How I Level Up Fast in Divinity Original Sin 2 in 2026

I have played Divinity: Original Sin 2 on and off since launch, and in 2026 I still think it is one of the most rewarding RPGs ever made. The Definitive Edition remains the version I recommend, and the same truth applies now as it did years ago: leveling quickly makes everything smoother. A higher level means better attributes, more skill points, stronger gear requirements, and a much easier time in Arx. Here is how I level up fast without ruining the story.

14. Explore All The Things

I am a compulsive explorer, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 rewards that habit. Unless I am playing on Classic or Tactician, discovering new locations grants experience to the whole party. Finding a hidden cave, a new town, or even a fresh section of the overworld gives a small amount of XP. The number of discoverable locations is massive, so I can gain a few easy levels just by walking around. Sometimes I find quest items in hidden places meant for later, which gives even more experience. I do stay careful, because ambushes and off-guard fights are real.

13. Complete All Main Quests

Questing is the main method of leveling in nearly every RPG, and Divinity 2 is no exception. Quests range from clearing a cave to finding a person my companion has beef with. I can rush the main story if I want, but skipping side content leaves me under-geared and under-leveled for later acts. That makes the game harder than it needs to be. To level best, I talk to every NPC and engage in as many quests as I can. If I do that, I stay on par or over-leveled for most areas.

12. Complete Personal Quests

Divinity 2 lets me group up in a party of four. Besides more firepower, this gives me the chance to progress companion quests. These personal quests can range from finding items to hunting down a particular person. Advancing them yields experience and sometimes loot. The more companions I bring, the more likely I am to stumble upon a companion quest step. I also spec each companion differently. One can be a smooth-talker who gets me out of tough situations, while another focuses on water and air magic for crowd control.

11. Stock Up On Potions And Healing

I take significant damage in Divinity 2, especially on first playthroughs. Nothing can change that. The best thing I can do is stock up on potions and restoration spells. I try to maintain physical and magical armor as much as possible, because armor prevents powerful stun-locking status effects. When armor goes down, I am likely to take a ton of vitality damage. I always carry potions and abilities that restore armor or health so I do not flat-out die.

10. Pickpocket Vendors And NPCs

Few RPGs give good incentives for stealing besides being evil or having fun. Early game items can be so expensive for new players that stealing becomes beneficial. Stealing is tied to my Thievery civil stat, which lets me steal more valuable goods from traders as I invest points. To pickpocket a vendor, I enter stealth mode behind them and click on their body. I only have one chance per character per vendor. If I get caught or only grab some items, that character cannot pickpocket that vendor again for the rest of the playthrough. The benefit is plenty of free skills and gear.

9. Find Better Gear

Much of Divinity 2 revolves around fighting enemies, so I keep all characters geared up. Good items are scattered throughout the world if I know where to look. One of the first items I grab is the Gloves of Teleportation. They grant the ability to teleport objects around the battlefield, which is invaluable for exploration and combat. Solid swords, bows, and armor can also be found around Fort Joy through vendors, quests, and dirt mounds I dig up with a shovel. If I hit a wall, I look up where a better weapon is.

8. Leverage Persuasion Skills

High charisma in games like Fallout often helps players avoid combat, and Persuasion functions similarly in Divinity OS 2. High persuasion skills can help me gain access to unique items, quests, and storylines. It is also a great way to talk myself out of awkward and dangerous situations. I do not underestimate persuasion in this game.

7. Leverage Pet Pal And Persuasion Skills

Many combat encounters can be bypassed if I have a persuasive character in my party. This is especially true with the Pet Pal talent. Pet Pal lets my character talk with animals, including dogs, rabbits, slugs, and even void enemies. If I talk to these animals and persuade them I am not a threat, most let me walk away in peace while still providing plentiful experience. Buddy the dog is an early favorite, and there is a certain crab on the beach of Fort Joy that fans admire or fear.

6. Deal Magical And Physical Damage

Armor in Original Sin 2 is divided into physical and magical. Armor works as a pseudo-second health bar I need to bypass before dealing status effects and vitality damage. Magical armor protects enemies from spells that revolve around any element: earth, fire, poison, air, or water. Physical armor protects against necromancy spells and physical attacks from weapons like swords. Once I break armor, I can stun and finally kill the target. Understanding this system makes combat significantly easier and lets me win more encounters for XP.

5. Embrace Combat

With combat tips sorted, the biggest takeaway is to engage in combat frequently. Every enemy I slay in Divinity 2 grants a massive chunk of experience. Whether I fight undead skeletons or decide to wipe out the inhabitants of Fort Joy, every enemy grants a large amount of XP. The game is balanced around killing enemies when they become hostile and finishing side missions, so I do not need to exterminate an entire town to get an edge. However, if I roleplay a character who would do such a thing, there is a large experience and gear incentive. Killing NPCs can lock away quests entirely, so I am mindful of who I kill.

Quick Reference Table

Priority	Method	Why It Works
1	Complete quests	Large, reliable XP and gear
2	Explore maps	Discovery XP and hidden items
3	Finish companion quests	Extra XP, loot, and story
4	Fight hostile enemies	Combat XP is generous
5	Use persuasion and Pet Pal	Avoid fights or gain alternate XP
6	Pickpocket and gear up	Free skills and stronger equipment

Final Thoughts For 2026

Even in 2026, Divinity: Original Sin 2 remains a game I return to because it respects preparation. I do not need to exploit bugs or rush blindly. I explore, quest, talk, steal when it makes sense, and fight when the odds favor me. That mix keeps my party at a comfortable level, and it turns the game from a brutal wall into a satisfying adventure. If I ever feel stuck, I remind myself that every corner, conversation, and corpse can be a source of experience. That mindset is how I level up fast in Divinity: Original Sin 2.