Disco Elysium: Best Thoughts

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, a captivating and critically acclaimed game, invites players to thoroughly explore its richly detailed world, uncovering hidden treasures and even unintentionally creating an Attack on Titan cosplay.

As players delve into the game's intricate world and the complexities of their character, they encounter various Thoughts, which can be adopted, discarded, and internalized over time. Each Thought shapes the player's mindset, influencing outcomes both positively and negatively. While many Thoughts are double-edged, some stand out as undeniably 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 stands as one of the most profound and thought-provoking RPGs available. Its exceptional writing enhances every conversation, culminating in a satisfying resolution to the overarching murder mystery. Exploring Revachol is an immersive experience, with the amnesiac protagonist acquiring numerous intriguing Thoughts that offer distinct advantages. Unlocking these top Thoughts ensures optimal detective competence across crucial skill checks.

14. Ace's Low

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

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

Strengthening the bond with Kim Kitsuragi, a key character in Disco Elysium, is crucial. Ace's Low significantly improves this relationship while boosting Esprit de Corps. This early-game Thought offers immediate and lasting benefits.

13. Hardcore Aesthetic

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

• +1 Volition
• +1 Endurance

Permanently enhancing core stats is invaluable for success in skill checks. Hardcore Aesthetic achieves this, although unlocking it requires a successful Conceptualization check after conversing with Noid in the church. The increased Volition and Endurance significantly aid gameplay.

12. Searchlight Division

Unlock Method: Inquire about missing people with specific characters.

• +2 Perception

Investigating missing persons is a central aspect of the detective's role. Diligent questioning of relevant characters unlocks Searchlight Division, providing a substantial Perception boost.

11. Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One

Unlock Method: Smell the card in the Damaged Ledger's hidden compartment and the Apricot Chewing Gum Wrapper.

• +2 Perception

This Thought, unlocked through seemingly inconsequential actions (smelling a card and a gum wrapper), rewards players with a valuable Perception increase, aiding in skill checks.

10. Cleaning Out The Rooms

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

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

Exploring the church leads to a conversation with Soona, unlocking this Thought. The boosts to Suggestion, Inland Empire, and Rhetoric are highly beneficial.

9. Detective Costeau

Unlock Method: Call yourself Detective Costeau.

• +1 Savoir Faire
• +1 Esprit de Corps

This humorous Thought, unlocked by identifying as Detective Costeau, enhances Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps, showcasing the game's witty writing.

8. Jamais Vu

Unlock Method: Speak to Lena and Joyce.

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

Jamais Vu provides consistent XP rewards for exploration and increases INT skill caps, encouraging thorough investigation.

7. Bringing Of The Law (Law-Jaw)

Unlock Method: Repeatedly identify as The Law, Lawbringer, and a Policeman.

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

This Thought, ideal for players embracing an authoritative cop persona, significantly boosts Hand/Eye Coordination, offsetting the minor Rhetoric penalty.

6. Kingdom Of Conscience

Unlock Method: 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 Morale healing and increased skill caps for Volition and Logic.

5. Indirect Modes Of Taxation

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

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

For players prioritizing wealth, this Thought provides additional Reál for Ultraliberal dialogue choices, offsetting the Empathy reduction.

4. Mazovian Socio-Economics

Unlock Method: Earn 4 Communism points.

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

This Thought, favoring a communist approach, offers substantial XP gains for left-leaning dialogue, despite penalties to Visual Calculus and Authority.

3. Actual Art Degree

Unlock Method: Agree to become an Art Cop.

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

This Thought, linked to the Art Cop archetype, provides Morale healing and significant XP rewards for successful Conceptualization passives, outweighing the Hand/Eye Coordination reduction.

2. Rigorous Self-Critique

Unlock Method: 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 failed skill checks into health and morale recovery, proving invaluable for managing these crucial resources.

1. Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre

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

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

This Thought significantly enhances Encyclopedia passives, providing consistent XP and Reál gains, making it a top choice for players.