Combat | Divinity Original Sin 2 Wiki

Divinity Original Sin 2 Turn-Based Combat

Combat in Divinity Original Sin 2 is turn-based, and each character’s turn consists of using Action Points (AP), which govern movement, attacking, casting Spells, and interacting with the environment. The game’s tactical approach requires players to think carefully about each move, as AP is limited and needs to be managed efficiently. Players control a party of up to four characters, and each has unique abilities depending on their chosen skills, stats, and abilities. DOS:2 Combat relies heavily on positioning and strategy, and a key element of success is taking advantage of the terrain. For example, gaining the high ground provides a significant combat advantage by improving both attack accuracy and damage output.

DOS:2 Combat Summary

• The game is played in real-time, except during combat.
• Turn-based combat is like a game of chess; players act one after another in turns, but what they do during those turns depends on their individual strategy and the circumstances on the board.
• When combat is over, the game returns to real-time.
• Players can control their player & their party members, or play with friends in Co-Op (Upto 4 players)
• Combat is affected by Status Effects, Environmental Effects & Height (or Elevation) of the player.
• Height is important, gives you a range/damage advantage or disadvantage depending on where you are.
• For a unique take on combat with ex-party members, check out the Make War mechanic.

DOS: 2 Environment & Status Effects

While in combat, DOS:2 players have to focus on their environment as it is dynamic. Players can light oil slicks on fire, electrocute enemies standing in water, cast fire on water surfaces to make steam and reduce enemy's visibility etc. These Environmental Effects can cause various Status Effects such as Burns, Poison, Frost etc. which can further limit or enhance the player's combat ability. 

👁 modifying_surfaces_example_DOS2

Many abilities can interact with each other. For example, a character might use a rain spell to create a water surface, and another character could electrify it to shock nearby enemies. The game encourages players to experiment with these interactions, as exploiting the environment can often lead to game-changing results. The presence of summons, such as elemental creatures or totems, adds another layer to the tactical depth, allowing players to turn the tide of battle by bringing in additional allies.

Height or Elevation

A new element to combat in Divinity Original Sin 2 is height or elevation. This new feature means that your elevation plays a big role in how you strategize your fighting. Players on higher ground have greater range & visibility. They also sometimes get added bonus damage to enemies on lower ground.  In combat, you will see a yellow circle around your character, showing his/her normal range for attacks. If standing on higher ground, there will be an additional green circle extending a few meters extra. This is your added range due to height advantage. If you hover over enemies with your mouse, you can even see the potential damage boost you get from being at a height.

👁 height_range_example_DOS2