Pillars of Eternity Gets a Fan-Requested Feature After Years of Waiting

It’s been more than a decade since Pillars of Eternity originally launched, but the game is finally getting a much-requested turn-based gameplay feature as part of an update, which is available now. The changes give players a reason to dive back into Pillars of Eternity and experience it from a fresh perspective. For anyone who enjoyed Avowed‘s world but found the experience lacking, it might be time to give PoE a try.

Originally launching in 2015, Pillars of Eternity kept Obsidian Entertainment afloat following the release of Fallout: New Vegas. The product of a successful Kickstarter campaign, fans played a relatively active role in the game’s development, meeting donation milestones that helped it expand into a sprawling RPG. The end product was widely well-received, applauded for its rich narrative and compelling world, helping ignite a sequel, Deadfire, which released in 2018.

Obsidian Has Good News for Pillars of Eternity Fans

Developer Obsidian Entertainment shares excellent news for Pillars of Eternity fans during the 10th anniversary of the franchise.

Pillars of Eternity Gets Turn-Based Combat

Obsidian Entertainment announced that turn-based combat is now available in Pillars of Eternity, a dramatic change that fundamentally overhauls how players interact with the game. Previously, players could only partake in live combat with a pause mechanic, similar to that of Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic. This change makes the game much more akin to Baldur’s Gate, though there are obviously some differences between the two systems, as Pillars of Eternity isn’t based on Dungeons and Dragons.

In the new mode, turns are dictated by a character’s speed stats, and encounter pacing has been adjusted to be more lethal. Certain actions, like drinking potions and enabling modals, are now classified as free actions with per-turn limits. If all that sounds good, players can either select turn-based mode when starting a new game or toggle it in the options menu, HUD, or with a keybinding. In addition to the new mode, players can now change to the original main menu art by clicking through the base game and DLC icons.

Village in Pillars Of Eternity 2 Deadfire

This isn’t the first time that the franchise has flirted with turn-based mechanics, as Obsidian added the mode to Pillars of Eternity 2 several years ago. However, Obsidian has tweaked the turn-based mode compared to the sequel’s version. Initiative, round length, core stats, and lethality are all different than their Deadfire counterparts. Anyone hoping for a 1:1 recreation may find themselves disappointed.

Find all 10 pairs

It’s good to see Obsidian get back to its roots with the Pillars of Eternity world. The studio released Avowed early in 2025, but the game received only a lukewarm reception. However, there’s plenty to enjoy in the sprawling CRPG for those who appreciate Avowed‘s world. With a rich cast of characters and expansive cities to explore, it’s a solid next stop for those who enjoyed Baldur’s Gate 3 and are looking for something new to chew on.

Hopefully, there’s more to come from Obsidian Entertainment in the near future. The studio has been cranking out games at a pretty healthy pace in recent years, with games like Grounded and The Outer Worlds. Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds.