Disco Elysium: Unraveling the Enigma of the Psyche

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a captivating and critically acclaimed game known for its intricate world and compelling characters. Players are encouraged to thoroughly explore this rich environment, uncovering hidden details and unique experiences, from advanced weaponry to unexpected costume discoveries.

As players delve into the game's narrative and develop their character, they encounter various Thoughts, internal monologues that can be adopted, discarded, and internalized over time. Each Thought influences the player's mindset, impacting gameplay in both positive and negative ways. While many Thoughts offer a double-edged sword of benefits and drawbacks, 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's immersive world and exceptional writing create a memorable RPG experience. The captivating murder mystery unfolds through engaging conversations, culminating in a satisfying resolution. Exploring Revachol is an immersive journey, with the amnesiac protagonist acquiring numerous Thoughts that offer distinct advantages. Unlocking these key Thoughts enhances the detective's capabilities and improves success rates in crucial skill checks.

14. Ace's Low

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

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

Kim Kitsuragi is a vital partner in Disco Elysium. Building a strong rapport with him is crucial, and Ace's Low significantly improves this relationship. By successfully interacting with the Hanged Man and possessing sufficient Interlacing, players unlock this Thought, enhancing their bond with Kim and boosting Esprit de Corps.

13. Hardcore Aesthetic

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

• +1 Volition
• +1 Endurance

Permanently increasing core stats is highly beneficial in Disco Elysium. Hardcore Aesthetic achieves this, boosting Volition and Endurance. However, unlocking it requires a successful Conceptualization check after conversing with Noid in the church about the meaning of life.

12. Searchlight Division

Unlock: Inquire about missing persons with specific characters.

• +2 Perception

Investigating missing persons is a core aspect of the detective's role. By diligently questioning relevant characters, players unlock Searchlight Division, granting a substantial boost to Perception, a crucial skill for investigation.

11. Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One

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 engaging with seemingly insignificant details like specific smells, players unlock a Perception bonus, demonstrating the game's rewarding attention to detail.

10. Cleaning Out The Rooms

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

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

Exploring the church yields several memorable interactions. Investigating the Void of Sound and successfully engaging with Soona unlocks this Thought, boosting three valuable skills: Suggestion, Inland Empire, and Rhetoric.

9. Detective Costeau

Unlock: Call yourself Detective Costeau.

• +1 Savoir Faire
• +1 Esprit de Corps

This Thought stems from a humorous interaction with Kim Kitsuragi. Failing a Conceptualization check and identifying as Detective Costeau unlocks this Thought, increasing Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps, showcasing the game's humorous and engaging writing.

8. Jamais Vu

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 provides bonus XP for interacting with the environment and increases the learning cap for all Intelligence (INT) skills, encouraging thorough exploration.

7. Bringing Of The Law (Law-Jaw)

Unlock: Repeatedly identify yourself as the Law, Lawbringer, or Policeman.

• 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 consistently portraying oneself as a law enforcement figure, players unlock this Thought, significantly enhancing Hand/Eye Coordination while incurring a minor penalty to Rhetoric.

6. Kingdom Of Conscience

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. It provides Morale regeneration for moralistic dialogue choices and raises the learning caps for Volition and Logic, crucial skills for navigating the game's narrative.

5. Indirect Modes Of Taxation

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

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

This Thought benefits players who favor an ultraliberal approach. Choosing capitalist-leaning dialogue options unlocks this Thought, providing additional in-game currency (Reál) at the cost of a minor Empathy reduction.

4. Mazovian Socio-Economics

Unlock: Earn 4 Communism points.

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

This Thought rewards players who embrace communist ideals. Selecting pro-working-class dialogue choices unlocks this Thought, providing substantial XP gains at the cost of minor penalties to Visual Calculus and Authority.

3. Actual Art Degree

Unlock: Agree to become an Art Cop.

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

This Thought focuses on the "Art Cop" archetype. Embracing artistic dialogue options unlocks this Thought, offering significant XP and Morale regeneration for successful Conceptualization checks, offsetting a minor reduction in Hand/Eye Coordination.

2. Rigorous Self-Critique

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. By adopting an apologetic demeanor, players unlock this Thought, converting failed skill checks into Health and Morale regeneration, mitigating the consequences of failure.

1. Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre

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

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

This Thought significantly boosts the rewards from Encyclopedia passives. Learning about the Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre unlocks this Thought, providing substantial XP and Reál gains for each successful Encyclopedia check, offsetting a minor reduction in Suggestion.