Significant change to Pillars of Eternity
Obsidian Entertainment revisits one of its most famous RPGs with a major update. Almost ten years after its release in 2015, Pillars of Eternity gets an all-new turn-based mode, marking one of the biggest changes in the series' history. Players will be able to try out the new system when the public beta releases on November 5th.
The update, announced on the game's official website, reimagines combat, moving from the classic real-time mode with pause to a more thoughtful tactical structure. The new regime takes inspiration from Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfireand also made several improvements based on fan feedback. Obsidian also released a trailer showing how battles unfold in the updated format.
Among the most noticeable changes are changes to the pacing and flow of combat. Turns are now based on the character's overall speed, making real-time attributes more meaningful. Free actions such as switching weapons, using potions, or switching abilities no longer require a turn, although each can only be used once per type for balance. Lethality has been increased across the board, making every encounter more intense.
Flexibility is another key. Players can start a new game in real-time or turn-based mode, or switch between them at any time. Obsidian is also exploring the possibility of switching the HUD for even easier transitions. The beta currently has no set end date and ongoing updates are planned until the feature becomes a permanent addition.
Meanwhile, series director Josh Sawyer has hinted that if Pillars of Eternity 3 ever comes out, it could follow in the footsteps of Baldur's Gate 3 by adopting a 3D perspective. Earlier this year, Obsidian also expanded the universe with Avowed, an RPG set in the same world.
