GameTimeline

Release & story order

Dishonored timeline

Arkane Studios' Dishonored from the 2012 stealth debut through Dishonored 2 and Death of the Outsider—US release dates, Dunwall-to-Karnaca chronology, Daud DLC placement, and where to start in 2026.

Updated August 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

Release order

When Arkane shipped each chapter—Dishonored (October 2012), Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches DLC (2013), Dishonored 2 (November 2016), Death of the Outsider (September 2017).

  • Newcomers → Dishonored Definitive Edition → Dishonored 2 → Death of the Outsider
  • Include Knife of Dunwall + Brigmore Witches between 1 and 2 for full Daud arc
  • Death of the Outsider → valid standalone if you skip 1–2 (spoilers reduced)
  • Low vs high chaos changes endings—not separate Story rows
Story order tips

Empire of the Isles chronology: Corvo's Dishonored 1 → Daud's Knife of Dunwall → Brigmore Witches → Dishonored 2 (Emily or Corvo) → Billie Lurk in Death of the Outsider.

  • Core path: Dishonored 1 → Knife of Dunwall → Brigmore Witches → Dishonored 2 → Death of the Outsider
  • Dishonored 2 → play as Emily (canon sequel lead) or Corvo
  • Death of the Outsider → Billie vs the Outsider—closes the Void arc
  • On Story order, late-game rows may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Dishonored

    Dishonored

    PCPS3Xbox 360StealthMainlineImmersive sim

    Corvo Attano framed for empress regicide—Blink, possession, and Dunwall rat plague.

    Overview
    Arkane's stealth immersive sim—multiple routes and chaos system.
    In-game setting
    Franchise opener. Definitive Edition bundles DLC. Steam App 205100.
    Should you play it?
    Start here for Empire of the Isles lore.
    Release date
    US release October 9, 2012 (consoles); October 8 on Steam.
  2. Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall

    Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall

    PCPS3Xbox 360ExpansionStory

    Play as assassin Daud—Delilah's conspiracy begins in Dunwall.

    Overview
    First story DLC—Daud's perspective parallel to Corvo's campaign.
    In-game setting
    Sets up Brigmore Witches and Dishonored 2 antagonist threads.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Dishonored 1 main campaign.
    Release date
    US release April 16, 2013.
  3. Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches

    Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches

    PCPS3Xbox 360ExpansionStory

    Daud's finale in Brigmore Manor—Delilah's coven and the Outsider's stake.

    Overview
    Concludes Daud arc; bridges directly into Dishonored 2 setup.
    In-game setting
    Required for full story before Karnaca.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Knife of Dunwall.
    Release date
    US release August 13, 2013.
  4. Dishonored 2

    Dishonored 2

    PCPS4Xbox OneStealthMainlineImmersive sim

    Emily or Corvo in Karnaca—Delilah's coup fifteen years after Dunwall.

    Overview
    Dual protagonists, expanded powers, and Clockwork Mansion set piece.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel. Steam App 403640.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Dishonored 1 + Daud DLC for full context.
    Release date
    US release November 11, 2016.
  5. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

    Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

    PCPS4Xbox OneStealthStandaloneImmersive sim

    Billie Lurk hunts the Outsider—standalone adventure, smaller scope than 2.

    Overview
    Arkane's Void finale—Flesh and Bone powers, no chaos meter.
    In-game setting
    Valid entry point for newcomers; richer after 1–2. Steam App 614570.
    Should you play it?
    Last mainline Dishonored release as of August 2026.
    Release date
    US release September 15, 2017.

FAQ

Release vs story order, DLC between 1 and 2, low-chaos routes, and Arkane cousins.

Release order

Release order is ship dates (2012 → 2013 DLC → 2016 → 2017). Story order inserts Knife of Dunwall and Brigmore Witches between Dishonored 1 and 2—same 1837 year, Daud's perspective. Death of the Outsider follows Dishonored 2 in both.

Full saga: Dishonored (Definitive Edition) → Knife of Dunwall → Brigmore Witches → Dishonored 2 → Death of the Outsider. Shortcut: Dishonored 2 alone works mechanically; DotO is marketed standalone but rewards full lore.

Story & DLC

For full story, yes—Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches introduce Delilah and explain threads Dishonored 2 assumes. They are mid-length campaigns, not cosmetic packs. Included in Definitive Edition.

Arkane designed Death of the Outsider as a standalone entry—Billie Lurk, shorter campaign, no chaos meter. It spoils less of 1–2 than you'd expect but hits harder if you know the Outsider and Daud. Recommended after Dishonored 2 for full saga.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.