Should you choose an Origin or Custom character in Divinity Original Sin 2?

Choosing between the Divinity Original Sin 2 Origin or Custom characters is basically about whether you want to play a classic silent protagonist blank slate, or an established figure with a backstory and personality before you get there. DOS2 has six Origin characters, ranging from pirate dwarves to skeleton scholars to lizard lords, but if you're playing for the first time, is it better to have your own Custom hero or to pick one of the Origin options? We'll explain below whether Origin or Custom is better for your first time playing through, and what you can explain from each one.

Starting out on your journey? Make sure you read our list of the top 10 Divinity Original Sin 2 tips!

Is an Origin or Custom character better in Divinity Original Sin 2?

Having conferred with many other Divinity Original Sin 2 players on the team, the consensus is that it's better to play an Origin character the first time around, though that certainly doesn't ruin the experience.

The reason given is that Origin characters are considered slightly easier for inexperienced players, as they naturally lean towards certain builds that help guide new players. Rather than the uncertainty of having to create a character from scratch, an Origin character does the initial hard work for you, and their story may provide additional investment and motivation.

Who's the best Origin character in Divinity Original Sin 2?

All DOS2 Origin characters are great, though among the GamesRadar+ team Ifan Ben-Mezd is considered the best choice for a first-time Origin character, and Fane is considered the worst (or rather, the least accessible). Ifan's backstory and lore has a large focus in the early game, while Fane – like all Undead – has strange variant rules around healing that can make things difficult if you're not used to them.

All Origin characters in Divinity Original Sin 2

There are six options for Origin characters in DOS2, as laid out below.

Any character can be any of the Divinity Original Sin 2 classes, and while there are minor elements to each species and Origin that lean towards certain builds, it's not to any drastic degree, so you should feel free to make Fane a Fighter, or to try a Red Prince Rogue build. Or, if you want some more direction, here's a list of the best Divinity Original Sin 2 builds.

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