Newcomers ofLarian Studiosand theirDivinity: Original Sinseries might find themselves surprised at the depth of its titles. After all, bothOriginal SinandDivinity: Original Sin 2contain not just compelling narratives but also extremely immersive gameplay. Moreover, players can arm their characters with a wide variety of equipment, Talents, and skills that can make them extremely unique individuals in the game world of Rivellon. Unfortunately, these elements do makeOriginal Sin 2a bit overwhelming at first.
RELATED:Divinity 2: Original Sin Mods That Make The Game Even Better
For newcomers in the game, they might feel overwhelmed by just how many skills their characters can have. As enemies can also use skills of their own, just how should players set up their party? Thankfully, some skills acquired early in the game are great for starting players. Moreover, these skills do well in teaching players early on just how flexible the game’s combat system can be. Just what are thesebest beginner-friendly skills inDivinity: Original Sin 2?
Updated on June 08, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:Fans of Dungeons & Dragons may eagerly await Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios, a game that is perhaps the most faithful iteration of D&D 5e mechanics. However, it’s far from released yet as the game may remain in Early Access until early 2022, with the rest of the year devoted to development. Thankfully, fans who couldn’t wait for a tactical fantasy RPG experience close to D&D can look at Larian Studios’ other gem -Divinity: Original Sin 2- for another powerhouse combination of a gripping plot and compelling gameplay. For beginners who just started the game, they might want to equip their characters with somemust-have beginner-friendly Skillsto make life easier so they can breeze through the main story with ease.
15Restoration (Hydrosophist 1)
Both newbies and veterans of RPGs andturn-based strategyknow any offensive strategy is useless without a fallback. In the case ofOriginal Sin 2, the game boasts a wide range of offensive and defensive abilities. However, players should remember recovery is just as important in any battle, especially when this game allows all its NPCs to be able to use magic as well.
Thankfully,Original Sin 2offers a solution early on in the form of Restoration. Aside from bestowing healing per turn, it also removes Poisoned and Bleeding effects. Players can get this from Margo and Rezik in Fort Joy.
14Chicken Claw (Polymorph 1)
While it’s extremely easy for characters inOriginal Sin 2to obliterate foes with a couple of spells, why not incapacitate them entirely by turning them into chickens? This is exactly whatChicken Claw (Polymorph 1)does, and it can stop entire battles.
What makes Chicken Claw absurdly overpowered is the fact that it’s accessible at Polymorph 1, costs 1 Memory, and only cost 2 AP. This extremely accessible spell means players who break the Magic Armor of foes can have an extra two turns to run from a powerful opponent or use this ridiculously overpowered solution to kill bosses in the next turn.
13Nether Swap (Aerotheurge 2)
While Teleport is one of the most practical Skills one can have inOriginal Sin 2, it’sNether Swap (Aerotheurge 2)thathas more usein the context of immediate effects. Due to its nature, Nether Swap can serve as a nifty tool to have scouts and more vulnerable characters escape combat by exchanging their place with a tank or another enemy.
This serves as a more convenient teleportation option for characters who simply need to be more mobile in combat. Given that it’s within the same Aerotheurge rank as Teleport, it’s a Skill worth having for any spellcaster.
12Shackles Of Pain (Necromancer 2)
Players who get attacked by tougher foes might be inclined to think - “wouldn’t it be convenient if that monster got the same damage the character did?” Thankfully,Shackles Of Pain (Necromancer 2)does exactly that. At its core,a targetcan receive all the damage the spellcaster receives, making this a nifty “debuff” for bosses or elite foes who want to hurt the spellcaster.
RELATED:The Best Modern-Day CRPGs, Ranked
However, while this makes this a good Skill to attach a punishment element to weaker characters, players can maximize this Skill by having a melee character like a tank get points in Necromancer. Aside from tapping into lifesteal abilities, Shackles Of Pain can make it inadvisable for opponents to hit the tank and even punish bosses - all the while the tank remains alive in the process.
11Fireball (Pyrokinetic 2)
Despite its basic name,Fireball (Pyrokinetic 2)is easilyone of the most practical offensive spellsavailable. Aside from its 100% Fire Damage upon hit, its explosive radius can extend to everyone around the vicinity of its target.
Moreover, Fireball is easily a great element when combined with another spell that produces oils and other elemental puddles. Its strong damage component makes Fireball an easy-access offensive Skill for both spellcasters and even melee characters.
10Cloak And Dagger (Scoundrel 2)
Rogues and other stealthy characters need access to as much stealth as possible in order to capitalize on their Sneak Attacks. Thankfully,Cloak And Dagger (Scoundrel 2)does exactly this for sneaky characters. At its core, Cloak And Dagger is a teleportation feature that won’t break both Invisibility and Sneaking.
This isa great way for stealthy charactersto drop smack in the middle of combat without initiating initiative themselves, allowing them to choose their target freely provided they don’t screw up sneaking themselves.
9First Aid (Huntsman 1)
First Aidserves as a handy alternative to Restoration, especially since itremoves a lot of debuffs. While it doesn’t heal as much as Restoration, it can remove Diseased, Poisoned, Burning, Bleeding, Silence, Blind, Knocked Down, and Crippled effects. Moreover, it gives a boost to Strength, Finesse, and Intelligence via the Rested status.
Players can get this skill from Butter in Fort Joy. This skill especially helps archers that have the Blind status, which makes them unable to attack from afar. Moreover, this can also deal damage to Undead.
8Teleportation (Aerotheurge 2)
New players ofOriginal Sin 2might realize that the Telekinesis option grants a lot of gameplay options, especially in combat. Players can drag or throw objects around to create a cover, cause explosions, and a lot of otherhijinks with the gameplay environment. However, they can amp this up withTeleportation, which essentially enables players to move around both objects and characters.
Players can acquire this skill early on via the Gloves of Teleportation once they do “The Teleporter” quest. While more powerful gloves will appear after this, players should probably keep these gloves as they’re extremely handy. For instance, they can teleport melee enemies away from the party, and even force weaker opponents to suddenly be next to a melee combatant.
7Fossil Strike (Geomancer 1)
Original Sin 2introduces extremely flexible anddynamic battlefields, with a lot of objects that interact with each other. Players see this early on when the game shows them how certain objects and skills can cause oil barrels – or oil in general – to explode. Thanks toFossil Strike, players have a handy tool that not only damages opponents but also creates an oil field below them.
RELATED:The Hardest Bosses & Enemies In Divinity: Original Sin 2 (& How To Beat Them)
Oil alone slows down enemies, reducing their AP points. However, what’s great with oil is that it can also be ignited, be it with accompanying Pyromancer spells, flaming arrows, or even a grenade.
6Peace Of Mind (Pyrokinetic 1)
Beginners ofOriginal Sin 2should start reminding themselves that versatility is key to any battle. It’s not always the best skills that win battles, it’s outlasting the opponents. Thanks toPeace of Mind, players can see most battles through without a hitch, provided they use this skill right.
This skill, which can be bought from Stingtail in Fort Joy, removes Mad, Enraged, Sleeping, Taunted, Charmed, Terrified, and Blinded effects from the target. Moreover, itgrants massive buffsvia the Clear-Minded status, as it gives +2 to Strength, Intelligence, and Finesse, as well as +5 to Wits.
When used properly, assassins and archers can get massive physical damage potential, while mages can use this to buff their spells.
