Do some NPCs have plot armor?

[psionyx]

So I've decided I'm going to go for more of an assassin kind of character with this run, and I've seen some mention that you can play a stealth/thief/etc type fairly well. But based on my interactions with at least 1 plot related NPC I met early on, is it safe to assume that some of them are just invincible because killing them would jack up the plot later in the game? Because it sure didn't let me shank him in his sleep when I tried it.
Is this just a factor of the early game (I'm just starting out) and they're handholding me through the tutorial missions and eventually these NPCs will lose their invincibility? Or am I just SoL in that regard?

[DargonBlak]

"Stealth Kill" is always a kill if it is "successful"

the "Stealth Kill" action invokes a "skill contest" between Henry and the one he is trying to murder, with the skill contest being resolved using an RNG (roll of the dice)

there is always a risk of failing a "Stealth Kill", but yes, low skill level is a primary factor in the early game

as Henry develops his skills, it becomes the more likely that Henry will win the skill contest, but some NPCs are more difficult than others

Strength, Agility, and Stealth all seem related to improving the chance to "Stealth Kill"

and as a note, there is one dark clad armored man in the prologue that cannot die

[NZL_Kazuiyo]

cant even attack some npcs. the training guy comes to mind.

[psionyx]

Originally posted by DargonBlak:

"Stealth Kill" is always a kill if it is "successful"

the "Stealth Kill" action invokes a "skill contest" between Henry and the one he is trying to murder, with the skill contest being resolved using an RNG (roll of the dice)

there is always a risk of failing a "Stealth Kill", but yes, low skill level is a primary factor in the early game

as Henry develops his skills, it becomes the more likely that Henry will win the skill contest, but some NPCs are more difficult than others

Strength, Agility, and Stealth all seem related to improving the chance to "Stealth Kill"

and as a note, there is one dark clad armored man in the prologue that cannot die

.....soooo.....I didn't ask for a stealth kill tutorial, I asked about plot armor preventing being able to attempt knock outs/stealth kills on certain npcs. I know how the mechanics of it work, I've done it to others.

Originally posted by NZL_Kazuiyo:

cant even attack some npcs. the training guy comes to mind.

thank you, someone who actually read my question instead of just assuming they needed to give a lecture about a completely different thing.

[DargonBlak]

Originally posted by psionyx:

.....soooo.....I didn't ask for a stealth kill tutorial, I asked about plot armor preventing being able to attempt knock outs/stealth kills on certain npcs. I know how the mechanics of it work, I've done it to others.

... sooo ... my bad for guessing your ask ? i was rather m ixed up after readiung the rambling post - thank you for clarifying (or i coulda read the title only i suppose ?)

... sooo ...."plot armor for knockouts and stealth kills ??? ... best answer is "sometimes"

some plot characters certainly cannot be stealth killed, knocked out or pickpocketed

and this can even change during the game (not always consistent)

and some characters cannot be stealth killed, but can be killed after knockout

not all plot-related characters are protected, some plot related characters can actually be killed using Stealth Kill (really screws with the game)

and not all protected characters are necessary for the plot

and just because you cannot stealth kill, doesn't mean the NPC can't be killed

so, it's not really a complete "plot armor", only sometimes

there's the tutorial you asked for

[Echolecter]

There are several characters that you cannot choke or kill. Reason for this is that they are part of main or side quests. Some examples of characters you cannot fight or kill are, Sir Hanush, Radzig, Devish, Hans Capon, and many others. If so, these options are hidden. All other civilians you can kill but they will return after some time. Although with few it is advised not to do that, they might not talk to Henry during in quests, or run away.

[danilo.schoeneberg]

Originally posted by psionyx:

So I've decided I'm going to go for more of an assassin kind of character with this run, and I've seen some mention that you can play a stealth/thief/etc type fairly well. But based on my interactions with at least 1 plot related NPC I met early on, is it safe to assume that some of them are just invincible because killing them would jack up the plot later in the game? Because it sure didn't let me shank him in his sleep when I tried it.
Is this just a factor of the early game (I'm just starting out) and they're handholding me through the tutorial missions and eventually these NPCs will lose their invincibility? Or am I just SoL in that regard?

Some NPCs can't be killed, as you would break the game if they were missing later in the main quest line.

[2GenL]

Even though the game tried to be realistic, it still remains a game and needs people alive to run the questline without breaking of softlocking people out from playing

[gr1nie]

this game is le cinematic experience™ first everything else second

[psionyx]

Originally posted by 2GenL:

Even though the game tried to be realistic, it still remains a game and needs people alive to run the questline without breaking of softlocking people out from playing

Sure, some games follow that rule, others do not, and actually account for (or at least attempt) players having different opinions on various characters, and whether or not they should work with them. Seeing as I've only started playing this game, I wasn't sure if this fell into the former or latter category

[Anvil of War]

Put simply all the people that have plot armor in the game are people that largely Henry shouldn't be attacking in the first place. I think it would have been cool to have a special game over for a player to do truly stupid things like attempt killing any of the Nobles such as Sir Hans, Sir Hanush, Sir Radzig, and perhaps even a few other named individuals like Sir Bernard and Sir Robard. A cutscene for a Gallows or perhaps the Executioners Block.