Disco Elysium: Best Thoughts

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a captivating and critically acclaimed game, renowned for its immersive world and complex characters. Players are encouraged to thoroughly explore this richly detailed environment, uncovering hidden secrets and unique experiences, from discovering power armor to accidentally creating an Attack on Titan cosplay.

As players delve into the game's intricate world and unravel the mysteries of their amnesiac protagonist, they encounter various Thoughts. These Thoughts, which can be adopted, discarded, and internalized over time, significantly impact the protagonist's mindset, influencing outcomes both positively and negatively. While many Thoughts offer a double-edged sword, some stand out as demonstrably beneficial. This list highlights some of the best Thoughts in Disco Elysium, objectively superior for various reasons.

Updated December 23, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Disco Elysium is a deeply engaging RPG celebrated for its exceptional writing and compelling narrative. The murder mystery unfolds within the vibrant city of Revachol, offering hours of immersive exploration. The amnesiac protagonist acquires numerous Thoughts throughout his investigation, each offering unique advantages. Unlocking these top Thoughts is crucial for maximizing the detective's capabilities and successfully navigating skill checks.

14. Ace's Low

How To Unlock: Shoot the Hanged Man and slap it with Interlacing at 5 or greater.

• +2 Empathy for Kim Kitsuragi
• +1 Esprit de Corps

Kim Kitsuragi, a key partner, develops into one of Disco Elysium's most compelling characters. Building a strong rapport with Kim is essential, and Ace's Low significantly enhances this relationship. After removing the body from the Hanged Tree and successfully using Interlacing, this Thought boosts Esprit de Corps and strengthens the bond with Kim.

13. Hardcore Aesthetic

How To Unlock: Ask Noid about true life and pass the Conceptualization check.

• +1 Volition
• +1 Endurance

Permanently increasing core stats is crucial for success in skill checks. Hardcore Aesthetic achieves this, although unlocking it requires interacting with Noid in the church and successfully completing a Conceptualization check. The resulting boosts to Volition and Endurance are invaluable.

12. Searchlight Division

How To Unlock: Speak to certain characters about missing people.

• +2 Perception

Investigating missing persons is a core aspect of the detective's role. By diligently questioning specific characters about missing individuals, players unlock Searchlight Division, granting a significant Perception boost.

11. Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One

How To Unlock: Smell the card in the damaged ledger's hidden compartment and the apricot chewing gum wrapper.

• +2 Perception

This Thought highlights the game's quirky nature. By focusing on seemingly insignificant smells (the card and gum wrapper), players unlock a Perception bonus, showcasing the game's unique approach to detail.

10. Cleaning Out The Rooms

How To Unlock: Pass a Logic check with Soona after investigating the Void of Sound.

• +1 Suggestion
• +1 Inland Empire
• +1 Rhetoric

Exploring the church leads to memorable interactions. After investigating the Void of Sound and conversing with Soona, players unlock Cleaning Out The Rooms, boosting Suggestion, Inland Empire, and Rhetoric—three highly valuable skills.

9. Detective Costeau

How To Unlock: Call yourself Detective Costeau.

• +1 Savoir Faire
• +1 Esprit de Corps

This Thought arises from a humorous interaction with Kim Kitsuragi. Failing a Conceptualization check and identifying as Detective Costeau strengthens the bond with Kim and provides boosts to Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps.

8. Jamais Vu

How To Unlock: Speak to Lena and Joyce.

• +1 XP for every orb clicked
• All INT Learning Caps raised by 1

Jamais Vu, the opposite of déjà vu, rewards exploration. This Thought grants XP for each orb clicked and increases the learning cap for all INT skills, incentivizing thorough exploration.

7. Bringing Of The Law (Law-Jaw)

How To Unlock: Call yourself The Law, Lawbringer, and a Policeman multiple times.

• Learning Cap for Hand/Eye Coordination raised to 6
• Automatically succeed all Hand/Eye Coordination passives
• -1 Rhetoric

This Thought caters to players embracing an authoritative police persona. By repeatedly identifying as a law enforcement officer, players unlock this Thought, significantly enhancing Hand/Eye Coordination while incurring a minor penalty to Rhetoric.

6. Kingdom Of Conscience

How To Unlock: Wear the Interisolary Trousers or acquire 4 Moralism points.

• Moralist dialogue options heal +1 Morale
• Learning Cap for Volition raised to 5
• Learning Cap for Logic raised to 5

This Thought aligns with the Moralist path, offering significant benefits. Moralist dialogue choices restore Morale, while Volition and Logic learning caps are increased, making it a powerful choice for morally-driven players.

5. Indirect Modes Of Taxation

How To Unlock: Wear the Brown Derbies Trousers or acquire 4 Ultraliberal points.

• Ultraliberal dialogue options give +1 Reál
• -1 Empathy

This Thought benefits players who embrace Ultraliberalism. Choosing pro-capitalist dialogue options rewards players with additional Reál, offsetting the minor Empathy penalty.

4. Mazovian Socio-Economics

How To Unlock: Earn 4 Communism points.

• Left-wing dialogue options give +4 XP
• -1 Visual Calculus
• -1 Authority

An alternative to Indirect Modes of Taxation, this Thought rewards players who favor Communism. Choosing pro-working-class dialogue options provides substantial XP, despite penalties to Visual Calculus and Authority.

3. Actual Art Degree

How To Unlock: Agree to become an Art Cop.

• -1 Hand/Eye Coordination
• Conceptualization passives heal +1 Morale & +10 XP

This Thought is tied to the Art Cop archetype. Embracing artistic dialogue options unlocks this Thought, providing significant XP and Morale recovery through Conceptualization passives, offsetting a minor Hand/Eye Coordination penalty.

2. Rigorous Self-Critique

How To Unlock: Agree to become a Sorry Cop.

• INT & PSY red check failures heal +1 Morale
• FYS & MOT red check failures heal +1 Health
• Learning Cap for Pain Threshold increased to 6

This Thought transforms failures into opportunities. Failing red checks in specific skill categories restores Health or Morale, making it a valuable asset for managing resources. Choosing apologetic dialogue options unlocks this Thought.

1. Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre

How To Unlock: Learn about the Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre from Trant Heidelstam.

• Encyclopedia passives give +10 XP & 2 Reál
• -2 Suggestion

Similar to Actual Art Degree, this Thought significantly enhances Encyclopedia passives, providing substantial XP and Reál. The minor Suggestion penalty is easily outweighed by the consistent influx of resources.

These Thoughts significantly impact gameplay, offering various advantages depending on the player's preferred playstyle and approach to the investigation. Careful consideration of their benefits and drawbacks is crucial for maximizing the detective's effectiveness and enjoying the full experience of Disco Elysium.