Disco Elysium Ruby: Location, Solution, and Tips

Ruby in Disco Elysium is a rather complicated character, with her tracks pretty much hidden in the first part of the main plot, yet playing a critically important role in the latter half of the story. Many players fail to save her or do not know where to find her, because the game features locks on buildings that players can only gain access to after reaching specific points in the story. This guide teaches you where to find Ruby, suggestions on solving Ruby’s related quests, and how your choice affects the later part of the story!

Disco Elysium Ruby: Who Is She and When Does She Appear?

In Disco Elysium, Ruby is the eighth Hardie Boys who previously worked for the Dockworkers’ Union. The game gives out her background information mainly through her own words and other NPCs’ comments on her, but her past is only peripheral to the main plot. It is suggested that she was running away from the previous union and was involved in the drug trafficking for Evrart Claire. The narrative for her has built up a rather hardened character, running away from her past and keeping a gun to defend herself.

As to the hanged man case, Ruby is indicated as the eighth Hardie from the very start, when Harrier finds the eighth pair of footprints near the tree. Titus and the other Hardie Boys deny that there is an eighth member at first, but as players progress with interviewing Klaasje and Titus, there are new clues related to Ruby:

1. Klaasje: She confessed that Ruby and she had a romantic relationship, and that Ruby was heartbroken by her relationship with Lely. She appeared to be calm and came up with the hanging plan immediately after knowing of Lely’s death.
2. Titus: From Titus’s perspective, he felt betrayed by Klaasje, but admitted that on the night of the murder, Ruby was away for 10 minutes. He also gave Harrier Ruby’s whereabouts.

After interviewing and getting all the info out of Titus and Klaasje, all the clues lead to Ruby, and the notes will suggest players to look for Ruby in the fishing village. Yet, should players look for and confront Ruby immediately at this point? Let’s discuss when the best time to confront Ruby is in the following sections!

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Where to Find Ruby?

Ruby is located in the underground tunnel of the Feld Building in the fishing village. The Feld Building is not accessible until players proceed to the point that the note suggests the next step is to look for Ruby in the fishing village, which is after cross-interviewing Titus and Klaasje.

After getting the info from Titus that Ruby is probably in the fishing village, players can ask the NPCs in the fishing village whether they have seen a red-haired woman nearby.

The most important NPC is the washerwoman. The washerwoman can tell Harrier that she has rented out the room to Ruby, and players can find a 9 mm bullet. Ruby seems to be preparing that bullet to end her life under extreme circumstances, which is a hint for the later plot.

Once ready, players can choose to enter the Feld Building either by breaking the door open or climbing the ladder. Players can investigate the building first. As long as players stay away from the end of the tunnel, the plot related to Ruby will not be triggered.

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When Is the Best Timing to Confront Ruby?

Although players can find Ruby after talking to Titus, it may not be the best timing to confront her right away. Because after talking to Ruby, the game will proceed directly to the military tribunal next to Whirling-in-Rags.

Therefore, players need to prepare both for Ruby and the military tribunal before seeing Ruby. Players will have a nicer experience of passing the checks and continuing the dialogues later if they:

1. Track down the lost gun and finish Evrart Claire’s side quests. He will trust Harry after finishing two side quests and tell Harry to meet the Pigs at the fish market between 22:00 and 2:00. Get the gun.
2. Finish Joyce’s request and question the truck drivers. Harrier will confirm that Ruby is trafficking drugs, and her shoes match the eighth foot prints. There is a hint that Ruby will attack using ULAN frequency as well.
3. Prepare at least 4 HP before meeting Ruby, and level up the Rhetoric.

These preparations will yield the best results in the confrontation and later in the military tribunal as well.

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How to Get the Most Info Out of Ruby and Save Her?

Now you are ready to confront Ruby. Remember to enter the tunnel with your best clothes for Rhetoric, and enough health to take the radio blast!

The best way to get the most info out of Ruby, relating to the case, Klaasje, and the drug trafficking, is to bear with the noise as long as you can (which will consume about 3 to 4 health). Because once Harrier knocks down the radio machine, Ruby will point the gun at herself immediately. Even if Harrier talks her out of the idea, she will not stay to give more information. All in all, players need to finish asking all the questions before knocking down the radio.

Then, players need to pass the rhetoric check (Challenging level) to stop Ruby from shooting at herself. This is a red check. If players fail this, there is no other roundabout way to stop her from shooting at herself. There are two possible endings to Ruby:

1. Players pass the check and let her go. She will flee Martinaise immediately.
2. Players fail the check, and she shoots at herself. Players can get Ruby’s gun for the later tribunal.

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How Is Ruby’s Ending Affecting Military Tribunal and Disco Elysium Endings?

Ruby’s ending affects the military tribunal to a certain extent, but not too much. According to the outcome:

1. If Ruby is dead, players can use her gun immediately. And there is no need to get back Harrier’s lost gun for the tribunal.
2. If Ruby runs away, Harrier can tell Kortenaer that Ruby is the suspect on the run.

To make the first shot at the military tribunal successful, players need to have as much relevant information about the tribunal and the case as possible to stall for time. This increases the chance of passing the red check of Hand/Eye Coordination (Legendary). With Kortenaer down, players can save more Hardie boys in the tribunal.

The more checks players pass, the more Hardie boys can be saved. Long story short, that is how Ruby’s information and her run-away can help with surviving the military tribunal.

Ruby’s ending will not affect the game’s ending in the long run, so with all things considered, players can decide which one is more important:

1. getting Ruby’s gun,
2. or letting her go and using her in the tribunal argument later.

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Conclusion: Disco Elysium Ruby Character

Ruby in Disco Elysium is a main character that many players sympathize with, considering her past, her story with Klaasje, and her resolution to shoot herself. This character is depicted from other NPCs’ perspectives and opinions mostly. And this kind of design builds up players’ expectations towards the final confrontation.

It turns out that she is not the envy type described by Klaasje. And it was Klaasje planning the lynching (which is pretty convincing considering how many lies were told by Klaasje). All in all, the game has woven many twists and turns among Titus, Klaasje, and Ruby. This arrangement makes it all the more intriguing to explore the side quests related to Ruby.

As to the final choice whether to save Ruby or not, it is more of a personal preference. The suicide completes Ruby’s character arc, but saving her will make Kim happy!