Introduction

Greetings, readers! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on How to Play the Game Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. This guide is designed to provide you with all the essential knowledge and tips to embark on your epic journey through the world of Eora. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the genre or a newcomer to the Pillars of Eternity series, this article will guide you through the game’s mechanics, combat system, character creation, and more.

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a moment to appreciate the captivating world of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. This sequel takes you on a grand naval adventure across the vast and treacherous Deadfire Archipelago. As the Watcher, you’ll command your own ship, explore uncharted islands, encounter diverse cultures, and unravel a complex tale of political intrigue and ancient prophecies. The game’s rich lore, immersive environments, and memorable characters will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

Embarking on Your Journey: Creating Your Character

One of the first steps in your Deadfire adventure is creating your character. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire offers a wide range of customization options, allowing you to tailor your hero to your unique playstyle.

Selecting Your Class

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire features six distinct classes, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and unique abilities. These classes include:

• Barbarian: A fierce melee combatant with high damage output and durability.
• Cipher: A versatile spellcaster who can manipulate minds and manipulate reality.
• Druid: A nature-connected class that summons beasts, controls elements, and heals allies.
• Fighter: A martial master skilled in close combat, wielding swords, axes, and other weapons.
• Monk: An unarmed combatant who combines martial arts, spiritual powers, and healing abilities.
• Paladin: A holy warrior who fights with conviction and heals the wounded.

Assigning Abilities and Background

Once you’ve selected your class, you’ll need to assign your character’s ability scores. These scores determine your character’s physical and mental attributes, such as strength, dexterity, intelligence, constitution, perception, and resolve. Your background also plays a significant role in shaping your character’s personality, skills, and starting equipment.

Exploring the World of Deadfire: The Basics

With your character created, it’s time to set sail and explore the Deadfire Archipelago. The game world is vast and diverse, filled with islands, towns, dungeons, and treacherous seas.

Sailing Your Ship

Your ship is your home away from home in Deadfire. You’ll use it to travel to different locations, encounter random events, and engage in naval combat. Upgrading your ship and hiring a crew can improve its speed, durability, and offensive capabilities.

Exploring Islands and Locations

As you sail across the Deadfire Archipelago, you’ll encounter numerous islands and locations. Each island offers unique environments, challenges, and characters to interact with. Explore ruins, towns, and dungeons to discover hidden treasures, solve puzzles, and progress the story.

Engaging in Combat: Turn-Based Strategy

Combat in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a turn-based tactical affair where positioning, abilities, and resources play crucial roles.

Positioning and Line of Sight

The battlefield is a grid where characters can move and attack each other. Positioning is vital, as certain abilities have limited range or penalties for attacking from the rear or flanks. Line of sight also plays a big part, as obstacles can block attacks and reduce visibility.

Abilities and Powers

Each class has its own unique set of abilities and powers. These abilities can be used to attack, heal, buff allies, or debuff enemies. Managing your cooldown timers, energy resources, and positioning is key to maximizing your combat effectiveness.

Building Your Party and Companions

Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter a cast of companions, each with their own unique skills, personalities, and backstories. These companions can join your party and fight alongside you.

Managing Your Party

Your party consists of up to six characters, including your protagonist. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s crucial to create a well-balanced group that can handle various combat situations. You can switch between characters during combat to utilize their abilities strategically.

Bonding with Companions

As you travel and quest together, you’ll build relationships with your companions. Completing their personal quests and engaging in conversations can deepen these bonds, unlocking new abilities and dialogue options.

Progression and Leveling Up

As you explore the Deadfire Archipelago and engage in combat, your character will gain experience and level up.

Leveling Up and Assigning Abilities

Leveling up grants you skill points and attribute points. You can use these points to enhance your character’s abilities, stats, and gain access to new skills. The choices you make during leveling will have a significant impact on your character’s playstyle and effectiveness.

Upgrading Your Gear

Throughout your journey, you’ll acquire various weapons, armor, and accessories. Equipping better gear can significantly boost your character’s stats and abilities. Enchantments can further enhance your gear, providing additional bonuses and effects.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Quick Reference Table

Conclusion

Readers, we hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with a solid foundation to start your journey in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. Embark on your adventure, explore the vast world of Eora, and let the game’s captivating story, immersive characters, and engaging combat system captivate you.

For further reading, be sure to check out our other articles on the Pillars of Eternity series, where you’ll find detailed guides, tips, and insights to enhance your gameplay experience. Set sail and embrace the adventure that awaits you in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire!

FAQ about Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

How do I start the game?

• Launch the game from your game library or desktop shortcut.
• Create a character or import an existing save.
• Choose your starting location and begin your adventure.

How do I move my character?

• Use the WASD keys or left-click on the desired destination.
• Hold down the Shift key to run.

How do I interact with objects and NPCs?

• Click or press "E" on interactable objects.
• Left-click on NPCs to talk to them, trade, or request information.

How do I manage my party and companions?

• Open the Character menu (default key: C).
• Select the "Party" tab to manage your active party members.
• Recruit companions by completing quests or meeting them in the world.

How do I combat and defeat enemies?

• Left-click on enemies to attack.
• Use special abilities and spells by selecting them from the action bar.
• Position your party members strategically to maximize their effectiveness.

How do I upgrade my character and equipment?

• Level up your character by gaining experience.
• Purchase or loot better equipment from vendors or enemies.
• Visit blacksmiths and merchants to enhance and craft items.

How do I solve puzzles and complete quests?

• Explore the environment and interact with objects.
• Talk to NPCs and gather information.
• Read books and scrolls for clues.
• Combine items and solve riddles.

How do I use the ship (if available)?

• Select the "Ship" option from the main menu.
• Explore the deck, manage your crew, and sail to different locations.
• Engage in naval combat and board enemy ships.

How do I save and load my progress?

• Press the "F5" key to save your game manually.
• The game also autosaves periodically.
• Load your progress from the main menu or by pressing "F9".

How do I change the difficulty level?

• Open the Options menu from the main menu.
• Select the "Gameplay" tab.
• Adjust the difficulty level to your preferred setting.