Divinity Original Sin 2 Classes: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Your Perfect Hero

Understanding the Foundations

Core Mechanics of Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2 (DOS2) is a game that offers unparalleled freedom in role-playing. One of the most captivating aspects of this epic adventure is the ability to craft your character, not just in appearance, but also in playstyle. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of Rivellon, understanding the character classes in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is crucial for success. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource, diving deep into the nuances of class selection, providing valuable insights, and helping you create a hero perfectly suited to your playstyle.

One of the best things about Divinity Original Sin 2 is the flexibility of its class system. You’re not locked into rigid archetypes like in some other RPGs. Instead, DOS2 gives you the power to define your character through a combination of skills, attributes, and talents. While you can certainly start with a pre-defined character “class,” the real fun begins when you start mixing and matching abilities, crafting a unique character that fits your exact vision. This guide will help you do just that, regardless of your experience level.

Before we delve into specific builds, it’s essential to grasp the core mechanics of how characters are shaped in Divinity: Original Sin 2. Think of the “classes” as guidelines or starting points. The true power lies in how you combine various elements.

The game uses a system based around skills, attributes, and talents. Skills dictate your combat and utility abilities. Attributes determine your base stats (strength, finesse, intelligence, etc.), influencing damage, armor, and other vital aspects. Talents provide passive bonuses and specialized abilities, further customizing your character.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. The beauty of DOS2 is the freedom to combine skills from different schools. Want a warrior who can also cast healing spells? Go for it! The multi-classing system encourages creativity and allows you to adapt to different combat scenarios. Consider it a playground of possibilities. This is what makes building a successful party so rewarding in Divinity: Original Sin 2.

And if you’re worried about feeling restricted, don’t be. You can create a custom character from scratch, defining their background and attributes without choosing a pre-defined class.

Finally, keep in mind the importance of Tags and Backgrounds. These aspects influence dialogue options, quest outcomes, and how NPCs perceive you. Choosing the right Tags can add depth to your role-playing experience and open up new avenues within the game.

Delving into the Archetypes

Let’s explore the different “archetypes” or starting points. Remember, these are just suggestions, and the best builds often blend elements from multiple of these:

The Martial Champion

The Martial Champion is a powerhouse in close-quarters combat, specializing in dishing out and soaking up damage.

Overview: The Martial Champion thrives in the thick of battle. They charge into the fight, drawing the enemy’s attention and delivering powerful blows.

Attributes: Prioritize Strength, Constitution, and Memory. Strength boosts physical damage, Constitution enhances survivability, and Memory is necessary to learn and use multiple skills.

Skills: Warfare is the core, providing a variety of physical damage abilities. Geomancer offers earth magic, buffs, and some crowd control. Two-Handed is crucial for damage, while Sword & Shield provides the ability to be defensive and tank.

Talents: Picture of Power for damage, Savage Sortilege for critical hits, Executioner for bonus action points after a kill, and Opportunist for better performance during attacks of opportunity.

Playstyle: These characters are front-line fighters. They want to be in the middle of the action, using their armor to absorb damage and their weapons to deal it out. They can support allies, and if built correctly, are extremely difficult to take down.

Examples: This class is often built as a Battlemage, Knight, or Two-Handed Warrior.

The Shadow Striker

The Shadow Striker is the master of stealth and surprise, dealing massive damage from the shadows.

Overview: The Shadow Striker is about precision, timing, and hitting hard. They use stealth to position themselves, choose their targets carefully, and cripple their enemies with brutal efficiency.

Attributes: Focus on Finesse, Wits, and Memory. Finesse dictates physical damage and chance to hit, Wits boosts initiative and critical hit chance, and Memory is required to learn and use skills.

Skills: Scoundrel provides high single-target damage, along with the mobility needed to get into position. Warfare adds extra damage, while Polymorph offers utility and battlefield control, and dual-wielding is essential for maximizing damage.

Talents: The Pawn for extra movement, Executioner, Savage Sortilege, and Hothead for extra damage.

Playstyle: You will plan out your attacks before a fight, position to maximize damage and backstabs. This is a fast-paced and satisfying class for players who enjoy strategic engagements.

Examples: This class is most often built as a Shadowblade, Assassin, or Cutthroat.

The Ranged Specialist

The Ranged Specialist excels at controlling the battlefield, using their accuracy to snipe enemies from afar and lay deadly traps.

Overview: The Ranged Specialist is the master of distance. They remain outside of the immediate melee, utilizing their ranged weapons to deal consistent damage and manipulate the battlefield.

Attributes: Finesse, Wits, and Memory. Finesse increases ranged damage, Wits grants initiative and critical hit chance, and Memory allows you to learn and cast skills.

Skills: Huntsman is at the core of this class and is used for ranged damage and positioning. Geomancer provides additional effects for combat. Summoning is used to support the party, and crafting arrows is crucial for the build.

Talents: Arrow Recovery for more ammunition, Farsight for range, Executioner, and Guerrilla.

Playstyle: Position is key. Find high ground or areas that provide cover and use your range advantage. Your mobility is important. You will want to lay traps to control your foes.

Examples: Ranger and Hunter are a great starting point for this class.

The Elemental Weaver

The Elemental Weaver wields the power of magic, using elemental forces to control the battlefield and obliterate their foes.

Overview: The Elemental Weaver commands the elements. They rain fire, summon lightning, and freeze enemies, leaving destruction in their wake.

Attributes: Intelligence, Memory, and Wits. Intelligence dictates magical damage, Memory dictates how many skills can be learned, and Wits increases initiative and critical hit chance.

Skills: Aerotheurge is for lightning and wind spells, Hydrosophist for water and healing, Pyrokinetic for fire, and Geomancer provides earth magic.

Talents: Elemental Affinity for damage, Savage Sortilege, Glass Cannon, and Executioner.

Playstyle: Your skills are to control the battlefield. Use the terrain to your advantage. Pay attention to environmental effects.

Examples: This class is commonly built as a Battlemage, Enchanter, or Pyromancer.

The Healing Guardian

The Healing Guardian provides crucial support, mending wounds, and bolstering allies with potent buffs.

Overview: The Healing Guardian is the backbone of the party, protecting allies and keeping them alive.

Attributes: Intelligence, Memory, and Wits. Intelligence is used for healing, Memory is required for skills, and Wits increases initiative.

Skills: Hydrosophist is essential for healing and water spells. Warfare is used to enhance physical armor, and Leadership is used to apply buffs.

Talents: Executioner and Savage Sortilege.

Playstyle: Prioritize healing and buffing the party. Position yourself strategically, and choose the right spells to counter the enemy’s attacks.

Examples: Battle Cleric and Support Cleric.

The Minion Master

The Minion Master focuses on summoning creatures to fight alongside them, overwhelming their enemies with a tide of allies.

Overview: The Minion Master calls forth the creatures of Rivellon. This class is all about using summons to provide support or overwhelm enemies.

Attributes: Intelligence, Memory, and Wits. Intelligence to maximize the power of your summons, Memory to allow for more skills to be learned, and Wits to increase initiative.

Skills: Summoning is, of course, the most important skill. Geomancer and Pyrokinetic can provide additional support to the party.

Talents: Elemental Affinity for damage, Executioner.

Playstyle: Focus on summoning creatures, and use them to attack enemies.

Examples: Summoner and Necromancer.

Unlocking Advanced Strategies

Choosing your class is only the first step. Here are some advanced tips to help you refine your builds:

Teamwork and Party Composition: Consider how your character works with others. A well-balanced party should have a mix of damage types (physical and magical), crowd control, and support. Experiment with different team compositions to see what works best for you. For example, a team composition of a Ranger, a Rogue, and a Hydro/Aero-based mage, and a Tank will give you plenty of tactical options.

Strategic Attribute Point Allocation: You’ll gain attribute points as you level up. These points should be placed carefully to maximize the effectiveness of your character. The best way to decide is to focus on which skills you like best, and place attribute points where they benefit those skills.

Mastering Skill Combinations: The beauty of Divinity: Original Sin 2 lies in the interactions between skills. Experiment with combining different spells and abilities to create devastating combos. Using rain to trigger water spells, or oil to amplify fire magic can be very effective.

Selecting the Perfect Talents: Talents provide a crucial layer of customization. They can provide passive buffs or unlock special abilities. Choose talents that complement your chosen playstyle and enhance your strengths.

Popular Class Builds to Inspire You

Here are a few examples of popular, effective builds to give you some inspiration:

The “Blazing Archer”: This build focuses on ranged damage with a heavy emphasis on fire. Skills: Huntsman, Pyrokinetic, and Geomancer. Attributes: Finesse, Wits, Memory. Talents: Arrow Recovery, Elemental Affinity, and Executioner.

The “Shadow Assassin”: Focused on stealth and quick damage. Skills: Scoundrel and Warfare. Attributes: Finesse, Wits, and Memory. Talents: The Pawn, Executioner, and Hothead.

The “Tanky Battlemage”: A durable front-line fighter that can also dish out magical damage. Skills: Warfare, Pyrokinetic, and Geomancer. Attributes: Strength, Constitution, and Memory. Talents: Picture of Power, Executioner, and Elemental Affinity.

Class Building with Origin Characters

Origin characters come with unique storylines and personalities, and choosing the right class for them can add depth to your experience:

Fane: A fantastic option for a Necromancer or a Hydrosophist/Summoner. His undead nature makes him immune to poison, allowing him to capitalize on the many poisonous elements in the game.

Sebille: The perfect choice for a Rogue or Shadowblade.

Lohse: A summoner works well with Lohse’s magic.

Conclusion

The class system in Divinity Original Sin 2 provides a wide range of possibilities. Remember, there is no single “best” class. The true joy of the game comes from experimentation. Take your time, explore different builds, and discover what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to respec your character if you’re not happy with your choices. Dive in, and build the hero of your dreams!

Remember to check your tags to help the flow of your game play!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which classes are best for beginners? The Warrior, Ranger, and Battlemage are generally considered accessible for new players.

How do I respec my character? You can respec your character at any time using the Magic Mirror found on the Lady Vengeance, or through certain mods (if you are playing on PC).

Does the Definitive Edition change class balance? Yes, the Definitive Edition has some balance adjustments, so you may want to adjust your builds.