diff --git a/src/playermat/Playermat.ttslua b/src/playermat/Playermat.ttslua
index 78f6a129..4f1696c0 100644
--- a/src/playermat/Playermat.ttslua
+++ b/src/playermat/Playermat.ttslua
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@ local defaultSlotData             = {
 }
 
 local activeInvestigatorData      = {}
-local hasDES                      = false
 local isClassTextureEnabled       = true
 local isDrawButtonVisible         = false
 local optionPanelVisibility       = ""
@@ -339,7 +338,6 @@ function doUpkeep(_, clickedByColor, isRightClick)
   updateMessageColor(clickedByColor)
 
   -- unexhaust cards in play zone, flip action tokens and find Forced Learning / Dream-Enhancing Serum
-  checkForDES()
   local forcedLearning = false
   local rot = self.getRotation()
   for _, obj in ipairs(searchAroundSelf()) do
@@ -653,23 +651,6 @@ function concatenateListOfStrings(list)
   return cardList
 end
 
--- checks if DES is present
-function checkForDES()
-  hasDES = false
-  for _, obj in ipairs(searchAroundSelf()) do
-    if obj.type == "Card" then
-      local cardMetadata = JSON.decode(obj.getGMNotes()) or {}
-
-      -- position is used to exclude deck / discard
-      local cardPos = self.positionToLocal(obj.getPosition())
-      if cardMetadata.id == "06159" and cardPos.x > -1 then
-        hasDES = true
-        break
-      end
-    end
-  end
-end
-
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 -- XML creation and modifying
 ---------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1568,5 +1549,3 @@ end
 function getActiveInvestigatorData() return activeInvestigatorData end
 
 function setActiveInvestigatorData(newData) activeInvestigatorData = newData end
-
-function getDES() return hasDES end
diff --git a/src/playermat/PlayermatApi.ttslua b/src/playermat/PlayermatApi.ttslua
index 35d6b941..313f0778 100644
--- a/src/playermat/PlayermatApi.ttslua
+++ b/src/playermat/PlayermatApi.ttslua
@@ -48,23 +48,6 @@ do
     end
   end
 
-  -- Instructs a playermat to check for DES
-  ---@param matColor string Color of the playermat - White, Orange, Green, Red or All
-  PlayermatApi.checkForDES = function(matColor)
-    for _, mat in pairs(getMatForColor(matColor)) do
-      mat.call("checkForDES")
-    end
-  end
-
-  -- Returns if there is the card "Dream-Enhancing Serum" on the requested playermat
-  ---@param matColor string Color of the playermat - White, Orange, Green or Red (does not support "All")
-  ---@return boolean: whether DES is present on the playermat
-  PlayermatApi.hasDES = function(matColor)
-    for _, mat in pairs(getMatForColor(matColor)) do
-      return mat.call("getDES")
-    end
-  end
-
   -- gets the slot data for the playermat
   ---@param matColor string Color of the playermat - White, Orange, Green or Red (does not support "All")
   PlayermatApi.getSlotData = function(matColor)