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 the game's environment, uncovering hidden treasures and engaging in unexpected events, from discovering power armor to stumbling upon an unintentional Attack on Titan cosplay.
As players delve into Disco Elysium's intricate world and the depths of their character's psyche, they encounter various Thoughts. These Thoughts can be adopted or discarded, gradually shaping the character's mindset. Each Thought influences the game's progression, sometimes positively, sometimes negatively, often presenting a double-edged sword. While the overall "best" Thought is subjective, some Thoughts offer demonstrably superior benefits.
Updated December 23, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Disco Elysium stands as one of the most profound and thought-provoking RPGs available. Its exceptional writing enriches 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 various advantages. Unlocking some of Disco Elysium's best Thoughts is crucial for maximizing the detective's competence and success in skill checks.
Here are some of the best Thoughts in Disco Elysium:
- 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 companion, is advantageous. Ace's Low enhances this relationship while boosting Esprit de Corps. This early-game Thought provides significant benefits.
- Hardcore Aesthetic
Unlock Method: Ask Noid what true life is and pass the Conceptualization check.
- +1 Volition
- +1 Endurance
Permanently increasing core stats is highly beneficial for succeeding in skill checks. Hardcore Aesthetic achieves this, though unlocking it requires a successful Conceptualization check after conversing with Noid in the church.
- Searchlight Division
Unlock Method: Speak to certain characters about missing people.
- +2 Perception
Investigating missing persons is a central aspect of the detective's role. Diligent inquiry with specific characters unlocks Searchlight Division, rewarding the player with a substantial Perception boost.
- 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 highlights the game's quirky nature. By focusing on seemingly insignificant scents, the player unlocks a Perception bonus.
- 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. It significantly boosts Suggestion, Inland Empire, and Rhetoric, three valuable skills.
- Detective Costeau
Unlock Method: Call yourself Detective Costeau.
- +1 Savoir Faire
- +1 Esprit de Corps
This humorous Thought, unlocked by embracing a fictional identity, strengthens the player's relationship with Kim Kitsuragi while boosting Savoir Faire and Esprit de Corps.
- Jamais Vu
Unlock Method: Speak to Lena and Joyce.
- +1 XP for every orb clicked
- All INT Learning Caps raised by 1
Jamais Vu rewards exploration with bonus XP and increased skill caps, encouraging thorough investigation.
- Bringing Of The Law (Law-Jaw)
Unlock Method: 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
This Thought is ideal for players who adopt an authoritative police persona. It significantly enhances Hand/Eye Coordination while incurring a minor penalty to Rhetoric.
- 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.
- 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 favoring a capitalist approach, this Thought provides additional Reál for Ultraliberal dialogue choices.
- Mazovian Socio-Economics
Unlock Method: Earn 4 Communism points.
- Left-wing dialogue options give +4 XP
- -1 Visual Calculus
- -1 Authority
This Thought rewards players who embrace communist ideals with bonus XP, though it slightly reduces Visual Calculus and Authority.
- Actual Art Degree
Unlock Method: Agree to become an Art Cop.
- -1 Hand/Eye Coordination
- Conceptualization passives heal +1 Morale & +10 XP
This Thought, tied to the Art Cop archetype, provides significant Morale and XP bonuses for successful Conceptualization passives.
- 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 failures into opportunities for healing, mitigating the impact of failed skill checks.
- 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 substantial XP and Reál rewards.
These Thoughts, when strategically utilized, can greatly enhance the player's experience in Disco Elysium: The Final Cut.
