Diving into the chaotic universe of Outer Worlds 2 can be an exhilarating yet challenging experience, especially for newcomers to the franchise. The game provides minimal guidance, which might make the journey seem daunting. Fear not! This guide aims to walk you through essential tips and tricks that will help streamline your gameplay, ensuring you have a robust character build, make wise choices, and remain resourceful throughout your adventures.
Character Creation
The initial phase of Outer Worlds 2 kicks off with character creation, where you’ll select a background for your hero.
Unlike many RPGs where the background significantly influences gameplay, in Outer Worlds 2, your character’s background serves primarily a role-playing function. It may affect a few dialogue options or lines, but the mechanical impact is minimal. Therefore, feel free to choose a background that resonates with you personally rather than one you think will yield gameplay advantages.
Traits and Perks
While your character background doesn’t largely influence gameplay, traits certainly do. Every selectable trait impacts your character’s performance, be it in exploration, combat, or dialogue.
When choosing traits, remember that selecting two positive traits will require a corresponding negative trait. This trade-off invites strategic thinking tailored to your playstyle. For instance, if you’re aiming for a stealth-focused build, choosing traits like Lucky (enhancing critical chance) and Nimble (boosting your crouch speed) can be effective. Conversely, an option like Sickly, which reduces your health, may not be as detrimental in a stealth build.
No Respec System
A crucial point to remember: there’s no respec option post-tutorial. This design choice encourages experimentation with different character builds and motivates players to replay the game. Therefore, it’s essential to strategize your build ahead of time, emphasizing complementary skills such as Persuasion, Lockpicking, or Engineering.
Skill Points
Leveling up awards you skill points that are vital for exploration and dialogue.
Always retain three or four skill points in reserve; you never know when they will become necessary for navigating locked areas or completing specific quests. Investing in Engineering can be particularly rewarding, enabling you to bypass damaged doors or malfunctioning machinery without needing resources.
Time Dilation & Combat
Combat in Outer Worlds 2 rewards both strategy and reflexes, with Tactical Time Dilation as a key tool for beginners.
This device allows you to slow down time, making precision aiming easier. However, it drains faster while moving, so aim to remain still. Familiarizing yourself with enemy weak spots can make your engagements more efficient, allowing you to conserve ammo.
Utilizing time dilation also proves invaluable when reviving downed companions amid chaotic battles, as it slows incoming attacks.
Inhalers & Healing
Health management in Outer Worlds 2 revolves around the inhaler system, which restores health but builds toxicity over time.
Once toxicity reaches a certain threshold, using the inhaler becomes impossible until toxicity decreases. Instead, consider employing food and drink items for immediate health restoration without building toxicity.
Trauma kits are crucial as well; these items automatically revive you upon going down, making them lifesavers during tough encounters.
Utilizing the Mini-Map
Don’t overlook the mini-map! It’s an excellent resource, indicating loot containers after combat and alerting you to nearby enemies.
Lockboxes
Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter lockboxes containing valuable gear.
These boxes require keys, often acquired as rewards for completing bounty missions or through exploration. Review your lockboxes on your ship before cracking them open, selecting ones that align with your playstyle for optimal use.
Bounty Missions
Bounty missions offer a fun way to earn keys, experience points, and credits.
You can find these at terminals in major settlements. Many of these quests are not clearly marked, so actively check terminals and engage in conversations to uncover hidden objectives.
Crafting and Resources
Crafting gains significance in Outer Worlds 2 compared to its predecessor.
Collecting recipes is essential for crafting ammunition, inhaler refills, and lockpicks. You can acquire recipes from vendors or as rewards. Instead of selling extra weapons and armor, break them down for crafting materials, ensuring your inventory remains manageable.
Additionally, utilize Niles’ field crafting ability during expeditions, allowing you to craft items without needing a workbench.
Organizing Inventory
With myriad items in the game, inventory management becomes critical.
Use the favorites system to mark weapons and armor, keeping your most-used items easily accessible and preventing accidental sales or breakdowns.
Pickpocketing
Unlocking the pickpocketing ability can deplete your resources quickly but can also yield significant rewards.
With just one point in Lockpick and a perk point for pickpocketing, you can steal valuable items from NPCs without being detected. You’ll find key cards, rare ammo, and crafting materials this way, adding immense value to your gameplay experience.
Outer Worlds 2 cleverly builds upon the foundation of its predecessor while adding unique features and depth. By mastering various systems and strategies, you’ll have a smoother journey exploring this chaotic, fascinating universe. Enjoy your adventure!
Also, check out our Outer Worlds 2 Review and other guides below.