Which Linux distribution is best for gaming and Discord?

You’ve heard only part of the story. A lot of games work well on Linux nowadays, but some major competitive or online titles are blocked because of kernel-level anti-cheat. Games such as Fortnite and some titles from large publishers may not work, so look up every game you care about rather than assuming all online games behave the same.

The distribution itself usually isn’t the deciding factor. Most Linux distributions can run games through Steam Proton or Wine, but compatibility depends on each game—especially its anti-cheat system and whether the developers allow Linux users. Check your specific games on ProtonDB and AreWeAntiCheatYet before switching. Discord has an official Linux app, so that part should be straightforward.

For an easy starting point, Linux Mint or Zorin OS would be reasonable choices for someone coming from Windows. They’re beginner-friendly, but switching still means learning different settings, software installation methods, and desktop behavior. Linux won’t feel exactly like Windows, even when the programs you use are similar.

If a game requires anti-cheat that specifically supports only Windows, keeping Windows available—through dual boot or a separate installation—may be the practical option. Linux is a good choice for many games, but there isn’t a distribution that can bypass restrictions imposed by the game developer.