Thought Cabinet

A filled Thought Cabinet.

The early version of the Thought Cabinet.

The Thought Cabinet and its Thoughts are a game mechanic in Disco Elysium, offering insight into your life prior to the case, as well as stat bonuses and other minor gameplay differences.

Overview

Depending on choices made over the course of a playthrough, there will be a plethora of different Thoughts to internalize. Not every Thought can be earned in one playthrough, such as White Mourning (and potentially The Bow Collector) being opposite to Caustic Echo depending on which ledger is acquired, or Ace's Low and Ace's High being more or less the same skill with minor differences.

If a free slot is available in the Thought Cabinet, a discovered Thought may be equipped to begin researching it. While a Thought is being researched, a temporary skill penalty or bonus will be granted. During this process, the Thought may be equipped and unequipped freely, pausing or resuming the research. After a set amount of in-game time has passed, the equipped Thought will cause "breakthrough", after which a white thought orb will appear, and it will become permanently internalized. Forgetting a thought after this point will require a skill point to remove it, and it will be gone permanently from the Thought Cabinet for the remainder of the playthrough.

Research time does not progress for internalized Thoughts while sleeping.

Tips

• Thoughts that give no bonuses, or negative bonuses, such as Volumetric Shit Compressor, are recommended to be forgotten after they are internalized.
• Note that a thought effectively costs two skill points to learn (one for the slot and one to actually learn it.) Therefore, any skill that just grants a net +2 is merely breaking even verses spending your points on skills directly, and anything with a total of +1 or less is a net loss.
• Also note that most thoughts give less than a net +3 skill benefit. Unless you need their other effects or story impacts, thoughts are generally less effective at improving your capabilities than spending your skill points directly on skills.
• Jamais Vu (Derealization), Actual Art Degree, Mazovian Socio-Economics, and Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre offer small amounts of bonus XP.
  • Jamais Vu (Derealization) is easily accessible from the first day on, and can be of immense help to any players struggling to level up.
• The Fifteenth Indotribe, Indirect Modes of Taxation, Hobocop and Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre offer extra Reál.
  • Hobocop is easily accessible on the first day, and helps to pay off the debt owed to Garte without relying on Kim Kitsuragi, Evrart Claire, or Joyce Messier.
• Bringing of the Law (Law-Jaw) and Fairweather T-500 are recommended for low-Motorics build players for the Mercenary Tribunal in the latter half of the game.

Thoughts

Name	Temporary Research Bonus	Bonuses After Research	Research Time	How to Acquire
Ace's High	+1 Empathy towards Kim	+1 Empathy towards Kim Kitsuragi +1 Esprit de Corps	2h 45m	After successfully shooting down the corpse, choose "Slap it". With Interfacing ≥ 5, Ace's Low becomes an option.
Ace's Low	+2 Empathy towards Kim	+2 Empathy towards Kim Kitsuragi +1 Esprit de Corps	2h 45m	After successfully shooting down the corpse, choose "Slap it and wait for an Ace's Low" (requires Interfacing ≥ 5). The option "Slap it" gives Ace's High instead.
Actual Art Degree	-1 Perception	-1 Hand/Eye Coordination Conceptualization passives heal +1 Morale and give +10 XP	1h 30m	Speak five "Art Cop" dialogue lines. Having 4+ Conceptualization and Drama is helpful here.
Advanced Race Theory	-1 Drama	Learning Cap for Rhetoric raised to 5 +1 Conceptualization	1h 40m	Talk to Measurehead and pass a Conceptualization check.
Anti-Object Task Force	-2 Pain Threshold	Attacking physical objects heals damage +1 Pain Threshold All FYS (Physical/Pink) learning caps raised by 1	2h 15m	Keep hitting physical objects with your hands/feet.
Apricot Chewing Gum Scented One	-1 Reaction Speed	+2 Perception	5h 5m	Open the hidden compartment in the clipboard (Active skill check Interfacing ≥ 10), smell your Ledger's Note, check the Pour L'Homme Labourer Jeans for the Apricot Chewing Gum Wrapper, examine the wrapper and take a deep breath.
Arno van Eyck	+1 Interfacing	All MOT white checks unlocked Reveal Arno van Eyck gig posters in the world	50m	Once you give Egg Head the tape found in the tree, agree with Acele that Arno Van Eyck must live around here. (Must have converted the church into a dance club)
Bankruptcy Sequence	-1 Empathy	Int Check Failures give 1 reál	5h 15m	Talk the container in the dockyard open and successfully pitch a bad idea, like the welkin radio board game. (Requires an active Conceptualization check)
Boiadeiro	-1 Physical Instrument	-1 Esprit De Corps Cigarettes give +2 INT (Blue SKills)	6h 30m	Pass an Inland Empire check when talking to Mañana after wondering about your name. Must have talked to Evrart to open this dialogue.
Bringing of the Law (Law-Jaw)	-1 Rhetoric	Learning Cap for Hand/Eye Coodination raised to 6 Automatically Succeed all Hand/Eye Coordination passives -1 Rhetoric	2h 55m	Choose options that enforce the law, refer to yourself as the Lawbringer to Lilienne, the Net Picker (In the Fishing Village, Day 3 and beyond)
Caustic Echo	+1 Volition	+300 xp on Completion -1 Authority All MOT (Yellow/Agility) learning caps raised by 1	10h	Open hidden compartment in ledger, throw card away (Option requires a successful Volition passive check), think about it immediately afterward
Cleaning Out the Rooms	None	+1 Suggestion +1 Inland Empire +1 Rhetoric	5h 35m	Pass a difficult Logic check with Soona at the church after investigating the void of sound (Day 3+)
Coach Physical Instrument	-2 Encyclopedia	+2 Physical Instrument if shirt slot is empty -1 Encyclopedia	40m	Talk to René Arnoux. Your Physical Instrument starts telling you to play the ball. Instead observe, ask questions about the game and end up "failing" the throw. Requires at least 2 points in Physical Instrument.
Col Do Ma Ma Daqua	None	+3 Perception -1 Encyclopedia	7h 10m	Talk to Lena about the invisible Phasmid (Requires Suggestion), then go outside and listen closely.
Cop of the Apocalypse	-1 Rhetoric	Learning cap for Inland Empire raised to 6 Learning cap for Shivers raised to 6 Pyrholidon gives +2 PSY	6h 55m	Keep thinking about the apocalypse (Requires PSY/Purple stats)
Date of Birth Generator	None	Learning Cap for Logic raised to 4 -1 difficulty to all FYS (Physical/Pink) passives	7h 15m	Wonder when you were born
Detective Costeau	-2 Conceptualization	+1 Savoir Faire +1 Esprit de Corps	2h 30m	Keep referring to yourself as Detective Costeau (Requires failing a Conceptualization check), refuse your real name.
Fairweather T-500	-1 Savoir Faire	+2 Hand/Eye Coordination against enemies in FT-500 armor	3h 30m	Find pieces of the ceramic body armor and equip one of them
Finger on the Eject Button	+2 Authority +2 Suggestion	Suicidal ideas every evening	2h	Have 5+ Pain Threshold and fail Hardie boys Authority check also chose suicidal dialogue options.
Finger Pistols (9mm)	-2 Savoir Faire	+1 Reaction Speed Empty hand slots give Suggestion +1 (both have to be empty)	1h	Have 5+ Composure when first talking to Siileng. Choose to whip out your finger-shooters.
Guillaume le Million	-1 Logic	+1 Pain Threshold All PSY (Purple) Learning Caps raised by 1	4h 30m	Pass an Encyclopedia check with the mirror in your room.
Hardcore Aesthetic	-2 Interfacing	+1 Volition +1 Endurance	1h 50m	Manage to form the church nightclub, sync your sines with Noid, and pass the white Conceptualization check in his dialogue.
Hobocop	-1 Composure	Reveals extra Tare bottles on the map More money from selling tare bottles Learning cap for Shivers raised to 6	4h 20m	Become homeless or refer to yourself as homeless
Homo-Sexual Underground	None	Stopped obsessing about sexuality Allows you to discuss sexuality with Kim	8h	Pass the Composure check when talking to the Smoker on the Balcony and ask him if he's in the underground movement.
Indirect Modes of Taxation	-2 Empathy	Ultraliberal dialogue options give +1 reál (Pro-Capitalist, Anti-Working class, Anti-Taxes, Hustle for money) -1 Empathy	1h 45m	Pick up shoes in the apartment block and wear them, accept bribes from Joyce and Evrart, support capitalist ideals, or any other choice that supports just you making money. Your subconscious will contact you.
Inexplicable Feminist Agenda	+2 Authority vs Males	+1 Empathy -1 Electrochemistry	3h 45m	Get Garte to admit why Sylvie left when first talking to him with Kim and then claim to be a Feminist.
Jamais Vu (Derealization)	None	+1 XP for every orb clicked All INT (Blue) learning caps raised by 1	3h 25m	Talk to Lena about understanding your reality. She will refer you to Joyce, who you can converse with about reality to unlock this.
Kingdom of Conscience	-2 Half-light	Moralist Dialogue options heal +1 Morale Learning Cap for Volition raised to 5 Learning cap for Logic raised to 5	1h 25m	Pick up pants near the fishing village and wear them or choose neutral/moderate dialogue options (Don't be pro-capitalism, don't be pro-communism, don't be pro-nationalism)
Lonesome Long Way Home	+1 Encyclopedia	Perception learning cap raised to 5 Speed (the drug) gives 1 PSY (Purple Stat)	6h 5m	Wonder where your home is.
Magnesium-Based Lifeform	-1 Shivers	+2 Volition -1 Logic	1h 15m	Talk to Cuno about the Magnesium in his Shack. (Composure 5+)
Mazovian Socio-Economics	-2 Visual Calculus	Left-wing Dialogue options give +4 xp (Communist) -1 Visual Calculus -1 Authority	3h 10m	Choose left wing dialogue options. (Communist ones) Your Rhetoric will contact you.
Motorway South	-1 Visual Calculus	+1 Inland Empire All INT (Blue skill) White Checks Unlocked	8h 10m	Talk to Joyce and the Paledriver about the void.
One More Door	+1 Half-light	-1 Half-Light All PSY (Purple) White Checks Unlocked	45m	Try and fail to open the bunker door north of the Church, Red Interfacing Check (Day 3+)
Opioid Receptor Antagonist	-2 Electrochemistry	No positive effects from drugs No negative effects from alcohol	55m	Talk to Klaasje about her drugs and tell her they're nothing to be proud of.
Overproductive Honour Glands	-4 Drama	Learning cap for Authority raised to 5	20m	Do honourable activities, refuse bribes from Joyce and Evrart, keep your word, etc.
Regular Law Official	-2 Inland Empire	-1 Shivers -1 Inland Empire All learning caps raised to 3	1h 20m	Be normal and boring. Your Drama will contact you.
Remote Viewers Division	-1 Perception	-1 Difficulty to all PSY (Purple) Passive Checks -1 Drama	6h	Choose ESP-related dialogue options.
Revacholian Nationhood	-1 Composure	Nationalist dialogue options damage -1 Morale Alcohol gives +2 FYS (Physical/Pink)	9h 10m	Speak four "Traditionalist" (Fascist) dialogue options. Your Endurance will contact you.
Rigorous Self-Critique	-1 Authority	INT (Blue) and PSY (Purple) Red Check failures heal +1 Morale FYS (Pink) and MOT (Yellow) Red Check failures heal +1 Health Learning Cap for Pain Threshold increased to +6	6h	AKA Sorry Cop. Keep apologizing for everything and feeling sorry for yourself.
Searchlight Division	None	+2 Perception	3h 15m	Talk to the Lena, Lilenne and the Working Class Woman about missing people.
Some kind of Superstar	-2 Logic	-1 Logic Learning caps for the following raised to 6 Visual Calculus Suggestion Electrochemistry Composure	1h 10m	Keep referring to yourself as a Superstar. Can happen after the "Sunday" talk with Klaasje on the roof.
The Bow Collector	-1 Authority -1 Hand/Eye Coordination	+3 Shivers	6h 10m	Gotten at the same time as White Mourning; requires 6+ Conceptualization. Choose the Bow Collector option when talking to the Ancient Reptillian Brain.
The Fifteenth Indotribe	None	+10 cents for each green orb clicked Learning Cap for Savoir Faire raised to 6	5h 55m	Talk to Joyce about her company Wild Pines, specifically the option about "8 percent of *all* cargo in the world."
The Insulindian Miracle	None	All White Checks unlocked	7h 45m	Tell Joyce about the Unions ultimate end goal and then listen to her explain how these islands were discovered.
The Jamrock Shuffle	-1 Esprit de Corps	Find better loot in locked containers	1h 5m	Open a lot of locked doors and/or objects, for me triggered by opening blue door.
The Litany of Contact Mike	-1 Logic -1 Conceptualization -1 Drama	All FYS (Physical/Pink) White Checks unlocked	15m	Talk to Acele (she's the girl by the tent, near the Boardwalk, on day 3+) about Contact Mike. Requires a passive Encyclopedia Check of 8 10+ and possibly a passive physical Instrument check of 10+ afterwards.
The Precarious World	All red checks fail	Critical success/failure thresholds -1 (Critical success on 6:6, 6:5 and 5:6. Critical failure on 1:1, 1:2, 2:1)	4h	Pass the Shivers check with the Dice Maker inside the abandoned business building behind the Bookstore.
The Suicide of Kras Mazov	-1 Rhetoric	+1 Rhetoric White Check failures heal all Morale	4h 45min	Examine the trash container behind the Whirling-in-Rags Ask Garte for the key Pass a passive skill check Rhetoric ≥ 7, choose "Doesn't it seem callous to you" Pass a passive skill check Encyclopedia ≥ 9, choose "Maybe I *am* Kras Mazov" Examine the Bust of Kras Mazov in the apartment building and insist that you are Kras Mazov.
Torque Dork	-2 Conceptualization	+2 Interfacing All Interfacing White Checks unlocked	25m	Must start the game with 3 Encyclopedia OR LESS Examine Kim's car, ask "What are we looking at?" and choose "This must be what woke me up" On day 2 walk past Kim's Motorcar and click the yellow orb while having 4 Encyclopedia and 6 Interfacing as well as not knowing your name. Exhaust all dialogue options and say you just know you like cars.
Volumetric Shit Compressor	None	All currently locked white Endurance checks unlocked Learning cap for Endurance raised to 4	30m	Throw up twice while looking at the Hanging Corpse and want to quit Police work.
Waste Land of Reality	-2 Physical Instrument	-1 Physical Instrument -1 Inland Empire -1 Suggestion +1 to all Psyche skills (PSY/Purple) No positive effects from Alcohol	20 hours	Get Sober. Research Advanced Race Theory then talk to Measurehead and tell him you need to get sober. Can also be obtained by talking to Tiago inside the church on day 3+ and saying you should get sober.
White Mourning	-1 Authority	+20% Zoom Out Distance All MOT (Agility/Yellow) learning caps raised by 1	5h	Read the entire note inside your Ledger, then pass an Interfacing check.
Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre	-1 Suggestion	Encyclopedia passives give +10 xp and +2 reál -2 Suggestion	42m	Talk to Trant Heidelstam about the Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre.