Thoughtful Exploration in 'Disco Elysium'

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a captivating and critically acclaimed game renowned for its unique gameplay and immersive world. Players are encouraged to thoroughly explore the game's richly detailed environment, uncovering everything from advanced weaponry to unexpected costume choices.

As players delve into the world of Disco Elysium and the complexities of their character, they encounter various Thoughts. These Thoughts can be adopted, discarded, and internalized, shaping the protagonist's mindset and influencing outcomes, both positively and negatively. While many Thoughts offer double-edged benefits, some stand out as objectively advantageous. This list highlights some of the best Thoughts in Disco Elysium.

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

Here are some of the top Thoughts to unlock:

14. Ace's Low:

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

Benefits: +2 Empathy with Kim Kitsuragi, +1 Esprit de Corps. Strengthening the bond with Kim, a key ally, is invaluable.

13. Hardcore Aesthetic:

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

Benefits: +1 Volition, +1 Endurance. Permanent stat increases significantly improve success rates in skill checks.

12. Searchlight Division:

Unlock Method: Inquire about missing persons with specific characters.

Benefits: +2 Perception. A crucial boost for a detective's investigative abilities.

11. Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One:

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

Benefits: +2 Perception. A rewarding outcome for engaging with seemingly insignificant details.

10. Cleaning Out the Rooms:

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

Benefits: +1 Suggestion, +1 Inland Empire, +1 Rhetoric. Simultaneously boosting these valuable skills provides significant advantages.

9. Detective Costeau:

Unlock Method: Call yourself Detective Costeau.

Benefits: +1 Savoir Faire, +1 Esprit de Corps. A humorous yet beneficial Thought, enhancing social skills and camaraderie.

8. Jamais Vu:

Unlock Method: Speak to Lena and Joyce.

Benefits: +1 XP per orb clicked, all INT learning caps raised by 1. Rewards exploration and enhances intellectual skills.

7. Bringing of the Law (Law-Jaw):

Unlock Method: Repeatedly identify yourself as "The Law," "Lawbringer," and a policeman.

Benefits: Hand/Eye Coordination learning cap raised to 6, automatic success on all Hand/Eye Coordination passives, -1 Rhetoric. A powerful boost to a key skill, despite a minor drawback.

6. Kingdom of Conscience:

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

Benefits: Moralist dialogue options heal +1 Morale, Volition and Logic learning caps raised to 5. Supports a moralistic playstyle with significant skill enhancements.

5. Indirect Modes of Taxation:

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

Benefits: Ultraliberal dialogue options give +1 Reál, -1 Empathy. Provides a financial advantage, albeit at a slight cost to empathy.

4. Mazovian Socio-Economics:

Unlock Method: Earn 4 Communism points.

Benefits: Left-wing dialogue options give +4 XP, -1 Visual Calculus, -1 Authority. Offers substantial XP gains, despite penalties to other skills.

3. Actual Art Degree:

Unlock Method: Agree to become an Art Cop.

Benefits: -1 Hand/Eye Coordination, Conceptualization passives heal +1 Morale and give +10 XP. A unique Thought that turns passive skill checks into rewards.

2. Rigorous Self-Critique:

Unlock Method: Agree to become a Sorry Cop.

Benefits: INT & PSY red check failures heal +1 Morale, FYS & MOT red check failures heal +1 Health, Pain Threshold learning cap increased to 6. Turns failures into opportunities for recovery.

1. Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre:

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

Benefits: Encyclopedia passives give +10 XP & 2 Reál, -2 Suggestion. Provides consistent XP and financial rewards through Encyclopedia passives.

These Thoughts, when strategically utilized, significantly enhance the player's experience in Disco Elysium.