Dishonored Sick Hound Disposal Code: How to Unlock the Kennel Cache and Find Loot
Struggling with the Dishonored sick hound disposal code? Our guide provides the solution, lore clues, and a walkthrough of the High Overseer Kennels.
In the grim, plague-stricken streets of Dunwall, every resource you find is a lifeline for Corvo Attano. During the mission "High Overseer Campbell," players often stumble upon a locked door in the Kennels that requires a specific dishonored sick hound disposal code. Cracking the dishonored sick hound disposal code is not just about the loot; it is a testament to the environmental storytelling that makes this immersive sim a masterpiece.
Whether you are aiming for a "Clean Hands" run or a "High Chaos" rampage, understanding how to navigate the Abbey of the Everyman’s territory is crucial. The Kennels are a particularly dangerous area, filled with aggressive hounds and patrolling Overseers. Finding the combination to the disposal room allows you to bypass certain hazards and secure valuable items that will aid your journey to clear Corvo's name.
Locating the Sick Hound Disposal Area
The Kennels are situated within the Holger Square area, just before you enter the main building of the Office of the High Overseer. As you navigate the yard, you will find a door leading down into a dark, damp subterranean section where the Abbey keeps its guard dogs. This area is divided into several cells and a central disposal room where "sick" or "tainted" hounds are sent for incineration.
Player experience suggests that this area is one of the first major tests of a player's ability to use the environment to their advantage. The door to the disposal room is locked with a three-digit combination dial. While you can technically brute-force the lock by trying every number from 000 to 999, the game provides a much more elegant solution hidden within the lore of the world.
| Location Feature | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Cell F | A locked kennel cell | Contains a dead body and a crucial lore book. |
| The Note | Found in the corridor | Mentions the "Seven Strictures" as the basis for the code. |
| The Disposal Door | The target lock | Requires the 3-digit combination to open. |
| Incinerator | Inside the disposal room | Used for disposing of hound carcasses. |
Deciphering the Clues: The Seven Strictures
The puzzle surrounding the dishonored sick hound disposal code is deeply rooted in the religious dogma of the Abbey of the Everyman. Throughout the game, you will find references to the "Seven Strictures," a set of moral laws that the Overseers live by. A note found near the kennels—specifically in the corridor leading toward the Main Hall—hints that the code is derived from specific tenets of these strictures.
Community reports indicate that many players overlook the "Overseer’s Manual" or the "Seven Strictures" book, which are scattered throughout the mission. To solve the puzzle yourself, you must match the names of the strictures mentioned in the disposal note to their corresponding numbers in the holy book.
The Logic Behind the Combination
The note left by an Overseer mentions three specific strictures that have been chosen for the code. In the world of Dishonored, the strictures are numbered 1 through 7. By identifying which strictures are referenced, you can assemble the code in the order they are listed.
| Stricture Number | Name of the Tenet | Moral Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Wandering Gaze | Vigilance against the Void |
| 2 | The Lying Tongue | Honesty and truth |
| 3 | The Restless Hands | Industry and labor |
| 4 | The Outward Glance | Focus on the community |
| 5 | The Rambling Feet | Staying on the path of righteousness |
| 6 | The Idle Mind | Mental discipline |
| 7 | The Voracious Appetite | Temperance and restraint |
The Solution: Entering the Dishonored Sick Hound Disposal Code
If you are looking for the direct answer without hunting through the dark corners of the kennels, the dishonored sick hound disposal code is 217.
This combination corresponds to the 2nd, 1st, and 7th strictures mentioned in the clues found within the mission. Entering this into the keypad will unlock the door, granting you access to the room. Inside, you will find a variety of items that are particularly useful for early-game progression.
Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking the Room
- Reach the Kennels: Neutralize or avoid the Overseers in the courtyard of Holger Square.
- Locate the Note: Find the note in the final corridor before the entrance to the High Overseer’s mansion. It explains that the code is based on the strictures.
- Optional - Find the Book: If you want to see the lore for yourself, head to Cell F. You may need to find a valve or lever to open certain cell doors.
- Input the Code: Return to the disposal room door and spin the dials to 2-1-7.
- Collect Loot: Enter the room and scavenge everything available.
| Step | Action | Potential Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entry | Guard patrols and hounds can spot you easily. |
| 2 | Investigation | Staying too long in one spot increases detection risk. |
| 3 | Code Entry | The clicking of the lock is quiet, but stay alert for nearby guards. |
| 4 | Looting | Don't forget to check the shelves and the floor. |
Loot and Rewards: What’s Behind the Door?
Opening the door with the dishonored sick hound disposal code provides more than just a sense of accomplishment. The room functions as a small supply cache. While the exact contents can vary slightly based on your difficulty settings and random loot generation, players typically find a Bone Charm, which is one of the most valuable collectible types in the game.
Bone Charms provide passive buffs to Corvo, such as faster mana regeneration, increased health from eating food, or faster movement while carrying bodies. Given how early this mission occurs in the game, securing a Bone Charm here can significantly impact your effectiveness in the subsequent hours of play.
Common Items Found Inside
- Bone Charm: A random supernatural artifact that grants a passive bonus.
- Sleep Darts: Essential for non-lethal players.
- Medicinal Elixir: Restores health.
- Piero’s Spiritual Remedy: Restores mana for powers like Blink and Dark Vision.
- Silver Ingots/Coins: Currency used to purchase upgrades at the Hound Pits Pub.
Mastering the High Overseer Campbell Mission
The dishonored sick hound disposal code is just one small part of a much larger, complex mission. High Overseer Campbell is your primary target, but the mission offers multiple ways to deal with him. You can kill him outright, or you can choose a non-lethal "poetic justice" route by branding him with the Heretic's Brand.
Exploration is the key to success in Dishonored. The more notes you read and the more vents you crawl through, the more options you unlock. For instance, discovering the "Brand" in the interrogation room allows for a non-lethal resolution that has long-term effects on the game's world and the "Chaos" system.
Comparison of Mission Approaches
| Approach | Chaos Impact | Reward/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Lethal (Assassination) | High | Immediate mission completion; more guards in later levels. |
| Non-Lethal (Branding) | Low | Campbell appears later as a weeper; lower guard presence. |
| Ghost (Undetected) | None | Achievement progress; easiest path to "Low Chaos" ending. |
The Importance of Exploration in Dishonored
The inclusion of puzzles like the dishonored sick hound disposal code highlights the design philosophy of Arkane Studios. They reward players who take the time to inhabit the world rather than just sprinting toward the objective marker. By reading books about the Abbey of the Everyman, you aren't just learning "flavor text"; you are gaining the keys to the kingdom.
This level of detail is what has kept Dishonored relevant for over a decade. Players continue to share tips on platforms like the Steam Community to help newcomers navigate the intricacies of Dunwall. Whether it's a safe code in a ruined apartment or a kennel combination, these secrets are woven into the very fabric of the city's history.
Exploration Tips for New Players
- Use Dark Vision: This power is invaluable for spotting loot, notes, and enemy patrol paths through walls.
- Look Up: Dishonored features incredible verticality. Often, the best way into a room isn't the front door, but a transom window or a balcony.
- Listen to Conversations: Guards often reveal secrets, patrol gaps, or even safe codes through their idle chatter.
- Check Every Body: Looting unconscious or dead enemies can yield keys that bypass the need for codes entirely in some areas.
Other Notable Codes in the Mission
While the dishonored sick hound disposal code is a frequent point of confusion, it isn't the only lock you'll encounter during your hunt for Campbell. The mission is dense with hidden caches. For example, there is a safe in the house of a local healer that requires a different set of clues involving a "favorite month."
Community reports often confuse these two puzzles. The healer’s safe code is typically 287 (based on the 28th day of the 7th month, though this can vary or be interpreted differently in some lore notes). Always ensure you are looking at the right note for the right lock to avoid frustration.
| Safe/Lock Location | Code | Clue Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kennel Disposal | 217 | Seven Strictures Note |
| Dr. Galvani’s Safe | 287 | Galvani’s Journal |
| Overseer’s Secret Room | Key Required | Found on Campbell’s person |
| Barracks Safe | 203 | Note in the mess hall |
FAQ
What is the Dishonored sick hound disposal code?
The code to the sick hound disposal room in the Kennels is 217. This code is derived from the "Seven Strictures" of the Abbey of the Everyman, which are referenced in a note found nearby in the High Overseer Campbell mission.
Where can I find the clues for the kennel code?
You can find the clues by reading a note located in the corridor just before entering the main hall of the High Overseer's mansion. Additionally, a book detailing the Seven Strictures can be found in Cell F of the Kennels, which helps explain the logic behind the numbers.
What loot is inside the hound disposal room?
The most significant item inside the disposal room is usually a Bone Charm. You may also find various consumable items such as Sleep Darts, health elixirs, and mana potions, along with some coins or silver ingots to boost your currency.
Does the sick hound disposal code change?
In the original Dishonored, the dishonored sick hound disposal code is static and remains 217 across different playthroughs. Unlike some modern games that randomize codes, the environmental puzzles in this mission are consistent, allowing players to use the same solution in subsequent runs.