Dishonored Series: Chronological 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.

Release Order vs. Chronological Order:

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

Playing 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)

World Setting:

The Dishonored universe is a steampunk world ruled by emperors and empresses, with a fragile peace and a unique magical system tied to The Void and The Outsider, a mysterious entity who grants supernatural abilities. Whale oil fuels much of the technology, a consequence of the supernatural nature of whales in this world.

Chronological Breakdown & Story Summaries (Minor Spoilers):

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

• 1837 – The Knife of Dunwall: Players control Daud, Jessamine's assassin, who, summoned by The Outsider, hunts the Brigmore Witches, including Delilah Copperspoon.

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

• 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.

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

Playing Order Recommendations:

While Dishonored II is playable without prior experience, playing the first game enhances understanding of The Outsider and his influence. Playing the DLCs before Death of the Outsider provides crucial context for Billie Lurk's character arc. The Dishonored Definitive Edition includes all DLC.

Main Characters (Major Spoilers):

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

The optimal playing order is generally the release order, providing a smoother narrative experience and better understanding of the game mechanics and character development. This article was updated on 1/21/25.