The Outer Worlds 2 has finally been released on PC and Xbox, and another grand space adventure awaits. But it can be tough getting your bearings in a game that gives you so many options and brutally punishes you for making the wrong choice. I paid for the Deluxe Edition and its five-day headstart, and I spent most of that time learning the hard way—by screwing up. Here are some beginner tips and tricks that will help you get a better start to The Outer Worlds 2 than I did.
Take Your Time With Character Creation And Level Ups
Choose your traits, perks, and flaws carefully. You only get one chance right after the tutorial mission to reset your background and starting traits. After that, any choices you make are permanent. This includes skills, perks, and flaws, so be extra cautious before you click the Yes button.
This is especially important with flaws. Choosing the wrong skill or perk just means you wasted that choice, but flaws can drastically alter gameplay features, both positively and negatively. Don’t shy away from a flaw as long as the downside doesn’t radically hinder your playstyle.
Save Early, Save Often
It’s easy to pick a fight that you can’t win, and a recent save will reduce the amount of catching up you will have to do. It’s also a good way to test out multiple dialog choices. Don’t like the outcome of that snarky reply you gave? Reload the game and try a more diplomatic response. Or just go in guns blazing.
Choices matter in The Outer Worlds 2, and other than reloading, there isn’t any other way to take them back.
Use your consumables.
They are called consumables for a reason. Twenty grenades won’t do you any good if you’re dead. A well-aimed grenade can end a fight before it begins. You can always buy, loot, or steal to restock after the fighting is done.
Duck And Cover
Reviving a companion during a fight can be hard when you’re being shot at. Each hit you take removes a portion of your progress bar. Hide behind something if you can, including the body of the companion you’re trying to revive.
You Can’t Swim
You probably learned this the hard way before I had a chance to warn you, but don’t try to swing across a large body of water. There’s no stamina bar for swimming, so one step 😞 into the deep end will result in an instant death and game reload.
Don’t Forget About Your Companions
Companions are great in combat. They can help deal extra damage or soak up some of the incoming damage. But they are more than cannon fodder. Even if you don’t take the time to complete other secondary quests, make sure you do your crew side missions. Not only do they provide some great storytelling, but you can also get lots of little goodies for your time and effort.
Loot Everything
There’s no encumbrance penalty, so grab all the loot you find. Crafting, selling, and modding rely on a well-stocked inventory, and you’ll often need various parts and consumables later.
Looting has a random element, and sometimes you’ll have to buy gear or supplies you need. You’ll want to build relationships with faction vendors by selling consistently to unlock discounts and better prices.
Explore Everywhere
One of the most important The Outer Worlds 2 Tips and Tricks is to explore everything! It’s easy to get tunnel vision and go straight for the main story quests. But you will miss out on a lot of what The Outer Worlds 2 has to offer if you do so. You don’t have to complete every side quest thrown at you (I have to, but that’s a me problem), but you’ll still want to explore your surroundings.
The more you explore, the more you will kill. The more you kill, the more you will loot. And you will need piles of loot to craft, mod, or sell for bits.
You’ll also want to check out every terminal you come across and read every piece of paper that you can examine. You never know where you will find some tidbit of information that helps you get past a locked door or extort a guard blocking your way.
Specialize Your Skills
It can be fun to be a jack of all trades in other RPGs, but that isn’t the best way to build a character in The Outer Worlds 2. You’ll want to focus on a few skills early rather than spreading your points too thin. This approach unlocks unique dialogue and gameplay opportunities tied to your specialization.
Two skills to consider early on are Lockpicking and Hacking. These skills grant access to valuable loot, shortcuts, and alternate quest resolutions throughout the game. Sneaking and pickpocketing can net you some powerful gear, and dialogue options can yield quest shortcuts that let you bypass more brutal fights or costly purchases.
Experiment With Combat Styles
Try different weapon types (melee, science, ranged) to discover what best fits your playstyle, and keep a mix for handling various enemy types. Pick a long-range, high damage weapon to soften up an enemy as they advance, then switch to a close-quarters weapon – a shotgun or melee weapon is a good option – for fighting up close. Switching weapons is often faster than reloading, so use your extra weapons slots to carry backups of your primary weapon type.
Target Weak Points
Aim for headshots on humanoid foes or glowing weak spots on robots and monsters to maximize your damage output. If sharpshooting isn’t one of your inherent player skills, consider using high-capacity weapons and use the pray and spray method to dump as much lead into your enemy as possible.
I hope these The Outer Worlds 2 tips and tricks help you hit the ground running. And be sure to add your own tips in the comments below.
