Dishonored 2 is a game built around choice and strategy, and one of the key elements that enhance your experience is runes. These collectibles grant you skill points to unlock or upgrade abilities, allowing you to tailor your playstyle. Whether you favor a stealthy, no-kill approach or an aggressive, supernatural onslaught, runes are your gateway to mastering the game. This guide will walk you through all 46 rune locations and provide insights into how to maximize their use.

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Understanding Runes and Their Importance

Runes serve as currency for upgrading supernatural abilities, making them an essential resource for both Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin. Throughout the game, there are a total of 46 runes available, giving you ample opportunity to refine and enhance your character’s skillset. Shrines provide a double reward, offering two runes each, making them the most valuable sources. Additionally, with the right upgrades, players can create burnt runes from fragments, ensuring a steady supply beyond what is found in the world.

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Rune Breakdown by Mission

Each mission in Dishonored 2 contains a set number of runes scattered across the environment. Knowing where to look can drastically impact your ability to enhance your abilities early on, giving you an edge as you progress. Here is a breakdown of how many runes you can find in each mission:

Mission 1: A Long Day in Dunwall

• Total Runes: 3
• This introductory mission contains fewer runes but serves as a foundation for unlocking early abilities.

Mission 2: Edge of the World

• Total Runes: 7
• The second mission offers a substantial boost in rune count. Be thorough when exploring Karnaca’s docks and apartments.

Mission 3: The Good Doctor

• Total Runes: 6
• Most runes in this mission are found within the Addermire Institute, so be sure to check every floor carefully.

Mission 4: The Clockwork Mansion

• Total Runes: 6
• With its shifting architecture, this level presents a challenge for completionists. Make use of your heart to track down runes.

Mission 5: The Royal Conservatory

• Total Runes: 6
• The Conservatory is a dense and highly guarded area, so stealth may be key when collecting these runes.

Mission 6: Dust District

• Total Runes: 6
• The Dust District’s random dust storms can help conceal your movements when searching for runes.

Mission 7: A Crack in the Slab

• Total Runes: 3
• Due to the unique time-travel mechanics of this mission, some runes may only be accessible in one timeline. Explore both thoroughly.

Mission 8: The Grand Palace

• Total Runes: 5
• This opulent but heavily secured location requires keen navigation to access all available runes.

Mission 9: Death to the Empress

• Total Runes: 5
• The final mission still offers key upgrades, so don’t overlook these last opportunities to enhance your powers.

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Maximizing Your Rune Usage

With 46 runes in total, it’s crucial to spend them wisely. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most out of them:

• Prioritize Essential Powers: If you’re playing stealthily, invest in powers like Shadow Walk and Blink/Far Reach early on. For combat-focused builds, abilities like Windblast or Domino can be game-changers.
• Use Shrines Efficiently: Since shrines provide double runes, make them a priority when exploring each mission.
• Crafting Burnt Runes: Once the ability tree for crafting burnt runes is fully upgraded, you can create runes from nine pieces of bonecharm scraps. This allows you to exceed the standard rune cap if you focus on collecting resources.
• Revisit Missions if Needed: If you’ve missed runes, replaying missions via mission select can help you gather them without restarting your entire campaign.

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Final Thoughts

Runes are a fundamental part of Dishonored 2, shaping the way you approach each challenge. Whether you prefer to stay in the shadows or confront enemies head-on, collecting all available runes will ensure you can fully embrace the playstyle that suits you best. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to leave a like and stay tuned for more in-depth content!