Through Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin series, roleplaying fans can get a tactical RPG franchise with a world just as alive as its main cast of characters. Thanks to Divinity: Original Sin 2, players can take part in a breathtaking world not just as their own characters, but as the game's diverse cast of starting characters.
RELATED: Divinity II: Original Sin Mods That Make The Game Even Better
Players who want to explore the story of Original Sin 2's main cast might have a hard time choosing who to play. After all, not only do they have unique skills, but they also offer unique interactions with other NPCs and story events. Unfortunately, this factor might make Original Sin 2 seem overwhelming on the get-go. However, players who want a quick recommendation might find it easy to pick a starting character in Divinity: Original Sin 2. In the end, it might all be a matter of gameplay and story preference.
Updated September 3, 2022 by Rhenn Taguiam:While games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 remains a much-awaited release out of Early Access, Larian Studios has a lot to offer with completed games to satisfy a player’s RPG fancy. It’s Divinity: Original Sin 2 that some fans consider one of the best RPGs of all time, and it’s thanks to both its engaging story and rather flexible gameplay mechanics. And for starting players, even straightforward builds such as a generic Human Rogue, Dwarf Knight, Lizard Wizard, and Elf Witch can make a lot of difference throughout the whole game.
20 Human Rogue
While players can technically “change” the way their starting Classes work through the game’s unique Skill distribution system, a Human Rogue may be one of the most efficient ways to start the game. At its core, this taps into the balanced stat distribution of Humans while at the same time eliminating opponents through harsh backstabs and sneak attacks.
At its core, Humans enjoy the benefit of the Ingenious and Thrifty Talents. While Thrifty grants +1 Bartering for better shopping, it’s Ingenious that gives a buff to Critical Damage. This is extremely nifty for a Rogue, whose Backstab Skill coupled with the game’s sneak mechanic practically guarantees a Critical Attack.
19 Dwarf Knight
The hardy nature of the Dwarf means they excel in becoming sturdier spellcasters or almost-impenetrable tanks, making them rather competent warriors through and through. In the context of character creation, a Dwarf Knight allows players to access a reliable frontline combat build while reaping the defensive benefits of their dwarven lineage.
While Dwarves benefit from the +1 Sneaking of Dwarven Guile, the Sturdy Talent grants additional Dodging and Vitality - perfect for a tanking role. As a Knight, they get the Opportunist Talent that lets them perform Attacks of Opportunity against adjacent opponents. Warfare Skills such as Battering Ram, Crippling Blow, and Battle Stomp allow them to get into combat from almost any range.
18 Lizard Wizard
Despite the gleeful nature of the rhyming name, a Lizard Wizard taps into the peculiarity of the Lizard lineage with the immense spellcasting versatility of the Wizard. With the right Skills, a Wizard can not only devastate the battlefield with their spells but also enjoy the more unique benefits of being part of the Lizard race.
Being a Lizard itself grants a +1 Persuasion Buff from the Sophisticated Talent, whereas the Spellsong Talent gives them Fire and Poison Resistance. This works great with the Far Out Man Talent of the Wizard that increases the range of their spells, and the Geomancer-Pyrokinetic tandem of Searing Daggers, Fossil Strike, and Ignition that make for a perfect starting AOE combo.
17 Elf Witch
The unique gameplay perk of Elves gaining memories and skills through eating flesh (Corpse Eater Talent) fits the necromantic motif of the Witch, making the Elf Witch quite a great starting combination. The Witch itself had access to great life steals and devastating combat spells, making the action-oriented perks of the Elf quite an appropriate way to enhance their versatility on the battlefield.
As an Elf, they already gain the Ancestral Knowledge talent that grants them +1 Loremaster, fitting the analysis of information granted through Corpse Eater. Not to mention, their innate Flesh Sacrifice gives them AP in place of the Constitution, allowing them to cast more Skills. The Witch’s Leech Talent allows them to regain Vitality when stepping on blood, perfect for their starting Necromancer Skills such as Raised Bloated Corpse and Mosquito.
16 Custom Geomancer
Compared to other Skill Trees, the Geomancer is best paired with other Skill Trees to maximize efficiency and damage output. Others would love the Geomancer paired with Pyrokinetic to force toxic puddles and oil to burst into flames. However, while other Skill Trees indeed have more straightforward abilities, the Geomancer is a great starter for players who want to play with the environment. It also provides both decent defensive and offensive options to support the party.
RELATED:
For instance, in terms of defense, it can boost defenses and remove various status ailments that impede movement. Moreover, Geomancer can also stop enemies from moving with Skills that inflict Blinded, Crippled, Knocked Down, and Entangled. Likewise, in terms of offense, Geomancer Skills can set Poisoned, Acid, Atrophy, and can even destroy Physical Armour entirely.
15 Custom Pyrokinetic
Fire is the cleanser! In Original Sin 2, the Pyrokinetic Skill Tree serves as one of the most straightforward sets of abilities in the game. Most Pyrokinetic Skills can set Burning to a target, an area, or even a cluster of targets. And in the game, Burning can easily chip away Vitality due to its innately-devastating damage-over-time (DOT). In effect, starting with a Pyrokinetic character can immediately provide massive magical DPS to a party.
Essentially, players who want a Pyrokinetic-focused character might want to start with the Wizard. They gain the Skills Searing Daggers, Ignition, and Fossil Strike (Geomancer) on the get-go - providing players with both melee and long-range fire options. The Pyrokinetic Skill Tree already boasts easily-accessible Skills to characters as well - such as buffs (Haste, Peace of Mind), or a mean Fireball.
14 Custom Scoundrel
Outside mages, melee DPS such as rogue-types boast the best damage numbers courtesy of their critical strikes. In Original Sin 2, the Scoundrel Skill Tree capitalizes on subterfuge to take enemies by surprise and boost damage as much as possible. Essentially, Scoundrel Skills capitalize on maximizing AP via Backstab to deal extra damage to unsuspecting foes. Scoundrel also relies on boosting damage output with status conditions such as Bleeding, Ruptured Tendons, Decaying, and Diseased. Likewise, they can afflict targets with debuffs such as Sleeping, Atrophy, and Silenced.
In turn, the classic Rogue Class fits the Scoundrel archetype perfectly in the early game. They come with Throwing Knife, Backlash, and Adrenaline - all perfect to boost AP usage in both long-range and close-range. Likewise, a more playful Scoundrel comes with the Shadowblade with its Backlash, as well as Chameleon Cloak (Polymorph) and Chicken Claw (Polymorph), perfect to capitalize on the invisibility-sneak combo. Given the high-damage output of Scoundrel, their basic 1AP Skills (Backlash, Chloroform, Cloak and Dagger) become perfect for magic users who need a bit of flexible melee options as well.
13 Custom Warfare
Contrary to the Scoundrel, the Warfare Skill Tree relies on fighting enemies head-on. Their Skills will have them hit enemies as hard as possible until they fall - perfect for tanks and other direct damage dealers. Unlike other Skill Trees, Warfare Skills rely heavily on the Knocked Down and Crippled status to stop enemies from moving. They also have buffs that grant Enraged, Deflecting, and Thick of the Fight.
In terms of Starting Class, the Knight easily tops the list with its available Skills. Battering Ram ensures they always have the means to rush the enemy. Meanwhile, Crippling Blow and Battle Stomp give them the ability to stop enemies in their tracks. Likewise, the Fighter offers more defense with the Battle Stomp, attack with range via Bouncing Shield, and boost Physical Armour via Fortify (Geomancer). Interestingly, Warfare doesn’t have a lot of Skill options compared to other Trees, making them a great combination Skill to pair with non-melee variants.
12 Custom Huntsman
What’s better than dealing a ton of damage to enemies? Why, doing it from a distance, of course! Thanks to the Huntsman Skill Tree, players with a knack for long-ranged attacks would love its set of flexible offensive Skills. It also has First Aid, which is an essential basic treatment for characters who can’t invest in Hydrosophist for Cure Wounds. Additionally, parties could use Huntsman utilities such as Farsight which temporarily increases range, and Tactical Retreat which is always a welcome addition to movement.
RELATED: The Best Modern-Day CRPGs, Ranked
Likewise, the Huntsman’s set of offensive abilities aren’t pushovers either. Reactive Shot attacks enemies automatically within an area, Ballistic Shot can hit for maximum damage, while Barrage can hit various enemies at once. It’s as though the Huntsman can turn a ranged character into an army commando. In terms of Starting Classes, the Ranger is a good choice with Ricochet, Elemental Arrowheads, and Peace of Mind (Pyrokinetic). Likewise, a good alternative would be the Wayfarer with its Pin Down, Elemental Arrowheads, and Fossil Strike (Geomancer).
11 Custom Undead
Unfortunately, most people in Rivellon forgot what happened to the Undead, once a glorious empire.
As a Custom Undead, players have access to the Play Dead ability, which allows them to feign death. Despite being situational, Play Dead can help the Undead divert attention away from them. As a Custom Character, they have access to Dome of Protection, which gives massive buffs to physical and magical armor. Moreover, they can choose a "subrace" and get their base Talents.
Despite these perks, Custom Undead can be extremely tricky to play. After all, only Poison effects get to heal them, and any form of healing magic damages them severely.
10 Custom Human
Being a Custom Human might make it easier to interact with most other characters, as Humans are the most common race in Rivellon.
Custom Humans get Thrifty and Ingenious Talents. Thrifty grants +1 Bartering, while Ingenious buffs critical damage– both of which can be helpful for Finesse-oriented classes such as Rangers, Wayfarers, and Rogues. In addition, their special Abilities include the aforementioned Dome of Protection and Encourage, with the latter buffing Strength, Intelligence, Finesse, and Constitution of surrounding allies.
Despite Encourage being a nifty skill, the starting Talents and Abilities of Custom Humans seem rather unexciting for a main character.
9 Custom Dwarf
Unlike the crafty Humans, Dwarves in Original Sin 2 are extremely nationalistic and clan-oriented. Despite the cheery attitude, they don't take kindly to smart alecks. Thanks to their stature, they receive the Sturdy and Dwarven Guile talents, with the former giving them additional Vitality and Dodging, while the latter gives +1 Sneaking.
For Special Abilities, they receive both the Dome of Protection and Petrifying Touch, with the latter dealing damage and turning targets to stone. Unfortunately, despite the expanded narrative options, Dwarves don't have that much diverse dialogue like the Lizard and the Elf.
8 Custom Lizard
Alongside the standard Humans, Elves, and Dwarves of fantasy worlds, Original Sin 2 introduces Lizards. In Rivellon, Lizards once had a marvelous empire, with their kind proud Source experts and aristocrats.
RELATED:
Accompanying the Custom Lizard are the Sophisticated and Spellsong Talents. The latter grants them +1 Persuasion, while the former grants them Fire and Poison resistance. In terms of Special Abilities, aside from Dome of Protection, they gain Dragon's Blaze which acts like a dragon breath move.
Sadly, despite the narrative options, Custom Lizards just don't have the "pizazz" to maximize some interesting features of the game.
7 Custom Elf
Thanks to their long lives, Elves in Rivellon get to experience things unfold around them. In Original Sin 2, Elves can consume the flesh of others to gain their memories. This trait becomes a Talent called Corpse Eater. Their other talent, Ancestral Knowledge, grants them +1 Loremaster.
Their Special Abilities include Dome of Protection and Flesh Sacrifice, with the latter giving them extra AP and a damage buff at the cost of Constitution. Of all races, Elves are the only ones who can eat flesh– which positions them as the race able to learn the most about Rivellon in a playthrough.
6 Beast
Beast is a Dwarven explorer who once staged a failed coup against his cousin, the Queen. Unfortunately, he's heard the Queen is yet again up to no good. And this time he wants to stop her once and for all.
Players who pick Beast might want to start with the default Battlemage class. As a Dwarf, he possesses the Sturdy and Dwarven Guile talents. However, aside from Petrifying Touch, he possesses a character-only Blinding Squall skill that damage and Blind enemies in an area.
Despite the intrigue in Beast's story, his storyline doesn't affect the main plot as much.
5 Fane
Canonically, Fane remains as one of the few Undead left in Rivellon. Striving to study mortals, he seeks to create a Mask of the Shapeshifter to let him freely change forms without striking fear amongst other mortals. Fane starts as a Wizard by default.
Aside from his Undead perks, Fane has access to Play Dead and Time Warp abilities, of which the latter allows him to grant a free turn once their turn has ended.
Players might consider Fane as one of the more important characters in-game. While he has the potential to be a compelling player character, he's much more entertaining as a companion. Unfortunately, his nature as an Undead might be challenging for newbies.
4 Sebille
Sebille is an Elf, once a slave who served a Master who forced her to hunt her fellow Elves. Now free, Sebille is out for revenge.
As an Elf, she gains both Ancestral Knowledge and Corpse Eater Talents. However, in terms of Special Abilities, she gets Flesh Sacrifice and Break the Shackles. The latter allows her to remove negative status effects from her, making her extremely helpful if players choose her Rogue default class.
Despite being a compelling choice for a player character, Sebille works better as a companion. Hearing her speak her own thoughts and be coy with her true agenda makes her an enigmatic figure to be with.
3 Lohse
Lohse has become a family name for a lot of Humans, as she's a famous performer. Unfortunately, a voice plagues her mind that "transforms" her into something else. Her default class is an Enchanter, making her extremely helpful as a supporting character.
As a Human, Lohse gets the Ingenious and Thrifty Talents. However, aside from the Encourage skill, she gets Maddening Song as a Special Ability. This perk maddens characters in a target area, forcing them to attack everyone nearest to them.
Like Fane, others consider Lohse's story impactful to the main game. However, players might consider making a Lohse a companion instead, as interacting with her can bring about very entertaining responses.
2 Red Prince
The Red Prince, once a general of the Lizard's House of War, is on a quest to regain his throne. He has to evade assassins, speak with the right people, and establish his position before once again claiming his birthright. He's a Fighter by default.
As a Lizard, he gains the Sophisticated and Spellsong Talents. However, aside from Dragon's Blaze, he gets Demonic Stare as a Special Ability. This allows him to leech off magical armor from a target.
Despite his interesting personal narrative, the Red Prince is better off as a companion character than a player character. Interacting with the Red Prince has always been entertaining, and seeing his story unfold can be extremely fulfilling.
1 Ifan Ben-Mezd
Ifan Ben-Mezd was a member of the Divine Order, who quit and became a part of the mercenary group Lone Wolves. And just as when he's about to retire, his last mission is to kill the son of the very person he once served. He starts as a Wayfarer.
As a Human, he's Ingenious and Thrifty. When players get him as a companion, he gains the Pet Pal Talent that lets him talk to animals. Moreover, his Special Ability grants him Soul Wolf, letting him summon his own spirit animal to aid in battle.
Despite the interesting nature of Ifan's narrative, he's more interesting as a player character than a companion. He gets to interact with a lot of NPCs throughout the main story, and players who want to get in on his mercenary dealings might want to see things from his perspective.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is currently available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.
MORE:
