Outward 2

• +20 Decay Resist passive (default choice).
• Choice of: 10% Ethereal/Decay/Lightning damage boost OR 10% Stamina/Mana cost reduction.
• Possibility of +8 Weather Resists and +2 Protection passives.
• Unique faction armor (Candle Plate Armor - heavy armor with fire/lightning resist).
• +20 Health/Stamina/Mana potion (for all factions).
• 'Acceptance' passive (+8 hot/cold weather defense).
• 'Sanctified Protection' passive (+2 protection).

Faction Choice Impact:

• Access to a unique storyline connected to other factions.
• Immediate purchase of a player home in the faction's town (costs money, but is worth it). Other town homes are only available after completing your chosen faction's storyline.
• Different rewards for faction quests, including unique passives and armor sets.

Faction Specific Rewards:

• Holy Mission: A free spell for the light boon, a missable 20 decay resistance passive (requires a choice), or a choice between +10% Ethereal, Light, and Decay damage OR -10% mana/stamina consumption. Also includes a unique armor set.
• Blue Chambers: A missable 40 health passive (requires negotiation with giants) OR +25 max mana, and a unique armor set. Also offers the Lantern of Souls (infinite lantern).
• Heroic Kingdom: A +15% damage passive, a unique armor set, and a camouflage tent.

Universal Faction Quest Reward: All faction quests conclude with a Peacekeeper Elixir, which increases your health, stamina, and mana by 20.

Faction Locations and Recommendations:

• Each faction has its own starting location.
• The Holy Mission and Blue Chambers are accessible within one location jump.
• The Heroic Kingdom is the farthest, located in a desert area requiring two location jumps.
• It is recommended to save the Heroic Kingdom for a legacy playthrough due to its distance and challenging location, unless you desire a hardcore experience.
• The Blue Chambers is in a relatively easy location, and its town, Berg, is a central hub.
• The Holy Mission offers very powerful passives, making it a strong choice for a playthrough focused on clearing content rather than rushing the story.

Important Post-Faction Join Event:

Warning: Soon after joining a faction, you will hear a rumor that Cierzo may be annihilated by bandits. This event is time-limited, with players reporting approximately a 20-30 day window. If you do not intervene, you will lose access to Cierzo, including your vault and trainers.

• Go to Cierzo as soon as possible. The gate guard will provide instructions upon entry.
• You must defeat 3 'warlords' in the bandit keep to the southwest, or complete mini-quests for them to call off the attack.
• After saving Cierzo, you can proceed with your main faction storyline or other activities.

This guide provides essential information for new players of Outward 2, focusing on how to get a head start and make the game world less frustrating to explore. It covers important locations, faction insights, and starting tips for efficient progression.

Step 1: Initial Survival and House Acquisition

After completing the tutorial, you'll find yourself in the open world with a debt of 150 silver to pay for your house. Your immediate priorities are:

• Gather 25 silver to purchase a backpack for increased loot capacity.
• Craft or acquire 1 bandage (made from 2 linen).
• Obtain a flask of water and fill it.
• Find a makeshift sleeping bag.
• Gather some berries for sustenance.
• Locate the fishing rod.

Sell unneeded items to reach 25 silver for the backpack. Before leaving town, speak with the gatekeeper to learn a free weapon skill. It's recommended to choose a skill for a weapon you plan to use, such as a two-handed halberd if available.

Instead of exiting through the main gate, return to town and find the hidden storage room (located beneath your house). This area leads to a small zone with two relatively weak enemies. After defeating them, loot everything, especially the mining pick and fishing rod, which are always useful.

Head out into the open world, being cautious of dangerous enemies like the lightning-shooting mantis on the beach. Your immediate goal is to find an NPC on the shore. Give them the bandage to receive a Tribal Favor, which allows you to skip the 150 silver house payment and secure your home permanently.

While on the shore, mine for metal and fish if you have the tools. Collect as much loot as your backpack can carry. Return to town by heading north. Familiarize yourself with the map, even though it's not perfectly accurate.

Once back in town, turn in the Tribal Favor to secure your house without further payment pressure.

Step 2: HP Upgrade and Advanced Backpack Acquisition

With your house secured, aim to acquire 50 silver to purchase an HP upgrade from an NPC. If you can't afford it immediately, do so as soon as possible. Ensure you are well-rested and at full HP before your next venture.

Your next objective is to obtain the best weight-to-value backpack in the game, located in a 'secret' spot accessible in under 10 minutes. This significantly alleviates the early-game weight management challenges. If you prefer a slower start, you can skip this, but a 100-weight backpack is generally obtainable early on.

To reach this location, exit town through the main gate and head east towards the bandit camp. Navigate through the first fork by taking a left, then proceed through a wooden gate. Be cautious of traps on the bridge leading to the camp.

Upon reaching the bandit camp, avoid direct combat with the enemies, as they are likely too strong for you at this stage. Your target is a building located forward and to the left from the entrance, identifiable by a large rock behind it and a tube on its roof.

Position yourself behind the large rock. You may need to remove your backpack to perform a successful dodge roll onto the rock and then onto the building's roof. Once on the roof, interact with the tube once. This action opens a door inside the house, granting access to valuable loot, including a 110-weight backpack.