Dishonored Series: Ultimate Chronological Playthrough Guide

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.

Release Order vs. Chronological Order:

Unlike some game franchises, the Dishonored timeline is straightforward. The release order mirrors the chronological order.

Dishonored Games in Release Order:

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:

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 fuels many inventions, reflecting the importance of whaling in this world. Anton Sokolov is a key inventor.

Chronological Timeline and Game Summaries (with 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, the empress'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 the other is petrified. The action shifts to Karnaca.

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

Playing Order Recommendations:

While not strictly mandatory, playing Dishonored first provides context for The Outsider's influence and enhances the experience of Dishonored II. Playing the DLC before Dishonored: Death of the Outsider deepens the understanding of Billie Lurk and her connection to Daud. The Dishonored Definitive Edition includes all DLC.

Main Characters:

(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 in Dishonored II.
• The Outsider: A mysterious entity granting supernatural powers.
• Daud: An assassin who kills Jessamine, later regretting his actions.
• Billie Lurk: Daud's apprentice, the protagonist of Dishonored: Death of the Outsider.

(This article was updated on 1/21/25 to include additional information about the order of the Dishonored games.)