Devouring Swarm is a supernatural ability in Dishonored and Dishonored 2. It allows Corvo Attano to summon forth a swarm of ravenous rats that will attack any characters in the immediate area. Devouring Swarm consumes 40% of Corvo's total mana.
Dishonored
Tier I - (3 runes)
With Tier I Devouring Swarm, Corvo can summon a swarm of rats which attacks and eats foes.
Tier II - (4 runes)
With Tier II Devouring Swarm, the swarm is larger, allowing its attacks to do more damage and allowing it to eat foes faster.
Dishonored 2
Ability | Runes | Previous upgrade | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Devouring Swarm | 4 | None | Summon rats that attack enemies and devour bodies. |
Greater Swarm | 2 | Devouring Swarm | Increase the size of your rat swarm. |
Rat Piper | 2 | Devouring Swarm | Summon a rat swarm that follows you. |
Twin Swarms | 3 | Devouring Swarm | Summon two smaller rat swarms. |
Usage tips
- Rats summoned by Corvo will not attack him.
- Devouring Swarm can be used to dispose of groups of enemies or corpses without Corvo having to reveal his presence.
- Devouring Swarm is particularly effective at distracting enemies in the middle of combat, permitting Corvo to kill or escape without much difficulty.
- Similarly, it can be used to lure multiple enemies to one spot by summoning a swarm near a large yet dispersed group of enemies. This can then be followed up by a grenade toss. If timed correctly, this can easily take out a large number of enemies simultaneously.
- Like standard, the summoned rats will not attack weepers and can be possessed by Corvo.
- All strategies and tips regarding regular rat possession are also valid here.
- When Granny Rags uses Devouring Swarm, she, unlike Corvo, seems to have a degree of control over the rats.
- Rats summoned by Corvo will not attack her - instead, she will thank Corvo for summoning more of her "little pretties".
- If Corvo has the Gutter Feast or Carrion Killer bone charms equipped, killing a summoned swarm is a good tactic for harvesting mana or adrenaline, respectively.
- The Albinos bone charm can make the mana side of this strategy more efficient.
- In Dishonored 2, equipping the Blood Sacrifice bone charm then summoning and killing a swarm of rats can restore lots of health. Equipping an upgraded Spiritual Sacrifice bone charm can give more mana than summoning the swarm takes.
- The above strategy involving Gutter Feast and Albinos also works in Dishonored 2.
- Without the Twins Swarms upgrade (Dishonored 2 only) Corvo cannot summon two rat swarms simultaneously. Attempting to summon a second swarm of rats will disperse the first.
- The Rat Piper upgrade does not mean Corvo's rats always follow him. Sometimes, they can get distracted by dead or unconscious bodies.
Related Bone Charms
Void Walker's Arsenal
- Void Channel - Increased duration for the rat swarm.
Trivia
- The Lonely Rat Boy has a version of this power. The only known difference is that the rats he summons can attack him.
- If Granny Rags is killed or knocked unconscious at any point, her body will disappear and summon a swarm of rats.
- These rats will attempt to attack Corvo, regardless of other characters who may be easier to access.
Audio
Devouring Swarm sound effect.
Gallery
Supernatural Abilities | |
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Dishonored |
Dark Vision • Blink • Possession • Bend Time • Devouring Swarm • Windblast |
The Knife of Dunwall | |
The Brigmore Witches | |
Enhancements |