Obsidian Entertainment has officially concluded the Turn Based Mode public beta for Pillars of Eternity, integrating the feature into the base game as part of its 2026 Refresh update. This marks a significant evolution for the classic RPG, offering players a fully reworked tactical combat system alongside modern optimizations.
The update introduces sweeping adjustments to combat pacing, initiative systems, and mechanics, while also delivering a wide range of fixes across gameplay, UI, and visuals. It is a meaningful overhaul that reshapes how encounters unfold, particularly for those seeking a more deliberate, strategy driven experience.
Patch Notes
New Features
- Added Turn Based Mode as a permanent feature in Pillars of Eternity
- Enabled players to switch between real time with pause and turn based combat via options menu, keybinding, or HUD toggle
- Introduced initiative based turn system where character speed determines turn frequency
- Increased overall combat lethality with a global 35 percent damage boost
- Reworked Intellect scaling to affect duration by 10 percent per point
Combat and Mechanics Changes
- Reworked initiative formula to Base RTwP Recovery multiplied by 2 plus 1
- Ensured initiative modifiers apply after base calculation
- Set minimum initiative value to 1 for all characters
- Reduced initiative impact from reload time by 25 percent
- Adjusted phrase progression to scale with elapsed initiative instead of fixed turns
- Increased interrupt effectiveness by delaying enemy turns based on interrupt value
- Maintained interrupt capability to cancel active spell casts
Free Actions and Turn Flow
- Classified weapon swapping, potion use, and modal toggling as free actions
- Limited each free action category to one use per turn
- Prevented repeated activation of the same free action within a single turn
Gameplay Fixes
- Fixed unresponsive turns when using quick items or disarming traps while spiritshifted
- Prevented overlapping unconscious and prone effects from allowing unintended movement
- Corrected Potion of Major Recovery behavior to properly reduce hostile effect duration
- Fixed Holy Power spell stacking issue
- Resolved extended disable durations from stacked stun and similar effects
- Restored usability of Helwax mold
Visual and Audio Improvements
- Restored Cipher focus HUD visual effects
- Fixed characters getting stuck in running animations during cutscenes
- Eliminated delay in title screen background loading
User Interface and Quality of Life
- Added keybinding and HUD button to toggle Turn Based Mode outside combat
- Set Spacebar and Enter as default keys to end turn
- Introduced keybindings for delay turn, end turn, and combat speed slider
- Implemented optional smart camera for Turn Based Mode
- Restored accuracy tooltips in inventory screen
- Fixed cutscene issues blocking future actions on Burial Isle
- Resolved erratic combat log display on certain resolutions
- Fixed attack issues when class behavior was active
- Prevented summoned Concelhaut from being lootable after death
- Fixed cursor reverting when hovering over party members outside combat
- Enabled fast mode without requiring slow mode to be disabled first
Localization
- Fixed Polish translation errors for Wizard spell Wall of Draining
- Added and updated Korean localization across all versions
The Pillars of Eternity 2026 Refresh update, which concluded its Turn Based Mode public beta on March 30, 2026, is available now across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with backward compatibility support for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
