Comming back to deadfire, looking for new POTD build

[Zoda]

Hello everyone,

Comming back to do another (maybe another few) playthroughs of the game, and I'd like a new build to do it

Completed many POTD runs in many different ways (solo, duo, full party), and a variety of builds, and looking for something new (maybe). I have a few self imposed rules: no monk (maybe shattered pillar), no wizard, no potions, no scrolls. On the fence about priest too, but I guess it can slide, but only if it does mostly melee

I like martial/half caster builds, and non to very little cheesy stuff.

That kinda limits what I would play for POTD

My most recent playthroughs (about 3 years ago) were with a dual wielding kind wayfarer + souldblade, a ghost heart + ascendant with firearms (mostly), a herald (solo), and a tactician + soulblade. At least these are what I remember, but did a bunch of other playthroughs and played many builds up to lvl 10-12.

So what I'm looking for my watcher's build is a frontliner that's fairly tanky (read: can tank most encounters, even if not solo tank bosses), but still does good damge. I really like high sustain builds, like the kind wayfarer + soulblade with Sun and Moon was one of my favourite builds to play.

Looking for suggestions on what build I should play next.

Was thinking along the lines of mixture of fighter/barbarian/paladin/rogue/chanter/cipher. Big plus if the build uses a shield (Tutilo's Palm doesn't count) and still manages to dish out good damage. Like if there is a realiable way to force disengagement on an Unbroken. I remember trying to terrifiy enemies, but I think I did not find it super reliable.

For ranged builds I like firearms (Eccea's Arcane Blaster with one handed style being my favourite flavourwise). I'll probably have a Kind Wayfarer with dual pistols somewhere in the party, maybe even the watcher with a multiclass to... probably ranger (I don't like giving up driving flight). Also considering a whildrhymer with Spearcaster, but that can pretty much go on a hireling.

For items to build around, I'd love a build around: Amra, dual pistols, Lord Darryn's Voulge (maybe), The Willbreaker, Last Word (with Guardian Stance + Reckless Brigandine. Pairing it with Kind Wayfarer would be cool, but then I need to dual wield pretty much).

I aim to also kill the megabosses (I actually never tried the Sigilmaster).

I browsed through the forums a bunch of times, and watched many youtube videos, so I'm familiar with most well known builds, so what I'm looking is suggestions along the above lines. Pretty familiar with most game mechanics, but might not have perfect memeory about all the cool build around items or abilities anymore

I started a sabre Devoted/Skald Warcaller, but not sure if it is for me.

Thanks to anyone who managed to read all my rambling, if anyone can give me some cool flavourful build ideas I'd very much appreciate it 

Edited July 31 by Zoda

[Okkes]

Willbreaker Souldblade/Trickster soo much fun. Very good defence and offence with casting. Modal gives -25 fortitude better accuracy for our disentegration.

Edited July 31 by Okkes

[Boeroer]

Since you'd like a shield:

I played a pretty straightforward main tank with an offensive twist for my party - made from a human Streetfighter/Devoted, themed as Gladiator. He used the Gladiator's Sword (obviously) and Bronlar's Phalanx (also kind of mandatory for the theme imo).

Since swashbuckler Edér (no subclasses) always worked perfectly well for my parties in terms of tankyness, I thought that using a Streetfighter/Devoted shouldn't impact the sturdyness at all but improve the dmg output a lot.

And it did. As main tank he will get flanked almost always, so no need for distracted or other "artifical" flanking shenanigans - just tank stuff and unlock "Heating Up" in the process, increasing recovery speed a lot and adding more sneak attack damage. Also Gladiator's Sword has incresed PEN (if enchanted fully) and the Devoted adds +2 PEN on top. That's +3 PEN with the sword for all pierce and slash damage which is great. Monastic Unarmed Training for enemies vulnerable to crush dmg. I'd use Hold the Line and Mob Stance for even more speed, Abraham for the speed and heal on kill. Large shield modal makes sure I don't receive damage much from spells while you can still move around with Escape. DEX could be a bit lower, PER a bit higher (to counter the -8 ACC from large shields). Armored Grace and Riposte obviously...

I think I used Reckless Brigandine iirc for the added engagement, +AR when at low health and the added speed via engagement.

I liked it very much because it performed a lot better than I expected. I guess it would work well with any good one-handed weapon, but Riposte and Mob Stance might favor battle axes with bleeding cuts. Against lower level kith the Magistrate's Cudgel should be absolutely devastating (crit => instakill => Cleave => maybe another crit and so on), but maybe then Mace + Devoted isn't the best pick (crush only). Stalker's Patience should also be great bc. Riposte and Cleave can trigger the recovery skip. 

It was a "hands off" character though - I didn't need to manage him a ton (like you would need to manage a Monk or so). I didn't even bother with special attacks like Crippling Strikes or so because he was a meat grinder just with auto-attacks. Used the Guile and Discipline for other stuff. Some players like that for their MC, others want "more to do" for their Watcher. 

   

Edited August 2 by Boeroer

[Boeroer]

sorry double post:

a very good front liner who will be very self-sustainable despite the self damage- as long as he kills - is a Berserker/Beckoner or Troubadour. Max INT + INT items and a pet that heals +20 on kill. Amra as main weapon and 25+ MIG (rel. easy with the help of Frenzy and some +2 MIG gloves). High CON is also good.

The key is to use Carnage and Amra's Riven Gore to accidentially kill your own skeletons while you attack the actual enemy with Bleeding Cuts. First Bloodlust will help you to speed up after any kill, you will get healed after any kill (including skeletons) which is a lot of healing. Then after getting Blood Thirst there will be no recovery after kills, the build turns into a bleeding cuts tornado. 

The only thing is: this is not a tank per se. If there's nothing to kill (quickly) he can do down fast. And party members with low health (under 50) can get instantly destroyed from Riven Gore while the Berserker is still confused. So better stay out of Carnage range.

First you use Ancient Brittle Bones (Beckoner is the better pick), later Many Lives Pass By (Troubadour is better).

You can use that also as Berserker/Fighter with Mob Stance on top of all the killing which makes it even more crazy (and sturdier) - if you have a Chanter in the party who can provide skeletons for you. But then you really really shouldn't go near this guy as party member. 

 

Edited August 2 by Boeroer

[Zoda]

2 hours ago, Boeroer said:

sorry double post:

a very good front liner who will be very self-sustainable despite the self damage- as long as he kills - is a Berserker/Beckoner or Troubadour. Max INT + INT items and a pet that heals +20 on kill. Amra as main weapon and 25+ MIG (rel. easy with the help of Frenzy and some +2 MIG gloves). High CON is also good.

The key is to use Carnage and Amra's Riven Gore to accidentially kill your own skeletons while you attack the actual enemy with Bleeding Cuts. First Bloodlust will help you to speed up after any kill, you will get healed after any kill (including skeletons) which is a lot of healing. Then after getting Blood Thirst there will be no recovery after kills, the build turns into a bleeding cuts tornado. 

The only thing is: this is not a tank per se. If there's nothing to kill (quickly) he can do down fast. And party members with low health (under 50) can get instantly destroyed from Riven Gore while the Berserker is still confused. So better stay out of Carnage range.

First you use Ancient Brittle Bones (Beckoner is the better pick), later Many Lives Pass By (Troubadour is better).

You can use that also as Berserker/Fighter with Mob Stance on top of all the killing which makes it even more crazy (and sturdier) - if you have a Chanter in the party who can provide skeletons for you. But then you really really shouldn't go near this guy as party member. 

 

This is actually a build I considered
I'd probably play it is a regular berserker/troubadour early with int affliction resistence from Devil of Caroc Breastplate, and let the confused kills loose when I can chant Many lives. I wonder if there is a way to reach 20 int wile confsed without sacrificing too much in return (I would like double chants).

 

3 hours ago, Boeroer said:

Since you'd like a shield:

I played a pretty straightforward main tank with an offensive twist for my party - made from a human Streetfighter/Devoted, themed as Gladiator. He used the Gladiator's Sword (obviously) and Bronlar's Phalanx (also kind of mandatory for the theme imo).

Since swashbuckler Edér (no subclasses) always worked perfectly well for my parties in terms of tankyness, I thought that using a Streetfighter/Devoted shouldn't impact the sturdyness at all but improve the dmg output a lot.

And it did. As main tank he will get flanked almost always, so no need for distracted or other "artifical" flanking shenanigans - just tank stuff and unlock "Heating Up" in the process, increasing recovery speed a lot and adding more sneak attack damage. Also Gladiator's Sword has incresed PEN (if enchanted fully) and the Devoted adds +2 PEN on top. That's +3 PEN with the sword for all pierce and slash damage which is great. Monastic Unarmed Training for enemies vulnerable to crush dmg. I'd use Hold the Line and Mob Stance for even more speed, Abraham for the speed and heal on kill. Large shield modal makes sure I don't receive damage much from spells while you can still move around with Escape. DEX could be a bit lower, PER a bit higher (to counter the -8 ACC from large shields). Armored Grace and Riposte obviously...

I think I used Reckless Brigandine iirc for the added engagement, +AR when at low health and the added speed via engagement.

I liked it very much because it performed a lot better than I expected. I guess it would work well with any good one-handed weapon, but Riposte and Mob Stance might favor battle axes with bleeding cuts. Against lower level kith the Magistrate's Cudgel should be absolutely devastating (crit => instakill => Cleave => maybe another crit and so on), but maybe then Mace + Devoted isn't the best pick (crush only). Stalker's Patience should also be great bc. Riposte and Cleave can trigger the recovery skip. 

It was a "hands off" character though - I didn't need to manage him a ton (like you would need to manage a Monk or so). I didn't even bother with special attacks like Crippling Strikes or so because he was a meat grinder just with auto-attacks. Used the Guile and Discipline for other stuff. Some players like that for their MC, others want "more to do" for their Watcher. 

   

I played a very similar character with Gladiator's Sword + Tuotilo's palm as an Unbroken/Trickster. I tried to abuse the unbroken disengagement attacks with Ryngrim's Repulsive Visage. Can't say I remember clearly, but iirc the combo wasn't super reliable. I think I haven't finished that run (but did play the build later on a hired adventurer on a run that I did finish).

Your more straight forward take might actually work better, and I could actually use a shield that looks cool (big plus!)

Now I'm thinking about doing the Unbroken/Trickster again with The Willbreaker as main setup, and a 2nd setup with an actual shield vs bosses.

I would very much love an unbroken build that could reliably trigger supercharged disengagement hits, but not sure if there is a way to do that.

On 8/1/2025 at 12:52 AM, Okkes said:

Willbreaker Souldblade/Trickster soo much fun. Very good defence and offence with casting. Modal gives -25 fortitude better accuracy for our disentegration.

This sounds pretty strong, not sure where I would put it flavourwise, but sounds like an egaging build to play on your main character

[Zoda]

So... I started a Shepherd (Stalker + Kind Wayferer). Not dead set on it, honestly I never played a ranger that wasn't a Ghost Heart, neither one that was melee focused so I kinda want to try one. I hope the White Flames and the bonus armor can keep the animal companion alive. Gonna have Edér with Heart Defender scales + Shieldberer/Troubadour healer keeping up the bear with LoH if required. The other two party members are going to be a Seer with Essence Interruptor + a Wildrhymer with spearcaster (at least that's the plan for now).

As I said, I never tried a non-ghost heart ranger, is it possible to keep the bear alive, and get good value out of it, or will it become a nuisance later on?

[Boeroer]

I never have issues with keeping the animal companion alive, especially when it's a bear. Just don't use it as a tank, instead keep it back for a few seconds, let the real tank handle the incoming enemies and use the AC to flank - then it's totally fine imo. I played a solo melee Stalker/Bloodmage with little means to heal my bear and it went very well. 

If you have a Chanter (like your Shieldbearer/Troubadour or the Wildrhymer) in the party then even better: should you screw up and your AC goes down you can revive it unlimited times with "Rise Again" (PL4): animal companions never get injured and phrases are unlimited. And you can have some other means of rivival besides that (Paladin, Ranger himself).

But I think with the occasional healing from White Flames, Lay on Hands from two Paladins etc. you should be totally fine.

Since you also bring a Cipher (Seer): Pain Block is excellent on a bear.

[Kaylon]

You should try devoted/monk with Grave Calling/Scordeo's Edge crit build. Very high survivability with long lasting Unbending Trunk (can also use Shroud of the Phantasm to gain more discipline), plenty of wounds, high dps, good CC, etc. For slash immune you can just use your fists.

Another fun build is steel garrote/trickster using Voidwheel. The draining ensures you won't die from the self damage of the sword, while delivering huge single target damage, especially when it procs. Of course you can use other weapons or even a shield, depending on the situation.

[Zoda]

6 hours ago, Kaylon said:

You should try devoted/monk with Grave Calling/Scordeo's Edge crit build. Very high survivability with long lasting Unbending Trunk (can also use Shroud of the Phantasm to gain more discipline), plenty of wounds, high dps, good CC, etc. For slash immune you can just use your fists.

Another fun build is steel garrote/trickster using Voidwheel. The draining ensures you won't die from the self damage of the sword, while delivering huge single target damage, especially when it procs. Of course you can use other weapons or even a shield, depending on the situation.

I might make an exception for my no monk rule so long that it doesn't use fists.

I did Steel Garrote/Tricster already, although admittedly not with Voidwheel. It was an offensive parry WOTEP build, so probably very different.
 

Edited August 4 by Zoda

[Zoda]

After cycling through a million different builds, I finally came to stick with Devoted + Trickster with The Willbreaker. Planning to play it something like this: stealth for the initial backstab strike (Clear Out eventually), debuff will, cast Ryngrym's, hopefully get some disengagement hits if the enemy attempts to flee. I wanted to have more damage without disengagement than an Unbroken and The Willbreaker synergizes nicely with a trickster. Probably not an OP build or anything of sorts, but I don't enjoy playing the truly OP stuff so much, so going with this for now  Already snuck into Crookspur for the stick, so probably gonna play this build a while, before rerolling to another one  

Now, I haven't played Deadfire in a couple of years, so I can't really remember all the best gear. What would you recommend I pick up for this build? Apparently I messed up with my custom history, so I don't have Thaos's Headdress, but I kinda sorta prefer the Helm of the Falcon anyway. Still sucks not having the headdress, it is one of the nicer helms, especially that I have Edér also as a fighter/rogue.

What armor goes best with such character? Devil of Caroc? Reckless Brigandine? I picked up Cloak of Greater Protection, seems to be a pretty nice cloak for now. Iirc there was a cloak that gave extra damage from stealth, but honestly I might be mixing up gear pieces in my head with PoE1 items  Not sure which was in which game anymore  

Also a question on The Willbreaker's upgrades: is it worth spending the 4 Adra Bans on making it legendary? Iirc you couldn't get unlimited Adra Bans, and there are some special upgrade items to certain tiers (after the dragon fight I think there is one).

Edited August 8 by Zoda

[Boeroer]

If you go with Reckless Brigandine: as headgear I'd recommend the White Witch Mask then.

It looks good with the tribal-looking brigandine imo, it gives your illusions a +1 power level boost and it can cast Ryngrim's Rep. Visage for you 1/rest (automatically if you drop below 50% health).

While this combo looks a bit weird on most races it fits super well for a "Mataru" themed character (so any type of Huana Warrior) imo.

1 hour ago, Zoda said:

Also a question on The Willbreaker's upgrades: is it worth spending the 4 Adra Bans on making it legendary? Iirc you couldn't get unlimited Adra Bans, and there are some special upgrade items to certain tiers (after the dragon fight I think there is one).

I don't know, dabateable. If you really like the weapon then bringing it to legendary makes sense. But I personally often don't even bring my favorite weapons up to superb and they usually work well enough. But if the rest of your party isn't very reliant on weapons and/or weapon quality (because they use mostly spells, have a weapon that comes superb or legandary or use soulbounds or summoned weapons) then I will def. bring my few favorites up to legendary (or even mythic).

Edited August 8 by Boeroer

[Zoda]

27 minutes ago, Boeroer said:

If you go with Reckless Brigandine: as headgear I'd recommend the White Witch Mask then.

It looks good with the tribal-looking brigandine imo, it gives your illusions a +1 power level boost and it can cast Ryngrim's Rep. Visage for you 1/rest (automatically if you drop below 50% health).

While this combo looks a bit weird on most races it fits super well for a "Mataru" themed character (so any type of Huana Warrior) imo.

I don't know, dabateable. If you really like the weapon then bringing it to legendary makes sense. But I personally often don't even bring my favorite weapons up to superb and they usually work well enough. But if the rest of your party isn't very reliant on weapons and/or weapon quality (because they use mostly spells, have a weapon that comes superb or legandary or use soulbounds or summoned weapons) then I will def. bring my few favorites up to legendary (or even mythic).

I'm a dwarf guy  Will see how the mask goes with various equipment, and how it performs in combat. I picked up Helm of the Falcon on my way to steal the Willbreaker, guess I'm heading to The Gullet soon enough for the mask. Also gave myself Thaos' Headdress with the console, so that'll be a pretty good choice too. 

[Boeroer]

Helm of the Falcon looks real nice with Devil of Caroc's Breastplate imo. 

[Chaospread]

On 8/8/2025 at 8:03 PM, Zoda said:

Also a question on The Willbreaker's upgrades: is it worth spending the 4 Adra Bans on making it legendary? Iirc you couldn't get unlimited Adra Bans, and there are some special upgrade items to certain tiers (after the dragon fight I think there is one).

No, for legendary ALWAYS use other "ingredients", special ingredients you can find quite easily. Adra ban should be used only for special "three" enchants (or, if at all, for some special scrolls);  NEVER use adra ban for recipes you can do in alternative ways.

On 8/8/2025 at 10:59 PM, Boeroer said:

Helm of the Falcon looks real nice with Devil of Caroc's Breastplate imo. 

You are "spoilering" my next SOLO build with DoCB, HotF and Willbreaker (a Trascendent)  But, at the end I will gonna replace DoCB with the usual "Fleshmender" or eventually Gipon Prudensco for the first time  

[Zoda]

4 hours ago, Chaospread said:

No, for legendary ALWAYS use other "ingredients", special ingredients you can find quite easily. Adra ban should be used only for special "three" enchants (or, if at all, for some special scrolls);  NEVER use adra ban for recipes you can do in alternative ways.

You are "spoilering" my next SOLO build with DoCB, HotF and Willbreaker (a Trascendent)  But, at the end I will gonna replace DoCB with the usual "Fleshmender" or eventually Gipon Prudensco for the first time  

I'll probably drop DOCB, it's just super convenient early on a multiclass with the +2 power pool. I kinda would like to use Reckless Brigandine to engage a lot of enemies in cleaving stance  (with Hold the Line and Persistent distraction) then terrify them, but not sure if I'd like the recovery penalty yet. Maybe later on with armored grace and mob stance. Probably gonna make a trip soon to pick up Nalvi and Heart Defender Scales for Edér, will see when I get some more time to play

[Chaospread]

It's ok, take in mind I play solo, so I almost always use Abraham or Epsilon and light armors, but in your case Reckless Brigandine/Heart Defender Scales + Nalvi are good 

[Zoda]

I played up to lvl 16, and the build is working out nicely. Can tank a lot with Unbending and Mob Stance + disengagement hits keeps the watcher firmly in front of the party's damage scores (with a scout Maia with her dedicated support chanter). This is the point where I usually start to get bored of builds   especially that Devoted + Willbreaker pretty much limits what I can do.

So I want to try a new one obviously. Anyone has experience with a Streetfighter/Steel Garrote life drain tank? Can Steel Garrote actually stay ahead of Kind Wayfarer in selfheal? I used souldblade/kind wayfarer with Magran's Favor + Sun and Moon as the go to combo and it worked out very nicely, but if I can make it a bit better I will

I also considered Sun and Moon + Magran's Blessing combo on a Soulblade + [something] who could benefit from a shield + two weapon style while only spamming Soul Anihilation hits of Sun and Moon (2nd hit of the flail always generates focus). Not super proficient in setting up the AI of my characters, can I just set it so it spams Soul Anihilation instead of auto attack?