Choosing the right starting setup in Divinity Original Sin 2 can significantly impact your overall tactical freedom and party synergy. While the game features a highly flexible class system where any character can learn any skill, picking a solid base class helps define your combat strategy during the early hours of Rivellon. Understanding how different presets cater to specific playstyles allows you to build a cohesive party capable of handling tough tactical encounters.
Frontline Aggression for Melee Combat Enthusiasts
Players who prefer direct physical confrontation will find the Knight and Fighter presets exceptionally reliable. The Knight focuses on heavy two-handed damage, utilizing Warfare skills like Battering Ram to knock down enemies and clear pathways. These physical builds thrive on closing gaps quickly and controlling the battlefield through raw crowd-control mechanics.
For a defensive twist, the Fighter pairs a single-handed weapon with a shield, granting access to Shield Bounce for ranged physical damage based on armor rating. Combining Warfare with Geomancer skills gives players access to supplementary armor restoration, making this option ideal for holding enemy attention. Both classes serve as sturdy anchors for any balanced adventure party.
Tactical Control for Strategic Spellcasters
If you prefer controlling elemental battlefields and dealing high area-of-effect damage, the Wizard and Enchanter classes offer immense strategic value. The Wizard harnesses Pyrokinetic and Geomancer combinations to set oil and poison ablaze, inflicting massive burn damage across tightly packed enemy formations. Managing elemental surfaces is crucial for maximizing efficiency with this playstyle.
Alternatively, the Enchanter relies on Aerotheurge and Hydrosophist magic to rain water on targets before striking them with freezing ice or paralyzing lightning. This combination focuses heavily on crowd control, effectively denying enemy turns through status effects. Coordinating these elemental combinations with your team ensures complete control over complex battlegrounds.
Stealth and Agility for Precision Strikers
For players who favor high burst damage and tactical positioning, the Rogue and Shadowblade classes offer unmatched single-target mobility. Rogues utilize Scoundrel skills and dual daggers to secure guaranteed critical hits whenever attacking enemies from behind. Abilities like Backlash allow players to instantly teleport behind targets to execute powerful assassination combos.
Shadowblades mix stealth skills with Polymorph abilities to gain unique movement tools like Chameleon Cloak or Chicken Claw. This playstyle encourages hit-and-run tactics, letting players strike vulnerable backline targets before vanishing back into safety. Mastering position and initiative is essential for getting the most out of these agile archetypes.
Ranged Support and Summoning Flexibility
Ranged combatants who want to stay safe while providing versatile support should consider the Ranger or Conjurer classes. The Ranger uses Huntsman skills to gain substantial damage bonuses from elevated terrain, sniping high-priority targets with elemental arrows. Their high initiative often allows them to strip enemy armor before melee fighters close in.
The Conjurer stands out as one of the most adaptable choices in the game by relying on the Summoning skill tree. By summoning an Incarnate onto specific elemental surfaces, players can customize their pet's damage type to target specific enemy weaknesses. This class provides incredible party utility without demanding heavy stat investment in specific magic damage types.
