Fans of Obsidian Entertainment’s critically acclaimed RPG, Pillars of Eternity, have finally received a long-awaited feature that adds a new dimension to its combat system.
In early April 2026, Obsidian Entertainment released a significant update for the original Pillars of Eternity, introducing a highly anticipated turn-based combat mode. This marks a major addition to the game, coming 11 years after its initial launch.
The new mode implements a dynamic turn order system: Faster characters, benefiting from high dexterity, light armor, or speed-enhancing effects, will now have the opportunity to perform multiple actions within a single round. This allows for more strategic depth and rewards efficient character building.
Conversely, slower characters might act less frequently or even miss a round entirely if they accumulate significant speed penalties. This design choice emphasizes the importance of balancing party composition and understanding each character’s capabilities.
Players of Pillars of Eternity can opt for the turn-based mode when beginning a new game or switch to it later during their playthrough, offering flexibility to both new adventurers and seasoned veterans looking for a fresh challenge.
Combat in turn-based mode has been carefully rebalanced to “emphasize the importance of careful tactical decision-making,” providing a distinct strategic experience compared to the game’s original real-time-with-pause system.