back area, where I can save a woman from being arrested as a witch and her brother from dying in her defense. Do that and get extra credits for being a good guy.

Again, I don’t do anything else here but sneak straight to where Samuel is waiting for me, leaving with a satisfying feeling of having done three good deeds in just one night without jeopardising innocent lives. Nice!

On to the DLCs!

Dishonored: Knife Of Dunwall, Eliminating Barrister Timsh

Why this mission?
The main game offers a number of witness accounts where Daud and his Whalers are seemingly spotted during an assassination. This could give us a clue about the master assassin’s regard for stealth. Yet a comment made by Daud’s main target in the last of the three mission regarding his reputation (Paraphrased: “I thought your targets never see you coming.” ) disproves the witness accounts as being merely fiction.

Since he is a pretty powerful and above all known disciple of the Outsider, Daud is hunted both by city guards and Overseers. In fact, the vengeance with which the Overseers go after Daud suprised me during my first playthrough. They really, really want him dead. Which explains the plot twist of the last of the three missions.

But, while Daud is totally capable of killing everyone in sight, and playing him that way feels pretty empowering, I usually try to avoid collateral damage. In this second mission, the master assassin has the opportunity to eliminate the corrupt Barrister Timsh in a totally badass way that highlights his superiority as an assassin nicely.

The approach
As in pretty much all Dishonored-missions sticking to the high ground is key for playing it stealthy. In this one, I circumvent detection by swimming around to the other side of the first map and blinking up to some piping. From there, you can blink up on top of the guarded gate unnoticed. Remain undetected as you approach your rendezvous with Timsh’s niece and take out the Hatters. I usually make liberal use of sleeping darts. Be very careful when hunting around for the key, since Overseers will be placed on the high ground, too. Once you found the key, get to the gate, wait for an opportune moment to blink to the door and go through. On the other side, find the man out for vengeance against Timsh in the abandoned building to the right.

Obtaining the key for Apartment Nr. 10 is crucial in making a stealthy escape, so follow that route and pocket it along with the two runes found on the way. Best upgrade your Blink to cross wider distances, too.

Meet up with Billie Lurk at the stash on the rooftop opposite from Timsh’s fancy house. Then shock and awe your lieutenant by shooting the barrister once he steps out onto the balcony. I love this one! So badass! Of course, as Billie mentions, you will need to get inside the house to obtain the key from Timshs body in order to unlock the chest where the testament is hidden, but, well.

Once you’ve done that, return to Apartment Nr. 10 and go through the balcony in the back next to the Outsider shrine. That will bring you back to the location of the first gate and help you circumvent the reinforcements heading in through the second gate.

Return to Timsh’s niece the same way you got in and you are golden.

Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches, Killing Delilah

Why this mission?
No mercy for Delilah… Daud has, after all, been warned to never make an enemy of a witch. And, after she’s made it clear that she plans on destroying him, best not to take any chances. Killing Delilah is actually canon in Dishonored 2, so that’s also why I always do that, though ther screaming Daud’s name as she is sucked into the painting is pretty hilarious.

What is more, Daud by this point is resigned in his fate. He knows he cannot escape his destiny. And while his motive for going after Delilah are self-preservation and morbid curiosity for a mystery to be solved, the revelation of her plans regarding Emily Kaldwin validates what the Outsider promised him once: that he would go on to change the world. The fact that killing Delilah will also save Emily from a living death is not the deciding factor in his choice, though. Daud knows that it cannot redeem him. Which is why he never mentions it while asking for a second chance when confronted with Corvo. Desillusioned, he knows he does not deserve that second chance. But, according to canon, Corvo grants him just that.

The Approach
With teleporting witches and cursed wolfhounds aplenty, you will need to approach this mission very carefully and stealthily. Also, before setting out to Brigmore Manor, stock up on supplies. When I last played it I ran out of ammo and elixirs and had to RUN to the painting that leads to the Void while actively being attacked by the Brigmore Witches. Killing Delilah was a relief.

The tricky part is getting into the manor, which can be achieved by cashing in a favor, finding the switch for the vault or by realising that there is a drowned body in the very back of the manor grounds that will grant you the key to the front door.

Whatever you do, exploring the grounds outside is extremely taxing, since you also need to be aware of traps and those acid-spewing swamp creatures.

Once inside the Void, use stealth to swap the paintings Delilah is working on while avoiding being spotted by her statues. If you wish to kill her, confront her and take out her and her doubles and be rewarded with a pretty scary kill cut scene.

More Dishonored?

If your haven’t read my reviews of the Dishonored-games yet, you will find all of that in the dedictated section. I have covered the main games as well as the two DLCs, offering insights and playthroughs.

Until next time!

Cheers
Vanessa