David Sarif Dialogue Challenge

The dialogue challenge with David Sarif occurs during the Whispers of Conspiracy mission in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Winning the challenge causes Sarif to reveal more information about the security breach at Sarif Industries, unlocking the Yes Boss achievement. Losing the challenge means Sarif will not reveal the information.

The challenge can always be won by always picking Refocus unless Sarif says one of the following lines:


 * "But there’s something you’re not getting here…"
 * "You may not realize it, but there’s a war…"
 * "I’m sorry to have to break this to you…"
 * "Look, I’m not gonna share every detail…"

The remainder of this page will show all of Sarif's possible responses and the result of picking each choice. Each response is identified by its first words. If Sarif's persuasion level is 0 at the end of the conversation, the challenge is still won.

First Round
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“The truth is, I’ve had a lot of other things on my mind…”
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“But you can’t expect me to tell you every detail…”
Placate: -2 Refocus: +1 Defend: +2

“But there’s something you’re not getting here…”
Placate: +2 Refocus: -2 Defend: +1

“You may not realize it, but there’s a war…”
Placate: +2 Refocus: -2 Defend: +1

“Right now, this company is on the brink…”
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“Not telling you about that portal left us open…”
Placate: -2 Refocus: +1 Defend: +2

Pheromones
Appease – Win the challenge Charm – Win the challenge Pressure – Lose the challenge

“Look, I’m not gonna share every single detail…”
Placate: +2 Refocus: -2 Defend: +1

“I just wonder if you’re being a bit paranoid…”
Placate: -2 Refocus: +1 Defend: +2

“I’m sorry to have to break this to you…”
Placate: +2 Refocus: -2 Defend: +1

“Your concerns about the data being compromised…”
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“You disappoint me, son…”
Placate: -2 Refocus: +1 Defend: +2

“Everything I’ve done has been to secure a future here…”
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“Seriously, the data I streamed…”
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“The data you’re so nervous about…”
Placate: -2 Refocus: +1 Defend: +2

“The data I streamed had nothing to do with Megan…”
Placate: +1 Refocus: +2 Defend: -2

“I can understand why the mention of Megan’s name…”
Placate: -2 Refocus: +1 Defend: +2

“Megan was a valuable asset…”
Placate: +2 Refocus: -2 Defend: +1

“If I’m so reluctant to share the data…”
Placate: +2 Refocus: -2 Defend: +1