Pillars of Eternity Turn-Based Mode Beta Coming This Week

According to Obsidian, the following real-time improvements were made after taking fan feedback from Deadfire.

• Unbound Turns: All turns are now influenced by a character’s overall speed, improving the value of Real-Time with Pause attributes and mechanics.
• Smarter Free Actions: Actions like swapping weapons, drinking potions, or enabling modals are now free actions. Each free action is limited to one per turn per type for balance.
• Faster Pacing: Combat lethality has been significantly increased for both enemies and players to keep battles tense and impactful.
• Mode Flexibility: You can choose Turn-Based Mode alongside difficulty when starting a new game — or swap freely between Real-Time with Pause and Turn-Based Mode in the game options. We’re also investigating a direct HUD toggle for even more convenience.

As noted above, players can choose whether or not to embrace turn-based combat, or switch between real-time and turn-based at their desire. The beta test doesn’t currently have an end date, but Obsidian notes that it will release future updates in support of this before adding turn-based mode to the game as a permanent feature.

Josh Sawyer–who directed both Pillars of Eternity games–has suggested that if Pillars of Eternity 3 ever goes forward, it will embrace the influence of Baldur’s Gate 3 and switch from an isometric perspective to a 3D-style game.

Earlier this year, Obsidian released Avowed, an action-RPG that takes place in the same universe as the Pillars of Eternity games.