Dive into the mysterious world of “Discrete Mathematics,” one of the most puzzling quests in The Outer Worlds 2. This walkthrough guide will unravel the secrets and strategies you need to conquer every challenge, unlock hidden rewards, and navigate complex choices that shape your adventure. Ready to decode the unknown?
’Discrete Mathematics’ quest location in The Outer Worlds 2
In The Outer Worlds 2, the ’Discrete Mathematics’ quest location is a key area filled with puzzles and strategic challenges that test your problem-solving skills. Players must explore this zone carefully, using logic and critical thinking to progress through the quest objectives. Navigating the environment and interacting with specific elements will unlock new storylines and rewards, making it an essential stop for completing the quest efficiently.
To obtain the “Discrete Mathematics” quest, follow the main quest called “On the Trail of the Traitor,” which leads into the N-Ray Range on Golden Ridge. About halfway through the N-Ray Range, you should obtain the “Discrete Mathematics” quest automatically, but you can also pick it up by talking to an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth.
Shortly after entering the N-Ray Range, you’ll encounter a room with a switch puzzle. If you leave this room and turn right, you will find Exemplar Foxworth. Following a brief conversation, the “Discrete Mathematics” quest will start.
During the conversion with Foxworth, you’ll get the opportunity to pass a Medical skill check or use a trauma kit to save their life – if you do so, you may reach a specific quest outcome for “Discrete Mathematics.” If you don’t, you may still get that quest outcome, but it’ll depend on your skills and perks.
If you choose to speak with Exemplar Foxworth, solving the switch puzzle is the first step to completing “Discrete Mathematics.” If you ignored or killed Exemplar Foxworth, you must still solve the switch puzzle, but it will be part of the “On the Trail of the Traitor” questline.
After you complete the puzzle, you’ll enter the large room with the big window and the “Discrete Mathematics” quest will begin for those who haven’t picked it up yet. You’ll be given your next objective, which tells you to “neutralize Victor.“
How to reach Victor in ’Discrete Mathematics’ in The Outer Worlds 2
To reach Victor in the ’Discrete Mathematics’ quest in The Outer Worlds 2, head to the specified coordinates marked on your map. Victor can usually be found within the designated area of the quest zone, often near key quest items or objectives. Make sure to explore thoroughly, as interacting with the environment and completing related tasks might be necessary to trigger his appearance or dialogue for progressing the quest.
First, be sure to equip the N-Ray Scanner to see any invisible enemies. On the left side of the room, enter the small vent. After exiting the vent, you might want to interact with Victor’s terminal, which can be seen in the image below:
Doing so will unlock an alternate quest outcome for “Discrete Mathematics.” You don’t need any special skills, but be sure to read all his messages! If you do not interact with the terminal, you will be locked out of an alternate ending for the quest, so make sure to interact with it if you like to keep your options open.
To continue the quest, take the path to the left.
This route will eventually lead to a room with a workbench and a small lab. Defeat all the enemies in this room, and speak with the NPC in the lab to gain some intel on Victor.
When you stumble upon another blocked doorway, pull the lever on the left side of the room to open it.
Watch out for explosives in the next area! Equip the N-Ray Scanner to see them. You can jump across the tripwire and shoot the mines from a distance. Alternatively, if you have Explosives level 5 or higher, you can dismantle them.
The next rooms are also full of traps, so proceed carefully. Best to use the N-Ray Scanner one time too many rather than having to respawn. Just a bit further ahead, you’ll find a locked door with a bunch of lasers behind it, blocking the way.
To reach the lasers, crawl through the vent near the ceiling and pull the lever on the other end.
How to solve the laser puzzle in The Outer Worlds 2
To solve the laser puzzle in The Outer Worlds 2 during the “Discrete Mathematics” quest, there are two main methods. The first method requires a Hacking skill of level 3: use the N-Ray Scanner, drop down carefully to access a circuit panel, avoid or disable tripwires and mines, then unseal the maintenance hatch and pull the lever to disable the lasers. The second method is for players without the required skills: carefully navigate around the lasers by following their movement, avoid traps and mines by disarming or shooting them, open a vent nearby to shoot mines inside, then use a lever to turn off the power and deactivate the lasers, allowing safe passage. Both methods require caution to avoid triggering traps or mines that cause failure. After deactivating the lasers, proceed through the now open door to continue the quest.polygon+1
There are two ways to solve the laser puzzle, but whichever you pick, make sure you don’t touch the lasers or trigger any of the mines and tripwires in the area! Doing so will likely result in an instant respawn.
To get past the lasers, you can either unseal the maintenance hatch or carefully follow the lasers.
Unseal the maintenance hatch
This requires Hacking level 3. To use this method, equip the N-Ray Scanner and carefully drop down the ledge on the left. There’sa tripwire between your landing position and the circuit on the wall, so either disarm the trap (requires Explosives level 5) or jump across.
Interact with the circuit on the wall to unseal the hatch, then open the vent just behind you while minding the tripwire. However, don’t enter just yet!
Before crawling through the vent, disarm or shoot the two mines inside. If you position yourself just a little bit away from the entrance, the explosions won’t harm you.
Approach the unsealed hatch to your left, but be sure to disarm yet another mine just in front of this hatch, as well as the three mines behind it. At the end of the path ahead of you, you will find a lever that says “disable power.” This will turn off the lasers and open the sealed door behind them.
You can leave through the vent to the right, moving past the mine without triggering it if you’re careful. If you prefer not to take risks, disarm or shoot it first.
Get past the lasers without skill checks
If you don’t have a high enough hacking level, getting past the laser puzzle is a bit trickier. Don’t just run ahead and drop down a ledge, as you may hit a trap.
Instead, follow the lasers as they move away from you and drop down the second ledge on the right. Be sure to move forward as you drop down, because there’s a mine just before your landing spot. Turn around, with your back to the wall, and shoot or disarm it (disarming requires Explosives 5).
Next, carefully open the vent and shoot the mines inside. If you stay outside the vent while doing so, you won’t trigger either mine. On your right side, pull the lever to disable the power. Now you can safely return to the upper floor, which is laser-free.
Whichever method you used to solve the puzzle, enter the elevator ahead (final mine alert; there’s one more in front of the elevator) to continue “Discrete Mathematics” and find Victor.
How to neutralize Victor in The Outer Worlds 2
To neutralize Victor in The Outer Worlds 2 during the “Discrete Mathematics” quest, you have two main options: persuade him to stand down or confront him in combat. For a non-violent resolution, bring Marisol with you to the confrontation and select specific dialogue options that emphasize choice, understanding, and peace, such as “There’s always a choice. Stand down, and nobody needs to get hurt,” and “I think I finally understand you.” It’s crucial to have gathered intel from Victor’s terminal beforehand to unlock these dialogue options. If you fail to persuade Victor or choose to fight, he will attempt to detonate himself, so be prepared to shoot him quickly or avoid the blast. Successfully neutralizing Victor completes the quest objective.nightlygamingbinge+2
As soon as you leave the elevator, you’ll be locked in conversation with Victor. Depending on your actions, there are two possible outcomes for “Discrete Mathematics”: Victor blows himself up or you convince him not to.
If you choose to let Victor blow himself up, he will run toward you and explode. The only way to avoid all damage is to quickly shoot him or drop down the ledge to your left or right. To trigger this outcome, pick one of the following dialogue options during your conversation:
- [Attack] You’re gonna be a lot calmer once you’re dead.
- Couldn’t you have killed yourself before I walked all the way here?
- Don’t do anything you’ll regret.
- I don’t think you really want to do this.
- Violence isn’t the answer, Victor.
If you wish to save Victor’s life, avoid the lines mentioned above and make sure to pick “I thought you were a scientist, not a martyr.” If you don’t choose this dialogue option, you cannot talk Victor down anymore.
From here, choose the following dialogue options:
- Present the intel you’ve gathered on Victor (as mentioned earlier in this walkthrough, you must’ve accessed Victor’s terminal to obtain this). Without this intel, you cannot save Victor.
- Pick either “You’re here to limit collateral damage” or “Wait a minute. De Vries put you up to this.”
- Select “Would pure scientific certainty have saved your co-worker?” As mentioned earlier in this walkthrough, you must have saved Exemplar Foxworth’s life to unlock this.
- If you didn’t save Foxworth, you can pass a skill check that requires either Science level 5, Speech level 5, or the “Intimidator” perk.
- Choose “I finally understand you,” among the next dialogue options.
- Pick anything other than “attack” or “Violence isn’t the answer, Victor” for the remainder of the conversation, and you’ll spare Victor’s life.
Best strategy to talk Victor down peacefully
The best strategy to talk Victor down peacefully in The Outer Worlds 2 during the “Discrete Mathematics” quest involves a combination of preparation and specific dialogue choices:
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Bring Marisol into your party since she can interject during the conversation and help influence Victor.
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Gather information beforehand to have relevant details to use in dialogue.
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When confronting Victor, use these key dialogue options:
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“There’s always a choice. Stand down, and nobody needs to get hurt.”
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“I thought you were a scientist, not a martyr. Is this how you want to be remembered?”
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“You’re here to limit collateral damage. Blowing me up won’t limit anything.” (Requires having the necessary information)
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If Marisol speaks up, choose to remain silent to let her influence Victor.
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If Aza is in your party and offers to kill Victor, firmly tell her not to.
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Employ a calm, reasoned approach focusing on appealing to Victor’s better judgment and the potential consequences.
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Patience and attentive dialogue choices are key to avoiding combat and convincing Victor to stand down.
By following these steps, you can peacefully resolve the encounter without violence and progress the story.
Which dialogue checks are required to succeed in talking Victor down
To successfully talk Victor down peacefully in The Outer Worlds 2, key dialogue checks involve:
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Having a high Speech skill (around level 9 or higher) to unlock crucial persuading dialogue options.
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The Intimidator Perk, which allows you to use intimidation in dialogue to influence Victor.
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Alternatively, the Renegade Background can also open special dialogue paths for peaceful resolution.
These dialogue checks are required to present calming, reasoned arguments or intimidate Victor into standing down without combat. Using these speech checks at the right moments in conversation helps you avoid violence and successfully talk him down.
