Top Thoughts in Disco Elysium

***Disco Elysium: The Final Cut*** is a unique and captivating game that has won the hearts of many players. It invites gamers to delve into its richly detailed yet compact world, uncovering everything from a suit of power armor to an unexpected *Attack on Titan* cosplay. As players navigate the depths of both the game's world and their character's psyche, they encounter various Thoughts. These Thoughts can be adopted, discarded, and internalized, each one altering the character's mindset in ways that can enhance certain aspects of gameplay while potentially hindering others. While it's challenging to definitively rank these Thoughts due to their nuanced effects, some stand out as particularly beneficial for a variety of reasons.

***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, complemented by a compelling murder mystery that concludes satisfyingly. Exploring Revachol can consume hours, as the amnesiac protagonist discovers a range of intriguing Thoughts, each offering unique advantages. To maximize the detective's effectiveness across various skill checks, players should prioritize unlocking some of Disco Elysium's best Thoughts.*

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 skepticism about the detective's capabilities, players can earn his trust, provided they don't make significant mistakes. Strengthening the bond with Kim can be achieved through specific Thoughts that foster a positive relationship, and Ace's Low is a prime example.

To unlock this Thought, players must cut down the body from the Hanged Tree and slap it with a sufficient Interlacing skill. Pondering Ace's Low thereafter grants an increase in Esprit de Corps and enhances the connection with Kim Kitsuragi. This early-game Thought is highly beneficial for its positive effects.

13 Hardcore Aesthetic

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

• +1 Volition
• +1 Endurance

Thoughts that boost the main character's stats are highly valuable, as they increase the likelihood of success in skill checks. Hardcore Aesthetic is one such Thought, though unlocking it requires specific actions.

Players need to engage Noid at the church and inquire about true life, passing the subsequent Conceptualization check to unlock this Thought. The resulting increase in Volition and Endurance significantly enhances the player's experience, making Hardcore Aesthetic one of Disco Elysium's most beneficial Thoughts.

12 Searchlight Division

How To Unlock: Speak To Certain Characters About Missing People

• +2 Perception

As detectives, Harry and Kim frequently investigate missing persons cases throughout Revachol. By diligently pursuing leads and engaging relevant characters about these cases, players can unlock the Searchlight Division Thought.

This Thought, which enhances Perception without any negative side effects, is a rewarding choice for players committed to thorough investigation. It underscores the importance of persistence in uncovering clues and solving mysteries.

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 unconventional investigative methods in Disco Elysium often lead to unique discoveries, such as pondering the scents of a card in a hidden ledger compartment and an apricot chewing gum wrapper. These peculiar actions unlock the Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One Thought.

This Thought provides a valuable boost to Perception, aiding players in navigating the game's numerous skill checks. It exemplifies how Harry's quirky behavior endears him to players and enhances gameplay.

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 treasure trove of memorable interactions, and investigating the void of sound leads to a conversation with Soona that can unlock the Cleaning Out The Rooms Thought.

This Thought offers substantial benefits by enhancing Suggestion, Inland Empire, and Rhetoric simultaneously. It's an excellent choice for players seeking to maximize their character's conversational and analytical skills.

9 Detective Costeau

How To Unlock: Call Yourself Detective Costeau

• +1 Savoir Faire
• +1 Esprit de Corps

Kim Kitsuragi's grounded responses to Harry's eccentricities create a dynamic partnership that players enjoy. Calling oneself Raphael Ambrosius Costeau after failing a Conceptualization check and sticking to this persona unlocks the Detective Costeau Thought.

This Thought not only fosters a humorous bond between Harry and Kim but also boosts Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps. It showcases the game's exceptional writing and the depth of its character interactions.

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 concept of everything feeling unfamiliar, offers a unique gameplay advantage. It grants 1 XP for every orb clicked and raises the learning cap for all INT skills by one.

This Thought encourages exploration and rewards players for their curiosity, making it an excellent example of how Disco Elysium seamlessly integrates narrative and gameplay mechanics.

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 embracing the role of a confident, authoritative cop, Bringing of the Law is an appealing choice. This Thought raises the learning cap for Hand/Eye Coordination and ensures automatic success in related passives.

The minor penalty to Rhetoric is easily offset by other game elements, making this Thought a valuable asset for players focused on physical skills.

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

Kingdom of Conscience is a powerful Thought for players committed to the Moralist path. It heals Morale with each Moralist dialogue choice and raises the learning caps for Volition and Logic.

This Thought is particularly useful for maintaining high Morale and enhancing critical thinking skills throughout the game.

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

For players struggling with finances in the early game, Indirect Modes of Taxation offers a solution. By choosing pro-capitalist dialogue options and accepting bribes, players can unlock this Thought.

It provides a steady income through Ultraliberal dialogue choices, helping players manage their financial needs effectively.

4 Mazovian Socio-Economics

How To Unlock: Earn 4 Communism Points

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

Mazovian Socio-Economics is an alternative for players favoring communism. By consistently choosing pro-working-class dialogue options, players can unlock this Thought.

Despite penalties to Visual Calculus and Authority, the significant XP gain from left-wing dialogue makes it a worthwhile investment for long-term character development.

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

Actual Art Degree is tied to the Art Cop stereotype and can be unlocked by choosing artistic dialogue options. It offers a trade-off: a reduction in Hand/Eye Coordination in exchange for healing Morale and gaining XP from Conceptualization passives.

This Thought is highly effective for players focused on dialogue and narrative progression, providing substantial benefits without requiring specific political alignment.

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 turns failure into an opportunity for recovery. By apologizing frequently in dialogue, players can unlock this Thought.

It heals Morale and Health when failing red checks, making it an essential asset for players who often face challenges in skill checks.

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

Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre enhances Encyclopedia passives, providing XP and currency. Players can unlock this Thought by learning about it from Trant Heidelstam.

This Thought ensures a steady supply of XP and money, making it invaluable for players focused on knowledge and financial stability. Despite the penalty to Suggestion, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, making it one of Disco Elysium's most advantageous Thoughts.