Divinity: Original Sin 2 Guide#
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a turn-based RPG from Larian Studios, released on September 14, 2017, built around action-point tactical combat, elemental combinations, origin story choices, branching multiple endings, and up to 4-player co-op. This hub covers the game’s systems, races, origin characters, builds, and endgame in full.
Game Overview#
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game name | Divinity: Original Sin 2 |
| Developer | Larian Studios |
| Publisher | Larian Studios |
| Release date | September 14, 2017 |
| Genre | Turn-based RPG |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iPad, macOS |
| Engine | Divinity 4.0 Engine |
| Length | Main story: 60-80 hours |
| Max players | 4-player co-op |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and more |
| Rating | Metacritic: 93/100; Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive |
Game Features#
Core Features#
- Deep turn-based combat: action-point-based tactical combat that supports environmental interaction and elemental combinations
- Free character creation: choose from 6 origin stories or build a custom character, deciding race, class, and background
- Rich multiplayer experience: 4-player online co-op where each player can follow independent quest lines and conversations
- Near-infinite replay value: different races, classes, origin stories, and choices produce radically different runs
- Deeply branching story: your choices genuinely change the world, shaping NPC relationships and which ending you reach
Playable Races#
| Race | Special ability | Skill bonuses | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | Ingenious (extra Civil ability point) | Intimidation +1, Bartering +1 | Adaptable, with standout social skills |
| Elf | Flesh Eater (gain memories and skills from corpses) | Huntsman +1, Alchemy +1 | Agile and graceful, closely tied to nature |
| Dwarf | Sturdy (extra physical armor) | Persuasion +1, Sleight of Hand +1 | Strong and tough, suited to underground work |
| Lizard | Sophisticated (extra magic armor) | Loremaster +1, Equipment Maintenance +1 | Noble and ancient, with dragon bloodline |
| Undead | Poisonous Blood (contact causes poisoning) | Deception +1, Sleight of Hand +1 | Returned from death, feared by the living |
Origin Stories#
| Origin character | Race | Core conflict | Special quest line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebille | Elf | Breaking free of her master’s control | A journey of freedom and revenge |
| Lohse | Human | Struggling with the demon inside | Confrontation with the demon |
| Fane | Undead | Recovering the lost memories of his race | Revealing ancient secrets |
| Custom character | Any | No origin story, freer choices | A custom backstory |
The character system offers 6 origin characters plus the custom option; each origin comes with its own story, quest line, and dialogue options.
FAQ#
Q: Is this guide suitable for beginners?#
A: Absolutely. The beginner’s guide is designed for first-time players and explains everything from character creation to basic combat, so even if you are new to turn-based RPGs you can get up to speed quickly.
Q: Does the guide support multiplayer?#
A: The guide is written mainly around the single-player experience, but most advice also applies to co-op play. Sections with multiplayer-specific notes are marked where they matter.
Q: How do I pick the best class?#
A: The class system is very free — there is no single “best” class. Pick by play style: melee players should look at warrior or knight, ranged players at ranger or hunter, and magic players at wizard or summoner. The beginner and builds sections cover the details.
Q: How hard is the game?#
A: Divinity: Original Sin 2 is known for its difficulty, especially on Tactical and in Honour Mode. With sensible builds, equipment choices, and tactics, any difficulty can be beaten — the guide includes difficulty advice and tactical tips.
Q: Are there multiple endings?#
A: Yes. Endings depend on your choices in key quests, your relationships with companions, and whether you choose to ascend to divinity. The endings differ sharply, and multiple playthroughs are encouraged.
Q: Is the DLC worth buying?#
A: The game received a free “Definitive Edition” upgrade that added a large amount of new content (new races, skills, quests, and more). The paid “Gravedigger” DLC is a standalone arena mode suited to PvP fans. This guide focuses on the main game but mentions the important updates.
Systems in Depth#
Combat#
Divinity: Original Sin 2 uses an action-point-based turn-based combat system. Each turn you have 6 AP to spend on movement, attacks, skills, or items. Combat emphasizes tactics and elemental interaction, and using the environment can grant a huge advantage.
Characters#
You can distribute attribute points, skill points, and talent points freely, building a character that fits your plan. Every origin character plays the same systems but sees a different story.
Crafting#
The crafting system lets you combine materials into equipment, potions, scrolls, and other items. Learning recipes, gathering materials, and mastering the craft is a key path to getting stronger.
Exploration#
The world is full of secrets and hidden content. Searching containers, talking to NPCs, and finding hidden passages are the core of exploration — it yields items and experience, and also hidden quests and story.
By the Numbers#
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Play time | 60-200 hours | Depends on play style and completion rate |
| Side quests | 100+ | Rich side content |
| Hidden quests | 30+ | Found through exploration |
| Bosses | 20+ | Across difficulty tiers |
| Enemy types | 50+ | Varied enemy design |
| Weapon types | 10+ | Wide weapon selection |
| Armor types | 6+ | Varied armor selection |
| Skills | 100+ | Rich skill combinations |
| Achievements | 50+ | Challenges of all kinds |
| Endings | 10+ | Different choices lead to different endings |
Reception#
Critic Reviews#
| Outlet | Score | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic | 93/100 | “An RPG masterpiece of both depth and breadth” |
| IGN | 9.5/10 | “The peak of the turn-based RPG” |
| GameSpot | 9/10 | “Astonishing world design and combat system” |
| PC Gamer | 92/100 | “One of the best RPGs of the year” |
| Steam | Overwhelmingly Positive | “Extremely high player ratings, active community” |
Player Reviews#
| Review type | Common comments | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | “Deep combat system”, “rich story”, “extremely high replay value” | 90% |
| Mixed | “Steep learning curve”, “some mechanics are complex” | 7% |
| Negative | “Optimization issues”, “certain bugs” | 3% |
System Requirements#
Minimum#
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 SP1 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or equivalent |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 or equivalent |
| Storage | 60 GB available space |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
Recommended#
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 or equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or equivalent |
| Storage | 60 GB available space |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
Version Notes#
This guide was written for the final version of Divinity: Original Sin 2 (after the 2.0 update) and includes all free DLC content and balance adjustments. In-game content may change with patches — treat the game itself as the source of truth.
Getting Started#
Ready to set out on this epic journey? Pick a topic that interests you and start exploring, or read in the recommended order: learn the basics first, then go deeper into the story, then study the combat system and character builds, and finally take on the endgame.
Whichever road you choose, remember: in Divinity: Original Sin 2, your choices are power. Every decision shapes your story, and every conversation can change the fate of the world.
Happy adventuring, Sourceror!
Related Resources#
| Resource type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Official forums | Official community discussion | High |
| Steam community | Steam discussions and guides | High |
| Guide websites | Third-party guide sites | Medium |
| Video guides | Video walkthroughs on YouTube and similar platforms | Medium |
| Mod community | Mods on the Steam Workshop | Medium |
| Database sites | Item and skill databases | High |
Keyboard Shortcuts#
| Shortcut | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WASD | Move | Control character movement |
| Left mouse button | Select target | Select a target or use a skill |
| Right mouse button | Cancel | Clear the current selection |
| Space | End turn | End the current turn |
| Tab | Switch character | Cycle through the party |
| I | Inventory | Open the inventory screen |
| M | Map | Open the world map |
| J | Quest log | Open the quest log |
| K | Skills | Open the skill screen |
| L | Log | Open the game log |
Related Games#
- Baldur’s Gate 3 — Larian’s later CRPG phenomenon, carrying the same reactive, choice-heavy design
- Disco Elysium — a dialogue-driven detective CRPG where every choice steers the story
- Octopath Traveler 2 — a pixel-art turn-based JRPG and sequel in the Octopath series
- Persona 5 Royal — a school-life-themed turn-based JRPG
- Stardew Valley — a farming and life-simulation RPG
- Dave the Diver — an ocean diving adventure blended with sushi restaurant management
Related Rankings#
Best RPGs · Best Co-Op Games · Hardest Bosses
Full Guides#
In-depth sub-guides — beginner basics covering races, classes, and origin picks, story analysis from Fort Joy to the Nameless Island, world exploration, the combat system and builds, companions and their personal quests, weapons and crafting, bosses and secrets, endings, achievements, and endgame content — are available in Chinese on NTGame’s Divinity: Original Sin 2 section.