Pillars of Eternity Introduces Turn-Based Combat: A Major Update for the Celebrated RPG
This year, Pillars of Eternity, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, marked a decade since its initial release. To commemorate this milestone, the studio announced an exciting new patch for the classic role-playing game, along with plans for an innovative combat system. As anticipation builds, the launch of the much-anticipated turn-based combat mode is just around the corner.
The Evolution of Combat Mechanics
Since its inception, Pillars of Eternity has provided players with a real-time with pause combat experience. This dynamic allows for strategic engagement against formidable foes with the ability to pause for tactical planning. However, players can soon experience a fully realized turn-based combat mode in its beta phase, shifting gameplay dynamics significantly.
Development Insights
John Sawyer, Design Director at Obsidian, expressed the studio’s commitment to delivering a refined turn-based system.“This is a big undertaking, ” he commented, acknowledging the considerable efforts from key team members such as Nick Carver and Jesse Bureno, along with Kurt Decker’s recent contributions. Sawyer highlighted the positive reception of the turn-based mode featured in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, while also recognizing previous critiques regarding its implementation.
Toggle Feature and Future Plans
Players can find the new turn-based mode as a toggle option within the settings menu of this isometric RPG, specifically under the Difficulty section. Moreover, Obsidian plans to enhance the user interface by incorporating a button on the HUD, allowing easy transitions between real-time and turn-based combat during gameplay.
Key Improvements in Turn-Based Combat
Building on the lessons learned from its predecessor, here are some significant upgrades being introduced in the new combat system:
- Unbound Turns: Character speed now influences turn order, enhancing the effectiveness of the Real-Time with Pause attributes.
- Smarter Free Actions: Certain actions, like weapon swapping or potion use, are now classified as free actions, limited to one per turn type to ensure balance.
- Faster Pacing: Increased lethality in combat will enhance tension, making battles more impactful for both players and enemies.
- Mode Flexibility: Players will have the ability to select Turn-Based Mode at the start of a new game or switch modes mid-play, with ongoing work towards a convenient HUD toggle.
Upcoming Beta Launch
The public beta for Pillars of Eternity‘s turn-based combat mode is scheduled to commence on November 5. Players on Steam and Xbox for Windows are invited to participate in this exciting new chapter for the beloved RPG.
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