Players and critics praised Divinity: Original Sin 2 upon release for its incredibly deep RPG systems and intuitive turn-based combat systems, as well as the creativity offered to players in how to play the game the way they want to. One of these well-developed RPG systems is the game’s hugely customizable class system.

There are 14 classes available in the expansive and complex RPG Divinity: Original Sin 2, each one with its own particular strengths and weaknesses. Some Divinity 2 classes are flat-out broken from the start, while others need some time put into their development and careful attention to gear to become almighty.

Updated November 8, 2021 by Erik Petrovich: Fans of the top-down RPG argue over the Divinity Original Sin 2 best class, out of the 14 available currently. Some classes just don’t start out as powerful as others, and a lot of the time it comes down to the talents and abilities they start with. When creating some Divinity Original Sin 2 builds, keep in mind the abilities and skills you want in your characters and make sure to choose a class that serves as a good launching pad. This Divinity Original Sin 2 class guide has been updated to list each class’s abilities and talents, to further inform players’ choices in this regard.

15 Custom Classes

  • Strengths:
  • Adaptable, depends on player’s choices
  • Weaknesses:
  • Varies
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Varies
  • Spells and Abilities
  • :
  • Varies

Creating a custom class in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is not only possible, but sometimes it’s much more engaging than taking on a pre-built role. Players are able to choose their race, their passive skills, starter spells based on their archetype, and make other customizations.

Much of the game’s appeal comes from in-depth character development of the main characters, so first-timers should take on Divinity 2 with a party of main characters. However, custom classes add another layer of immersion for returning players who are able to play the sandbox RPG any way they like.

14 Fighter

  • Talents:
  • Opportunist, which grants the ability to perform attacks of opportunity
  • Strengths:
  • Close combat, self-buffs, heavy equipment
  • Weaknesses:
  • Very simplistic, few synergy opportunities
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Take blows for others, deal out melee damage. Almost never ranged.

The Fighter class focuses on both taking and dealing huge melee blows, and is scarcely found far away from an enemy. It’s a basic class that’s easy to understand, but its simplicity leaves it lacking. Fighter starting skills include:

Fighters are great for those who want a character whose playstyle is simple and effective; however, keep in mind that there are other classes that are not as well-rounded, but much better in some of the Fighter’s niches. In the Divinity: Original Sin 2 classes tier list, the very basic fighter is generally regarded as being at the bottom.

13 Enchanter

  • Talents:
  • Far Out Man, which increases the range of abilities by two meters
  • Strengths:
  • Lots of elemental abilities, crowd control
  • Weaknesses:
  • Jack-of-all-trades but a master of none, other Mage-type classes exceed Enchanters
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Heal and buff allies, inflict statuses on enemies.

The Enchanter has control over the elements, able to summon weather effects, change the composition of the playing field, and otherwise summon phenomena to damage and aid allies. Enchanter starting skills include:

The class has a lot going for it, particularly when it comes to buffing the party. However, it ultimately is outclassed by Divinity: Original Sin 2 classes, such as the Witch or Conjurer, making it far from the best class Divinity Original Sin 2 has available by default.

12 Battlemage

  • Talents:
  • Comeback Kid, which revives the Battlemage once with 20% of their Vitality restored
  • Strengths:
  • Diversity of abilities and builds, decent choice at any range
  • Weaknesses:
  • Lacking in melee damage compared to other melee classes
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Very versatile, but mostly good for support and damage roles in the party

The Battlemage is a classic RPG staple represented in Divinity: Original Sin 2 as a class that is as effective in close combat as it is far away from enemies. Battlemage starting skills include:

Even though the Battlemage is a very versatile character, it doesn’t do quite as well at ranged or close combat as other, more specialized classes. Still, though, it’s a great class to try out a hybrid build from the get-go.

11 Cleric

  • Talents:
  • Hothead, which increases Critical Chance and Accuracy when at full Vitality
  • Strengths:
  • Great healer and damage sponge in close combat
  • Weaknesses:
  • Little damage output, relegated to support roles (heal/tank)
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Take blows for and heal other party members

The Cleric as it appears in Divinity: Original Sin 2 could be more accurately compared to a traditional fantasy Paladin rather than a Priest. The Cleric is a close-combat support class, who can tank hits as well as revitalize party members. Cleric starting skills include:

The Cleric is a good choice for a front-line class over others, for its access to healing and support spells. However, as most classes can spec into at least one or two recovery powers, players will spend most of their time engaging enemies.

10 Witch

  • Talents:
  • Leech, which restores Vitality whenever standing on Blood
  • Strengths:
  • Can be built for great ranged damage output compared to other magic classes
  • Weaknesses:
  • Complex to learn, requires more in-depth knowledge of interactions with other abilities
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Casting-oriented at a range, can spec into minor support abilities

The Witch is a powerful dark magic user with a boost to the Necromancer, Scoundrel, and Persuasion abilities. It’s one of the weaker casting-focused classes in the game, but can still do plenty of damage when utilized effectively. Witch starting skills include:

The Witch is also one of the more complex classes, needing constant attention to be effective. It is best in most situations to spec into Witch-like abilities with other Divinity Original Sin 2 classes rather than to go for the pure Witch build.

9 Wizard

  • Talents:
  • Far Out Man, which increases the range of abilities by two meters
  • Strengths:
  • Versatility of abilities and overall magical strength
  • Weaknesses:
  • Late-game abilities require careful tactical planning to avoid party members
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Big hits and crits from a distance, especially with the class talent

The Wizard is a casting-focused class that has a wide array of abilities at its disposal. While the starter build focuses on Geomancy and Pyromancy, the Wizard can use multiple different types of magic effectively benefits hugely from its long-range passive talent. Wizard starting skills include:

The Wizard’s destructive potential ramps up over time as its abilities get more and more powerful. Players just need to watch their aim with some of the class’s traditional skills.

8 Wayfarer

  • Talents:
  • Pet Pal, which allows the character to talk to animals
  • Strengths:
  • Mostly mid-range abilities and access to elemental magic from the start
  • Weaknesses:
  • Just not as powerful or useful as the similar Ranger class
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Flitting between crowd control and AoE abilities from both long and mid-range

The Wayfarer is a class unique to Divinity: Original Sin 2, and serves as a kind of fusion between a Ranger, Geomancer, and wayward traveler. It is a ranged class with access to poison and earth elemental abilities from the start. Wayfarer starting skills include:

The Wayfarer is a powerful class, but even with access to both ranged weapons and Geomancer abilities, it is outshined by the more versatile and stronger Ranger in most situations.

7 Shadowblade

  • Talents:
  • Guerilla, which increases damage by 40% when sneaking
  • Strengths:
  • Illusion-based abilities that let the Shadowblade dance in and out of combat
  • Weaknesses:
  • Players must be careful with placement and ability usage to get the maximum effect
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Teleport into close combat, use abilities, and get back out of range all in the same turn

The Shadowblade is a more ethereal version of a Rogue, with the ability to teleport, use dark stealthy magic, and deceive their opponents with illusory abilities. The class is a fantastic in-and-out type of combatant, never in the fray for too long but dealing huge damage. Shadowblade starting skills include:

The Shadowblade, too, gets a 40% bonus when sneaking. Furthermore, its access to a vast amount of illusory spells such as Chicken Claw come in handy when it comes to crowd control and deception.

6 Knight

  • Talents:
  • Opportunist, which grants the ability to perform attacks of opportunity
  • Strengths:
  • Great defender with good self-sustain and decent damage output
  • Weaknesses:
  • Less health than other melee classes
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • A mix of melee tanking and support exclusively in close combat

The Knight, ultimately, does everything a Fighter does but better. The class is better at defense from the start, has more access to damaging abilities, and can keep itself alive far more effectively than the barbarian-like Fighter can. Knight starting skills include:

While the Knight has a lower constitution than the Fighter, it has access to party-buffing abilities from the start and can use two-handed weapons extremely well, making them a powerhouse of both support and damage.

5 Ranger

  • Talents:
  • Arrow Recovery, which increases the chance to recover Special Arrows by 33%
  • Strengths:
  • Excels at mid-range and long-range attacks and AoE
  • Weaknesses:
  • Reliance on high ground and line of sight attacks for max damage
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Combination of elemental abilities and synergistic powers at a range to take on multiple enemies at once

The Ranger in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the most versatile and easiest to play Ranged-focus class in the game. It has multiple attacks that target multiple enemies, as well as self-buffs and party-buffs aplenty. Players can even relocate at a moment’s notice. Ranger starting skills include:

The class might seem simple – shoot arrows, get to high ground, repeat – but combined with elemental effects and proper strategic placement, this class can singlehandedly turn the tide of an unwinnable fight.

4 Inquisitor

  • Talents:
  • Executioner, which gives the character two AP after killing an enemy
  • Strengths:
  • Great combination of debuffs on enemies and great melee abilities that outclass other classes
  • Weaknesses:
  • Few party support abilities
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Close combat spell usage combined with careful planning of negative effects on enemies

The Inquisitor is arguably the best Divinity 2 class for close combat. It’s a combination of the Cleric and the Fighter classes, with abilities themed around zealous retribution and enemy debuffs as well as good ol’ melee attacks. Inquisitor starting skills include:

The class is a fantastic support, but not necessarily for aiding allies directly. The Inquisitor is a master of debuffing enemies and buffing itself. It is both hardier than the Fighter and just as effective as a Cleric, all wrapped up in one role.

3 Rogue

  • Talents:
  • The Pawn, which increases AP by one (but only for movement)
  • Strengths:
  • Great versatility of builds and playstyles, great at taking out enemies quickly in close combat
  • Weaknesses:
  • Requires players to carefully plan each turn, even with an extra AP
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Like the Shadowblade, jumps in and out of combat to deal massive damage then get out of range

Divinity: Original Sin 2 builds for the Rogue are much like the Shadowblade, but instead of an emphasis on illusory abilities, the Rogue is all about getting in and out of combat quickly. Its special talent, The Pawn, lets it move a full one extra AP’s worth of movement each turn. Rogue starting skills include:

The Rogue outclasses the Shadowblade, despite the Shadowblade’s 40% sneaking bonus, thanks to the class’s ability to finish off enemies much more effectively. It can also make use of the Adrenaline skill, which gives extra AP per turn. The rogue can simply do more than a Shadowblade.

2 Metamorph

  • Talents:
  • Opportunist, which grants the ability to perform attacks of opportunity
  • Strengths:
  • Best crowd control abilities in the game, as well as amazing party support and enemy debuffs
  • Weaknesses:
  • Few purely damaging spells, more of a focus on transformative magic
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Turn enemies into chickens, change form, then wreak havoc on impaired foes

The Metamorph is arguably the best magic-focused class without really focusing on magic itself. The metamorph can alter their own and enemy forms to control combat, including the ability to transform enemies into chickens and give themselves tide-turning abilities temporarily. It’s the best Divinity: Original Sin 2 class for all-around support and control. Metamorph starting skills include:

Medusa Head, for example, temporarily lets the Metamorph petrify enemies, while the Spread Your Wings and Heart of Steel abilities can be situationally broken. The class is one of the most complex in the game, but its unparalleled ability to control the flow of battle is a must-have for any party composition.

1 Conjurer

  • Talents:
  • Pet Pal, which allows the character to talk to animals
  • Strengths:
  • Essentially adds another party member to the group with its own turns, abilities, and strengths
  • Weaknesses:
  • Relies heavily on summons for max damage output and party support
  • Typical Playstyle:
  • Keeps minions alive and constantly summons new ones to replace them once dead

The Conjurer is far and away the best magic-focused class, and perhaps the best class that Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers. The Conjurer is effectively two characters at once, both controllable by the player: the Conjurer themselves, and their summoned allies. Conjurer starting skills include:

The Conjurer immediately gets the ability to conjure a Familiar, who can cast devastating spells, and later on, can summon nigh-on-invincible allies to join the fight. Better still, the Conjurer has plenty of her own attacks as well as abilities to keep their summons alive. Even better still, when a summon dies, the Conjurer can just re-summon it, making for an extremely effective barrier against damage to fragile long-distance casters.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is available on the iOS App Store, Nintendo Switch, Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One