The Unwritten Rules of Divinity: Original Sin 2 Explained

Summary

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is different from Baldur's Gate 3, so players shouldn't expect the same gameplay experience.
To succeed in Divinity: Original Sin 2, players should explore the entire map and complete all side quests to level up their party.
Examining enemies and using crowd control tactics are crucial strategies for overcoming difficult fights in Divinity: Original Sin 2.

With the mainstream popularity of Baldur's Gate 3 launching Larian Studios and CRPGs into the spotlight, many fans of the game may be looking to check out the developer's previous title, Divinity: Original Sin 2. While this title shares much of the same DNA as Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an experience all its own and comes with a new set of challenges players must adjust to if they jump into it from Baldur's Gate 3. As such, some community-developed unwritten rules will help make a Divinity: Original Sin 2 playthrough as smooth as possible for new players.

In many ways, Larian's work on Divinity: Original Sin 2 laid the foundation for Baldur's Gate 3's success, so it makes sense that fans of their latest title would want to go back and check out the games that inspired it. Much like Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2 features the option to play co-op with up to four players controlling a character in the party. While experiencing the game through this mode typically results in an easier experience overall, there are still unwritten rules that are important to consider, regardless of whether the player is playing Divinity: Original Sin 2 solo or with friends.

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By Cameron Lucas

Unwritten Rules for a Successful Divinity: Original Sin 2 Playthrough

Don't Expect Divinity: Original Sin 2 to Play Like Baldur's Gate 3

Despite the clear similarities between Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2, players shouldn't go into the game expecting their experience with Baldur's Gate 3 to translate one-to-one. Unlike Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2 doesn't follow the Dungeons and Dragons rule set, so players will have to learn to adapt to the game's unique rules and mechanics. As a result, Divinity: Original Sin 2 tends to be much more difficult than Baldur's Gate 3, meaning it's a great game for players looking for a challenge after Baldur's Gate 3.

Explore the Entire Map and Do Every Side Quest

With the increased difficulty of Divinity: Original Sin 2 comes a much greater need to maximize the levels of the player's party if they want to stand a chance against some of the game's toughest end-game battles. As such, it's imperative that players take the time to carefully explore the map of each act and tackle as many side quests as possible. Since there isn't really a way to grind for experience in Divinity: Original Sin 2, players will want to utilize the experience earned from side quests to reach as close to level 20 as possible by the time they reach the final boss.

When in Doubt, Examine Everything

If enemies are causing too much of a problem, examining them for their weaknesses can be invaluable to Divinity: Original Sin 2 players. Each enemy has their own unique elemental weakness and resistance, so knowing which ones to target with a character's skills can make a huge difference when facing some of the game's toughest challenges. Outside of combat, examining the world can help players uncover hidden objects and switches necessary for completing some of Divinity: Original Sin 2's complicated environmental puzzles.

Take Advantage of Crowd Control for Difficult Fights

A big part of this game is the ability to manipulate the environment using Divinity: Original Sin 2's elemental skills, allowing players to set up traps like electrifying wet surfaces with lightning to inflict enemies with the Shocked status. Using crowd control mechanics like the Shocked, Stunned, or Knocked Down can often trivialize the game's most difficult boss fights, giving players struggling to defeat them a huge advantage. Taking the time to prepare environmental traps or investing in items like Knockdown Arrows can help inflict these status conditions and take away turns from an enemy who would otherwise pose a major threat.

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