Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition: 20 Essential Basics for Beginners

Are you thinking about diving into Divinity: Original Sin 2 for the first time, or has it been sitting in your backlog for ages? Before you start, here are 20 key things you should know that will help you understand the game’s mechanics, improve your character creation, and navigate the vast world of Fort Joy and beyond.

1. What is a CRPG?

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a CRPG (Computer Role-Playing Game), a subgenre of RPGs that focus on tactical, turn-based combat and deep role-playing mechanics. The game’s campaign can take around 60-70 hours if you focus solely on the main story, but completing side quests can extend playtime to 100-160 hours.

2. Character Creation: Flexibility & Customization

One of the first things to know is that you’re not locked into a specific class. Even if you choose a preset build (e.g., Rogue or Wizard), you can freely reassign your abilities and skills. Presets only affect your starting weapons, not your progression path.

You can swap skill points between abilities freely before finalizing your character.
Consider mixing abilities—a Rogue can still pick Hydrosophist skills for extra utility.
Tanks are unreliable in unmodded gameplay because enemies target weaker allies instead.
Choosing an Origin Character (e.g., Lohse, Sebille, Ifan, etc.) is recommended for first-time players as they have more story-driven content and voice acting.

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3. Importance of Damage Output

Damage is king in Divinity: Unlike other RPGs where support roles are essential, every character should contribute damage. Even support-focused builds should have offensive abilities.

The Fighter preset is a strong start, featuring:
- Battle Stomp (crowd control)
- Bouncing Shield (scales with shield armor)
- Fortify (grants extra physical armor)

4. Party Composition & Lone Wolf Talent

Playing solo or with one other player? Consider the Lone Wolf Talent, which greatly boosts damage and armorbut limits you to two party members.
A full party of four is more traditional and offers more tactical flexibility.
Avoid three-person teams as they lack the efficiency of Lone Wolf while missing the synergy of four-member teams.

5. Respec Your Character Anytime (With Mods or in Act 2)

In Act 2, you gain access to a Magic Mirror that lets you respec your character freely.
A Gift Bag mod called Fort Joy Mirror allows you to respec in Act 1 instead of waiting.

6. Use Bedrolls for Free Healing

Found on the starting ship and scattered throughout Fort Joy.
Fully restores your party’s HP and grants a temporary buff.
Some Gift Bag features allow the bedroll to resurrect fallen allies, saving valuable Resurrection Scrolls.

7. Save Often! (Use F5 for Quick Save)

The game autosaves at key moments, but not always before combat.
Press F5 to quick save often—this will save you a lot of frustration.

8. Scrolls: One-Time Use Lifesavers

Scrolls allow you to cast spells even if your character lacks the skill.
Crafting high-tier Scrolls can be extremely helpful in emergencies.
Scrolls can bypass spell cooldowns, letting you cast Fireball twice in one fight.

9. Weapon & Armor Levels Matter

Armor does not penalize you if it is a higher level than your character.
Weapons, however, reduce your accuracy if used before reaching the required level.
Avoid equipping high-level weapons unless necessary to prevent accuracy loss.

10. Crafting Doesn’t Require Recipes

You can combine items manually without needing a recipe first.
Example: Stick + Knife → Arrow Shaft.

11. Loremaster Skill: Examining Enemies & Identifying Gear

Loremaster lets you see enemy stats, resistances, and abilities.
Higher Loremaster levels reveal more enemy weaknesses.
Required for identifying rare items without paying vendors.

12. Multiple Ways to Escape Fort Joy

You don’t have to follow one set path; there are multiple escape routes.
Experiment with different ways to level up and progress.

13. Initiative & Turn Order Matters

Turn order is determined by the Wits stat.
Higher Wits → higher initiative → acts first in combat.
Some fights require going first to disable dangerous enemies early.

14. The Armor System: Magic vs. Physical

Physical armor protects against Knockdown, Atrophy, and Cripple.
Magic armor protects against Stun, Freeze, and Charm.
Once armor is gone, crowd control becomes extremely effective!

15. Use Environmental Effects to Your Advantage

Water surfaces can be electrified to stun enemies.
Oil can be set on fire for massive AoE damage.
Rain makes freezing and shocking enemies easier.

16. Stealing & Thievery Mechanics

One character can distract an NPC, allowing another to steal without getting caught.
Thievery determines the weight and gold value you can steal.
Save before attempting theft in case you get caught.

17. Teleportation is Incredibly Useful

The Gloves of Teleportation (acquired early from Gawin’s quest) allow you to:
- Move enemies in combat.
- Access hard-to-reach areas.
- Teleport valuable loot to your location.

18. Choose Origin Companions Wisely

After Act 1, you cannot recruit Origin Characters you didn’t choose.
Plan ahead and pick characters with stories you want to explore.

19. Fort Joy Syndrome: Don’t Restart Too Often!

Many players restart repeatedly, unsure of their build choices.
You can respec later—don’t stress over early choices!

20. Play However You Want

There are multiple ways to finish the game, whether as a pacifist, murder-hobo, or something in between.
Experiment and have fun—every playstyle is viable.

Final Thoughts

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a deep, rewarding RPG with countless mechanics to discover. Keep these basics in mind, and you’ll have a smoother experience from the start.

If you found this guide useful, stay tuned for more tips and strategies to optimize your adventure!