Disco Elysium: A Thought-Provoking Adventure

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 this richly detailed environment, uncovering everything from advanced power armor to unexpected cosplay opportunities.

As players delve into the game's narrative and unravel the complexities of their character, they'll encounter numerous Thoughts. These internal monologues can be adopted, discarded, and internalized over time, shaping the protagonist's mindset and influencing outcomes. While many Thoughts offer double-edged benefits, some stand out as demonstrably advantageous. This list highlights some of the best Thoughts in Disco Elysium, objectively superior for various reasons.

Updated December 23, 2024: Disco Elysium's profound writing and compelling murder mystery make it a standout RPG. Exploring Revachol is an engaging experience, with the amnesiac protagonist acquiring many Thoughts that offer distinct advantages. Unlocking these Thoughts is crucial for maximizing the detective's competence and success in skill checks.

14. Ace's Low

Unlock: 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, is vital. Ace's Low boosts this relationship and Esprit de Corps, providing early-game advantages.

13. Hardcore Aesthetic

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

• +1 Volition
• +1 Endurance

Permanently increasing core stats significantly improves success rates in skill checks, making Hardcore Aesthetic a valuable asset.

12. Searchlight Division

Unlock: Inquire about missing persons with specific characters.

• +2 Perception

Diligent investigation into missing persons unlocks this Thought, rewarding players with a substantial Perception boost.

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, unlocked through seemingly insignificant actions, provides a valuable Perception bonus.

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

Investigating the church and interacting with Soona unlocks this Thought, boosting three valuable skills simultaneously.

9. Detective Costeau

Unlock: Call yourself Detective Costeau.

• +1 Savoir Faire
• +1 Esprit de Corps

This humorous self-designation boosts Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps, highlighting the game's witty 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 rewards exploration with XP and increases skill caps, encouraging thorough investigation.

7. Bringing Of The Law (Law-Jaw)

Unlock: Repeatedly identify yourself 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 significantly improves Hand/Eye Coordination, offsetting the minor Rhetoric penalty.

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, while committing to a Moralist path, offers significant benefits in Morale and skill caps.

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 provides a steady income stream through Ultraliberal dialogue choices.

4. Mazovian Socio-Economics

Unlock: Earn 4 Communism points.

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

This Thought rewards communist dialogue choices with substantial XP gains.

3. Actual Art Degree

Unlock: Agree to become an Art Cop.

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

This Thought offers significant XP and Morale benefits through Conceptualization passives.

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 turns failed checks into health and morale recovery, mitigating the impact 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, providing consistent XP and Reál.