How to Find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation Using Archive Records – Top 5 Ways Revealed

In The Outer Worlds 2, Archivist Maler’s Dissertation on Deescalation Theory is a hidden book required for a side quest in the game. This guide walks you through every step to locate the dissertation inside the game. You’ll learn how to trigger the quest and how to complete it. 

Trying to find Archivist Maler’s dissertation in The Outer Worlds 2 can feel confusing. Many players explore the monastery for far too long simply because the path upward is easy to miss. That frustration is completely normal, and it often slows down quest progress more than expected.

This guide is designed to give you clear, practical direction so you can find Archivist Maler’s dissertation without unnecessary backtracking. You will learn exactly where to go, what to interact with, and how to avoid the small mistakes that usually waste time. The aim is not just to tell you where the book is, but to help you understand the logic behind the level design.

By the end of this article, you will know the precise route through Alexandra Monastery, how to reach the hidden gallery, and what to do once you collect the book. With the right approach, this objective becomes straightforward rather than frustrating.

Quick Key Points at a Glance

• Archivist Maler’s dissertation is a required quest item hidden in the upper gallery inside the game.
• The objective is part of the “Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality” quest, where finding two books allows you to progress the storyline.
• Progression through the monastery depends on restoring power to a locked circuit, which opens access to the dormitory and key exploration areas.
• The correct route requires entering the “Betray Your Values” door and then finding the book on the top hidden level.
• The challenge is primarily navigation and environmental awareness rather than combat difficulty or character build requirements.

What’s Archivist Maler’s Dissertation & Where to Find It?

More than 60% of UK adults play video games these days, and The Outer Worlds 2 is the most popular game among players. However, one mission in this game is one that many gamers struggle with. This mission is to find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation. 

Archivist Maler’s dissertation (titled “Dissertation on Deescalation Theory” is one of two rare books needed for the Anchorites’ side quest. In the game’s story, two scholars (Anchoress Brun and Anchoress Chao) are locked inside Alexandra Monastery. They were endlessly debating whether war is ever justified. They ask you to find books that support their arguments. Maler’s dissertation is Brun’s book.

This academic-sounding Archivist Maler dissertation summary is purely fictional and exists only in-game, but it is crucial to finish this quest. In practical terms, you need to find it to satisfy Brun’s request and trigger the quest’s conclusion. Dr Charles Smith, Head of the Department of Dissertation Writing Service at The Academic Papers UK, states that completing the Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality quest requires finding Archivist Maler’s dissertation. 

This text serves as Brun’s philosophical foundation within the game’s narrative structure. The table below summarises both required books and how to obtain them:

5 Step Guide to Find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation Using Archive Records

Before jumping into the exact route, it helps to understand why this objective feels harder than it actually is. Around 90% of people don’t finish their games, given how difficult they are. The monastery is designed to encourage exploration, which means the correct path is not always obvious at first glance. That said, once you follow a structured approach, the process becomes surprisingly quick. Here are the steps to find archivist Maler’s dissertation by using archive records:

Step 1: Start the Side Quest

First, make sure you have triggered Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality. During the main quest “On the Trail of the Traitor”, head into Alexandra Monastery’s courtyard. As you approach the big tree in the centre, look for a doorway marked “Anchorhold” to the right. Inside the Anchorhold, you’ll find two scholars (Brun and Chao) locked behind a cell. 

Use the microphone in that room to speak with them. They will complain about missing books and ask you to find reading material. Agree to help them and this officially starts the quest. You’ll see the objectives update to find Only Real Numbers and Maler’s dissertation.

Step 2: Restore Power (if needed)

After exiting the Anchorhold, you’ll notice a locked door nearby due to a power circuit that’s out. You can’t progress until this door is fixed. There are two options:

• Hack the Circuit (Hack 8): If your character has a high hacking skill, use it on the circuit breaker directly.
• Find the Book: If not, talk to the Anchorites again and inquire about “The Essential History of Mechanised Doors.” This will reveal a hidden panel or drawer. Take the “The Essential History of Mechanised Doors: How They Open, Close, and Everything in Between” book. Then use it on the circuit panel; doing so will automatically restore power.

Once fixed, the door unlocks. Open it and proceed upstairs through the Novice Dormitory hallway and a reception area. You’ll eventually reach a room where hostages are held and see two doors labelled “Be a Hero” (right) and “Betray Your Values” (left). 

For more on handling decision points and structured paths (like choosing doors in quests or outlining essays), check out this essay writing guide with clear step-by-step techniques: Essay Writing Made Easy – Types, Structure, Techniques & Expert Advice.”

Step 3: Find Only Real Numbers (Chao’s Book)

To get Chao’s book (Only Real Numbers: The Casualties of Appeasement), take the right-hand “Be a Hero” door. Inside, go upstairs and head to the first room on the left. 

There’s a balcony with red lighting and a vent in the corner. Crawl through this vent; it leads directly into a small office where Only Real Numbers lies on a desk. (If you have Engineer Level 5 or the Brawny trait, you can instead unlock the office door from the balcony without using the vent.) Grab the book from the desk and you automatically add quest inventory.

Step 4: Find Maler’s Dissertation (Brun’s Book) 

Return to the hallway outside the hostages to find Archivist Maler’s dissertation online. This time, take the left “Betray Your Values” door. You will enter the monastery scriptorium, a large room filled with bookshelves and wooden furniture. Follow the given steps to find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation:

• From the scriptorium’s entrance, look to your left: you should see some wooden planks. These planks form a climbable scaffold leading to the upper gallery.
• Climb up the planks. When you reach the higher platform, you might need to jump across a short gap to the adjacent ledge. 
• Once you are on the upper level, move to the left corner of the gallery. There, on a small desk, you will find “Dissertation on Deescalation Theory” by Archivist Maler. Access Archivist Maler’s thesis and leave the space.
• Pick up this book. You have now found Maler’s dissertation and completed the treasure hunt part of the quest.

Step 5: Return Books and Finish Quest

With both books in hand, head back to the Anchorhold cell where Brun and Chao are waiting. Use the Anchorite Drawer in that room to hand over each book, including the Archivist’s research paper. They will read your finds. In true philosophical fashion, they immediately start debating again. 

This triggers a final dialogue where you must choose whose argument you side with. Both choices give fixed rewards, but you will also receive a unique bonus (Repellent Awakened Seer Robes if siding with Chao, or a Sawed-Off Heavy Machine Gun if siding with Brun).

Remember, Archivist Maler’s academic research work is not an actual work; just a game version. To make the process easier to review, the table below summarises each major step and its outcome. Use it as a quick reference if you need to retrace your route or double-check progression while trying to find Archivist Maler’s dissertation. 

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Finding Archivist Maler’s Dissertation

Even when you know the general route to find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation, small oversights can still slow you down. The monastery layout is hard, which makes it easy to miss visual cues or trigger the wrong interaction at the wrong time. That said, most issues come from a handful of predictable mistakes rather than anything complicated. The following are common issues that novice gamers find:

1. Skipping the Anchorhold mic: If you leave the Anchorites’ cell without using the microphone to talk, the quest won’t start and you’ll see no objectives. Always speak to Brun and Chao through the mic and accept to find them books.
2. Ignoring the power circuit: Some players miss fixing the locked door circuit and then wonder why they can’t progress. Remember: restore power either by hacking or by taking the “Mechanised Doors” book from the drawer as described.
3. Missing the vent or scaffolding: It’s easy to overlook how to reach the books. For Chao’s book, look for the vent in the red-lit balcony (or pick the locked door if you can). For Maler’s dissertation, do not try to stay on the ground. You must climb the yellow-cloth scaffold.
4. Triggering Seer Wiley’s event: The monastery also holds hostages and a related trap by Seer Wiley. A common mistake is entering the observatory and ending that event before collecting the books. Avoid activating the Seer Wiley scene until after you finish this side quest. In short, stay on task: locate the books first, then worry about the other objectives later. The quest won’t break if you delay Wiley’s segment.
5. Underestimating fight: The upper levels are guarded by Order Rogues. Be prepared for combat when retrieving Only Real Numbers. Clear the enemies or use stealth, then continue the search.

How Experts Help in Finding Archivist Maler’s Dissertation

Locating Archivist Maler’s dissertation requires a strategic approach, similar to searching for any rare academic work. Students often need guidance to efficiently access and use these resources, which is where dissertation writing services can be helpful. These services assist in structuring research, locating hard-to-find sources, and ensuring proper use of academic references.

Key steps to locate the dissertation:

• Search university repositories and digital archives for the dissertation.
• Explore national or regional thesis and dissertation databases.
• Use academic search engines such as Google Scholar or ProQuest.
• Request interlibrary loans for works not available locally.
• Contact the author or their department directly for access or guidance.

Using these methods, students can locate the dissertation effectively and maintain academic rigour in their research projects with the support of experts.

Conclusion

Finding Archivist Maler’s dissertation might seem tricky at first glance, but with the right approach, it’s entirely doable. We started in the monastery’s Anchorhold, accepted the scholars’ quest for books and methodically explored to retrieve both texts. We learned to repair the locked door, search the library’s hidden vent, and climb the scaffolding to the upper scriptorium. 

Now you can confidently make your way to that little desk in the upper gallery and grab Maler’s Dissertation on Deescalation Theory. With both books in hand, simply return to the Anchorites and finish the quest to reap the rewards. Remember: you’re in the majority if you ever need help. Therefore, this guide offers a complete solution and helps to find Archivist Maler’s dissertation. Complete all the steps and you’ll be among those who know exactly what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions to Find Archivist Maler’s Dissertation

1. Why is Archivist Maler’s dissertation important?

Archivist Maler’s academic work is crucial to completing the Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality side quest. The two Anchorites trapped in the monastery are awaiting these exact books to support their debate. Maler’s dissertation is the requested text for Anchoress Brun, so you can’t conclude the quest or see its unique dialogue rewards without it. In gameplay terms, it unlocks a special conversation and loot when returned. 

2. Is Archivist Maler’s dissertation a real academic work?

No. Archivist Maler’s “Dissertation on Deescalation Theory” is a fictional book written for the game’s story. It does not exist outside of The Outer Worlds 2. It’s intended to sound scholarly, but it’s entirely made up of the lore. In other words, you won’t find it on any university syllabus.

3. Do I need Archivist Maler’s dissertation to finish the quest?

Yes. To fully complete the Imprisoned by the Riddles of Reality quest, you must retrieve both required books and hand them over. If you only find Chao’s book and leave Maler’s behind, the quest will not finish properly (you’ll be missing Brun’s book). So be sure to grab the Dissertation on Deescalation Theory from the scriptorium gallery; it’s the key to finishing the task and getting all the rewards.