Dishonored Art Dealer Safe Code Guide: Locations, Combinations, and Loot
Unlock the secrets of Bunting's vault with our comprehensive guide to the Dishonored art dealer safe code, including all possible combinations and rewards.
Navigating the rain-slicked streets of Dunwall requires more than just supernatural powers; it requires a keen eye for secrets and a steady hand for cracking vaults. If you are currently stalking through the Distillery District during the "House of Pleasure" mission, you have likely encountered the massive vault in the Art Dealer's apartment. Finding the dishonored art dealer safe code is a pivotal moment in this chapter, as it serves as the key to both immense wealth and a non-lethal resolution for the Pendleton twins.
Unlocking the dishonored art dealer safe code isn't just about the money; it is about completing one of the most intricate side quests offered by the gang leader Slackjaw. Whether you are aiming for a High Chaos run or a stealthy "Ghost" playthrough, the rewards hidden within Bunting’s safe are too valuable to pass up. In this guide, we will break down the exact steps to locate the key, extract the combination, and claim your prize.
The Mission Context: House of Pleasure
The search for the art dealer's safe takes place during Mission 3, titled "House of Pleasure." In this mission, Corvo Attano is tasked with eliminating (or neutralizing) the Pendleton twins, Custis and Morgan. While the main objective is centered on the Golden Cat brothel, the side quest involving the Art Dealer, Bunting, provides a much cleaner way to handle the targets.
Slackjaw, the boss of the Bottle Street Gang, offers you a deal: if you can get him the combination to the art dealer's safe, he will take care of the Pendleton twins for you. This "non-lethal" alternative involves shaving the twins' heads and sending them to work in their own mines—a poetic justice that many players prefer over simple assassination.
Table 1: Mission Objectives and Safe Relevance
| Objective Type | Description | Relation to Safe |
|---|---|---|
| Main Quest | Neutralize the Pendleton Twins | The safe code is required for the non-lethal option. |
| Side Quest | Help Slackjaw | Slackjaw requires the code to "retire" the twins. |
| Exploration | Loot the Art Dealer's House | The safe contains a Rune and a Sokolov Painting. |
| Achievement | "Art Collector" | You must open the safe to collect one of the required paintings. |
Step 1: Securing the Art Dealer's House Key
Before you can even worry about the dishonored art dealer safe code, you need to gain entry to his residence. The Art Dealer's apartment is a multi-story building located near the entrance to the Distillery District, not far from where you encounter your ally, Griff.
However, the front door is locked. To get the key, you must head into the back alleys. Community reports and player experiences suggest that many first-time players miss this step by trying to blink onto the balconies immediately. While possible, the intended path involves rescuing a woman in distress. In an alleyway heavily guarded by City Watchmen, you will find a woman being harassed. Once you eliminate or knock out these guards, she will thank you and provide you with the Art Dealer’s House Key.
Table 2: Key Location Details
| Item | Location | Guardian/Obstacle |
|---|---|---|
| Art Dealer's Key | Alleyway near the Distillery | Two City Guardsmen |
| Apartment Entry | Near Griff’s shop | Locked door (requires key) |
| Safe Location | Top floor of the apartment | Multiple guards inside |
Step 2: Finding the Art Dealer in the Golden Cat
Once you have the key, you might be tempted to head straight to the safe. However, the safe is locked behind a three-digit combination that changes with every playthrough. To find the actual dishonored art dealer safe code, you must venture deep into the Golden Cat brothel.
Bunting, the art dealer, is not a difficult man to find if you follow the sounds of... unusual enjoyment. He is located in the "Silver Room," strapped into an electric chair. According to player experience, Bunting is a bit of a masochist and actually seems to enjoy the "interrogation." To get the code, you must activate the electric shock lever repeatedly.
Be careful not to overdo it if you are playing a non-lethal run, though the game generally treats this as a scripted interrogation rather than a kill. After a few shocks, Bunting will blurt out the combination.
Table 3: Known Possible Combinations
Because Dishonored uses a randomization system for its safe codes, the combination will be one of several possibilities. Based on community data, here are the most frequent codes:
| Code Variant | Frequency | Source/Context |
|---|---|---|
| 879 | High | Most common variant reported by players. |
| 138 | High | Frequently appears in Low Chaos runs. |
| 656 | Medium | Common alternative. |
| 679 | Medium | Reported in various mission replays. |
| 696 | Low | Rare but confirmed variant. |
Step 3: Looting the Safe and Rewards
After securing the code from Bunting, return to his apartment. Be wary, as the apartment is patrolled by guards who were not there during your initial scouting. Once you reach the top floor, you will see the large vault built into the wall.
Inputting the dishonored art dealer safe code will grant you access to some of the best loot in the early game. Inside, you will find a variety of items that are essential for character progression and upgrading your gear.
Table 4: Safe Contents and Value
| Item | Type | Benefit/Value |
|---|---|---|
| The Light on the End, In My Hand | Sokolov Painting | 300 Coins (Required for Art Collector) |
| Rune | Supernatural Upgrade | Used to buy or upgrade powers. |
| Silver Ingots | Currency | High-value vendor trash for upgrades. |
| Loose Coins | Currency | General spending. |
For players looking to optimize their gear, the coins found here are usually enough to buy a significant upgrade from Piero back at the Hound Pits Pub, such as the crossbow range increase or additional bone charm slots. You can find more details on gear upgrades at the official Dishonored Steam community page.
Strategic Tips for the Art Dealer's Apartment
Navigating the apartment can be tricky, especially if you are aiming for a "Clean Hands" run. The interior is cramped, making it difficult to hide bodies if you choose to knock out the guards.
- Verticality is Key: Use the chandeliers and high shelves to stay out of the guards' line of sight.
- The Balcony Exit: After looting the safe, don't head back out the front door. There is a balcony on the top floor that allows for a quick Blink or Reach to the nearby rooftops, bypassing the guards on the lower floors.
- Slackjaw's Reward: Remember that if you give the code to Slackjaw, he will reward you by removing the Pendletons. However, you can still loot the safe before giving him the code. This "double-dipping" is highly recommended to maximize your resources.
Table 5: Approach Comparison
| Action | Stealth/Non-Lethal | High Chaos/Combat |
|---|---|---|
| Entering the House | Use the balcony or side windows. | Fight through the front door. |
| Dealing with Guards | Sleep darts or choke-outs. | Springrazors or sword combat. |
| Getting the Code | Shock Bunting until he speaks. | Shock Bunting until he speaks (same). |
| Outcome | Slackjaw handles the twins. | You likely kill the twins yourself. |
The "Art Collector" Achievement
For trophy hunters, the dishonored art dealer safe code is mandatory. One of the game's most prestigious achievements is "Art Collector," which requires Corvo to find and steal every Sokolov painting scattered throughout Dunwall.
The painting inside Bunting's safe, "The Light on the End, In My Hand," is often the one players miss because it requires the extra steps of visiting the Golden Cat and returning to the apartment. If you finish the mission without opening this safe, you will be locked out of the achievement for that playthrough.
Common Player Pitfalls
Many players report frustration when the dishonored art dealer safe code they saw in a YouTube video doesn't work. As mentioned earlier, this is due to the game's internal randomization. Always ensure you actually "interrogate" Bunting in the Golden Cat to trigger the code's generation in your specific save file.
Another common mistake is killing Bunting before getting the code. While you can technically guess the code by brute-forcing all 1,000 combinations (000-999), it is incredibly time-consuming and ruins the flow of the game. If Bunting dies prematurely, your best bet is to reload a previous save.
Conclusion
The quest for the dishonored art dealer safe code is a perfect microcosm of what makes Dishonored so great: it blends exploration, moral choices, and rewarding gameplay into a single objective. By rescuing the woman in the alley, infiltrating the Golden Cat, and navigating the Art Dealer's traps, you earn more than just coins—you earn a tactical advantage that can change the course of the entire mission.
Whether you are handing the combination over to Slackjaw to keep your hands clean or simply looking to fund your next round of upgrades at Piero’s, Bunting’s vault is a stop every Corvo should make. Just remember: in Dunwall, knowledge is just as valuable as whale oil, and a three-digit code can be the difference between a successful heist and a messy failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dishonored art dealer safe code?
The dishonored art dealer safe code is randomized for every playthrough. However, the most common combinations are 879, 138, 656, 679, and 696. You must find Bunting in the Golden Cat brothel and use the electric chair to force him to reveal the specific code for your current game.
Can I open the art dealer's safe without going to the Golden Cat?
Yes, you can technically "brute force" the safe by trying every combination from 000 to 999. However, this is not recommended as it takes a significant amount of time. The intended way to find the dishonored art dealer safe code is to play through the mission objectives and interrogate the art dealer.
Does giving the code to Slackjaw prevent me from looting the safe?
No! You can go to the Art Dealer's apartment and use the dishonored art dealer safe code to steal the loot for yourself first. Afterward, you can still go to Slackjaw and give him the code to complete his quest and receive the non-lethal solution for the Pendleton twins.
Where is the Art Dealer's house located?
The house is located in the Distillery District, near the area where you find Griff the merchant. It is a large, opulent building that stands out from the surrounding slums. You will need the Art Dealer's House Key, which is obtained by saving a woman from guards in a nearby alleyway.