Best Classes in Divinity: Original Sin 2

Best Classes in Divinity: Original Sin 2 (Beginner-Friendly Tier List & Starter Builds)

If you’re starting Divinity: Original Sin 2 and wondering which class to pick, this guide ranks the strongest, most practical classes and shows how to build them at a high level. The picks reflect how classes perform from Fort Joy to late game, drawing on the official class/skills wiki and community consensus (players repeatedly highlight how consistent physical damage and simple synergies carry new runs). Reddit+3divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com+3divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com+3

Quick note: “Classes” in DOS2 are just starter packages—you can respec freely at the Magic Mirror later. So pick a fantasy you like, then follow the build focus below. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

Tier List Overview (S → B)

Tier	Class (Starter)	Why it’s here	Best for
S	Knight (Two-Hand Warfare)	Simple, brutal physical scaling; dominates armor races	First playthroughs
S	Ranger (Bow/Warfare hybrid)	Consistent ranged DPS, great early accuracy and surfaces	Safe carries
A	Rogue (Dual Daggers)	High single-target burst; thrives with backstab positioning	Players who like flanks
A	Enchanter (Hydro + Aero)	Freeze/Stun control, party utility, flexible scaling	Crowd control fans
A	Summoner	Early power spike (Incarnate/Totems), low gear dependence	New players & hybrid comps
B	Wizard (Evocation-style nuker)	Big AoE but more setup; shines with coordinated surfaces	Coordinated parties

These placements align with how veterans explain “what carries an average run”—physical damage stacks cleanly, and Hydro/Aero control props up any team. See class/skills overviews and player advice that consistently push physical-leaning squads for beginners. Reddit+3divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com+3divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com+3

S-Tier: Pick-and-Win Starters

Knight (Two-Hand Warfare)

Role: Frontline bruiser that solves fights by deleting physical armor fast.
Why it works: Warfare scales physical skills universally, so your damage rises predictably with Strength + Warfare, which is exactly why physical classes are so forgiving for first runs (often cited by experienced players). Reddit+1
How to build (high-level):

Attributes: Strength, Wits, then Constitution
Combat skills: Warfare (core), splash Polymorph (for utility like Bull Horns/Chicken Claw) and Scoundrel (Adrenaline burst)
Talent ideas: Opportunist, Picture of Health
Check the class list and skills index to see why Warfare is the backbone of most physical builds. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com+1

Ranger (Bow/Warfare)

Role: Reliable ranged carry with great first-turn impact.
Why it works: Bows scale off Finesse, and adding Warfare boosts many physical skills; archers exploit elevation and avoid early gear checks. Community threads routinely recommend Wayfarer/Ranger for easy clears. Reddit
How to build:

Attributes: Finesse, Wits, then Memory (skill slots)
Combat skills: Ranged, Warfare; add Huntsman for elevation bonuses
Talent ideas: Elemental Ranger, Executioner
Use the skills overview to plan your opener (e.g., elemental arrows + elevation). divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

A-Tier: High Impact, Slightly More Demanding

Rogue (Dual Daggers/Scoundrel)

Role: Single-target deletion via backstabs and mobility.
Why it works: High Crit + backstab mechanics, strong action economy (Adrenaline), and positional control. It requires flanking discipline but scales hard. Veterans frequently pair a Rogue with two physical allies for seamless armor break. Reddit
How to build:

Attributes: Finesse, Wits, then Constitution
Combat skills: Scoundrel, Dual Wielding; splash Polymorph for Chameleon Cloak/Wings
Talent ideas: The Pawn, Executioner
Browse class and skill pages for early Scoundrel toolkits. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com+1

Enchanter (Hydrosophist + Aerotheurge)

Role: Control mage specializing in Freeze/Stun and team utility.
Why it works: Hydro/Aero offers armor-aware CC (Freeze vs. magic armor, Shock/Stun setups) and strong defensive tools. Community advice often points first-timers to Hydro/Aero for reliable crowd control. Reddit
How to build:

Attributes: Intelligence, Memory, then Wits
Combat skills: Hydrosophist, Aerotheurge; support with Aerotheurge’s mobility and Hydro heals
Talent ideas: Elemental Affinity, Far Out Man
Check skills for which books unlock Freeze/Stun chains and party buffs. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

Summoner

Role: Early spike with Incarnate + Totems, scales with investment, low gear dependency.
Why it works: On Fort Joy, Summoning can feel overtuned—your Incarnate adapts to surfaces, and totems chip safely. Great for newer players managing economy and positioning. Summoning’s practicality is a recurring point in builds roundups. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

How to build:

Attributes: Intelligence, Memory
Combat skills: Summoning (rush to 10 ASAP), then a splash (e.g., Hydro or Geo for utility)
Talent ideas: Lone Wolf (if duo), Elemental Affinity

B-Tier: Strong, But Needs Setup

Wizard (classic nuker)

Role: Big AoE damage and surface control.
Why it’s lower: Mages shine when the team sets up surfaces and strips magic armor. In casual groups, that coordination isn’t always there—hence B-tier for beginners, though the ceiling is extremely high. The skills system shows how many spells require savvy setup to avoid friendly fire or wasted turns. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

How to build:

Attributes: Intelligence, Memory
Combat skills: Pyro/Geo or Aero/Hydro, with Warfare splash for Battle Stomp/ Phoenix Dive utility on hybrids
Talent ideas: Savage Sortilege, Elemental Affinity

Recommended 4-Person Starter Party (copy this if you’re unsure)

Knight (Warfare/Two-Hand) — primary armor breaker
Ranger (Ranged/Warfare) — consistent ranged pressure
Rogue (Scoundrel/Poly) — priority target deletion
Enchanter (Hydro/Aero) — CC and sustain

This mirrors what many players advise for a first run: three physical damage dealers plus one control caster to handle elemental hazards and sustain. Reddit+1

Quick Tips That Make Any Class Better

Warfare is king for physical scaling—dip it even on hybrids for damage skills. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com
Learn a few universal utility skills early: Adrenaline (Scoundrel), Bull Horns/Chicken Claw (Polymorph), Teleportation (Aero), Clear Mind (Pyro). These appear over and over in veteran tips because they improve any party’s action economy. Reddit
Don’t stress the class pick—respec at the Mirror and pivot as loot dictates. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

FAQ

What’s the easiest class for a first playthrough?

Knight and Ranger. They scale cleanly on physical damage and require the least setup, which is why they’re the most recommended beginner starters in community threads. Reddit

Do mages fall off?

No. They just rely more on armor/turn setup and surface combos. With a coordinated team, Wizard/Enchanter can dominate. See the skills index to plan non-friendly-fire rotations. divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com

Can I change my class later?

Yes—use the Magic Mirror to respect freely (attributes, skills, talents). This is why picking a “starter class” is low-risk.

How to buy Divinity: Original Sin 2?

Use Steam Gift Cards to start your journey in Divinity