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"Guide to Playing Dishonored Games Sequentially"

by Ethan May 17,2025

The *Dishonored* series, with its intriguing titles like *Dishonored: Death of the Outsider* and *The Brigmore Witches*, can sometimes be a bit confusing to navigate. To help you get the most out of your gaming experience, we've arranged the *Dishonored* games in their proper sequence.

Dishonored Games in Release Order

The beauty of the *Dishonored* series is its straightforward timeline. There are no prequels to worry about; the release order aligns perfectly with the chronological order. Here’s how you can dive into the *Dishonored* universe:

  • *Dishonored* – 2012
  • *The Knife of Dunwall* (*Dishonored* DLC) – 2013
  • *The Brigmore Witches* (*Dishonored* DLC) – 2013
  • *Dishonored II* – 2016
  • *Dishonored: Death of the Outsider* – 2017

The World of Dishonored

Dishonored World

Before delving deeper, it's essential to grasp the setting of *Dishonored*. The series unfolds in a Steampunk-inspired realm, governed by emperors and empresses, where peace is often tenuous at best. Magic, while present, isn't as widespread as in other fantasy worlds. It's linked to The Void, a mysterious dimension inhabited by The Outsider, who can grant supernatural powers to chosen individuals, though his reasons remain enigmatic.

This world runs on whale oil, a critical resource for its inventions, thanks to the genius of Anton Sokolov. Due to the supernatural nature of whales, their oil is exceptionally powerful. As Corvo Attano, you enter this fascinating and complex world.

Dishonored Timeline in Chronological Order

Here's how each *Dishonored* game and DLC fits into the series' timeline, along with a brief summary of each, with minor spoilers:

1837 – Dishonored: In Dunwall, Empress Jessamine Kaldwin is assassinated, and her bodyguard, Corvo Attano, is wrongfully accused and imprisoned. With assistance from The Outsider, Corvo escapes to rescue Jessamine’s daughter, Emily, clear his name, and exact justice amidst a city battling a rat-borne plague.

1837 – Dishonored DLC: The Knife of Dunwall: You play as Daud, the assassin behind Jessamine's murder. Summoned by The Outsider, Daud sets out to track down The Brigmore Witches, including Delilah Copperspoon, a former friend of Jessamine.

1837 – Dishonored DLC: The Witches of Brigmore: Daud's journey continues as he uncovers Delilah's plot to possess Emily supernaturally, which he must thwart.

1852 – Dishonored 2: Emily, now an adult empress, faces new threats including a serial killer and Delilah Copperspoon, who claims to be Jessamine’s sister and rightful heir. You can play as either Corvo or Emily, with the other character turned to stone, as you combat Delilah's scheme in Karnaca.

1852 – Dishonored: Death of the Outsider: As Billie Lurk, a former follower of Daud, you rescue him from the Eyeless cult and delve into their mysteries.

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Related: How to Play the Dragon Age Games in Order

Do You Need to Play Dishonored Before Dishonored 2?

While not strictly necessary, playing *Dishonored* first enriches your understanding of The Outsider and his influence on the series' world.

Do You Need to Play Dishonored’s DLC Before Dishonored 2?

The *Dishonored* DLC isn't crucial for *Dishonored 2*, but it's highly recommended for *Death of the Outsider* to better understand Billie Lurk and her connection to Daud. The Definitive Edition of *Dishonored*, available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, includes the DLC, which is well worth exploring for its compelling story and gameplay.

Is It Easier to Play the Dishonored Games in Any Particular Order?

Starting with *Dishonored* introduces you to the game's mechanics and the powers granted by The Outsider, making it easier to progress through the series in release order.

Who Are the Main Characters in the Dishonored Series?

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Corvo Attano: The protagonist and Royal Protector of Empress Jessamine Kaldwin, Corvo is also secretly her lover and father to Emily Kaldwin.

Emily Kaldwin: Daughter of Corvo and Jessamine, Emily grows from a child in the first game into a skilled fighter and diplomat by *Dishonored 2*.

The Outsider: A mysterious figure residing in The Void, The Outsider grants powers to selected individuals with unclear motives.

Daud: An assassin with powers from The Outsider, Daud leads a group of assassins and assassinates Jessamine, later expressing regret.

Billie Lurk / Meagan Foster: Daud's apprentice and later second-in-command, Billie becomes the protagonist of *Dishonored: Death of the Outsider*.

And that's the complete guide on how to play the *Dishonored* games in order.

*The above article was updated on 1/21/25 by the original author to include additional information about the order of the Dishonored games.*