Disco Elysium is undoubtedly a detective game that puts players in the position of solving a complex murder, complete with a multitude of facts and technical hurdles. However, choosing the intellectual thinker build may not be the most effective route. In truth, there’s no definitive best way to play, as each build and skill has its own contributions, whether it’s helping with skill checks or revealing storylines that players could otherwise miss.
If you’re drawn to a smart, Sherlock Holmes-inspired investigator, this archetype is sure to captivate you. It empowers the officer to gather information, solve intricate puzzles, and engage with art. As with any build, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider before starting your investigation with a thoughtful mindset. A few strategic tips can help turn Disco’s analytical cop into a remarkable intellectual, while keeping spoilers at bay.
A Word About The Words
Bring Reading Glasses And Settle In
For players deciding on a build in Disco Elysium, the top recommendation is to go with something that reflects their real-life personality. Action-driven individuals may want to opt for a physical build, while those with a flair for creativity will appreciate the sensitive archetype. If you’re drawn to the thinker archetype, particularly on your first playthrough, be ready for a lot of reading or voiceover listening, and enjoy delving into intricate fictional histories, cultures, and thought-provoking philosophical debates.
Besides chatting with NPCs, the cop frequently has dialogues with his own thoughts. The intellect skills are the most verbose of all. Elevating the cop’s intellect leads to a flood of lore, detailed information, and extensive internal debates. This is ideal for players with strong conceptual skills and good memory in real life, particularly due to the high-quality writing in Disco. On the flip side, it could be tough for players who prefer a more action-oriented learning style.
Abilities & Signature Skills
Laying Out A Sensible Stack
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with blending the Intellect and Sensitivity archetypes! In fact, having a balanced character can lead to more possibilities than a highly specialized one. Just keep in mind that there might be some redundancy in the skills associated with both Intellect and Sensitivity. In Disco Elysium, you can boost your abilities temporarily or permanently, so not achieving “genius” or “great” levels in Intellect isn’t a dealbreaker.
Selecting a signature not only enhances one specific skill but also raises the overall skill cap for all other skills within that ability category. The Motorics’ Perception skill is particularly valuable for gathering clues and conducting analyses. Players who enjoy delving into details will find the Physical skill, Shivers, to be both enlightening and practically beneficial at advanced levels, especially as the game approaches its conclusion.
Experiment (But Don’t Neglect Physical Or Mental Health)
Don’t Be A Total Pushover, Brain Boy
Over the years, traditional game design has shaped RPG players to focus on the question, “What is the best build?” However, Disco Elysium takes a different approach by incorporating failure and its consequences into every action and outcome. This means players can feel free to explore and experiment with skills that interest them, rather than stressing about their weaknesses. There are, though, a couple of exceptions to this idea.
If you’re going for a thinker build, it’s best to avoid having a cop with only one point in Volition (indicating poor mental health) and Endurance (indicating poor physical health). Any damage in these areas will result in an instant game over. Although it can be entertaining to watch the cop meet his demise early on due to his inability to cope with physical challenges, having at least one additional point is a smarter choice. Plus, you can carry as many health and morale-restoring items as you want, and they’re generally inexpensive and easy to acquire.
Clothing For A Thinker Archetype Build
Dress Smart, Feel Smarter
If you want to elevate the cop’s intellectual prowess, there are certain clothing items that offer bonuses to various cognitive skills. Inside a storage room of the apartment buildings, there’s a box containing +1 Logic glasses, which will cost you some Authority. You can also find a different pair of glasses on the boardwalk that provides +2 Encyclopedia, but you’ll have to give up one Perception point to get them. Keep in mind that these glasses can only be accessed after the first day when additional parts of the map are revealed.
Once the officer successfully navigates the water, they can explore the fishing village close to the boardwalk, where two extra Intellect clothing items await. An abandoned shack hides a bowtie that provides a +2 boost to Drama, and the Coastal Shack boasts a fashionable jacket that enhances Logic by +1. This ensemble will ensure the officer looks and feels intelligent.
Boosting Intellect Through Consumables
Clear Head, Smokey Lungs
Skill levels and their upper limits are generally established during character creation, but you can enhance them with certain thoughts and drugs that alter stats. If you’re open to overlooking the actual health risks, it’s worth mentioning that “smokes Astra,” sold at the Frittte convenience store, can temporarily raise a cop’s Intellect by one point.
Smoking gives players the chance to boost their Intellect skill even after reaching its maximum, as long as they have a skill point available and at least two health points left. Once the effects of the cigarettes fade, the new level will stay.
Only The Finest Thoughts
Bigger Brains Means Faster Learning
Many RPGs associate a high intelligence score with a faster rate of gaining experience points, and Disco Elysium follows this trend. To benefit from this, players need to equip two specific thoughts in the Thought Cabinet. The first thought, “Actual Art Degree,” can be unlocked by consistently choosing pro-art dialogue options around four to five times. Although this choice will decrease the cop’s Hand-Eye Coordination skill, it grants him 10 experience points and healing during every passive Conceptualization check.
After the second day, players can access the “Wompty-Dompty Dom Centre,” which provides 10 experience points and a little extra money through a passive Encyclopedia check. To acquire this thought, engage in a conversation with a man by a mural about “tape computers.” These thoughts will greatly benefit officers with strong skill investments, as higher skills enhance their engagement in dialogue and exploration, leading to more experience points.