Let's get self-reflective here, /v/. In the game Disco Elysium, there are 24 skills that you can pick and choose to both level up and listen to. At the very start, you are required to pick a "signature skill", one that gets a bonus that no other skill gets. While you are able to pick the detective's, what would you say your signature skill is in real life? If you don't fully know the skills or not even DE itself, just pick the one that stands out as the most "you" skill from the image.

>>713902848 (OP)
I'll start so nobody else has to. I'd say mine is empathy, as trying to understand others' feelings and protect them is a key weakness of mine. I know that's ironic considering I'm posting on 4chan, but there is no better feeling than comforting someone when they most need it.

>>713902848 (OP)
Don't know anyone who could be Shivers

>>713904154
A couple of these are hard cases to argue, but I just want a person's first gut reaction as to what their signature skill would be. Feel free to argue as to why you're this certain skill or just not elaborate. I was just curious.

>>713902848 (OP)
Electro-Chemistry.
Gimme.

The Final Cut skill portraits are such ass that I haven't seen anyone post them over the originals. How did they misunderstand their own art direction like that.

>>713904581
I won't lie, I do enjoy the sort of highlights some of the portraits have, like Physical Instrument or Shivers, but any of the actual changes are terrible.

>>713904581
Also I'm curious as to why Electro-Chemistry, anon. Would you like to explain why or keep it to yourself?

>>713904581
>>713904857
I thought these were scrapped

>>713902848 (OP)
Half-Light. Be the first ready for violence. Never trust anyone.

The enemies of our enemies are frenemies.

>>713903346
>there is no better feeling than comforting someone when they most need it
I suck at comforting people. I feel empathy, I want to help people when they're down, but everything that comes to my mind feels disingenuous or forced so I don't say anything at all and stew in uncomfortable silence, probably making the whole situation worse. The best I can do is make a frowny face and let out a concerned noise.
feels bad man

>>713905047
I believe so? Still, they're funny to poke fun at.
>>713905061
While I don't necessarily agree with your reasoning, Half Light is an extremely important skill to have to both keep yourself safe and have the fire to fight back.

>>713905316
An unlikely and probably uneasy alliance, but still both good skills to have.

>>713905040
There's nothing pithy or poetic about it, it's just pathetic.
I hate being trapped in my own skull, I'm here to drown in a river of whiskey, (You)s and pussy. If anythings offered or available the answer is "Yes" and/or "please". Take my consciousness, mash it coke and pour it down the fucking drain. Meld me with the world, the only times I feel human is when there's none of me left. If I had my way I'd never be sober again.

>>713905047
Yeah, it's just weird they didn't notice what a bad idea they were like 3 portrait re-paints in. Although I agree with the other guy that some of the highlights look nice.

>>713905361
Emotions are difficult, and it's even more difficult knowing what to do in high-stress situations like trying to make someone feel better. My advice? Just let them know you're there for them and that while you don't know the exact words to say or right actions to do, you want to help them. Even if it's just being the shoulder to cry on, I'm sure they'll welcome it all the same.

>>713905581
All I can say is that whatever pain you feel sober subsides one day, and that despite what it might feel like, you're still a human without the whiskey and coke. I am not judging you, Anon, nor am I pitying you. I've known plenty of people in the same situation and have been in it myself. I'm just telling you what I know from my own experiences.

>>713904154

>>713902848 (OP)
>as Harry
I like the idea of visual calculus. It seems by far the most detective-like skill in the entire set, besides maybe, esprit de corps. Too bad you very rarely get to use it to its full effect.
>IRL
Encyclopedia. I sometimes catch myself being the "achchually" meme guy.

Conceptualization

>>713902848 (OP)
Logic, I guess.

>>713902848 (OP)
Half Light
Literally (literally) the worst skill.
>about to go into the most violent part of the whole game
>half light gives you the absolute worst advice (shoot immediately)
CANT EVEN DO ITS FUCKING JOB

>>713905543
As above, so below. The beast called man, and the so-called man-above-beast.
"What the FUCK did you just say to me?" as opposed to "did you REALLY just say that?"
Dialectically complimentary.

>>713902848 (OP)
Bumping, sorry for my abscene,

>>713908226
Its job isn't keeping you nice and calm, that's composure, its job is to be your fight or flight reaction. On that front, it did its job with flying colors considering running away was no longer an option.

>>713907813
Encyclopedia is a perfectly fine skill to head the charge. Not everyone needs to be a superstar or have to have an unshaken desire for power; instead, obtaining knowledge all around you just because you like to is completely valid.

>>713902848 (OP)
I'm bothered by the complete lack of personality in Motorics skills. Savoir Faire is the sole exception, everything else is too literal.

>>713911676
True, though there is some personality in there if you're willing to dive for it. That begs the question then, if they were to be more vocal and expressive, what would they act like?

>>713902848 (OP)
Drama
I'm basically a non-practicing faggot

>>713912121
What is life without a little bit of flair? Drama is the perfect candidate for that if you're not willing to travel down the road of Electro chemistry. It also helps that his usage of words is the most unique out of them all, his Shakespearean dialogue always aiming the spotlight all on him.

>>713909003
It's a shame we don't see the two interact more with each other, then again that can be said about a lot of the skills. The only real back-and-forth we have is between Volition and Electro Chemistry, and that's frankly not enough. Bonus question for the rest of the thread: What skills should've have more interactions with eachother?

>>713912657
The occasional high-level Logic chime-in following similarly high Conceptualization and Inland Empire reactions were great, and mirrored the dichotomy between Rhetoric and Half Light in spirit.

To answer your question: I would imagine high Empathy x Suggestion, and Half Light x Composure would have amusing, head-butting dynamics if explored deeper.

>>713913862
Piggy-backing on your idea of head-butting, I'd also be interested in seeing more in-group fighting between the skills. While Empathy and Authority wear the same jersey, the differences in their philosophies are MASSIVE.Same as endurance and pain threshold. One says take it on the chin, the other knows you absolutely CAN'T do that.

>>713911969
>if they were to be more vocal and expressive, what would they act like?
Hand/Eye would be more attentive about how someone moves and be able to tell what's wrong with their body
Perception would be like inland and shives, giving the memories and thoughts that come with smells, sounds, and vision
Reaction speed would be thinking ten steps ahead and be like half-light and drama, having you get ahead of someone before they do something first
Interfacing would be like encyclopedia but with mechanical objects, be able to tell what the make and history of whatever harry is trying is use
Composure would be stone face and wanting Harry to only do things that will make him look normal or uncaring

>>713902848 (OP)
>what would you say your signature skill is in real life?
Being both really smart and really hot.

I love this lil guy like you wouldn't believe. Inland Empire and Volition are the toughest motherfuckers in the whole game and hold your back in the worst situations. Coach Physical Instrument is also a funny guy.

>>713914465
I would also like the idea that, if too leveled up, they start to work against you. Hand/Eye starts to overanalyze, Perception and interfacing starts going off tangets like Encyclopedia does, etc. Hell, I'd be all for Reaction Speed trying to hard read someone only to fall flat on his face. Looking too far in the future limits what you can imagine in the present.

>>713902848 (OP)
Inland Empire is the most obvious one but Volition isn't far behind.
It's funny, I went from being extremely anxious and pessimistic to the most optimistic person I know.

>>713902848 (OP)
How could I objectively decide what my own is in real life, I can't be the measurement of my own mind or self like that, if I tried, I'd likely be biased to something "cool" or aspirational, not actually me.

>>713914975
>>713915350
These two are fan favorites and there is no reason not to like them. They're the most obvious protectors of Harry, especially Volition, and Inland Empire gives Disco its supernatural edge.

>>713915821
That's perfectly fine! Go ahead, be cool and/or aspirational if you want. I just want how to know you perceive yourself

>>713914975
Also, Coach P.I is very funny yet charming in his own way. Ignoring his blatant homophobia, that is probably from the fear of being see as anything but masculine, He genuinely wants Harry to be in the best shape he can be. I like how, despite how it may seem, none of the skills have malice in what they do or say for Harry. It's just how they, as a concept, believe Harry can be the happiest.

>>713902848 (OP)
>>713903346
Are you sure you aren't suggestion? Trying to bait people into buying the game now that it's on sale?

>>713916675
Fuck no. Sail the seven seas for the damn game so those hacks at ZA/UM don't get a cent after booting the original writers.

>>713902848 (OP)
Man of the people bump

>>713916675
Isn't empathy and suggestion two sides of a same coin? A good-intentioned empathy will try to suggest things are not so bad, to a grief-stricken person.

>>713916006
Logic and Inland Empire I suppose then.

>>713918823
To be fair, there's plenty of overlap between some of the skills. Endurance/Pain Threshold, Hand/eye and Savoir Faire, etc.

>>713919092
One grounded in reality, the other with its head in the clouds. Two ends of a spectrum, and you inhabit both. Goes to show that even the most logical people can dream of the beyond.

>>713919510
So long as I have internal consistency I'm happy.

Me ? I'd say visual calculus. Very pretentious, i know, but i really relate when he goes in an autistic sperg rant about some mental representation he makes of something. it's actually my dayjob too.

>>713919652
No need to be afraid of being pretentious. I just want honesty here. Also, Vis. Cal is a cool skill to have! How does it help with your day job, may I ask?

>>713902848 (OP)
>Drama
>Play the actor. Lie and detect lies.
I think it's less to do with intuition and more to do with the field I work in.
Being good at detecting lies in more casual settings isn't as useful as you'd think. What am I gonna do, cause a scene over something I can't technically prove?

>>713920925
What field do you work in, anon? Also, while detecting a lie in of itself might not help in the moment, it'd allow you to know when you're being played and how to maneuver around it. Might not be able to cause a scene, but you can as hell play around it.

>>713902848 (OP)
Suggestion
If I'm nothing else, I'm good at making people go with my flow. I've always been a pretty good judge of whether I can get somebody to do something I want, and how hard it would be.

>>713922079
You sound very confident, Anon. Got any good tips on how to make someone join your side then?

>>713902848 (OP)
Conceptualization.

>>713902848 (OP)
>What skill is your signature skill?
I actually went for Encyclopedia in my first playtrough and tried to be a proper detective.

Pain threshold or endurance. I've been shot, stabbed, and hit by a car. Never had to spend more than a night in the hospital for any of it.
I wish I could say it was something from the intellect or psyche categories, they're way more useful in the modern world. Unfortunately though, I'm not a very smart man.

>>713922315
Smile a lot, seem easygoing. Be reliable. Look at people. Find something about them that you can throw into the first minute of the conversation which will make them think you have something in common. Don't put yourself above or below them - If you do have a position of authority, lower yourself to seem easier to relate to. If they have authority over you, then turn your own suggestions into something that they said, instead. De-escalate, all the time, even if you don't think emotions are particularly high. Throw out a request that you know will be met with hesitation first, and then when you see the hesitation, take it back and suggest a compromise, then imply that they were the ones who suggested that compromise.

Oh, and don't be unattractive.

>>713923365
Sounds about right, Anon, but remember that just because something like logic or conceptualization isn't your signature skill doesn't mean you can't train it. You're never just stuck with the skills you have on the get-go.

>>713923575
Seems you have a lot of practice with wheeling and dealing, perhaps your crown is shared between suggestion AND Savoir Faire. You know, so long as they don't try to convince one another to sell it to the other.

>>713920125
structural engi

>>713903346
Shut the fuck up you gay pseud

>>713924107
Being able to imagine what a building might look like is probably the best trait to have in a job like that. I don't blame you for picking Visual Cal. then!

>>713902848 (OP)
In-game I chose conceptualization, and that's how I like to think of myself irl, but if I'm being honest I'm more of an encyclopedia in truth (which was my second highest skill in-game iirc). I do live immersed in art but on a more intellectual level, as in I could keep up in any conversation about art because of the sheer amount of information I absorb about it and I'm trained to see artistic concepts in everything, but I'm not an artist myself. And I'm kind of jealous of people who actually can create art as opposed to just engage in it. But yeah, I'm like a sponge for information. I could tell you the detailed history of bands I've never even listened to.

In any case, I definitely lean strongly into intellect skills and neglect physique, with mid ability in the other two. Which is how I played too.

>>713902848 (OP)
Mine is encyclopedia I tell my friends and family about a lot of trivia and fun facts or fucked up facts.

>>713924261
nah much more small scale than that, like screw scale

>>713924420
You don't have to be an artist to conceptualize a piece of art. It does, of course, help to be one, but so long as you're willing to engage with something and try to translate what the painter/author/whatever was trying to say, I think it's fitting enough to tack Conceptualization as your signature skill.

>>713902848 (OP)
Volition.

>>713924548
What keeps the buildings standing proud and tall, then? What keeps them situated and implanted into the earth? Even the smallest piece has a part to play.

>>713924739
I cannot articulate how based Volition is so here.All of you should enjoy this.
https://youtu.be/ENSAbyGlij0

>>713924679
Yeah you're right, I guess it's just a bit of imposter syndrome. Like, am I qualified to talk about art if I don't make it? I agree engaging and translating art is a skill in itself, but sometimes I wish I was on the other side yknow. Anyway I'm probably somewhere between conceptualization and encyclopedia. I think they feed into each other a bit, even though you wouldn't necessarily think that at first. Having a wide range of encyclopedic knowledge allows you to more easily spot concepts in art and connect themes and patterns across different disciplines.

>>713926193
Here's a question. What's stopping you from doing it? You understand the concepts, the rules, everything about art. Why not pick up a brush or pen and start training?

>>713926285
>>713926285
Discipline, mostly. I can actually play an instrument semi-competently, I just have a hard time keeping up a regular practice routine so I've stagnated for years. I used to do photography too and was told I'm actually good at it, but again I just don't have the discipline to actually go out and shoot so it's mostly fallen by the wayside. So I guess it's not true to say I'm entirely un-artistic, I just haven't committed enough to actually develop my skills. I enjoy it, but I just get too easily sucked into playing a lot of video games or other distractions and neglect it.

>>713926685
>>713926685
That happens to the best of us. Perhaps it might be better not to make it such a commitment, then? Just whenever you feel like it, pick up a pencil and paper and start doodling. See something you think might make a good photo? Keep your phone on you and snap a picture. Yes, it might be slower developing than doing actual practice, but it allows a lot more fluidity and gives you breathing room. It's how I like to write in my own free time. Instead of sitting down and trying to write in a non-writing mood, I let it come to me first and allow my feelings to pick when I should write. All art doesn't need to be good, hell it can even be terrible, but so long as you put your feelings out on a canvas or paper, it means something.

>>713927016
True enough, thanks for the encouragement anon.

>>713902848 (OP)
I have three disco portraits right above my pc setup.

Volition the biggest potrait, Inland Empire and Physical Instrument

Despite how shit I feel about life sometimes, I do not break. Gotta moving, gotta keep trying.

>>713902848 (OP)
endurance, probably. life dealt me an incredibly shitty hand and against all odds i'm still here, so that's gotta mean something.