Mastering Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Builds – Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an epic role-playing game that offers deep customization and a variety of playstyles to suit every type of gamer. One of the most exciting aspects of the game is the ability to create and optimize character builds tailored to your preferred gameplay style. Whether you’re diving into the story for the first time or seeking to dominate on Path of the Damned difficulty, this guide will help you master some of the best builds available in the game.
Understanding the Basics of Builds
Before we dive into specific builds, it’s important to understand the components that make up a successful character in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
Key Attributes:
- Might: Boosts your damage and healing output.
- Constitution: Determines your health and endurance.
- Dexterity: Increases action speed and attack speed.
- Perception: Improves accuracy and the likelihood of critical hits.
- Intellect: Extends the duration and area of effect of abilities.
- Resolve: Enhances concentration and deflection.
Class Selection
The choice of class determines your character’s playstyle, abilities, and effectiveness in combat. Deadfire allows you to choose a single class or a multiclass option, offering extensive flexibility. Single-class characters gain access to the most powerful abilities at higher levels, while multiclass characters trade off ultimate abilities for greater versatility.
Party Composition
While this guide focuses on individual builds, it’s essential to consider the synergy between your character and the rest of your party. A well-rounded party with complementary roles—such as tank, damage dealer, support, and crowd control—can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.
Best Builds for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
1. The Unstoppable Tank: “The Indomitable Defender”
- Class: Fighter (Single-Class)
- Race: Mountain Dwarf or Human
- Attributes: High Constitution, Resolve, and Perception
- Weapons: Sword and Shield or Dual-Wielding Axes
- Armor: Heavy Armor (e.g., Plate Armor)
Key Abilities:
- Disciplined Barrage: Boosts accuracy for consistent hits.
- Vigorous Defense: Greatly increases defenses temporarily.
- Tactical Barrage: Enhances accuracy and interrupts enemies.
- Unbending: Restores health when taking damage.
Playstyle:
“The Indomitable Defender” excels at drawing enemy attention and absorbing damage. Use taunts and defensive stances to protect your party while maintaining high endurance. Equip abilities that restore health and maintain control over the battlefield.
2. The Devastating Damage Dealer: “The Arcane Sniper”
- Class: Wizard/Rogue (Multiclass)
- Race: Elf
- Attributes: High Perception, Might, and Dexterity
- Weapons: Bow or Firearms (Blunderbuss or Pistol)
- Armor: Light Armor
Key Abilities:
- Crippling Strike (Rogue): Debilitates enemies while dealing high damage.
- Arcane Assault (Wizard): A ranged AoE attack.
- Penetrating Shot (Rogue): Increases weapon penetration.
- Essential Phantom (Wizard): Creates a duplicate to confuse and damage enemies.
Playstyle:
This build focuses on dealing massive damage from a distance using a combination of rogue precision and wizard spells. Use crowd control abilities to keep enemies at bay while delivering devastating attacks. Positioning is key to maximizing your effectiveness.
3. The Unyielding Healer: “The Beacon of Light”
- Class: Priest (Single-Class)
- Race: Aumaua or Godlike (Nature)
- Attributes: High Intellect, Resolve, and Perception
- Weapons: Scepter or Rod
- Armor: Medium Armor
Key Abilities:
- Holy Radiance: Heals allies and damages enemies.
- Blessing: Boosts party accuracy and damage.
- Prayer for the Spirit: Grants immunity to afflictions.
- Revive the Fallen: Brings unconscious allies back into the fight.
Playstyle:
“The Beacon of Light” is an essential support character for any party. Focus on healing, buffing, and keeping your team alive. Use area-of-effect spells strategically to maximize their impact during battle.
4. The Versatile All-Rounder: “The Shadowblade”
- Class: Cipher/Rogue (Multiclass)
- Race: Godlike (Death) or Elf
- Attributes: High Perception, Dexterity, and Might
- Weapons: Dual Daggers or a Sabre
- Armor: Light Armor
Key Abilities:
- Soul Whip (Cipher): Enhances weapon damage by converting focus.
- Sneak Attack (Rogue): Deals bonus damage to distracted enemies.
- Psychic Backlash (Cipher): Stuns attackers.
- Sap (Rogue): Drains enemy health while disabling them.
Playstyle:
The Shadowblade thrives on versatility. It can switch between melee combat, crowd control, and dealing psychic damage. Target high-priority enemies with debilitating attacks and exploit their weaknesses for massive damage.
5. The Battlefield Commander: “The Strategist”
- Class: Paladin/Chanter (Multiclass)
- Race: Human or Aumaua
- Attributes: High Resolve, Intellect, and Perception
- Weapons: Sword and Shield or Greatsword
- Armor: Heavy Armor
Key Abilities:
- Flames of Devotion (Paladin): Powerful single-target attack with bonus damage.
- Come, Come Soft Winds of Death (Chanter): AoE damage-over-time chant.
- Rallying Cry (Paladin): Heals and inspires nearby allies.
- Dragon’s Thrashed, the Dragon’s Wailed (Chanter): Deals AoE damage to enemies.
Playstyle:
“The Strategist” shines as a battlefield leader who can inspire allies and debilitate enemies. Use chants to provide ongoing buffs or damage over time while delivering consistent melee damage. This build excels in maintaining party morale and turning the tide of battle.
6. The Elemental Fury: “The Stormcaller”
- Class: Druid (Single-Class)
- Race: Orlan or Elf
- Attributes: High Intellect, Might, and Perception
- Weapons: Staff or Wand
- Armor: Light Armor
Key Abilities:
- Tornado: Massive AoE damage.
- Sunbeam: Blinds and damages enemies.
- Fire Stag: Summons a fiery ally.
- Form of the Delemgan: Boosts defenses and grants regeneration.
Playstyle:
This build harnesses the power of nature to control and devastate the battlefield. Use AoE spells to damage groups of enemies and summon allies to aid your party. Position your druid strategically to maximize the effectiveness of spells while staying out of harm’s way.
Tips for Optimizing Builds
1. Balance Your Party
Each build is powerful on its own, but success often comes from a well-balanced party. Ensure your team includes at least one tank, one healer, one damage dealer, and one crowd controller.
2. Prioritize Gear
Equip your characters with gear that complements their attributes and abilities. Look for weapons and armor with enchantments that enhance your build’s strengths.
3. Experiment with Multiclassing
Don’t be afraid to experiment with multiclass combinations to create unique playstyles. Keep in mind that multiclass characters sacrifice access to high-level abilities, so plan accordingly.
4. Adapt to Challenges
Adjust your strategy and abilities based on the enemies you face. Some encounters may require more crowd control, while others demand burst damage or healing.
5. Embrace Rest and Buffs
Use inns and resting supplies to restore your party and apply buffs. Starting combat with prepared spells and abilities can make a significant difference.
Conclusion
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire offers endless possibilities for crafting unique and effective character builds. Whether you prefer to dominate the battlefield as a tank, rain destruction as a damage dealer, or support your allies as a healer, the best builds are the ones that align with your playstyle and party composition. Experiment, adapt, and most importantly, have fun exploring the vast world of Eora!
