Divinity: Original Sin is a turn-based RPG, offering a highly interactive world and extensive combat system. However, unlike other modern RPGs, Original Sin features classless mechanics.
Divinity Original Sin Beginner’s Tips
Every character in the game is free to wear any type of armor, try out any weapon, and learn any spell/talent. At the same time, the game is pretty complex in various gameplay mechanics.
This beginner’s guide is designed to get you through the basics of the game, so to make the learning curve a little steeper.
Character Customization
Your first and foremost task in Divinity: Original Sin is to create your two main protagonists. You will not only decide their background story, but also their role like thief, marksman, swordsman, mage, etc.
If you’re not into creating your own character, you can always take up the already created ones and begin your adventure, though it is always recommended that you try and experiment with your character’s attributes and see what works well for you!
Warrior
Way of the Warrior
- Level 1: Increases armor
- Level 2: Increases health
- Level 3: The time required for the warrior’s ability to regenerate is decreased by 1 turn
- Level 4: Resistance to magic, +10%
- Level 5: +4 AP per turn
Single-handed
Increases damage dealt with a one-handed weapon.
Two-handed
Increases damage dealt with a two-handed weapon.
Black Rock
Increases damage dealt with “Black Rock” weapon.
Shield Specialist
Increases blocking value, if you use shield.
Armour Specialist
Increases protective value of the armor and decreases speed of moving if the armor is being worn.
Repair
Enables repairing items.
Wizard
Telekinesis
Determines how big objects you can carry and over what distance.
Willpower
Determines your willpower and concentration while casting spells.
Fire Elementalist
Increases the potency of your spells, of the given element; required for learning new spells.
Water Elementalist
Increases the potency of your spells, of the given element; required for learning new spells.
Air Elementalist
Increases the potency of your spells, of the given element; required for learning new spells.
Earth Elementalist
Increases the potency of your spells, of the given element; required for learning new spells.
Survivor
Way of the Ranger
- Level 1: + 8% to range of vision
- Level 2: +5 to range of the ranged attack
- Level 3: +5 to initiative
- Level 4: ranged attacks are cheaper by 1
- Level 5: 25% on the retrieved arrows
Bow
Increases damage from bow.
Crossbow
Increases damage from crossbow.
Sneaking
Determines how well you can sneak.
Pickpocketing
Determines how well you can steal (Pickpocketing).
Lockpicking
Determines how well you can pick locks.
Loremaster
Allows you to take a look at the opponent’s statistics.
Crafting
Determines what you can craft and of what quality the items will be.
Social
Barter
Determines how well you can barter.
Charm
Determines how well you can convince people with your charm in dialogues.
Intimidate
Determines how well you can convince people with intimidation in dialogues.
Reason
Determines how well you can convince people with your reasoning in dialogue.
Charisma
Determines the first impression that you make on people.
Leadership
Provides people around you with various boosts.
Lucky Charm
Determines how good treasures you are going to be finding and how often you get a chance at a critical hit.
Interactive Environment
I cannot stress enough how interactive Divinity: Original Sin is! Throughout the game, you can enter into almost any building, interactive with any NPCs, and even kill them.
Item can be picked up, stolen, destroyed, or moved to a new location. You don’t have to acquire everything by legit means, though. You can always sneak behind a NPC and choose to steal from him/her.
In addition to this, you can also break into a NPC’s house and steal his/her goods. If you get caught during the action, you will receive a warning, but do so again and you will be attacked.
Another amazing thing about the Interactive Environment is that you can use the four basic life elements, just like the real life. You can put out fire using water or use air on a wet opponent to freeze him/her.
Combat
The combat system of the game is turn-based, meaning that players act one after another. During each turn, it solely depends on the players which move they choose. Once a battle is over, the game returns to being real-time.
In addition to being turn-based, the game is also party-based. Throughout the game, you will be controlling at least two heroes in your party. You can invite two more players or magical creatures to temporarily increase the count of your party.
During the combat, it is always better to save your Action Point for the next turn. Doing so will ensure that you become eligible to use certain abilities which were not available during the first round.
Furthermore, you should always pay heed to your surroundings. For instance, if there are some oil barrels near your opponent, target them as they will catch fire. However, if you hit a fire enemy with fire, you will heal them instead of damaging them. And this holds true for all other elemental-types.
Also, try and diversify your party! It is generally a good idea to have a healer at your side. The healer will ensure that you save tons of money on Resurrecting Spells and Healing Potions.
It is also worth noting that certain environmental objects can hinder your attacks even if the probability is 100%. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, it is generally a good idea to change your location. In addition to this, you can also try AOE attacks which tend to cover up a whole area and damage your opponents over time.
Health
Your characters’ and your party members’ HP is denoted by a red bar at the top of the screen. You will find a number of potions and powerful spells to resurrect your party members from death.
But it is always better to make use of Healing Potions. These potions can be crafted with relative ease and should be used before the HP bar depletes completely. The reason for recommending this is because Reviving Spells are far expensive from Healing Potions.
Teleport, Gear, and Leech
There is no question regarding the benefits of teleporting! If you are looking to survive in the game, you need to use it extensively.
With teleport, you can not only transport mobs away from you, transfer hazards, but also teleport your characters. The best strategy to use teleport is to use it in the beginning of a combat.
Throughout the game, you will find yourself dying over and over again, unless you have the perfect gear. I certainly wouldn’t recommend buying any gear at the start of the game, but it is crucial to identify and equip the one you find. At the beginner’s level, your main priority should be staying alive and having a high HP and armor.
Moreover, you can spend in a couple of points into Constitution which will help you in the later game.
Leeching is certainly one of the best ability in the game and should be utilized extensively. After starting the game for the first time, it is always better to get hit for 20 and instantly healing for 4.
Abilities and Talents
Each time your character levels up, you will gain some Skill Points to spend on abilities. These abilities determine your character’s overall performance inside and outside of combat zone.
As a general rule of thumb, it is advised that you don’t or spend minimum points in the Non-Combat or Conversational Abilities. Spending these points in Crafting/Combat related abilities will serve you far better.
Talents are also acquired after gaining specific number of experience points. However, unlike Abilities, Talents can put you on an advantage or disadvantage, depending upon your foe and situation.
You can read the description of each Talent by moving your cursor over it.
Crafting
Crafting is one of the most fun and complex aspect of Divinity: Original Sin. Crafting refers to combining two or more base items to create weapons, armor, food, and other items.
For carrying out Crafting, you will need a furnace, an anvil, crafting recipes, and ingredients. Once you have got them all, you need to combine them together by dragging and dropping and voila!
We have made a comprehensive guide on Crafting System in Divinity: Original Sin. Do check it out for more information!
There you have it, lads! If you find anything missing, let me know! Also, if you would like me to add something us, shout out in the comments!
