---
key: mechanic/point-and-click--family-15
type: mechanic
id: point-and-click--family-15
lang: en
title: 'Persuasion, deception and verbal conflict'
summary: >-
  The player uses arguments, deception or pressure while considering the other
  character's response.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/point-and-click--family-15/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/point-and-click--family-15.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/point-and-click--family-15.md
aliases:
  - Persuasion and verbal conflict
tags:
  - Point-and-click adventures
  - 'Information, reasoning and social interaction'
sourceIds:
  - source-8fcf1671c353b49b
sources:
  - id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b
    title: Disco Elysium
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: point-and-click
    id: family-15
    title: Point-and-click adventures
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/point-and-click/#family-15'
    categoryIds:
      - section-2
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Persuasion and verbal conflict
    description: >-
      The player uses arguments, deception or pressure while considering the
      other character's response.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      crop:
        x: 563
        'y': 38
        width: 825
        height: 712
      game: Disco Elysium
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/632470/ss_23836438cd455287232be5ae9c4f48d5c488967b.1920x1080.jpg?t=1780913406
      credit: ZA/UM
      rights: © ZA/UM. All rights reserved.
      caption: An Authority check among the dialogue options
      alt: An Authority check among the dialogue options
      markers:
        - x: 79
          'y': 72
          label: The reply relies on the character’s authority
    tips:
      - >-
        Show the issue being disputed and cues to the other character’s
        response.
    examples:
      - title: Disco Elysium
        url: >-
          https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original taxonomy adapted from user-selected design discussions; linked
  sources support specific examples, not the whole classification.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/point-and-click
---
# Persuasion, deception and verbal conflict

id: point-and-click--family-15
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/point-and-click--family-15
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/point-and-click--family-15/

The player uses arguments, deception or pressure while considering the other character's response.

## At a glance

![An Authority check among the dialogue options](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp)

[Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) · © ZA/UM. All rights reserved.

1. The reply relies on the character’s authority

- Show the issue being disputed and cues to the other character’s response.

- [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/)

## How it works

The player uses arguments, deception or pressure while considering the other character's response.

## Variants

### Variants

<a id="family-15-branch-1"></a>

- Arguments: use logic, facts, benefits, interests or consequences. <a id="family-15-variant-1"></a>
- Emotional influence: reassure, evoke sympathy, support, flatter or provoke. <a id="family-15-variant-2"></a>
- Authority and role: invoke powers, status, origin, rules or recognized people. <a id="family-15-variant-3"></a>
- Lies and cover stories: impersonate, conceal and maintain consistency. <a id="family-15-variant-4"></a>
- Pressure and deals: threaten, blackmail, bribe, set conditions and bargain. <a id="family-15-variant-5"></a>
- Interrogation: clarify testimony, expose contradictions and present evidence at the right point. <a id="family-15-variant-6"></a>
- Verbal duels: learn responses, recognize tactics and use counterarguments. <a id="family-15-variant-7"></a>
- Interlocutor profiles: discover values, fears, taboos and vulnerabilities. <a id="family-15-variant-8"></a>

## Context and limits

A working classification with 44 families and 355 variants. Families overlap: one puzzle can combine items, dialogue, deduction and a character schedule. Core actions, progression architecture and assistance are separate layers. Sources identify examples from neighboring adventure genres.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original taxonomy adapted from user-selected design discussions; linked sources support specific examples, not the whole classification.

- [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) (id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors