Divinity Original Sin 2: Warfare Skills That Turn Any Fighter Into a Nightmare

In 2026, Divinity: Original Sin 2 still hits like a truck. The Definitive Edition remains a crown jewel of Larian Studios, and its Warfare school is still the go-to for any character who wants to bring the pain up close. Marek, a scarred fighter with a one-handed axe and a stubborn shield, learned that lesson the hard way in Driftwood. He had heard that any character could become a melee powerhouse with enough Warfare investment. What he did not expect was how many Warfare skills would turn a simple slugfest into a tactical masterpiece. 🛡️⚔️

Marek's first real test came when a pack of magisters surrounded him near the Lone Wolves' camp. He did not panic. He remembered Whirlwind. For 2 AP and Warfare 2, he spun like a top, dealing 100 percent damage to every enemy within 4.5 meters. The magisters were not ready for a farmer-turned-knight to go full beyblade. Whirlwind is the ultimate answer to being boxed in, and Marek later paired it with Phoenix Dive to leap into the middle of enemy lines and make everyone regret their positioning.

Enrage became his ace in the hole. At 2 AP and Warfare 2, he could motivate an ally with pure, unfiltered rage. The target got the Enraged status, which meant a 100 percent chance to land critical hits with weapon skills and basic attacks. The cost was Silence, but the status also cleared Charmed, Clear-Minded, Mad, Taunted, and Terrified. When Marek's spellcaster friend got Charmed after a Glass Cannon gamble, Enrage was the nifty escape button. One turn of guaranteed crits was more than enough to make the enemy pay.

Marek never underestimated a good shield. A one-handed weapon plus a shield gave him offense and defense in one package. With Warfare 1 and 2 AP, Bouncing Shield let him throw his shield like a deadly frisbee. It dealt 70 percent of the shield's Physical Armour as damage to up to two enemies within 5 meters of each other, and its 13-meter range gave a melee fighter a surprising long-range poke. It was not the flashiest skill, but it was reliable, and reliability wins wars.

Crippling Blow was next on his list. For 2 AP and Warfare 1, Marek made a sweeping blow that hit his target and nearby enemies. If it penetrated Physical Armour, it dealt 115 percent weapon damage and applied Crippled. That status was a death sentence for other melee combatants because it also gave a 30 percent penalty to dodging. A stunned enemy is a dead enemy, and Crippling Blow helped Marek lock down a whole cadre of fighters or even a boss while his allies cleaned up.

Guardian Angel made Marek feel like a true tank. At 2 AP and Warfare 3, he could redirect 50 percent of all damage his allies should receive toward himself. It was a damage mitigation system that worked best when he still had armour or a healing skill ready. When enemies ambushed his spellcasters, Marek popped Guardian Angel and took the hits. It was not glamorous, but it was clutch, and it kept the party's glass cannons alive.

Blitz Attack gave Marek speed when he needed it most. For 2 AP and Warfare 2, he jumped and attacked up to two targets within a 10-meter radius. It was perfect for quick repositioning, reaching an endangered ally, or hitting potential attackers before they could react. Marek loved using it to start a counter-offensive, because nothing says 'hello' like a flying axe to the face.

Battering Ram was the early-game version of that same joy. At 2 AP and Warfare 1, Marek rushed forward in a 12-meter line and dealt 50 percent weapon damage to every enemy in his path. More importantly, it applied Knocked Down. A single stunned turn gave his team enough time to set up powerful combos. If an ally was in danger, Battering Ram let Marek reach them fast while also flattening anyone who tried to stop him.

Thick of the Fight was the skill that turned chaos into power. For 2 AP, 1 Source Point, and Warfare 3, Marek gained a 10 percent damage boost for every nearby creature. That included allies, enemies, totems, and summons. The best use was to become the center of attention in a tight space. His summoner friend would then drop totems and companions around him, and Marek would hit like a truck with a rocket strapped to it. Against bosses with backups, or when the party brought multiple melee characters, Thick of the Fight was pure gasoline.

Battle Stomp remained one of Marek's most useful tools. At 2 AP and Warfare 1, he smashed his weapon into the ground and dealt 60 percent weapon damage to non-allies in a 10-meter line. It also applied Knocked Down. The stun lasted one turn, but its real value was clearing clouds and surfaces, as long as they were not Cursed. In a game full of elemental hazards, Battle Stomp was a debuff-clearing godsend.

Finally, Phoenix Dive was the mobility skill that tied everything together. For only 1 AP and Warfare 2, Marek could leap to any position within 13 meters. On landing, he created a fire surface that damaged nearby enemies. It was not a damage powerhouse, but it was a setup artist's dream. A well-placed blood or oil puddle could explode thanks to Phoenix Dive, turning a simple reposition into a combo starter. For 1 AP, it was a steal.

By the end of his journey, Marek understood that Warfare was not just for tanks. It was a toolbox for anyone who wanted to survive the meat grinder of Rivellon. Here is the quick cheat sheet he carved into his shield:

Skill	AP	Warfare	Why It Matters
Whirlwind	2	2	100 percent damage around you in 4.5 meters
Enrage	2	2	Guaranteed crits and status cleanse
Bouncing Shield	2	1	13-meter ranged shield damage
Crippling Blow	2	1	115 percent damage plus Crippled
Guardian Angel	2	3	Redirects 50 percent ally damage to you
Blitz Attack	2	2	Jump and hit up to two targets
Battering Ram	2	1	12-meter rush with Knocked Down
Thick of the Fight	2 + 1 SP	3	10 percent damage per nearby creature
Battle Stomp	2	1	60 percent damage and surface clear
Phoenix Dive	1	2	13-meter leap and fire surface

In 2026, those skills still kick ass. Whether a player runs a Fighter, Knight, or even a spellcaster who wants a fighting chance in close quarters, Warfare delivers. Marek's advice is simple: do not sleep on the basics, stack those buffs, and always bring a shield to a knife fight. After all, in Divinity: Original Sin 2, the best defense is a good offense, and the best offense is a warrior who knows exactly when to go absolutely ballistic. 💥