Does Lord Shaw count as a kill in Dishonored?

Does Lord Shaw Count as a Kill in Dishonored?

TL;DR: No, Lord Shaw does not count as a kill in Dishonored, as using the duel as a legal form of combat does not affect any achievement or kill count statistics.

Introduction:

In the world of stealth and strategy that is Dishonored, there’s always a fine line to walk between taking out enemies and keeping a low profile. One such contentious issue is whether or not Lord Shaw, the noblesman who duels Corvo, counts as a kill. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Dishonored’s combat mechanics to provide a definitive answer to this question.

Counting Kills:

Kills in Dishonored are tracked through a hidden counter that increments whenever the player takes out an enemy using any means, aside from non-lethal combat. This includes sneaky takedowns, creative uses of the environment, and even the more ruthless methods of simply stabbing one’s enemies to death with a sword.

Legitimate Combat:

Using the duel as a valid form of combat with Lord Shaw is a legal alternative to simply killing him without provocation. The twist is that this form of combat does not count toward the player’s overall kill count. This means that, even if Lord Shaw falls to the blade due to the player’s intervention, it will not register as a kill in the conventional sense.

What Contributes to a Kill in Dishonored?

So, what factors decide whether an enemy death can be counted as a "kill" in Dishonored? Here’s a breakdown of the contributing criteria:

• Meathod of Death: Certain methods of killing enemies (like using the Crossbow, Pistol, or Wraithbolt) contribute towards the kill count.
• Non-Lethal Options: Using non-lethal methods, such as Sleep Darts or other non-fatal means to incapacitate enemies, counts as a "no kills" or "zero damage" playthrough.
• Duelist Clauses: Engaging Lord Shaw in a duel provides a legal alternative to murdering him, which in itself does not contribute to a kill count.

Other Scenarios:

Two other scenarios worth noting concerning Lord Shaw’s potential murder are:

• What Happens if I Simply Kill Him?: Well, in this scenario, Lord Shaw’s demise may be counted as a legitimate kill, depending on which method you use. Since this is not an engagement of a duel, he would be considered an illegitimate target.
• Using a Sleep Dart with Lord Shaw: While Lady Emily Kaldwin could be immune to sleep dart attacks, Lord Shaw itself is not. Yes, you can use the sleep dart on Lord Shaw, but it won’t affect the kill count any differently than if you, say, used the sleep dart on a guard on the streets of Dunwall.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there is no kill count added to your total if Lord Shaw is defeated during his duel with Corvo or any other means, neither of which contributes to achieving a "kill". Both legal and illegal forms of combat have their place, and it’s crucial for players to understand how stealth and strategy can influence not only the game’s balance but also the statistics keeping track of their accomplishments throughout the game.

Keep silent, keep hidden, or take the fight head-on – in Dishonored, the choice is entirely yours.