Obsidian Entertainment, the team behind Xbox Game Studios titles, is updating their 2015 role-playing game, Pillars of Eternity. To mark the game’s anniversary, they’re adding a turn-based combat option, similar to the one found in the game’s sequel and other RPGs, but with unique improvements.
Starting Monday, players on Steam and Xbox PC can try out the turn-based mode as part of a beta test. This will allow Obsidian to collect feedback and fix any issues before releasing it to everyone.
Josh Sawyer, design director at Obsidian and director of the game Pentiment, also shared details about the development process and the team’s goals for the new mode in a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mj6HObhD_8
I was so excited to hear they were bringing turn-based mode to Pillars of Eternity! It was *so* popular in Deadfire, and the team at Obsidian really listened to what fans wanted. They admitted the first attempt in Deadfire wasn’t perfect, and they’ve taken all that feedback to heart. Apparently, they’ve made some big changes to the turn-based system this time around, and I can’t wait to see what they are!
- 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 a long-time tech and gaming fan, I’m genuinely excited to see Obsidian continuing to support Pillars of Eternity with a major update after all these years! I’ve recently gotten really into the world of Eora thanks to playing Avowed – one of several fantastic games Obsidian released this year – so I’m definitely planning on checking out this new mode soon.
And here’s a great deal: right now, you can snag Pillars of Eternity Definitive Edition on Steam for under $5 from Loaded (formerly CDKeys), which makes it super affordable to jump in and try the beta. Or, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you can access it through the Xbox version on PC. It’s a great time to be an RPG fan!
FAQ
What platforms is the turn-based beta for Pillars of Eternity available on?
The turn-based beta for Pillars of Eternity is available on Steam, as well as through Xbox on PC.
When does the turn-based beta for Pillars of Eternity begin?
The public beta for the turn-based beta is set to begin on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.
What’s new in this mode?
As a tech enthusiast, I’m really excited about the recent updates! They’ve completely revamped the combat. Now, turns aren’t fixed – they’re based on how fast your character is, which feels way more dynamic. Free actions, like switching weapons or using potions, are also much smarter and smoother. They’ve really sped things up, making battles more intense and deadly, and the best part? You can now switch between real-time and turn-based combat right in the options menu – total control!
Why add turn‑based now?
Obsidian Entertainment was inspired by the positive reception of the turn-based combat in *Deadfire* to enhance the original game’s combat system, taking into account what players wanted.
Is this only on PC?
For now, yes — the beta is available on Steam and Xbox PC. No console release has been confirmed.
Does Pillars of Eternity share a setting with Avowed?
Obsidian’s upcoming RPG, Avowed, which will be released in 2025, takes place in the world of Eora – the same fantasy universe as their Pillars of Eternity games.
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2025-11-04 00:11