Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Complete Guide to Difficulty Settings
Key Takeaways:
- Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers five unique difficulty modes that significantly alter gameplay, from beginner-friendly to hardcore challenges.
- Some difficulty modes, especially Tactician and Honour, add unique challenges like increased enemy stats, smarter AI, and permadeath, offering a distinct experience for veteran players.
- Switching between difficulty modes is possible in some cases but remains locked for Tactician and Honour, demanding players fully commit to their choice for those modes.
When diving into Divinity: Original Sin 2, one of the most critical choices you’ll make happens right at the beginning: selecting a difficulty mode. This decision shapes your entire playthrough, impacting everything from character development and combat style to the enemies you’ll face. Unlike many RPGs, Divinity: Original Sin 2’s difficulty levels are not just for show they offer distinctive experiences tailored to various player skill levels and play styles.
For both new players and veterans of classic role-playing games, understanding each difficulty level is essential to choosing the right challenge. This guide will cover each mode’s unique features, as well as tips for selecting the best option for your journey through Rivellon.
Overview of Difficulty Modes in Divinity: Original Sin 2
1. Story Mode
For players seeking a casual, story-driven experience
Story Mode in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is designed for those who want to enjoy the narrative and rich fantasy world without the stress of punishing combat encounters. It is ideal for beginners or those who prefer exploration and role-playing over tactical challenges.
- Player Buffs: In this mode, your characters receive massive stat boosts, making combat easier and more forgiving.
- Enemy Nerfs: Enemies have significantly reduced stats, reducing the threat they pose.
- Recommended For: Newcomers to CRPGs, casual players, or anyone focused on exploring Rivellon’s story rather than intense gameplay challenges.
2. Explorer Mode
For a balanced experience with a slight edge toward the player
Explorer Mode provides a moderate challenge where players can enjoy both story and combat without constant danger. It strikes a fair balance, allowing room for clever tactics and strategic planning without overwhelming newcomers.
- Player Buffs: Slightly boosted stats give you an advantage.
- Enemy Nerfs: Enemies are weakened, but still capable of posing a reasonable threat.
- Recommended For: Players who want a fair but forgiving experience, where both narrative and gameplay are important.
3. Classic Mode
A true RPG experience for seasoned players
Classic Mode offers a well-rounded experience, with combat and enemy stats balanced for players who want the full RPG experience. Unlike the easier modes, it provides a challenge without drastically altering the gameplay mechanics.
- Player and Enemy Stats: Both remain unchanged, creating an even playing field.
- Recommended For: Experienced RPG players familiar with tactical gameplay who want a challenge but aren’t looking for a punishing experience.
4. Tactician Mode
For players who crave a tough, tactical challenge
Tactician Mode significantly raises the difficulty, rewarding clever thinking and careful planning while punishing careless mistakes. In this mode, the enemy AI is smarter, faster, and often one step ahead. Enemies also gain unique abilities and improved stats, creating a rigorous environment where only the most strategic players can thrive.
- Enemy Buffs: Enemies receive massive stat boosts and additional Action Points per round, enabling more powerful attacks.
- Smarter AI: The AI is programmed to anticipate your moves, making encounters unpredictable.
- Unique Skills for Enemies: Enemies gain new skills that can take you by surprise, creating additional layers of complexity.
- Increased Merchant Prices: In-game merchants will charge more, requiring smart resource management.
- Recommended For: Experienced players familiar with Divinity: Original Sin 2’s mechanics or those seeking an intense, strategic challenge.
5. Honour Mode (Permadeath)
The ultimate test of strategy and perseverance
Honour Mode is a special version of Tactician Mode designed for seasoned players seeking the highest level of difficulty. With permadeath enabled, it adds an element of high stakes, as each battle could be your last. If your entire party dies, your save file is deleted, meaning game over for good. It’s a punishing but thrilling mode, ideal for those with deep knowledge of the game’s mechanics.
- All Tactician Rules Apply: The challenging elements of Tactician Mode, like buffed enemies and increased merchant prices, are all present.
- Permadeath: Only one save file is available, and if all party members die, the game ends permanently.
- Recommended For: Hardcore players who know the game inside out and want a do-or-die experience.
How to Change Difficulty Modes in Divinity: Original Sin 2
In most playthroughs, you can change your difficulty mode mid-game if you’re playing on Story, Explorer, or Classic Mode. This can be done by pausing the game, selecting the Options menu, then navigating to the Gameplay section, where you’ll find a “Set Difficulty” dropdown menu. After choosing your desired mode, confirm your selection to lock it in. However, if you start the game on Tactician or Honour Mode, this choice is locked, and the only way to lower the difficulty is to start a new game.
Honour Mode: Playing with Permadeath
Honour Mode takes Tactician Mode’s difficulty one step further by imposing a single save file limit. Every autosave and manual save overwrites this file, so there is no going back if things go south. In Honour Mode, players must see the consequences of their choices through to the end. It’s the ultimate test of your strategic prowess and knowledge of the game’s mechanics.
While Honour Mode is exhilarating, it’s not recommended for first-timers due to its intense pressure. Even experienced players often use Honour Mode only after completing the game on Tactician Mode.
Choosing the Right Difficulty Mode for You
If you’re new to CRPGs, starting with Story or Explorer Mode is a good choice, as it allows you to get accustomed to the game’s mechanics without overwhelming difficulty. Classic Mode is ideal for players with some experience, while Tactician Mode should be reserved for players who want a serious challenge. Honour Mode is best left for veteran players looking for the thrill of a permadeath run after already mastering the game on other difficulties.
Tactician Mode, though enticing, may feel daunting for newcomers or even intermediate players. It’s best saved for a second or third playthrough, as you’ll encounter few surprises once familiar with enemy tactics and game mechanics. Honour Mode, meanwhile, should be approached only by players confident in their skills.
FAQs
Q: Can I change difficulty settings during a playthrough? A: Yes, you can switch between Story, Explorer, and Classic Modes mid-game. Tactician and Honour Modes, however, are locked in once selected and cannot be changed without starting a new save file.
Q: Is Honour Mode different from Tactician Mode? A: Honour Mode is essentially Tactician Mode with an added permadeath mechanic. You are limited to a single save file, and if your party dies, the game ends permanently.
Q: What difficulty mode is best for a first playthrough? A: For most players, Classic Mode offers a balanced experience, providing both challenge and fairness. However, newcomers to RPGs or tactical games may find Explorer Mode more forgiving and enjoyable.
Q: How does Tactician Mode in DOS2 compare to Tactician in Baldur’s Gate 3? A: While both games were created by Larian Studios, they have different systems: Divinity: Original Sin 2 uses its own proprietary ruleset, whereas Baldur’s Gate 3 is based on D&D rules. Tactician Mode in DOS2 is considered tougher due to the enhanced AI and unique skills given to enemies.
Q: Does the choice of difficulty impact achievements or rewards? A: No, achievements are accessible regardless of difficulty mode, but specific achievements are tied to completing the game on Honour Mode due to its permadeath mechanics.
Q: Why is Tactician Mode so difficult? A: Tactician Mode amps up difficulty with a smarter AI, additional skills for enemies, and higher enemy stats. It’s designed for strategic players who are familiar with the game’s intricacies and want a serious challenge.
Divinity: Original Sin 2’s difficulty settings ensure there’s something for everyone, from casual RPG fans to hardcore tacticians. The mode you choose will shape your journey, so take time to consider the experience you want before diving into Rivellon. With options ranging from laid-back Story Mode to nerve-wracking Honour Mode, each playthrough can offer a new adventure and challenge, making this game a unique gem in the RPG world.