Dishonored Series: Optimal Play Order Revealed

The Dishonored series, with titles like Dishonored: Death of the Outsider and The Brigmore Witches, can be confusing. This guide clarifies the optimal playing order.

Playing Order: Release Order = Chronological Order

Unlike many game series, Dishonored's timeline is straightforward. The release order mirrors the chronological order. Here's the sequence:

1. Dishonored (2012)
2. The Knife of Dunwall (Dishonored DLC) (2013)
3. The Brigmore Witches (Dishonored DLC) (2013)
4. Dishonored II (2016)
5. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017)

The World of Dishonored: A Quick Overview

Dishonored unfolds in a steampunk world ruled by emperors and empresses, where uneasy peace prevails. Magic, linked to The Void (a parallel dimension inhabited by The Outsider), grants supernatural abilities. Whale oil, a byproduct of supernatural whales, fuels many inventions, a key element of this world's economy.

Chronological Timeline and Game Summaries (Minor Spoilers)

1. 1837 – Dishonored: Empress Jessamine Kaldwin's assassination frames Corvo Attano, her bodyguard. He escapes, aided by The Outsider, to rescue Emily, clear his name, and expose the true assassins amidst a city-wide plague.

2. 1837 – The Knife of Dunwall: Players control Daud, Jessamine's assassin, tasked by The Outsider to hunt the Brigmore Witches, including Delilah Copperspoon.

3. 1837 – The Brigmore Witches: Daud's quest continues, thwarting Delilah's attempt to possess Emily.

4. 1852 – Dishonored II: Emily, now empress, faces a new threat: Delilah Copperspoon, claiming to be the rightful heir. Players control either Corvo or Emily as they confront Delilah in Karnaca.

5. 1852 – Dishonored: Death of the Outsider: Billie Lurk, Daud's former apprentice, rescues him from a cult and investigates their activities.

Essential Playing Order?

While Dishonored II is playable without prior experience, playing the first game enhances understanding of The Outsider and his influence. The DLC is less crucial for Dishonored II, but highly recommended before Death of the Outsider to appreciate Billie Lurk's connection to Daud. The Dishonored Definitive Edition includes all DLC.

Gameplay and Difficulty

All games share similar mechanics. Starting with Dishonored provides a strong foundation for understanding the Outsider's powers and their limitations, making it the easiest starting point.

Main Characters (Major Spoilers Ahead!)

• Corvo Attano: Empress Jessamine's protector, lover, and Emily's father.
• Emily Kaldwin: Corvo and Jessamine's daughter, a capable fighter and diplomat by Dishonored II.
• The Outsider: A mysterious entity granting powers.
• Daud: Leader of assassins, Jessamine's killer, and later a complex character.
• Billie Lurk: Daud's apprentice and protagonist of Death of the Outsider.

This updated guide (1/21/25) provides a comprehensive overview of the Dishonored series and its optimal playing order.