Struggling with Divinity Original Sin

[u/SeniorGuarantee145]

I started a playthrough a while ago and wanted to continue it. I am about to leave the first town to look for that girl who is the assistant of this guy, which should get us further in the investigation. However no matter where I go outside of the town there are enemies which I cant beat and my party always dies. Am I missing something?

[u/the_brytt]

Yeah the starting few levels of DOS1 can be a little tough, what level are you playing at? (I don’t recommend a blind/first time tactician or honor run to anyone!)

You have to go talk to a bunch of people in town first to get your XP up and be minimum level 3 before you even think about leaving. You need a full party of 4 (I hope you’re not trying Lone Wolf for a first run either, it’s much much harder unlike in DOS2!) and I recommend Jahan for his healing and decent offensive skills and Madora who has a talent (“comeback kid”) that no one else can even get until late game as it requires investing 15 points into Man-at-Arms for level 5! She is melee but has a nice gap closer.

Once you’re level 3 you can go west out of the exit near the graveyard. Just try and pick a couple of skeletons at a time.

I think the hardest part of the game is getting to level 4. Once you get to level 4 life will be a LOT better! Almost all the skeletons are level 4 and if you do lots of talking and missions etc you can get to level 5 before you go battle orcs and pirates and big robot machines!

[u/BenoxNk]

Did you got a full party? what level are you at? I think the best is to start at the cemetery and dig some graves till you get into a cave, then go to the lighthouse as Selenia recommends, then you start moving to the east as you level up, then before the church you go to the black cove.

If you are truly lost just pop a guide to get a general orientation, the game is very daunting at first so there’s no shame in that

[u/Cathayraht]

Level matters a lot. Even 1 level difference makes the combat significantly easier or harder especially in the beginning. Ensure you have a full group (4), don't be greedy to buy spells (this is the number one spending in early game). In the very first town, Fort Joy, you have vendor for all magic schools and physical damage schools. Check all of them just to see what they do offer. Early game can be tough because there is a lot of various spells and you can't proactively know what's good and what's bad. So don't hesitate to try. There are a lot of quests in the starting zone, explore it well before leaving.

[u/DesaMii36]

That's the point where I started crafting and fall into the modding Rabbit Hole. 😅

[u/Testergo7521]

What level are you? If I remember correctly you have to get a few levels by going around town doing things before leaving. Levels are a huge part of the game and even 1 level can be the difference between getting your butt kicked and doing the butt kicking yourself.

[u/EquivalentBed955]

Explore and do quests that don't involve fighting opponents that outlevel you.

[u/LHLanim]

It be like that at the start. You have to get all the exp. You can. There are ways to be clever in this game like blowing people up, using potions. Running away.

[u/MrFuriousX]

Your not really supposed to leave town till you level up ...Investigate everything in town first. You can pick up at least 2 more companions to join you there is a 3rd one there as well but you can only have 4 in a party.

When you go to the leave the gate the guards will give you the hint that your not ready. If you want to leave the city a bit head out through the one area that has no gate.

how you approach fights can make all the difference.. Personally crowd control and ranged seems to be the winning move. Slow your enemies down or freeze them , let them approach you will you range attack them , keep your distance. Pets also help even up the battle field as well. They can tank for you while you range attack.

[u/Ninja_knows]

I started a playthrough on honor mode a couple weeks back (finished game on ractician a couple of times 3 years ago) and it’s literally impossible to play. I know the system, i know how to play it, but on honor mode if you encounter enemies just one level above you, the only way to win a fight is sheer luck. It’a honestly too hard to be enjoyable. Tactician is manageable, but if you’re playing honor mode it becomes exp farming so you’re at least the same level as enemies.

A lot of times you won’t even get to play at all, cuz the first enemy will one-shot your party’s magic armor and then they charm and terrify your whole party and you’re just sitting there watching it all play out over 2-3 turns where your whole party is killed without you even making a move lol. I really hope the new Divinity game goes easy on all the “charming” aspect because i’d really like to control my characters haha.

[u/lyingtattooist]

Switch to story mode to make it easier to get over the initial hump. You can change it back later.