---
title: "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: Complete Guide"
game: "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/deus-ex-mankind-divided"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Builds", "Achievements"]
summary: "A practical guide to Adam Jensen's 2029: augmentation builds and Praxis priorities, stealth versus combat, hacking, Prague hub tips and missable side missions, key choices, achievements (Ghost, Pacifist, Foxiest of the…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/deus-ex-mankind-divided-complete-guide-df5fa029"
published: "2026-09-27T17:37:07.331Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T17:37:07.331Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: Complete Guide

A practical guide to Adam Jensen's 2029: augmentation builds and Praxis priorities, stealth versus combat, hacking, Prague hub tips and missable side missions, key choices, achievements (Ghost, Pacifist, Foxiest of the Hounds), difficulty, and the DLC.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of PC v1.17 (build 795.0_P17, March 2017), the last gameplay patch. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

> **Context (September 2026):** Mankind Divided (Eidos-Montreal, 23 August 2016) is complete and no longer patched; v1.17 is the final PC patch on Steam. It was discounted to 90% off for the first time in a Steam sale that ran to 8 June 2026. Separately, *Deus Ex Remastered* (a remaster of the 2000 original, announced in September 2025; check its store page for current release status) is a different game.

## Quick Start

1. **Every approach is valid, but stealth pays best.** XP rewards favor non-lethal takedowns, hacking, and finding alternate routes (vents, ledges, hidden paths). Combat works but earns less.
2. **Spend your first Praxis on survival and access.** Good early picks include Cybernetic Arm strength (move heavy objects), Hacking Capture upgrades, the Glass-Shield Cloaking system, and Social Enhancer.
3. **Experimental augs cause "overclocking."** When you enable an experimental aug, you must disable another aug to keep your system stable. A later story beat with **Vadim Koller** and the **Neuroplasticity Calibrator** removes that restriction ("Fresh Out of the Package").
4. **Do Prague side missions before leaving the hub.** Many side missions end or change when you advance the main story. If a side mission looks interesting, finish it before you take the next main-story trip.
5. **Read every email and pocket secretary.** Door codes and passwords are hidden in the world. Try the classic immersive-sim code **0451** on the game's first keypad ("A Heated Combination": enter a classic numerical code there).
6. **Save manually and often.** Especially before dialogue, hacking, and infiltration.
7. **Biocells recharge energy.** Energy powers most augs and only regenerates partway on its own, so carry biocells for back-to-back takedowns and aug use.
8. **Craft multitools.** Crafting parts turn into multitools (instant unlock) and biocells. Break down unwanted weapons into parts.

## Augmentations

Praxis points unlock augmentation upgrades. You earn Praxis through XP levels and can buy Praxis Kits at LIMB clinics and find them in the world.

### Core augs worth taking

| Aug | What it does | Why take it |
|---|---|---|
| Cybernetic Arm (strength) | Lift heavy objects, punch through walls | Opens many routes |
| Hacking: Capture / Stealth / Fortify | Better hacking success | Most XP and loot in Prague comes from hacking |
| Glass-Shield Cloaking | Temporary invisibility | The core stealth tool |
| Social Enhancer | Analyze NPC psychology in conversation | Wins key dialogue battles (e.g. "Between Technology and the Divine" debate) |
| Dermal Armor | Damage reduction | Survival for combat builds |
| Sentinel RX Health System | Healing | Survival |
| Reflex Booster | Double takedowns | Clears pairs of guards silently |
| Jump Enhancement / Icarus Landing System | Higher jumps / safe falls | Routes and escapes |
| Remote Hacking (experimental) | Hack cameras, turrets, drones, mines from range | Excellent for stealth |
| Icarus Dash (experimental) | Short-range teleport-dash | Mobility, stealth escapes |
| Titan (experimental) | Damage shield | Combat survival ("Titan Shield") |
| Tesla (experimental) | Ranged stun that can hit multiple targets | Non-lethal crowd control |
| Nanoblade (experimental) | Arm-launched blade, lethal | Combat |
| P.E.P.S. | Energy blast with Knockback and Precision modes | Crowd control |
| Focus Enhancer (experimental) | Slows time | Combat and stealth |
| Smart Vision | See through walls | Scouting |
| Typhoon Explosive System | Area damage | Combat |

### Build archetypes

| Build | Priority augs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost (stealth, non-lethal) | Cloaking, Hacking, Remote Hacking, Social Enhancer, Icarus Landing, Smart Vision | The most XP and the Ghost/Pacifist/Foxiest achievements |
| Hacker | Hacking tree to max, Remote Hacking, Social Enhancer | Easy credits, alternate routes, turrets as allies |
| Tank (combat) | Dermal Armor, Sentinel RX, Titan, Typhoon, Nanoblade | Loud but reliable; weapon upgrades matter more |
| Hybrid | Cloaking plus Tesla plus Dermal Armor | Stealth first, safe fallback |

Tip: invest in at least one aug in every branch for "The Jack of All Augments," and fully upgrade a branch for "Humanity +."

## Stealth and Combat Basics

- **Takedowns:** lethal or non-lethal melee takedowns cost energy. Hide bodies to avoid alerts.
- **Cover:** a cover system lets you move corner to corner. Use it in both stealth and combat.
- **Alarms:** triggering zero alarms across a whole playthrough earns "Foxiest of the Hounds." A save-heavy playstyle helps.
- **Non-lethal weapons:** stun guns, tranquilizer rifles, and the Tesla aug keep a Pacifist run intact.
- **Boss fight note:** "Pacifist" says it outright: *bosses are people too*. The final boss can be defeated non-lethally.

## Hacking

Two hacking types exist:

| Type | Use | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Static (node capture) | Computers, keypads, doors, security hubs | Capture datastores for XP and items; avoid triggering detection |
| Remote (timed zones) | Cameras, turrets, drones, mines | Requires the Remote Hacking aug |

Software items (Nuke, Stop Worm, Reveal) help with hard hacks. Fog Security hides the network; clearing it without Reveal is "I Can Only Fight Enemies I Can See."

## Locations and Hub Tips

- **Dubai** — the opening mission and tutorials ("Adept of the Metaverse" wants all of them).
- **Prague** — the main hub, revisited several times. Apartments, shops, the LIMB clinic, side missions, and secrets.
- **Golem City** — the aug ghetto, a dense vertical level.
- **Palisade Property Bank** — a high-security vault heist; also tied to System Rift and Breach.
- **London** — the finale.

Prague tips:

- **Explore vents and rooftops.** Most apartments have alternate entries.
- **The sewer network links districts.** It's often safer than the streets during curfew.
- **Loot the police station carefully.** It's a high-risk infiltration.
- **Sell unneeded items** to vendors for credits to buy Praxis Kits at the clinic.

### Side missions

Named side missions include **Samizdat**, **Neon Nights**, **All in the Family**, **The Harvester**, **The Last Harvest**, and **Cult of Personality**, and each is also an achievement. Complete side missions during the Prague visit in which you receive them; advancing the main story can close them.

## Key Choices (Spoiler-Light)

- **Mid-game priorities:** the story forces you to choose between competing objectives at points, and the other objective plays out without you.
- **Singh:** "Singh No Swan Song" rewards having his back at the right moment.
- **The debate with Talos Rucker:** Social Enhancer or careful listening wins it ("Between Technology and the Divine").
- **London finale:** you must prioritize between stopping the main antagonist and protecting others; the outcome affects the ending.
- Choices also influence the fate of the Human Restoration Act, and which characters survive.

## Difficulty

| Setting | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tell Me a Story | Story-focused, easy combat |
| Give Me a Challenge | Balanced default |
| Give Me Deus Ex | Harder; enemies kill fast |
| I Never Asked For This | Permadeath; unlocked after finishing. Earns "I Never Asked For This" |

New Game+ lets you carry augmentations into another run, which is the easiest way to finish the harder settings.

## Achievements Worth Planning

| Achievement | Requirement | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pacifist | Finish without killing anyone (bosses included) | Non-lethal only; watch explosive barrels and falls |
| Foxiest of the Hounds | Zero alarms in a playthrough | Save before every infiltration |
| Ghost | Cross enemy territory raising no hostile reaction | Earned per area, then repeat |
| Tablet Collector | Read every unique eBook | eBooks are scattered; many are in Prague |
| Time Traveler | Bring Koller the Neuroplasticity Calibrator before he asks | Pick it up when you find it; do not sell it |
| Ruthless Efficiency | Fully upgrade a weapon | Weapon upgrade kits |
| Winners Don't Use Drugs (or Biocells) | As the name says: avoid drugs and biocells (read the exact in-game condition first) | Separate run or strict discipline |
| The Golden Rookery | Return the missing Gold Penguin | Hidden collectible side content |
| Don't Reach, Kid | Put the basketball in the hoop | Look for a hoop and a ball |

## DLC ("Jensen's Stories")

| DLC | Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| System Rift | Palisade Bank's Blade vault | Heist with the hacker Frank Pritchard; "Clean Sweep" for no kills |
| A Criminal Past | Undercover in an aug prison | Stealth-heavy; "Code of Conduct" for no kills |
| Desperate Measures | A short post-game mission | Originally a pre-order bonus, included in the store bonus content |

## Breach

Breach is an arcade-style hacking/stealth mode set in a stylized virtual version of the Palisade Bank, with leaderboards and randomized rewards. It relied on Square Enix online services for challenges and leaderboards; treat online features as unreliable in 2026. Many "Breach:" achievements require it.

## PC Tips

- The v1.17 patch added **Quit to Desktop** from the pause menu, fixed mouse zoom acceleration on the map, and restored the laptop **Auto Complete** feature.
- If a patch misbehaves, older builds were offered through Steam betas (v1.16 build 761.0 at the time of the patch).
- DX12 support exists; DX11 can be more stable on some systems.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Leaving Prague with unfinished side missions.**
- **Spending early Praxis on combat when you want stealth.** Hacking and cloaking pay for themselves in XP.
- **Enabling experimental augs without understanding overclocking.**
- **Ignoring eBooks and emails.** They hold codes, lore, and achievements.
- **Killing by accident on a Pacifist run.** Explosions, falls, and turrets you hacked all count.
- **Hoarding weapons.** Break down extras into crafting parts.

## Advanced Tips

- **Hack everything.** Terminals and datastores give XP, credits, and often a safer route.
- **Use Smart Vision plus cloak** to cross rooms without detection.
- **Remote Hack turrets** to fight on your side, but note kills they make count against Pacifist.
- **Reflex Booster** makes pairs of guards a single takedown.
- **Buy Praxis Kits** from LIMB clinics with your credits.

## FAQ

**Do I need to play Human Revolution first?**
It helps. MD continues Adam Jensen's story two years later; the in-game recap covers the basics.

**Is Mankind Divided still getting updates?**
No. v1.17 (March 2017) is the last PC patch.

**How long is it?**
A main story plus side missions typically runs in the 25-35 hour range, depending on thoroughness.

**What's the first keypad code?**
Try 0451 (a classic immersive-sim code).

**Can you finish without killing?**
Yes, including bosses. That is the "Pacifist" achievement.

**Is Breach still online?**
Breach depended on online services; its online features may not work reliably today.

## Sources

- [Steam store page: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided](https://store.steampowered.com/app/337000/)
- [Steam global achievements: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided](https://steamcommunity.com/stats/337000/achievements)
- [Patch notes v1.17 (Steam news, March 2017)](https://steamstore-a.akamaihd.net/news/externalpost/steam_community_announcements/4249665521681302569)
- [90% off sale (Steam news, May 2026)](https://steamstore-a.akamaihd.net/news/externalpost/steam_community_announcements/1833334318577654)
- [Deus Ex Remastered announced (Steam news, Sept 2025)](https://steamstore-a.akamaihd.net/news/externalpost/steam_community_announcements/1811772772280746)
- [Wikipedia: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_Ex:_Mankind_Divided)