Divinity: Original Sin 2can be a very challenging game, and there is a steep difficulty curve, especially at or near the beginning. Even players who are veterans of the first game may find themselves a bit overwhelmed, so we’ve decided to put together a guide showing you a few things that might just make getting started a bit easier for you. We’ll cover a few basics and also show you where some very good items are early on that will help you get off to the best start possible.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 Getting Started Guide
For players unfamiliar withDivinity: Original Sin 2, or even returning players from the precursor, there are a couple things you should know about. The first thing I’ll cover is “Tags”.
What are Tags? Tags are a way of opening up new dialogue options when speaking withNPCsor evenCompanions. Because you’re able to’t have everyTagin the game on your character, you will have to pick and choose wisely and attempt to find ones that compliment yourCompanions. Since they can speak with NPCs as well and use theirTags, it’s best to try to pick ones they might not have. I’ve put together a quick list ofTagsof eachCompanionto help you decide what yours will be duringCharacter Creation.
Beast- Beast, Dwarf, Male, Barbarian, Noble
Fane- Fane, Undead, Male, Mystic, Scholar
Ifan ben-Mezd- Ifan, Human, Male, Outlaw, Soldier
Lohse- Lohse, Human, Female, Mystic, Jester
Sebille- Sebille, Female, Elf, Outlaw, Scholar
The Red Prince- Red Prince, Lizard, Male, Noble Scholar
Companion Quests
Each of yourCompanions(or potentialCompanions) has their own unique quest line, just likeDivinity: Original Sindid. Speak with them often to raise theirAttitudetowards you because they can leave if it falls to low and then you cannot use them or finish their quests. Pay attention and notice when they take over a conversation, as it usually means whoever you are speaking with will affect their quest line. It’s always a good idea to Save before triggering something that might not have the outcome you would expect, because you can mess up these questspermanentlyfrom the very beginning of the game without realizing it. Use theWikiand make sure you get these ones right.
Phyical and Magic Armour
Divinity: Original Sin 2features the new combat mechanic of Armour. Players and enemies can now nullify damage and status effects as long as they maintain there Armour values. This means that launching aFireballinto a bunch of enemies will no longer deal massive damage and set them all on fire. Now they will most likely block it withMagic Armourand won’t burn one bit. This adds a bit more tactics to combat and it also means that buffing and restoring Armour values is tantamount while in battle. Players will also need to find good Armour and upgrade often or combat will become extremely difficult. This change forces players to find and craft better gear before progressing, instead of just relying on massive AoE spell and environmental effects to carry them through.
Combat And Civil Abilities
Combat Abilitieshave changed a bit from the “Original"game (pardon the pun), and now have slightly more sweeping effects, making them useful to some hybrid players. For example,Warfarenow increase all your physical damage, making it useful for any character that utilizesBowsorCrossbows or Melee Weapons.Polymorphgives you extra Attribute points, which allows for a more broad stat distribution. Pay attention to these bonuses and plan accordingly when making a build. The combinations that yield the best results are slightly different, but may catch you off guard if you make assumptions.
Larianhas also added two newCombat Abilities:PerseveranceandRetribution.PerseveranceregeneratesPhyiscal andMagic Armourwhen CCed, which can prevent you from being CCed multiple times in a row, which is great.Retributionallows you to return damage taken, and is great for those front lines tanky characters. Boosting either of these abilities up high, will make for some really powerful builds.
As forCivil Abilities, they have been consolidated and redefined, but for the large part remain mostly the same.Thieveryis now a combination ofPickpocketandLockpick, so you don’t have to choose one of the other, which is nice. I strongly recommend getting at least one of your characters to 2Thieveryas fast as you’re able to, as there are many chests and doors that can be opened if you do.
Good Skills Early On
Early on in the game there are someSkillsthat are much more valuable than others, and it’s always a good idea to have these until you’ve gotten the hang of combat. Below is a recommendation of some must haveSkillsthat go a long way in the early going ofDivinity: Original Sin 2.
Restoration- This Skill is even better than the previous game because now it cures Poison and Bleeding as well. Don’t go anywhere without it, but you shouldn’t need to use it as much with the addition of Armour to the game.
First Aid- This Skill is infinitely better than the previous game and not only removes tons of negative status effects, but now heals the target for a decent amount of health. You can cast it on any party member as well, increasing its value.
Marksman’s Fang- This Skill ignores Armour and hits all targets in a line, which means it can deal some serious damage. It’s one of few abilities that can deal actual damage through Armour so it’s worth getting her.
Electric Discharge- This ability is very good early on because not as many enemies have Magic Armour so you are able to Stun them. Preventing enemies from getting a turn is a huge advantage when the odds are even at best.
Teleportation- This Skill can win you many more fights than you should be able to win. Because AP is more limited in Divinity: Original Sin 2 moving a melee character across the screen, not only damages them, but almost ensures they cannot attack you for at least a turn (sometimes 2).
Elemental Totem- At first glance this ability doesn’t seem all that great, but you can have 3 of these out at once! If you can manage to keep them alive you will eventually overwhelm your opponent with them, ensuring victory. It’s best to place them where they won’t be attacked for this reason.
Battle Stomp- This ability knocks down targets in a line and clears surfaces and doesn’t have friendly fire. What more could you want?
Good Weapons and Armor
Combat has changed, making gear much more important so you will need goodWeaponsand goodArmourin order to undertake the task at hand. Below is a list of some great equipment that is easy to get if you know where to look. These items are in order from the most logical way to get them. WARNING: Mild Spoilers. Also some of these items have changed values, since some of these shots were taken in Early Access, but they are still there and are roughly the same.
Darling Bow- This Unique Bow can be found in a hidden mound of dirt between where you land on the island andFort Joy. If you have aLizardin your party you can dig it up instantly, otherwise find a shovel. It’s a great starter bow for those would beRangersorWayfarersout there.
Hildur’s Plate(and other Armor) -Hildeis located in the kitchen area ofFort Joyand she has a great selection of early Armour that can really help the player for not a lot of money. She also sells herBreastplatefor a tidy sum. Buy what you can when you can to get an early edge in combat.
Kalias' Stunner(and other Weapons/Armor) -Kaliasis located in theCavernssouth ofFort Joy Ghetto. You can purchase this one-handed sword from him for around 550 Gold.
Spear of Braccus Rex- If you begin the quest:Withermoore’s Soul Jar, by playing hide and seek withModyin theCavernssouth ofFort Joyyou will be able to dig up a concealed door in theCavernsleading beneath. Inside you can speak withLord Withermooreand pull theSpearfrom his chest to acquire this two-handed spear.
Gloves of Teleportation- TheseGlovesallow the wearer toTeleportparty members and enemies to different locations, which can net you some sweet loot. to obtain them you must speak withGawininsideFort Joy(he’s just to the right as you enter through the gate whereAtusawas killed, and he’s pacing) and tell him you’ll ditch your party. Ask him about his plan and he will mark the location of 3 crocodiles on your map to the NW ofFort Joy. They can be a pain, so you might need to fight them a time or two, but be sure you have a full party and are at least level 2. (Be sure to use the high ground with your ranged characters to increase their damage). Loot theGlovesfrom their corpse.
The Viper’s Tongue- There is aCurious Chestyou canTeleportto once you’ve gotten theGloves of Teleportationto get some good Uncommon items just after theGloves. They are random so you won’t know what you get until you open it. Once opened keep heading forward and head up the hill on on your right to findThe Viper’s Tongue, which is probably the best starter weapon in the game.
Migo’s Ring- Speak withMigoon the beach to the SE ofFort Joy. Give him aYarrow Flowerwhen you speak with him (you can find one just North of where you enteredFort Joythe first time). He will give you his ring which you can either keep or you can give toMagister Yarrowon the wall ofFort Joy. If you give it to her, follow her back toMigoand she will give you theMagister’s Keythat opens a door just above a ladder you must kick down. Inside it is theBlood Rain Skill Bookand some gold and a few things you can sell.
Magister’s Breastplate- You can get thisChest Armourand some other goodies by using theGloves of Teleportationat the ladder inFort Joy Ghetto. Teleport someone up, kick the ladder down and open the door if you gaveMagister Yarrowthe ring and get some free loot and aSkill Book of Rain of Blood. Afterwards, or if you didn’t, at the door sneak left of the ladder and Teleport someone down behind the gate ofFort Joywhere the magisters are guarding (make sure you’re sneaking when you do this). Sprint up the stairs on the opposite side and you’ll see a guard patrolling and some crates and a tent. Inside the tent is the breastplate. Run over, grab it and run back and then have someone quickly teleport you back up before you are caught by the guards.
Gawin’s Robe- In order to obtain this robe you must tellGawinthat you have acquired theGloves of Teleportationand follow him to theHidden Alcove. Once there use the gloves to teleport him across the the ravine and then teleport another player over. (Minor Spoiler)Gawinwill be killed and you may then sneak up to his corpse and loot it to get this robe. You will need to be invisible for this, so use aPotion of Invisibilityor use a Skill likeChameleon Cloak. There are about a dozenLockpicksyou will pass on the way, as each workbench carries 3 or 4 and there are several, so this is a great place to get a bunch early on.
That wraps up our getting started guide forDivinity: Original Sin 2. Be sure to stay tuned for moreDivinityGuidesthrough out September as we will be putting together someBuild GuidesandWalkthroughs. And, be sure to use theWikifor specific questions you may have.
