Party build advice for Pillars 1 POTD run

[Chaospread]

On 5/23/2025 at 10:46 PM, Vasvary5050 said:

Hi folks. My POTD run is now into Whitemarch (currently level 11). One issue I am having is that I'm struggling to upgrade some of my gear to exceptional as I've not found many Vithrack Brains or Rubies. Is there a good vendor to buy these from or place to farm them?

Vithrack Brain:

• Sold by Cartugo in Ondra's Gift (1×).
• Sold by Curio Shopkeeper in Curio Shop, Caed Nua (1-3×).
• Sold by Bledha in Elms' Reach (5×).
• [WM2] Sold by Hamond in Hamond's Emporium, Stalwart Village (1-3×).

Ruby:

• Sold by Curnd in Ondra's Gift (5×).
• Sold by Alarhî in Hearthsong Market, Hearthsong (2-4×).
• Sold by Iŵen in Hearthsong Market, Hearthsong (2-4×).
• [WM2] Sold by Hamond in Hamond's Emporium, Stalwart Village (1×).

About monk as a tank, I totaly agree with @Boeroer: not only it is good for a monk to be a tank (he needs wounds after all) but he is wonderful as one foe killer and he has plenty of disabling abilities to use ;)

 

[Vasvary5050]

Thanks Chaosspread for the list of vendors. Managed to get a healthy supply for now.

With regard to Monk, I agree with both you and Boeroer. I've been using Zahua, spec'd as tank, and at least at this stage in Pillars, he feels like a better tank than Eder with more disables per encounter. The only thing I'm disappointed about is that there hasn't been much story/dialogue engagement from him. That said, I haven't yet finished WM so maybe there will be more before I finish. 

Edited May 26 by Vasvary5050

[Chaospread]

15 hours ago, Vasvary5050 said:

The only thing I'm disappointed about is that there hasn't been much story/dialogue engagement from him. That said, I haven't yet finished WM so maybe there will be more before I finish. 

Wait for his quest  

[Vasvary5050]

12 hours ago, Chaospread said:

Wait for his quest  

Yep, I just completed his quest and he became Anitlei. Spoiler Warning:

Spoiler

Was a bit sad for him that he has to accept that the Tacan have been defeated. I presume the Tacan people are not synonymous with the Nalpazca seeing as Nalpazca are a monk subclass in Deadfire. Its these little short side stories that I would love to see explored in a mini-DLC or separate mini-game of their own. Sad that we'll never know more about the Nalpazca or the Tacan.

 

[Vasvary5050]

Any suggestions for best shield options for monk for fist + shield? Badgradr's Barricade? Sura's Supper Plate?

[Chaospread]

10 hours ago, Vasvary5050 said:

Yep, I just completed his quest and he became Anitlei. Spoiler Warning:

  Hide contents

Was a bit sad for him that he has to accept that the Tacan have been defeated. I presume the Tacan people are not synonymous with the Nalpazca seeing as Nalpazca are a monk subclass in Deadfire. Its these little short side stories that I would love to see explored in a mini-DLC or separate mini-game of their own. Sad that we'll never know more about the Nalpazca or the Tacan.

 

Well, Tacan are a population, while Nalpazca are a monk order  

[Chaospread]

10 hours ago, Vasvary5050 said:

Any suggestions for best shield options for monk for fist + shield? Badgradr's Barricade? Sura's Supper Plate?

Badgradr's Barricade or Little Savior if you need defense and no ACC penalty.

[Boeroer]

Torment's Reach is a Full Attack - and since that is the overall best attack ability of the Monk I personally would go for a bashing shield such as Badgrad's Barricade (if you have picked Torment's Reach in the first place).

But (if there's time and in-game money) I would also try out dual hatchets as a tanking setup (and dual fists as backup). Anitlei's speed buff (which stacks with everything) makes it easy to reach 0 recovery with dual wielding, Two Weapon Style and durganized hatchets + durganized breastplate (or simply lighter armor). 0 recovery in combination with Force of Anguish can be very useful for a Monk tank: he can then push back and prone single enemies in very quick succession (protecting his allies that way) and be extremely reactive in general. 

I found that the +10 deflection of dual hatchets is often enough (if you are not alone in the front line) to achieve sufficient tankyness.