Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a captivating and critically acclaimed game known for its intricate world and compelling narrative. Players are encouraged to thoroughly explore this richly detailed environment, uncovering hidden objects and engaging in unique interactions, ranging from donning power armor to inadvertently creating an Attack on Titan cosplay.
Throughout their investigation, players encounter various Thoughts within the game's mechanics. These Thoughts, which can be adopted, discarded, and internalized over time, significantly influence the protagonist's mindset and actions, impacting outcomes both positively and negatively. While many Thoughts present a double-edged sword, some stand out as particularly beneficial. This list highlights some of the best Thoughts in Disco Elysium, objectively superior for various reasons.
Updated December 23, 2024: Disco Elysium remains a standout RPG celebrated for its profound writing and immersive world. The compelling murder mystery unfolds through engaging conversations, and exploring Revachol offers countless hours of captivating gameplay. The amnesiac protagonist's journey involves acquiring numerous Thoughts, each offering unique advantages. Unlocking these optimal Thoughts enhances the detective's capabilities and success rates across crucial skill checks.
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Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre:
Unlock: Learn about the Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre from Trant Heidelstam.
Benefits: +10 XP and 2 Reál for each successful Encyclopedia passive. -2 Suggestion. This consistently provides valuable XP and in-game currency, offsetting the minor Suggestion penalty.
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Rigorous Self-Critique:
Unlock: Agree to become a "Sorry Cop."
Benefits: 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 recovery, mitigating the consequences of skill checks.
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Actual Art Degree:
Unlock: Agree to become an Art Cop.
Benefits: -1 Hand/Eye Coordination. Conceptualization passives heal +1 Morale and give +10 XP. This thought offers significant rewards for successful Conceptualization passives, outweighing the slight Hand/Eye Coordination penalty.
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Mazovian Socio-Economics:
Unlock: Earn 4 Communism points.
Benefits: Left-wing dialogue options give +4 XP. -1 Visual Calculus. -1 Authority. The substantial XP bonus compensates for the minor penalties to Visual Calculus and Authority.
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Indirect Modes of Taxation:
Unlock: Wear the Brown Derbies trousers or acquire 4 Ultraliberal points.
Benefits: Ultraliberal dialogue options give +1 Reál. -1 Empathy. This provides a steady stream of in-game currency, making it valuable for players who prioritize financial resources.
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Kingdom of Conscience:
Unlock: Wear the Interisolary trousers or acquire 4 Moralism points.
Benefits: Moralist dialogue options heal +1 Morale. Learning Cap for Volition raised to 5. Learning Cap for Logic raised to 5. This thought offers significant boosts to key skills and morale regeneration.
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Bringing of the Law (Law-Jaw):
Unlock: Call yourself "The Law," "Lawbringer," and a policeman multiple times.
Benefits: Learning Cap for Hand/Eye Coordination raised to 6. Automatically succeed all Hand/Eye Coordination passives. -1 Rhetoric. This significantly enhances Hand/Eye Coordination capabilities, minimizing the impact of the Rhetoric penalty.
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Jamais Vu:
Unlock: Speak to Lena and Joyce.
Benefits: +1 XP for every orb clicked. All INT learning caps raised by 1. This thought rewards exploration and enhances intellectual skill development.
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Detective Costeau:
Unlock: Call yourself Detective Costeau.
Benefits: +1 Savoir Faire. +1 Esprit de Corps. This thought boosts crucial social and professional skills.
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Cleaning Out the Rooms:
Unlock: Pass a Logic check with Soona after investigating the Void of Sound.
Benefits: +1 Suggestion. +1 Inland Empire. +1 Rhetoric. This simultaneously improves multiple important skills.
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Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One:
Unlock: Smell the card in the damaged ledger's hidden compartment and the apricot chewing gum wrapper.
Benefits: +2 Perception. This provides a substantial boost to a key investigative skill.
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Searchlight Division:
Unlock: Speak to certain characters about missing people.
Benefits: +2 Perception. This enhances the detective's ability to gather information.
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Hardcore Aesthetic:
Unlock: Ask Noid what true life is and pass the Conceptualization check.
Benefits: +1 Volition. +1 Endurance. This improves two crucial character stats.
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Ace's Low:
Unlock: Shoot the Hanged Man and slap it with Interlacing at 5 or greater.
Benefits: +2 Empathy for Kim Kitsuragi. +1 Esprit de Corps. This strengthens the relationship with a key companion and improves a valuable skill.
These Thoughts offer significant advantages, enhancing gameplay and enriching the overall Disco Elysium experience. Careful consideration of their benefits and drawbacks will allow players to tailor their approach to the game's challenges.
