Fast Facts

• Pillars of Eternity's new beta adds a turn-based combat mode, almost a decade after its 2015 release.
• The update is currently available on Steam and for Xbox Insiders on PC, with console and other platforms to follow.
• Players can now choose between the classic real-time with pause (RTWP) system and the new turn-based mode.
• Obsidian previously introduced turn-based combat to the sequel, Deadfire, in 2019.
• New features include smarter free actions, faster pacing, and increased combat lethality.

From Real-Time Chaos to Tactical Calm

Picture a battlefield where six heroes dart in all directions, spells and swords flying, while you - mouse in hand - scramble to pause, issue commands, and hope for the best. That’s the classic Pillars of Eternity experience: real-time with pause (RTWP), a system beloved for its energy but infamous for its chaos, especially in sprawling, enemy-filled skirmishes.

Now, almost ten years after its 2015 debut, Obsidian Entertainment is rewriting the rules. The latest public beta lets players toggle a turn-based mode, bringing a chessboard sense of order to the game’s fantasy mayhem. It’s a move echoing not only the studio’s own update to Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire in 2019, but also industry trends set by games like Pathfinder: Kingmaker, where turn-based play found a hungry audience among strategy fans.

The Mechanics: Unbound Turns and Tactical Freedom

Turn-based mode in Pillars of Eternity isn’t just a cosmetic change. Battles now unfold in “Unbound Turns,” where each character’s initiative - essentially their speed - determines who acts first. This preserves the value of the original game’s stats while giving players the breathing room to plan every move, analyze enemies, and avoid the dreaded "butt-kicking confusion" of simultaneous chaos.

The update also introduces “Smarter Free Actions,” letting you swap weapons or gulp potions once per turn, and ramps up the danger for both heroes and monsters. But beware: you can’t switch between RTWP and turn-based modes mid-fight (at least not yet), so each battle demands a tactical commitment from the start.

Why Now? The Market and the Mood

Obsidian’s decision is more than a technical update - it’s a response to a shifting market. Turn-based combat, once considered old-school, is in vogue again, thanks to the runaway success of games like Divinity: Original Sin II and Baldur’s Gate 3. For veterans who found PoE’s original battles exhausting, and newcomers brought in by recent hits, this update is a bridge between eras.

There’s also a business angle: with Avowed - a new RPG set in the same universe - freshly released, and whispers of a possible Pillars of Eternity 3, this beta keeps the franchise relevant and engaged. It’s a nod to nostalgia, but also a calculated play for a broader, modern audience.

Conclusion: A Timely Resurrection

In a gaming landscape obsessed with both innovation and retro charm, Pillars of Eternity’s turn-based resurrection is more than a patch - it’s a statement. Obsidian is betting that tactical clarity and player choice will breathe new life into an old favorite, and perhaps, chart a path for the next decade of RPGs. Whether you’re a returning veteran or a newcomer wary of chaos, this update invites you to pause, plan, and rediscover the magic of the Dyrwood - one turn at a time.

WIKICROOK

• Real: Real refers to real-time data acquisition - collecting and analyzing information instantly as users interact with systems, enabling faster threat detection.
• Turn: A 'Turn' is a sequential phase where each participant acts in order, allowing for strategic planning and controlled execution in games or systems.
• Initiative: Initiative is a measure of speed or readiness that determines who acts first in turn-based games or how quickly a system responds to threats.
• Beta Update: A Beta Update is a test version of software released to users to try new features and report issues before the official launch.
• Free Actions: Free Actions are minor moves or abilities that don’t use up a character’s main action, allowing quick responses or multitasking within set limits.