Covering all the basics for New Players to get started. Enjoy..
 
 

Intro

Welcome..
 
 

 
“PoE 2: Deadfire” is out for years (way above 300 hours myself), but it seems here at Steam most just bother with specific builds.
 
 
So, this Guide is for new players (..or those interested to start a second Playthrough), but not sure about the details and looking for some input to optimize the experience ^^
 
 
 

Combat (RTwP, TB)

Real-Time-with-Pause

 
The standard Mode. Pillars 2 is tailored around this mode..
 
You play in Realtime and Pause (default: SPACE) whenever you want to micro-manage Abilities/Casts
 
note: You can tweak AI-scripts to automize most combat up to 99% ;D
 
 

Turn-Based

 
Introduced later, this mode has some advantages, but also many drawbacks.
 
Personally, I´d suggest against it.. fights feel drawn out.
 
 
 

Difficulty

 
Modifiers:
 
Berath´s Blessing – optional use of Achievement-points from former Playthroughs
 
Trial of Iron – only 1 Savegame (!)
 
Expert Mode – “helper” features disabled
 
*Scaling: influences ALL encounters
 
 
 

Char Creation 1 (Race,Culture,Background)

General procedure is this:
 
 

Start NewGame ..choose Difficulty/Modifiers ..create Char (Race,Class,Stats, Culture,Background) .. name your "Watcher" and the game starts..

Race (+Subrace)

Culture

Background

Char Creation 2 (Class,Subclass,Stats)

Class (+Subclass)

 
..some classes (eg: Druid,Paladin,..) require a subclass
 
 

* = my Rating
 
 

Stats

+2 Fortitude

+2 Reflex

+2 Will

Berath´s Blessing (new game +)

..available AFTER getting Achievement points in former Playthroughs..
 
 
Aside from many options regarding your Backstory (related to PoE 1), you can enable a second Pet SLOT (Party Buff). This can be a huge advantage ^^
 
 
 

Party Setup

In PoE 2 you have 5 Slots for your Party. That means you bring your Hero + up to 4 helpers..
 
It´s smart to mix a bit because you need some melee fighters and some debuffers/supporters.
 
Singleclass vs Multiclass is a longterm decision that impacts the game quite a bit.. Single (one class) grows strong “faster” and can reach the highest (T8/9) Abilities/Spells, while Multi takes longer and cannot get T8/9 ..but allows more passive skills and is very strong Endgame.
 
 

 
 

Melee

• Single-Target
   
   
   
  #1 option – Rogue
   
   
   
  Sadly, Backstab Assassin is very tricky in Party and not worth it.. most times you will not get the bonus except on first hit. Much better results, if played SOLO (micro-managing included).
• AoE
   
   
   
  Strongest AoE besides Endgame-Wizards is Offensive Tanks (like 2H Brute) and tanky DPS like DW Swashbuckler/Psyblade/Mindstalker..
   
   
   
  Druids allow good Melee builds via Shapeshifting, but you need some Gear to get that running.

Ranged

• #1 option – Ranger:
   
   
   
  Best Ranger is Maia (Companion).. by a mile (thanks to her unique Subclass + Pet)
   
   
   
  -> Ishiza fully specced is basically your 6th party-member ːDː
   
   
   
  “Custom” Ranger can be good, ..but for the most part it´s just OK, not superb. Maia = Best
   
   
   
  Before you get her, use Serafen (2x Pistol or Melee Barbarian) for Earlygame

Spellcaster (ranged + melee)

 
Magic users like Wizard/Priest/Druid are typically “ranged” (spell description shows the respective range), but many casts are Buffs/Selfbuffs and allow them to be solid Melee-fighters or mid-range supporters.. especially with powerful summoned weapons
 
 

Party-related thoughts:

• #Rule of Thumb: 3x Melee + 2x CC/Support/Ranged
   
   
   
  Important: ..focus one Rogue on Mechanics to break Locks.. and spec another Char for SlightOfHand to steal/pickpocket.. (otherwise money becomes a problem)
• Multiclass needs Lvl 10-13 to feel good. That means Multiclass-Party takes longer to get strong, but it´s worth it Mid/Endgame.
   
   
   
  -> I would always suggest a Chanter + Cipher + 1-2 Wizards for Debuff/Sustain.
• Druid-healing helps a lot Midgame, but once Chanter is Lv.19+ and your Party 80% geared, you can play without
• Paladin is also great Early/Midgame, but not needed Lvl 13+

 
Some Hints:
 
– If you´re new, I suggest to use the Companions +Sidekicks, but make them Multiclass
 
– Lv.10+ you are mostly finished with Neketaka itself.. now you can start to gear up and start your career as a famous Pirate.. time to start plundering the seas ːD
 
– Lv.17+ you can think about replacing most Companions by Custom chars because at that point you got the hang of it and Companion-quests are mostly done.
 
– Tweaking AI-Scripts helps a lot
 
 
Story-heavy Party (Suggestions):
 
If you want to enjoy max Story and Dialogue.. while maintaining a solid Party I´d suggest:
 
Eder (Fighter/Rogue) +Aloth (Wizard/Rogue) +Pallegina (Paladin/Chanter) +Maia (Ranger/Rogue)
 
– Xoti (Priest/Monk) would be your Healer-Substitute for her Quests
 
– Serafen (Cipher/Barbarian) until you get Maia and for his Quests
 
– Fassina (Wizard/Chanter) is a decent choice Mid/Endgame ->Custom char is better
 
– Ydwin (Rogue/Cipher) starts glass-cannon, but once geared a monster like Mirke ːbrawlerː
 
– Mirke (Monk/Rogue) is very strong.. ->Custom char is slightly better
 
– Vatnir (Priest/Chanter) not needed outside BeastOfWinter (Endgame).. still better than Xoti
 
– the others are more or less optional, but still nice to have during Shipfights (->up to 6 Reserve-Slots ːDː)
 
 
 

Gear (Armor, Jewelry, Weapons…)

Gear example: Offensive Endgame Tank (2H)
 
 

 
 
..as you can see even with debuffed Stats in fight, barely taking damage and selfhealing, selfboosting.. (5-8 enemies = 10 seconds of mayhem)
 
 

Armor

 
..Recovery is usually important, don´t hamper yourself too much.. Light/Medium Armor is best^^
 
note: “Godlike” cannot wear helmets (head slot unusable)
 
 

Jewelry /Belt /Boots /Cape

 
Necklace and Rings can provide strong Bonuses.. equip fitting bonuses that help your char
 
Belts are perfect to rise +Con.. or get Resistances.. or Push/Pull Immunity
 
Boots increase Stride (Movespeed), or protect from Afflictions.. some increase Stats
 
Capes can increase your Deflection /other Resistances /increase CastSpeed /heal from Fire Dmg
 
 

Weapons

 
 

 
 
Ranged:
 

 
Melee – 1H:
 

 
Shields:
 

 
Melee – 2H:
 

 
note: Summoned Weapons use the respective Proficiency when equipped!!
 
 
 

LINKS

Companions: https://brightrockmedia.com/2020/01/14/pillars-of-eternity-2-best-classes-poe2/ – [brightrockmedia.com] 
 
Class: https://brightrockmedia.com/2020/01/14/pillars-of-eternity-2-best-classes-poe2/ – [brightrockmedia.com] 
 
Multiclass (Combo-names): https://pillarsofeternity2.wiki.fextralife.com/Multiclass – [fextralife.com] 
 
…
 
 

 
 
This is all about Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Quick Start for New Players Guide; I hope you enjoy reading the Guide! If you feel like we should add more information or we forget/mistake, please let us know via commenting below, and thanks! See you soon!