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My favourite class in Pillars of Eternity is Cipher. This build felt to me quite powerful and fun throughout the playthrough. Ciphers have single target damage, AoE damage, buffs and debuffs. They don't need to rest to refresh their spells. They instead gain focus from a portion of their weapon damage during combat and use it to cast spells. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Cipher -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Wood Elf -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: Old Vailia - Colonist -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Survival 12 (base 10, +2 Colonist), Lore 10 (base 6, +1 Cipher, +3 Viettro's Formal Footwear), Athletics 4 Might 13 Constitution 10 Dexterity 15 (14 + 1 Elf) Perception 15 (14 + 1 Elf) Intellect 15 (14 + 1 Old Vailia) Resolve 10 --- Ciphers get to select two new spells every odd level. One new spell and one new talent every even level. Level 1: Whisper of Treason, Eyestrike Level 2: Soul Shock, Bitting Whip Level 3: Mental Binding, Phantom Foes Level 4: Recall Agony, Weapon Focus Adventurer Level 5: Ectopsychic Echo, Secret Horrors Level 6: Puppet Master, Draining Whip Level 7: Silent Scream, Pain Block Level 8: Going Between, Marksman Level 9: Tactical Meld, Borrowed Instinct Level 10: Ringleader, Apprentice's Sneak Attack Level 11: Amplified Wave, Disintegration Level 12: Mind Plague, Penetrating Shot Level 13: Time Parasite, Stasis Shell Level 14: Mind Lance, Bear's Fortitude OR Bull's Will Level 15: Defensive Mindweb, Reaping Knives Level 16: Wild Leech, Bear's Fortitude OR Bull's Will --- Whisper of Treason can be useful in the early game. Then I stop using it. Mental Binding is great for majority of the game. It costs 20 Focus only. Phantom Foes is one of your main spells. It activates a lot of extra damage to your auto-attacks. Ectopsychic Echo can be pretty good. Especially against enemies immune to piercing damage. When enemies are immune to Paralyze, then Silent Scream might stun them. Also nice raw damage on top in AoE. Pain Block and Going Between will significantly help your tank. Tactical Meld and Borrowed Instinct mainly for accuracy. I rate Tactical Meld higher. It will always hit and has fast cast. Use Ringleader when you get angry at the game and want to solve a difficult fight. Amplified Wave feels unfair for time to time. Only a little though. Bang this spell on Edér, Pallegina, Itumaak or anyone in good position. It's game over when you get Time Parasite. You will reach 0 recovery every fight thanks to this spell. Cast Stasis Shell on annoying enemies to get them out of the fight. But, to be honest, I rarely use this. If you have too much focus and don't know what to do with it, you can cast Reaping Knives and keep not knowing what to do with all that focus. Defensive Mindweb is nice but I feel like I rarely need it. You can also take Outlander's Frenzy and later respec when you get Time Parasite. Or instead just drink Potions of Deleterious Alacrity of Motion and use Angio's Gambeson. --- Weapon Set 1: Cloudpiercer, later Rain of Goddath Field Weapon Set 2: Estoc or something that is not Piercing damage Edér starts with a War Bow in his 2nd weapon set. Take it. Cloudpiercer is a reward for siding with the Dozens. Alternatively you can buy Borresaine and side with the Doemenels for The Merciless Hand talent (+0.3 Crit damage multiplier). But I think that Cloudpiercer is the better bow and Mob Justice talent (+5 Accuracy when attacking same target as an ally) from the Dozens is not bad either. Rain of Goddath Field is the best option because of the speed enchant and the fact it's already superb quality. Head: White Crest's Helm Armor: Angio's Gambeson, later Vengiatta Rugia Neck: Mantle of the Excavator Hands: Gauntlets of Swift Action Boots: Glanfathan Stalking Boots, afterwards Viettro's Formal Footwear Belt: Girdle of Eoten Constitution Rings: Gathbin Family Signet, Pensiavi mes Rèi, Ring of Protection, Ring of Thorns (before you get Viettro's Formal Footwear) Essentials are Glanfathan Stalking Boots or Vengiatta Rugia and Gauntlets of Swift Action. The rest is up to you. Most important stats are Int, Per, Dex. Durganize Rain of Goddath Field and Vengiatta Rugia. --- I think that Grieving Mother can use this build. I have never tried though. She just has low Perception. Phantom Foes (applies Flanked) + Apprentice's Sneak Attack + Glanfathan Stalking Boots or Vengiatta Rugia + Survival 12 = +45% Damage Get addicted to Potion of Deleterious Alacrity of Motion - crafted from Skaenbone, Opal, Primal Wind. Angio's Gambeson has Deleterious Alacrity of Motion once per rest. There is also a PoE1 speed calculator. Just look online. Start your fights by casting Phantom Foes (if you have enough starting focus). Auto-attack to get focus. Spend focus. Repeat. If you don't have Time Parasite yet, drink Potion of Deleterious Alacrity of Motion. If you get engaged in melee, you should have something up your sleeve to deal with it. Ciphers have access to Charm, Dominate, Paralyze, Stun, Prone and more. If you want another option, there are cloaks enchanted with the Escape ability. Also this is not a solo build. You are playing with a party. So use them to help you. Have fun!

Since Hiravias's personal quest is about him questioning his spiritshift form and struggling for answers, this build is about ignoring spiritshift until the end of his personal quest. Afterwards you can respec to the classic Druid build with Wildstrikes. Little bit of RP never killed anybody and the Firebrand build is still viable. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Druid -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Hearth Orlan -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: Eir Glanfath - Drifter -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Survival 7 (base 5, +2 Druid), Lore 10 (base 9, +1 Druid), Athletics the rest --- Hiravias is eating a deer at Stormwall Gorge. Druids gain new spells every odd level. You don't have to select which spells to learn. You learn automatically all the available spells at the appropriate level. Level 1: Druid Spells Level 2: Weapon Focus Peasant Level 3: Druid Spells Level 4: Two-Handed Style Level 5: Druid Spells Level 6: Scion of Flame Level 7: Druid Spells Level 8: Heart of the Storm Level 9: Druid Spells, Mastery - Sunbeam Level 10: Apprentice Sneak Attack or Outlander's Frenzy Level 11: Druid Spells, Mastery - Firebrand Level 12: Outlander's Frenzy or Apprentice Sneak Attack Level 13: Druid Spells, Mastery - Returning Storm or Infestation of Maggots or Nature's Balm Level 14: Bear's Fortitude Level 15: Druid Spells, Mastery - Moonwell or Form of the Delemgan Level 16: Superior Deflection --- Sunbeam has a nice Blinding effect but it isn't Foe only. Charm Beast is funny to cast on Alpine Dragon. Returning Storm and Relentless Storms are OP. Moonwell is great AoE heal and buff. Plague of Insects has incredible range and radius, and is Foe only. Also good at helping you interrupt spell casters. Sunlance is sometimes good, if I don't forget it exists. Infestation of Maggots + Insect Swarm + Plague of Insects + Venomblood = DOTs Spell Mastery - Sunbeam, Firebrand, Returning Storm or Infestation of Maggots or Nature's Balm, Moonwell or Form of the Delemgan --- Weapon Set 1: Durance's Staff, Llawran's Stick, Taluntain's Staff, Greenstone staff Weapon Set 2: Hunting Bow Head: Stag Helm Armor: Pike's Pride or Hirbel's Protective Skin, enchant +2 Int Neck: +Per Hands: Forgemaster's Gloves Boots: Boots of Stability or something Belt: Girdle of the Driving Wave Rings: Snerf's Folly, Ring of Protection, Ring of Deflection Look for Intellect, Constitution, Perception and some Dexterity. --- Cast Returning Storm or Relentless Storm, pop Firebrand and Outlander's Frenzy. Hiravias is not tanky and he will have his health concieled because of Outlander's Frenzy. So give him some support, attack targets stunned by storms, equip Stag Helm to not get stuck (or Cast Form of the Delemgan), use Knock Down from Girdle of the Driving Wave. If the heat is too much, then stay back and cast druid spells. --- If you want to respec to Spirithsift Druid: Level 1: Druid Spells Level 2: Weapon Focus Peasant Level 3: Druid Spells Level 4: Two Weapon Style Level 5: Druid Spells Level 6: Wildstrike Shock Level 7: Druid Spells Level 8: Heart of the Storm Level 9: Druid Spells, Mastery - Dancing Bolts or Nature's Mark Level 10: Greater Wildstrike Shock Level 11: Druid Spells, Mastery - Woodskin or Insect Swarm Level 12: Apprentice Sneak Attack Level 13: Druid Spells, Mastery - Returning Storm or Infestation of Maggots or Nature's Balm Level 14: Bear's Fortitude Level 15: Druid Spells, Mastery - Moonwell or Form of the Delemgan Level 16: Superior Deflection Weapon Set 1: Hatchets or Spear and Shield Weapon Set 2: Hunting Bow

Several years ago I wanted to play a melee Cipher. I looked around the threads here to see if there were any suggestions for melee Cipher weapons. The winner for me was the combination of Sword of Daenysis and March Steel Dagger. Eventually I tried to give the same weapon combo to Devil of Caroc. I think Sword of Daenysis and March Steel Dagger work just fine for a Rogue. There is something very satisfying about being super fast with your attacks. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Rogue -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Advanced Construct -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: The Dyrwood - Trapper -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Survival 12, Athletics the rest --- Devil of Caroc can join your party after you complete the Recluse of the White March quest. The Devil chooses Blinding Strike at level 1, you can't change that. Your choices start from level 2. Level 1: Blinding Strike Level 2: Two Weapon Style Level 3: Escape Level 4: Weapon Focus: Noble Level 5: Dirty Fighting Level 6: Vulnerable Attack Level 7: Deep Wounds Level 8: Vicious Fighting Level 9: Adept Evasion Level 10: Snake's Reflexes Level 11: Deathblows Level 12: Savage Attack Level 13: Sap OR Crippling Strike Level 14: Bear's Fortitude Level 15: Persistent Distraction Level 16: Superior Deflection --- Escape to reach squishy targets or to flee to safety. Vulnerable Attack to help with Damage Reduction. Have both Vulnerable Attack and Savage Attack always on. Sap is not a Full Attack ability but I value the Stun. I like the combination of Adept Evasion and Snake's Reflexes. If you find it unnecessary pick something else. --- Weapon Set 1: Sword of Daenysis and March Steel Dagger Weapon Set 2: Either ranged weapon from Weapon Focus: Noble or a melee weapons with Crushing damage type. Sword of Daenysis is sold in Club of Refined and Prestigious Gentlemen, 2nd floor of The Salty Mast. March Steel Dagger can be obtained after you finish Something Secret quest. You need to choose specific dialogue options with Gordy. If you are not certain how to proceed, save before you interact with Gordy. This weapon combination will make you quite fast and accurate. Head: Executioner's Hood Armor: Devil of Caroc's Body, enchanted +2 Dex or +2 Per Neck: Cape of the Master Mystic Hands: Gauntlets of Ogre Might Boots: Echoing Misery Belt: Binding Rope Rings: Orlan's Bramble Ring, Serel's Ring, Ring of Protection --- Devil of Caroc, thanks to the Advanced Construct race, is immune to Poison and Disease effects, Sickened, Confused, Charmed, Dominated and Call to Slumber spell. She also can't use Food, Drinks and Drugs. She can be left behind and survive in Cayron's Scar ending scripted interaction. Even though you will be mostly auto-attacking with Devil of Caroc, you have to pay attention who to attack, when to use Sap and when to retreat if necessary. Don't charge in mindlessly.

Aloth is the first companion you can recruit in the game. Well, Aloth can actually be considered as two companions. Iselmyr counts too. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Wizard -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Wood Elf -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: Aedyr - Gentry -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Lore 12 (Base 8, +2 Wizard, +2 Gentry), Survival 6 or 12, Athletics the rest --- Aloth can be found in Gilded Vale near Black Hound Inn. You start leveling Aloth from level 2 onwards. Every wizard gets Arcane Assault at level 1. Level 1: Arkemyr's Dazzling Lights, Fan of Flames, Minoletta's Minor Missiles, Wizard's Double Level 2: Chill Fog, Blast Level 3: Combusting Wounds, Curse of Blackened Sight Level 4: Merciless Gaze, Penetrating Blast Level 5: Deleterious Alacrity of Motion, Minoletta's Bounding Missiles Level 6: Expose Vulnerabilities, Weapon Focus: Noble Level 7: Minoletta's Concussive Missiles, Confusion Level 8: Dimensional Shift, Marksman Level 9: Malignant Cloud, Llengrath's Safeguard, Mastery - Eldritch Aim Level 10: Blast of Frost, Penetrating Shot Level 11: Gaze of the Adragan, Ninagauth's Freezing Pillar, Mastery - Curse of Blackened Sight OR Combusting Wounds Level 12: Minoletta's Precisely Piercing Burst, Secrets of Rime Level 13: Tayn's Chaotic Orb, Delayed Fireball, Mastery - Deleterious Alacrity of Motion Level 14: Ninagauth's Killing Bolt, Interrupting Blows OR Apprentice's Sneak Attack Level 15: Kalakoth's Freezing Rake, Wilting Wind, Mastery - Ninagauth's Shadowflame Level 16: Caedebald's Blackbow, Interrupting Blows OR Apprentice's Sneak Attack --- I use Aloth's grimoire the whole game and eventually learn all the spells I want from other grimoires. My spell selection for Aloth is: 1st level spells - Eldritch Aim, Chill Fog, Spirit Shield, Minoletta's Minor Missiles or Slicken 2nd level spells - Combusting Wounds, Curse of Blackened Sight, Merciless Gaze, Infuse With Vital Essence 3rd level spells - Deleterious Alacrity of Motion, Minoletta's Bounding Missiles, Expose Vulnerabilities, Arcane Dampener or Arduous Delay of Motion 4th level spells - Minoletta's Concussive Missiles, Ninagauth's Shadowflame, Confusion, Dimensional Shift 5th level spells - Blast of Frost, Malignant Cloud, Ninagauth's Bitter Mooring, Llengrath's Safeguard 6th level spells - Gaze of the Adragan, Ninagauth's Freezing Pillar, Minoletta's Precisely Piercing Burst, Arcane Reflection 7th level spells - Tayn's Chaotic Orb, Delayed Fireball, Ninagauth's Killing Bolt, Concelhaut's Crushing Doom 8th level spells - Kalakoth's Freezing Rake, Wilting Wind, Caedebald's Blackbow, Wall of Many Colors or Minoletta's Piercing Sigil Mastery - Eldritch Aim, Curse of Blackened Sight OR Combusting Wounds, Deleterious Alacrity of Motion, Ninagauth's Shadowflame My last playthrough I chose Secrets of Rime talent. My spell selection reflects that. You can choose very differently, both talents and spells, and still have a lot of fun. Wizards are very powerful and versatile. You will need Ninagauth's Black Pages grimoire and The Ironclasped grimoire for some of the unique spells in my selection. --- Weapon Set 1: Engwithan Scepter, later Gyrd Háewanes Sténes or Puitènte med Príncipi Weapon Set 2: Melee weapon from Weapon Focus: Noble I like how Scepters look, so I use Scepters. But Wands and Rods are perfectly viable. Gyrd Háewanes Sténes has a chance to Dominate your target on Hits or Crits. It annoys me to no end. I use Engwithan Scepter and wait all the way for Puitènte med Príncipi. Head: +Int or +Per Armor: Aloth's Leather Armor Neck: +Int or +Per Hands: Gauntlets of Accuracy Boots: Glanfathan Stalking Boots Belt: +Dex or +Mig Rings: Ring of Protection, Ring of the Selonan None of these items are essential. You are looking for Intellect, Perception. Some Might and Dexterity, if you have items to spare. --- Arcan Assault is a pretty good per encounter ability in the early and mid game. Lore 12 gives Aloth the opportunity to cast all the scrolls in Eora. For Aloth I usually choose from these: scroll of Revival, scroll of Confusion, scroll of Defense, scroll of Protection, scroll of Valor, scroll of Paralysis, scroll of Moonwell. With masteries, starting from level 9, Aloth should cast Deleterious Alacrity of Motion and Eldritch Aim at the start of every fight. Confusion, Gaze of the Adragan and Ninagauth's Shadowflame are very strong spells. If things get out of hand, these spells can save you. I think Dimensional Shift is underrated.

Edér likes animals and charging to the frontlines. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Fighter -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Meadow Folk -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: The Dyrwood - Farmer -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Athletics 9 (base 7, +1 Fighter, +1 Farmer) , Survival 12 (base 10, +1 Fighter, +1 Farmer), some Lore if you want --- Edér is smoking his pipe next to the the gallows tree in Gilded Vale. You need to do Visions and Whispers quest before you can recruit him. Level 1: Knock Down Level 2: Two Weapon Style Level 3: Confident Aim Level 4: Weapon Focus Soldier Level 5: Weapon Specialization Soldier Level 6: Bear's Fortitude Level 7: Armored Grace Level 8: Weapon Mastery Level 9: Disciplined Barrage Level 10: Apprentice's Sneak Attack Level 11: Critical Defense OR Vigorous Defense Level 12: Superior Deflection Level 13: Charge Level 14: Savage Attack Level 15: Triggered Immunity Level 16: Rapid Recovery --- I don't think Edér needs Sword and Shield to be your main tank. Even on PotD. Abilities like Disciplined Barrage and Vigorous Defense are great but they don't last very long because of Edér's Intellect. I tend to choose Criticial Defense over Vigorous Defense because of that. I still pick Disciplined Barrage though. Don't always mindlessly spam Knock Down and try to interrupt enemies with it instead. --- Weapon Set 1: Shatterstar + Godansthunyr or Strike Hard Weapon Set 2: Any ranged weapon from your Weapon Focus I hate how Godansthunyr looks. So I often pick Strike Hard instead but Godansthunyr is the better weapon. Another option is to go Weapon Focus: Knight. There is plenty of good Swords and Battle Axes. Head: Garodh's Chorus Armor: Plate Armor, He Carries Many Scars Neck: Shroud of Mourning Hands: Pilferer's Grip Boots: Boots of Stability Belt: Girdle of Eoten Constitution Rings: Ring of Protection, Ring of Deflection You are looking for Resolve, Constitution, Might. Enchant your armor with Perception. --- It's crucial, especially in the early game, to know how to use chokepoints in the area you are in. Well placed Edér is going to block a whole group of enemies even on PotD. Look for doors, narrow corridors, ... If you feel like you need Edér to tank with a shield, then pick Weapon and Shield Style instead of Two Weapon style and respec later when you are more comfortable without a shield. Later in the game, most of the time, you can just send Edér forward to tank and deal damage. With Charge Edér becomes a lot more fun to play but that is all the way at level 13. Have Potions of Llengrath's Displaced Image ready in your quick slots for more difficult fights. If you want Edér to tank dragons, give him Ilfan Byrngar's Solace. The shield has Preservation: +50 Defenses while Stunned; +50 Defenses while Prone. That's great against dragons. Alternatively you can choose any other piece of gear with the same enchantment. But Ilfan Byrngar's Solace can be obtained more easily and relatively early in the game. Other options are Ring of Thorns, Malina's Boots, Garodh's Chorus, ...

Another companion build. This one is super fun. Heavily inspired by Boeroer suggestions and also by The Fire General build by ottffsse. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Paladin -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Avian godlike -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: Vailian Republics - Soldier -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Lore 10 (base 8, +1 Paladin, +1 Soldier), Athletics 9 (base 6, +2 Paladin, +1 Soldier) , Survival 7 --- Pallegina can be found in Ondra's Gift. You need to do At All Costs quest before you can recruit her. Level 1: Flames of Devotion Level 2: Intense Flames Level 3: Zealous Focus Level 4: Weapon and Shield Style Level 5: Sworn Enemy Level 6: Wrath of the Five Suns Level 7: Liberating Exhortation Level 8: Penetrating Shot Level 9: Coordinated Attacks Level 10: Scion of Flame Level 11: Righteous Soul OR Aegis of Loyalty Level 12: Aspirant's Mark Level 13: Sacred Immolation Level 14: Veteran's Recovery OR Prestidigitator's Missiles Level 15: Abjuration OR Lay on Hands Level 16: Veteran's Recovery OR Prestidigitator's Missiles --- Penetrating Shot works together with Wrath of the Five Suns, Prestidigitator's Missiles, Scroll of Missile Barrage and Blunderbuss. Sworn Enemy/Wrath of the Five Suns works together with Scroll of Paralysis. Very good when fighting dragons to boost your much needed accuracy. Liberating Exhortation can save you in many fights. Especially when somebody crucial from your party gets Dominated, I'm looking at you Adragans, or you need to get rid of DOTs, like in Ogre Druid fights. Righteous Soul might not make Pallegina immune to Charmed, Dominated, Frightened, Terrified, Poison or Disease but it will reduce the duration by 5 seconds. I think that is significant. Especially when it comes to Charmed and Dominated. --- Weapon Set 1: The Flames of Fair Rhîan and Outworn Buckler Weapon Set 2: Lead Spitter Before you get The Flames of Fair Rhîan, use any weapon that you like. Head: ... Armor: Plate Armor, she looks great in Angwes Adra Neck: Amulet of Summer Solstice or Ruphec's Watchful Cloack MKII Hands: Ryona's Vambraces Boots: Boots of Stability Belt: Coil of Resourcefulness Rings: Ring of Protection, Ring of Deflection, Ring of Searing Flames, Ring of Thorns --- Have Scroll of Paralysis, Scroll of Missile Barrage and Scroll of Revival prepared in your quick slots. To continue with the theme you can also prepare Potion of Flame Shield and Scroll of Burst of Summer Flame. To get The Flames of Fair Rhîan you need to consume Maerwald's soul. To get the Amulet of Summer Solstice you need to kill Lord Harond in Dyrford. Ring of Searing Flames + Sacred Immolation = fun. Have Penetrating Shot ALWAYS on. Start the fight with Pallegina casting Wrath of the Five Suns, fire a shot from Lead Spitter using Flames of Devotion. Aim for enemy Wizards, Priests and Ciphers. They should get melted. Switch to Sword and Shield and go tank. Pop Sacred Immolation and help yourself with Aspirant's Mark, boost your damage with Ring of Searing Flames. Scroll of Missile Barrage and Prestidigitator's Missiles are cherries on top.

Continuing the companion builds. This time Durance. Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Priest -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Meadow folk -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: Dyrwood - Clergyman -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Mechanics 12, Lore 6 (base 2, +2 Priest, + 2 Clergyman), Athletics 2 (base 1, +1 Priest) , Survival 1 --- Durance can be found in Magran's Fork standing near a statue of Magran. You start leveling Durance from level 2 onwards. Priests gain new spells every odd level. You don't have to select which spells to learn. You learn automatically all the available spells at the appropriate level. Level 1: Priest Spells Level 2: Interdiction Level 3: Priest Spells Level 4: Inspired Flame Level 5: Priest Spells Level 6: Gunner Level 7: Priest Spells Level 8: Insipring Radiance OR Painful Interdiction Level 9: Priest Spells and Mastery - Blessing OR Armor of Faith Level 10: Weapon Focus: Soldier OR Scion oF Flame Level 11: Priest Spells and Mastery - Iconinc Projection OR Holy Power OR Divine Mark OR Consecrated Ground Level 12: Scion oF Flame OR Weapon Focus: Soldier Level 13: Priest Spells and Mastery - Dire Blessing Level 14: Heart of the Storm Level 15: Priest Spells and Mastery - Devotions for the Faithful Level 16: Apprentice's Sneak Attack OR Bear's Fortitude --- Inspired Flame gives Durance +10 Accuracy with Arquebus and Sword. Withdraw can be used to save your party members or to block a chockepoint. Watch out for dots, they don't get removed by Withdraw and continue to deal damage. Priests can simplify many dangerous or annoying encounters thanks to Prayers and Litanies. Prayer Against Fear, Prayer Against Bewilderment, Prayer Against Imprisonment, Prayer Against Treachery. Priests have important buffs to Accuracy and damage output. Blessing, Dire Blessing, Devotions for the Faithful. Don't forget that Minor Intercession lowers the duration of active hostile effects by 5 sec. Spark the Souls of the Righteous is so good that I think Heart of the Storm is worth it. If you get surrounded by enemies, later in the game, Spark the Souls of the Righteous can be very helpful. --- Weapon Set 1: Use the best Arquebus you can find, later Pliambo per Casitàs Weapon Set 2: Durance's Staff or Weapon and Shield In the early game take Kana's Arquebus. Head: Hermit's Head Armor: Durance' Robe, later Raiment of Wael's Eyes Neck: Cloack of Protection Hands: Fulvano's Gloves Boots: whatever you like Belt: Girdle of Maegfolc Might Rings: Ring of Overseeing, ... You are mostly looking for Intellect, Dexterity and Might. --- Durance should hangout in the back of your party, fling spells and shoot his arquebus. If you want to buy an Exceptional Arquebus, you can go to Bricanta Doemenel. She is in the Doemenel Manor on the second floor. It's not cheap though. Durance's personal quest is very long, several acts long, and you have to rest with Durance in the party multiple times.

Hi everyone. After several years I returned to Pillars of Eternity and noticed that this forum is missing a little bit more detailed companion builds. So I thought I would try to change that. I also think that maybe because of Avowed there will be more people going back to Pillars of Eternity. I hope that I am not blind and that other people have not already posted the same companion builds. I will start with Kana. --- Difficulty: PotD -------------------------------------------------------------- Class: Chanter -------------------------------------------------------------- Game Version: 3.0+ -------------------------------------------------------------- Race: Island Aumaua -------------------------------------------------------------- Background: Rauatai - Scholar -------------------------------------------------------------- Skills: Lore 12 (base 8, +2 Chanter, + 2 Scholar), Survival 6, Athletics the rest --- Kana can be found standing outside of Caed Nua. At character creation, Chanters select two Phrases and one Invocation. Kana at level 1 automatically chooses (you can't change that): phrases - Blessed Was Wengridh, Quickest of His Tribe and At the Sight of their Comrades, their Hearts Grew Bold invocation - If their Bones Still Slept Under that Hill, None Can Say So you start leveling Kana from level 2 onwards. Phrases at lvl 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. Invocations and Talents at lvl 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. Level 1: Automatic Level 2: The Thunder Rolled Like Waves on Black Seas, Ancient Memory Level 3: Dull the Edge Level 4: White Worms, Weapon Focus Soldier Level 5: Sure-Handed Ila Level 6: At the Sound of His Voice, Gunner Level 7: One Dozen Stood Level 8: The Lover Cried out to the Beloved, Runner's Wounding Shot Level 9: Aefyllath Ues Mith Fyr Level 10: The Bride Caught their Ruse, Marksman Level 11: Rime and Frost Followed Level 12: Oh But Knock Not, Envenomed Strike Level 13: They Shielded Their Eyes Level 14: So Singt thy Biting Winds, Apprentice's Sneak Attack Level 15: With All Your Strength Level 16: Called to His Bidding, Beast Slayer OR Secrets of Rime --- White Worms Writhed in the Bellies of the Dead is an AMAZING early game Invocation. It's basically corpse explosion Just take advatage of chokepoints with your tank and as bodies pile up you can cast White Worms and deal a lot of damage. You can even lure enemies to places where you already have some bodies prepared. Just be aware that if you reload, bodies will dissapear. You can even deal nicely with the Raedric fight thanks to White Worms Writhed in the Bellies of the Dead. Before you start the fight with Raedric, pull the group of enemeis behind the door to the left of the throne room and lure them to the bedroom door on the right. Chanter can turn on Blessed Was Wengridh for Move Speed. Watch out for the Web spell. Priest at level 5 has Prayer Against Restraint or send someone who can be knocked out for the duration of the fight. Afterwards pull Raedric to the same spot and spam White Worms. I picked Sure-Handed Ila Nocked Her Arrows with Speed because my main character was ranged Cipher. Feel free to pick whatever you want instead or keep it. At the Sound of His Voice, the Killers Froze Stiff paralyzes in AoE and foes only. You will use it majority of the game. One Dozen Stood Against the Power of the Saint is pretty good against Dragons, Lions or anyone with Frightened/Terrified attacks. Rime and Frost Followed is for the burning house interaction in Stalwart and Cayron's Scar ending interaction They Shielded Their Eyes 'Gainst the Fampyr's Gaze is "surprisingly" good against Fampyrs or anyone who is trying to Confuse, Charm, Dominate your party. With All Your Strength Slay the Beast for Dragons mostly. --- Prepare these Chants: Chant 1 - Sure-Handed Ila + Aefyllath Ues Mith Fyr. I have this on most of the time. Chant 2 - One dozen Stood + Sure Handed Ila. Chant 3 - They Shielded Their Eyes + Sure Handed Ila. Chant 4 - With All Your Strength + Sure Handed Ila. Before you get Sure-Handed Ila + Aefyllath Ues Mith Fyr use Dull the Edge + At the Sight. --- Weapon Set 1: Hold-Wall, later switch to Aedrin's Wrecker Weapon Set 2: Great Sword or Pike or War Hammer and Shield You can buy Hold-Wall in Black Hammer Smithy in Gilded Vale. Aedrin's Wrecker can be found on Level 10 of the Endless Paths of Od Nua. Head: Anything with Intellect Armor: Angio's Gambeson or any light armor Neck: Finreah's Grace Hands: Spiderfingers Boots: Glanfathan Stalking Boots Belt: whatever you want Rings: Ring of Protection, Ring of Overseeing, Ring of Searing Flames or whatever you want None of these equipment choices are set in stone to be honest. You just want nice Dexterity and Intellect boost and some Perception. --- I find Kana to be quite good from start to finish. With arbalest he will knock down enemies, buff and protect your party with chants, CC your enemies and summon help. You should also give him enough Lore skill so Kana can use some handy scrolls. I like scroll of Valor, scroll of Defense, scroll of Protection (amazing against Ogre Druids, Delemgan, Pŵgra, Adragan, Mênpŵgra), scroll of Revival, scroll of Prayer against Imprisonment, scroll of Prayer against Treachery.

Hey all, Recently got the game and I'm loving it. I'm struggling though to find a 2h build that is effective from early to end game. It just seems that 2h never is the optimal choice. Rogue seems obvious with its non lash damage bonuses. Only problem is that 2h doesn't seem optimal for rogue with its full attack abilities and dual wielding just being stronger in general. It's just a shame dual wield speed bonus is way stronger than the damage difference between 1h and 2h weapons. Even the canonical greatsword wielding paladin is more efficient dual wielding because Flames of Devotion is also a full attack. So what's left seems to be a 0 recovery 2h build that doesn't use full attacks. Which is only possible with consumables. Maybe ranger with Swift Aim and Wounding Shot? I've tried to avoid min maxing but I feel this is not entirely the same thing. It's just not fun constantly having in the back of your head that you haven't made optimal use of limited resources when you're Flame-of-Devotion-ing with your greatsword. Thanks for reading so far I'm still new to the game so I'm probably missing something. Looking for any advice on an effective 2h build.

I've played over 200 hours of PoE, but not much recently. I thought I would jump back in, but now the game crashes almost immediately on start/launch from Steam. I've had a lot of system updates while I was playing, regularly. Sometimes there were issues, but I don't remember not being able to solve them. I may have lost some saved games at one point, early on. But, that was a long time ago. Anyway, that's my main concern, now. I don't want to loose my saved games. I was able to get the game to start by forcing it to use Steam compatibility/proton. But, the native Linux version crashes. I would just play on proton, but I cannot get my saved games. Any advice would be appreciated. journal.txt

Hello, I try find best race for solo melee wizard. Maybe you have some experience with solo play and You can share with me. Thank You.

I have purchased the Switch version of Pillars of Eternity a month ago and can't progress in the game any more because new areas are loaded in as a grey screen. Also many other issues as listed in this reddit-thread have occured during my playthrough. Are these issues going to be fixed or should I just ask Nintendo for a refund?

Quick question regarding the Blade of the Endless Paths and Whisper of the Endless Paths in both Deadfire and PoE1. I've heard conflicting reports that not finding the pieces of the Blade of the Endless Paths aboard your ship in Deadfire is a bug or not. I was under the impression that the pieces of the Blade, along with those of the Whispers of Yenwood, were in your cupboard if you recovered both weapons in Pillars of Eternity at some point. The Fextralife article here, however, seems to indicate that you have to deliberately fail the Blade of the Endless Paths task and not reforge the sword so you get the pieces in Deadfire, and if you DO reforge the sword in the first game, it's lost forever. So...which is it? Is this a bug or a feature? I want to know before completing the first game, so I know whether I have to fail the quest or not. I'm a bit of an obsessive completionist, so the idea that I can't get the Whispers of the Endless Paths if I'm too thorough with doing quests in the first game bugs me, to say the least!

Hi, yesterday i have seen that PoE2 will be released for Nintendo Switch. I was so happy and cant wait. Unfortunately i havent played the Prequel PoE1 that much, but on Nintendo Switch i definitely would. I would like to play PoE on Nintendo Switch from the beginning, so i made this post. Hopefully you decide to release PoE1 on Switch too. Thanks in advance and cheers Sebastian

Just pre-ordered the game a bit ago and while I was already going to do it regardless of my system (a laptop, yeah...I know) in order to support Obsidian and for more games like this to be made, I am a bit worried if I can even play it. For reference I was able to play POE1 the whole way through expansions included and the only slow down was during a cutscene right before the final boss fight. The loading times however were atrocious though. I'll post my system specs here if it helps: Processor: Intel® Pentium® CPU N3540 2.16GHz RAM: 8,00GB GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 920M Disk Space is not a problem i have almost free 440GB in my HDD

So I've been playing a paladin in the beta and I'm having a great time though there are some aspects I'm missing. I'm hoping there might be a return of paladin order exclusive talents similar to the ones that were in the previous installment, especially for the Shieldbearers. Right now I'm playing a Shieldbearer and they seem kind of bland compared to the other orders, while seeming much more worthwhile when they had access to Shielding Flames and Shielding Touch. Maybe we could acquire these talents in the 10-15 level range as to make the starting bonuses shine more in the beginning?

Sometimes I would get this weird pathing issues with my companions. It seemed to start right when I got a sixth companion, or in my case Sagani. Basically when the party moves to their move location. One or more companions "stutter" rapidly in place trying to find a place to stand. It seems like the issue might be worse with a party formation that is compact, but it happens still in more spread out formations. You'll also get an annoying sound of rapid footsteps as the characters jitter. ​ ​I think sometimes even NPCs off screen can bug, because sometimes (once my own party starts bugging out) I'll hear rapid pacing from what sounds like an NPC off screen or in the fog that is. ​ ​This is a bug that exists in the current version of the game with both expansions. ​ ​--- ​ ​The purpose of this thread isn't exactly to beg for bug fixes in PoE1, though that'd be nice. But it's to collect a number of issues that could be fixed going forward. Since Deadfire is actively being developed and that's where Obsidians focus and resources currently lie.