Top Thoughts in Disco Elysium Revealed

***Disco Elysium: The Final Cut*** is a captivating and beloved game that invites players to delve into its intricate world, uncovering everything from a suit of power armor to an unintentional *Attack on Titan* cosplay. As players navigate the depths of *Disco Elysium*'s environment and their character's psyche, they encounter various Thoughts. These Thoughts can be adopted or discarded, influencing the protagonist's mindset and altering gameplay dynamics. While many Thoughts present a mix of benefits and drawbacks, some stand out as particularly advantageous for enhancing the detective's skills and overall experience.

***Updated on December 23, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra:*** *Disco Elysium stands out as one of the most profound and thought-provoking RPGs available. Its exceptional writing enriches every dialogue, complementing an engaging murder mystery that concludes satisfyingly. Exploring Revachol can captivate players for hours, with the amnesiac protagonist encountering numerous intriguing Thoughts that offer various benefits. To maximize the detective's effectiveness across crucial skill checks, players should prioritize unlocking some of the best Thoughts in *Disco Elysium*.*

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 pivotal character in Disco Elysium, gradually becomes one of the game's most cherished figures. Despite initial reservations about the detective, players can win his trust unless they make significant mistakes. Enhancing the relationship with Kim can be achieved by focusing on Thoughts that foster positive interactions, such as Ace's Low. By cutting down the body from the Hanged Tree and slapping it with a sufficient Interlacing skill, players can unlock this Thought. It boosts Esprit de Corps and deepens the bond with Kim, making it a valuable early-game asset.

13 Hardcore Aesthetic

How To Unlock: Ask Noid What True Life Is And Pass The Conceptualization Check

• +1 Volition
• +1 Endurance

Thoughts that permanently enhance the protagonist's stats are crucial for improving success rates in skill checks. Hardcore Aesthetic is a prime example, though unlocking it requires specific actions. Players must engage Noid in the church about the essence of true life, passing a Conceptualization check to unlock this Thought. The subsequent boosts to Volition and Endurance are highly beneficial, making Hardcore Aesthetic one of Disco Elysium's most valuable Thoughts.

12 Searchlight Division

How To Unlock: Speak To Certain Characters About Missing People

• +2 Perception

As detectives, players frequently investigate missing persons, a task central to Harry and Kim's mission in Revachol. By diligently questioning relevant characters about these cases, players can unlock the Searchlight Division Thought. This Thought offers a significant boost to Perception without any drawbacks, rewarding players for their thoroughness and enhancing their investigative capabilities.

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

Harry's eccentric behavior during the murder investigation in Revachol, such as fixating on random scents, endears him to players. By focusing on the smells of a card in a hidden ledger compartment and an apricot chewing gum wrapper, players can unlock this unique Thought. The resulting increase in Perception is invaluable for navigating the game's numerous skill checks effectively.

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

The church in Disco Elysium is a hub of fascinating interactions. After exploring the void of sound, players can discuss their findings with Soona to unlock the Cleaning Out the Rooms Thought. This Thought offers substantial benefits, enhancing Suggestion, Inland Empire, and Rhetoric skills simultaneously. It's a powerful choice for players looking to maximize their dialogue and investigative prowess.

9 Detective Costeau

How To Unlock: Call Yourself Detective Costeau

• +1 Savoir Faire
• +1 Esprit de Corps

Kim Kitsuragi's grounded nature complements Harry's eccentricity, allowing for humorous and engaging exchanges. When players fail a Conceptualization check and adopt the persona of Raphael Ambrosius Costeau, they unlock the Detective Costeau Thought. This not only strengthens the bond with Kim but also boosts Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps, showcasing the game's rich narrative and character development.

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 Deja Vu, represents a state where nothing feels familiar. This Thought rewards players with 1 XP for every orb clicked and raises the learning cap for all INT skills by one. It encourages thorough exploration and seamlessly integrates story with gameplay, making it a standout feature of Disco Elysium's Thought system.

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

For players who embrace the role of a confident, authoritative cop, Bringing of the Law is an appealing choice. It raises the learning cap for Hand/Eye Coordination and ensures automatic success in related passives, despite a minor penalty to Rhetoric. To unlock this Thought, players must repeatedly assert their identity as a lawbringer in dialogue.

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

Committing to the Moralist path through the Kingdom of Conscience Thought offers significant advantages. It heals Morale with each Moralist dialogue choice and raises the learning caps for Volition and Logic. This Thought is particularly useful for players who value moral integrity and wish to enhance their key skills.

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

Financial struggles are a common theme in Disco Elysium, especially early on. Embracing Ultraliberalism through the Indirect Modes of Taxation Thought can alleviate these issues. By choosing pro-capitalist dialogue options and accepting bribes, players can earn extra Reál, offsetting the minor penalty to Empathy.

4 Mazovian Socio-Economics

How To Unlock: Earn 4 Communism Points

• Left-Wing Dialogue Options Give +4 XP
• -1 Visual Calculus
• -1 Authority

For players who reject capitalism and favor communism, Mazovian Socio-Economics offers a compelling alternative. Despite penalties to Visual Calculus and Authority, the Thought provides a substantial XP boost for choosing pro-working-class dialogue options, making it a worthwhile investment for those committed to the cause.

3 Actual Art Degree

How To Unlock: Agree To Become An Art Cop

• -1 Hand/Eye Coordination
• Conceptualization Passives Heal +1 Morale & Give +10 XP

The Actual Art Degree Thought is tied to the Art Cop stereotype, rewarding players who choose artistic responses. While it reduces Hand/Eye Coordination, it offers significant benefits, including healing Morale and granting XP for every Conceptualization passive passed. This Thought is powerful and relatively easy to unlock, making it a valuable asset.

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

Managing Health and Morale is crucial in Disco Elysium, and Rigorous Self-Critique offers a unique solution. By turning failures into opportunities for healing, this Thought ensures players can recover from setbacks. Apologizing frequently in dialogue is key to unlocking this beneficial 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

The Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre Thought enhances Encyclopedia passives, providing both XP and Reál. Despite a penalty to Suggestion, this Thought ensures players have the resources they need to progress. It's an excellent choice for those who prioritize knowledge and financial stability in their gameplay.