Should I do a No Powers playthrough first?

[Hayden]

Prolly going to get this in the next few days. I like the idea of a no powers playthrough as I thought powers such as slow time and blink made D1 boringly easy.

So, would you advise me doing a no powers playthrough for my first time through D2?

[Cursed Hawkins]

I wouldn't recommend it cause there's new abilities to try out plus new mechanics to get the hang of so I'd hold off on a no powers run until you get the hang of the mechanics at least!

[Hayden]

Originally posted by Cursed Hawkins:

I wouldn't recommend it cause there's new abilities to try out plus new mechanics to get the hang of so I'd hold off on a no powers run until you get the hang of the mechanics at least!

The new abilities really good though? I barely used any of the old ones in D1. Some were cool, like the possession one, but most of the time I just want to get in and out all sneaky like.

[Semipalmated Plover]

Originally posted by The Hawk:

Originally posted by Cursed Hawkins:

I wouldn't recommend it cause there's new abilities to try out plus new mechanics to get the hang of so I'd hold off on a no powers run until you get the hang of the mechanics at least!

The new abilities really good though? I barely used any of the old ones in D1. Some were cool, like the possession one, but most of the time I just want to get in and out all sneaky like.

The stealth mechanics are harder now thankfully.
People see you quicker. They can spot you while you're leaning now. The AI also notice a lot more things like doors being open/being opened etc. So with that in mind, if you're not a seasoned stealth game player it can be tough now. If you are a stealth game player it can still be a bit easy with the powers. I've been playing stealth games since the first Thief and found it easy with powers.

I'd recommend the hardest skill level in any case. And no powers if you love your pure stealth play.

[Hayden]

Originally posted by Semipalmated Plover:

Originally posted by The Hawk:

The new abilities really good though? I barely used any of the old ones in D1. Some were cool, like the possession one, but most of the time I just want to get in and out all sneaky like.

The stealth mechanics are harder now thankfully.
People see you quicker. They can spot you while you're leaning now. The AI also notice a lot more things like doors being open/being opened etc. So with that in mind, if you're not a seasoned stealth game player it can be tough now. If you are a stealth game player it can still be a bit easy with the powers. I've been playing stealth games since the first Thief and found it easy with powers.

I'd recommend the hardest skill level in any case. And no powers if you love your pure stealth play.

Yeah, I've played a lot of stealth games and I'm pretty good at them. Was planning to play on hard anyway.

Thing is, I'm the sort of person that tries to make the most out of my first playthrough. I'm wondering how much I'd miss if I didn't use powers. I read that bone charms aren't used for anything other than money with no powers.

I might play through with powers, but just not use ones like Blink and slow mo or whatever. I basically did that in D1 as well because Blink just ruined the game for me.

[Just Chill]

If you are looking for some impression about playing with No Powers mode, feel free to watch my playlist.

I personally didn't like it.
At least the later levels, especially the ones with many witches.
Dishonored is a stealth game for me indeed, but one where you are able to use special powers.
So the No Powers mode is actually a contradiction about what I think about this game and why I like it. XD

Beside of that it is definitely the most difficult way to play through.
Especially if you have a fresh char (no NG+), which I luckily had not.

[superjunk]

I'm doing my first playthrough on Very Hard, and if I wasn't so stubborn I'd probably set it back to hard so that exploration isn't such a chore. There are so many ways to get through a level, but once I've got a reasonable path sorted it's counterproductive to deviate.

[UFO]

Clockwork mansion on very hard, trying to get the nonlethal/stealth solution... If you wonder about your own tenacity and/or patience this is a pretty good experiment. I did use powers, can't even imagine how hard it would be going full masochist mode.

[Angel]

first feel, new char, no powers, no stealth on very hard... i hate myself already (just finished clockwork mansion)

[Panic Fire]

Originally posted by Angela:

first feel, new char, no powers, no stealth on very hard... i hate myself already (just finished clockwork mansion)

Yep my first run was no stealth, hardest difficulty, all kills, no powers. Played it like a straight up 1980's revenge movie.

[Hayden]

Originally posted by Angela:

first feel, new char, no powers, no stealth on very hard... i hate myself already (just finished clockwork mansion)

Originally posted by Panic Fire:

Originally posted by Angela:

first feel, new char, no powers, no stealth on very hard... i hate myself already (just finished clockwork mansion)

Yep my first run was no stealth, hardest difficulty, all kills, no powers. Played it like a straight up 1980's revenge movie.

And has the experience been worth it? I'm so conflicted. Really am just considering having the powers but not using them just in case they're too much.

[MegaMan]

I finished my own maximum difficulty/no kills/no powers/ghost playthrough the other day. Sometimes it's a little BS, but I'm a masochist and I personally enjoyed most of it. In DH1 I only really used Blink anyway.

There is exactly one bone charm you can't get with no powers. Everything else is obtainable.

[Gin-chan]

The witches in the conservatory feels BS to sneak around with no powers though =-=. Sometimes they just teleport near or behind you at the slightess sound or sight making it almost imposible to manuever for cover to hide quickly with no powers =-=.

Other than that yeah the games pretty fun in its stealth and lots of ways to go around sneaking and i'm also planning a powerless Corvo playthrough XD

Ps Emily's Domino and Shadow Walk powers OP af.

[Just Chill]

Originally posted by Eleventh Doctor:

The witches in the conservatory feels BS to sneak around with no powers though =-=. Sometimes they just teleport near or behind you at the slightess sound or sight making it almost imposible to manuever for cover to hide quickly with no powers =-=.

I totally feel you bro. ^^

I couldn't even count how often I had to reload in that level.

[Gin-chan]

Originally posted by Just Chill:

Originally posted by Eleventh Doctor:

The witches in the conservatory feels BS to sneak around with no powers though =-=. Sometimes they just teleport near or behind you at the slightess sound or sight making it almost imposible to manuever for cover to hide quickly with no powers =-=.

I totally feel you bro. ^^

I couldn't even count how often I had to reload in that level. :awkward:

Yeah i finally managed to power through with shadow walk abuse and Domino+ sleep arrows whenever i spot 2 or more in close proximity but yeah still lost count of how many reload it was due to sudden witch teleport right in front or behind me =0=

[Joosh]

With every game I would say get through it as intended and then replay with various restrictions/limitations.