Charting My Next Deadfire Course ⚓️

[Lonlon]

Hey everyone!

I'm once again planning yet another Deadfire run, and as usual, I'm coming here to gather your always insightful advice

This time, I’d like to side with the Principi and include Serafen in the party.
I also want to experiment with a class I’ve barely touched before - like Ranger, for example.

 

Here’s the initial setup plan:
As always - PotD upscaled, RTwP, Community Patch.

Party composition

Eder (Tank): Swashbuckler - probably modded Unbroken/Streetfighter, since I’ve always played him with no subclass. Not sure yet if that fits the team balance, but he’ll be the main tank.

Xoti (Support/Caster): Either full Priest or Monk/Priest. I’m hesitating because if Eder goes Streetfighter, having too many melee characters might make it tricky to trigger Flanked consistently.

Aloth (Caster/Support): Either pure Wizard or Battlemage - same concern as above regarding melee density.

Serafen (Melee/Support): Definitely Witch this time - probably 2handed with Willbreaker. I really want to give that a proper try.

 

For my Watcher

I’d like something that:

1. Fits well with this team composition (probably ranged or hybrid auto-attacker), and
2. Makes sense RP-wise for siding with the Principi.

I’ve been looking for a build that could mix melee and ranged versatility - maybe something like dual-wield pistol/melee, or even general weapon swapping flexibility (Blackjacket, maybe?).

I’m not necessarily after a broken or solo-tier build - just something fun, effective, not boring, and that fits both the party and the RP.

Initially, I thought about something like a Fighter/Ranger, but I’m afraid it might feel a bit too simple.
I usually play multiclass caster/melee hybrids with lots of options, so I worry a non-caster build could feel a bit flat - although I’ll admit my Devoted/Berserker run with Lord Darryn’s Voulge was a blast ️

 

A few things I’m looking for:

• I don’t necessarily want something that requires heavy micromanagement, but I’d like some versatility depending on the encounter (pet management, melee/ranged flexibility, weapon swapping, maybe a bit of spellcasting ?…).
• I’d love a gameplay style (and gear progression ?) that evolves noticeably as I level up, not one that feels identical from early to late game.
• Mostly ranged (and ideally Ranger) because I’ve played melee builds so many times, and I’ve never done a proper Ranger run.
• Anything involving sword & gun or weapon switching has my heart

So yeah, I’d love to hear your enlightened ideas to help me shape this run!
Thanks in advance, and cheers as always!

Edited Tuesday at 10:58 PM by Lonlon

[Okkes]

Ranger/Beguiler with Veilpiercer is what will gonna satisfy you. Backup weapons: You can start with Kitchen Stove thunderous report. Essence intrupter as second weapon very good. 

[Boeroer]

The Principi choice and what I sense about the "vibes" of this character seem to cry for one handed Scordeo's Trophy and one handed Scordeo's Edge.

Could also do both in a dual wielding setup but:

- both weapons' special enchantments profit from going one handed

- it's likely a weapon style you've never tried before

- pistols are usually better one handed + modal compared to dual wielding (except with full attacks)

- very piratey vibes imo. You need one free hand to swing on ropes and stuff like that.

Scordeo's Trophy can add stacks of either pure melee only recovery buffs (bigger effect per stack) or half of that as universal recovery buff. I personally would go with universal. It profits the shooting/reloading, too as well as the casting.

Scordeo's Trophy has Blade Cascade obviously (skip recovery for 5 secs base). As well as the fantastic "Adaptive" (up to +20 universal accuracy, stacks with everything).

As a Ranger you can get Gunner and Driving Flight, which in combination with Scordeo's Trophy and the modal (-50% reloading time) allows to build up universal recovery stacks pretty quickly from range, then use that for fast casting or going into melee with fast recovery already, allowing to proc Blade Cascade and Adaptive quickly, granting 0 recovery speed and high accuracy which in turn can again be used for casting.

One handed is (in this case) a nice thing because you will attack with the weapon that procs the desired effect more often, build up the stacks more quickly.

It is a little drawback for wounding shots and other full attacks, I think it's worth it.

As second class I would use a Cipher. The Ciphers has several spells with fast casting time but normal or long recovery. Those profit a lot from reduced or even removed  universal recovery time.

The best choice would be Ascendant, because once ascended with little or no recovery you can spam a truckload of those fast cast spells with high accuracy.

Ranger/Ciphers has the highest potential accuracy to begin with. Adding "Adaptive" (and one handed use in melee) leads to extreme accuracy. This also counters the main problem (for me) with Ciphers: they usually drop the ball a bit in boss fights because they cannot generate enough focus due to higher defenses/AR of the enemies. Very high accuracy can prevent that problem.

Beguiler would also be good imo.

Alternative would be Black Jacket to skip switching recovery entirely. But - as you said - for me personally that would be too boring of a playstyle for my MC. It limits the options to shooting and slashing which is fine for a companion imo but gets a bit repetitive for my main character. I'm willing to have a bit switching recovery but get spells and potentially limitless resources (focus) in return.

For the Ranger subclass I think Ghost Heart (doesn't clash with summons because Cipher has none and is good for a very mobile playstyle). It's pretty cool to use Evasive Roll to go into melee distance, drop the animal companion right behind the target and get instant flanking and the accuracy bonus from Stalker's Link.

With other subclasses the animal companion has to run across the battle field a lot in order to attack/flank enemies for you - and that usually takes longer than summoning it or is sometimes impossible. 

There's plenty of nice pistols and sabres on the way, so the feeling of (gear) progression should be there. Scordeo's Trophy can be picked up fairly early, Scordeo's Edge takes longer.

Thundercrack Pistol with high accuracy and speed is also excellent. You might be able to paralyze-lock single (or two) enemies with it. Eccea's Arcane Blaster for everything that has crazy AR (hello Steelclads and friends).

For armor I would maybe use Miscreant's Leathers (it just fits). Acina's Tricorn also fits theme and build beautifully imo, even Serafen's gifted hat (Fair Favor) works.

And that would be my approach I think. 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 08:01 AM by Boeroer

[Lonlon]

Thanks a lot for these suggestions! They really help me think through the setup.

Now a few more questions came to mind:

• If I go Ascendant as the second class, do you think I could afford to dump a bit of PER, considering how much accuracy both Ranger and Cipher can stack?
• Would having two Ciphers in the party (Serafen as Witch + my MC) feel a bit redundant?
• Should I run Aloth as pure Wizard or Battlemage to fit this composition better?
• Even though I understand why Ghost Heart is strong, I’m not a big fan of the ghost pet. I’d rather have a living animal companion, it fits my RP better. If I skip Ghost Heart, which Ranger subclass (and animal companion) would you recommend instead?
• And lastly, even though Ascendant seems really strong and fun, are there any other interesting multiclass options that could work well for this archetype? (Maybe Chanter, Priest or Paladin? mostly the “dark” or “questionably aligned” ones?)

Thanks again!! Yarrr

[Boeroer]

14 hours ago, Lonlon said:

If I go Ascendant as the second class, do you think I could afford to dump a bit of PER, considering how much accuracy both Ranger and Cipher can stack?

I would say so. But keep in mind that PER also influences your ability to detect traps and secrets and the official companions usually don't have very high PER either. 

Would

 having two Ciphers in the party (Serafen as Witch + my MC) feel a bit redundant?

Not to me, it depends on how you play them (which spell selection etc.) though. I for example would play Serafen mainly as a Will and Fortitude debuffer with Spirit Frenzy, Secret Horrors and morning star modal. The MC I would use for fast-cast powers and damage I think.

I run Aloth as SC Wizard most of times. I think it's the best option. 

Instead of Ghost Heart I would do vanilla Ranger then. Sharpshooter isn't good for this kind of playstyle (too slow) and Arcane Archer doesn't really fit thematically imo. Stalker is not good if you move around quickly and change from ranged to melee and back a lot.

Instead of Cipher you could certainly do Troubadour or maybe even better Bellower ("ARRR"). This would also be a good opportunity to use Sasha's Singing Scimitar. With Scordeo's Edge Skald is also a good option, even though you won't get anything special from the shooting first.

Most invocations have short casting time but longer recovery, which is great for shortened recovery effects.

Ranger/Skald is very good with Blightheart (soulbound arquebus). The Skald doesn't generate phrases from crits then (because ranged), but every kill (no matter how) grants +1 phrase with Blightheart - and Skald's offensive invocations are so cheap that it makes a big difference. 

With dual blunderbusses instead of a pistol there's the Streetfighter of course.

With Serafen's two mortars Monk is always a strong option. Stunning Surge + AoE + INT bonus is fantastic, paired with Driving Flight.

In both cases there's no casting though.

I don't really see a Paladin here. Thematically I mean. Principi and Paladins kind of clash in my head. Although Goldpact always works as long there's pay ofc. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lonlon]

5 hours ago, Boeroer said:

I would say so. But keep in mind that PER also influences your ability to detect traps and secrets and the official companions usually don't have very high PER either. 

Yes, maybe i'll stick with high PER. IIRC 20 PER is what you need to detect everything in the game, right?

On 10/22/2025 at 10:00 AM, Boeroer said:

The best choice would be Ascendant, because once ascended with little or no recovery you can spam a truckload of those fast cast spells with high accuracy.

I like the flavour of this combat pacing, ie. being a Ranger while not ascended, then turning into a Cipher on steroids once you are.
But the thing is, as an Ascendant (never played that subclass before), you basically have to chose between benefiting from giga Soulwhip while ascended by keeping up your attacks, or switching to spellcasting ?
Is it possible to extend the ascended state's duration ? (SoT, INT, ... ?)

On 10/22/2025 at 10:00 AM, Boeroer said:

Scordeo's Trophy has Blade Cascade obviously (skip recovery for 5 secs base). As well as the fantastic "Adaptive" (up to +20 universal accuracy, stacks with everything).

Adaptative reads "+2 ACC/stack for all weapons", is it known that this is actually universal and not weapon-only?

5 hours ago, Boeroer said:

Ranger/Skald is very good with Blightheart (soulbound arquebus). The Skald doesn't generate phrases from crits then (because ranged), but every kill (no matter how) grants +1 phrase with Blightheart - and Skald's offensive invocations are so cheap that it makes a big difference.

I read that Blightheart's AoE tick is considered an attack and therefore qualifies for proccing effects like Avenging Storm. But iirc that spell is only available for Tekehu SC... Are there any other synergies with this (aside scrolls of Avenging Storm)?

5 hours ago, Boeroer said:

I don't really see a Paladin here. Thematically I mean. Principi and Paladins kind of clash in my head. Although Goldpact always works as long there's pay ofc. 

What about Priest then ? I'm mostly looking at Skaen (and Itinerant feels right RP-wise), but i'm always a bit hesitant to multiclass a Priest (except maybe Contemplative...)

Lastly, I have a slightly off-topic question regarding Essence Interrupter, it is often mentioned as a great weapon but I can't quite figure out why. Is it mostly because it can fill the battlefield with summons?

Big thanks again for the detailed answers, much appreciated!

Edited 8 hours ago by Lonlon
Added a question about Ascendant gameplay

[Boeroer]

1 hour ago, Lonlon said:

you basically have to chose between benefiting from giga Soulwhip while ascended by keeping up your attacks, or switching to spellcasting ?

Imo the free spellcasting is better in general.

Yes, Ascension can be prolonged with Salvation of Time, Wall of Draining, INT, +x% to beneficial effects items, Ooblit and so on. 

1 hour ago, Lonlon said:

Adaptative reads "+2 ACC/stack for all weapons", is it known that this is actually universal and not weapon-only?

Good point. I actually don't remember because it has been so long I used the sabre. I suppose it only works for weapon attacks then. Didn't test it lately so I cannot be sure.

1 hour ago, Lonlon said:

I read that Blightheart's AoE tick is considered an attack and therefore qualifies for proccing effects like Avenging Storm. But iirc that spell is only available for Tekehu SC... Are there any other synergies with this (aside scrolls of Avenging Storm)?

The synergy with Skald is that it grants +1 phrase point for each kill (not only with the weapon, with any kill, for example via invocation, too) and that Skald's offensive invocations often only cost 2 phrase points. It allows the Skald to spam cheap invocations more often despite not being in melee (doing melee crits). Besides that there is not much (except of course its healing proc etc. occurs more often bc. of Driving Flight). 

1 hour ago, Lonlon said:

What about Priest then ? I'm mostly looking at Skaen (and Itinerant feels right RP-wise), but i'm always a bit hesitant to multiclass a Priest (except maybe Contemplative...)

I personally wouldn't multiclass Ranger and Priest. I don't see effective or entertaining synergies (except high accuracy for offensive spells). I like SC Priests best. 

1 hour ago, Lonlon said:

Lastly, I have a slightly off-topic question regarding Essence Interrupter, it is often mentioned as a great weapon but I can't quite figure out why. Is it mostly because it can fill the battlefield with summons?

Summons are one of the most impactful things in the game. Even if they don't deal any damage they are still a potent CC tool that requires no attack roll and usually last a long time.

Essence Interrupter lets you put summons on the field which don't count towards the summoning limit (you can have a proper summon and the ones from Essence Interrupter at the same time), cost no resources and no action time or recovery. Just summons "on the fly" on top of the positive effect to have removed an enemy permanently. 

It has two damage types (shock and pierce) which are different from other bows,which is always nice. Especially good against certain high AR constructs like Steelclads which have low shock DR.

It has a shocking or burning lash which grows with Metaphysics -lashes are multiplicative damage bonuses.

Its attacks count as elemental attacks so it can be used by the Arcane Archer with no drawback (no acc penalty).

And it comes exceptional which is very good that early in the game.

Hunting bows in general are good because of their modal combined with their inherent +5 accuracy. With Rapid Shots you get -50% recovery time for overall "only" -10 accuracy. -50% recovery is huge.

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Boeroer