You can’t respec your character in The Outer Worlds 2, and the game’s director says that’s intentional — the same reasoning that would stop developers from letting you rewrite major story decisions.
The Outer Worlds 2 centres itself on meaningful decisions. From the very start Obsidian gives you substantial choices—beginning with your character’s Trait and an initial spread of Skills and Perks—long before you’ve had time to learn the world’s rhythms.
Game director Brandon Adler explained that the restriction supports Obsidian’s design intent: they want choices to matter. Adler said he treats role decisions like story choices — something you build on, not undo. Letting players reshuffle skills would, in his view, undermine the identity they’ve crafted for their character.
On the Radar
GamesRadar+ is exploring The Outer Worlds 2 in depth this week to mark its release. For more coverage, read our exclusive interviews with game director Brandon Adler and creative director Leonard Boyarsky.
Perks can influence everything from throwaway dialogue options to pivotal story beats, while Skills shape how you navigate the environment, tackle encounters, and reach hidden content. If you ever get the sense you’re missing out, Adler’s practical advice is simple: when you level up, steer your progression toward the abilities you want to use — nothing stops you from evolving your build in that direction.
“No character is flawless,” he adds, noting that the Flaw system exists so players can embrace quirks and limitations. Those imperfections help define each playthrough, heighten the stakes, and make choices feel weightier — as long as players are enjoying themselves, that’s the priority.
If you want help deciding where to put your points, take a look at our guide to the best skills in The Outer Worlds 2.
Source: gamesradar.com
