Character creation is a major element in any RPG. This is, after all, what determines the role you will be playing. In Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire character creation is fairly complex and satisfyingly in-depth, allowing you to change a wide range of details and characteristics regarding your Watcher.
The character creation process is largely unchanged from the previous game, but additional elements have been added and the presentation is somewhat different. For new players, there is a whole lot of descriptive text to take in, with accounts of the various species, sub-species, subtypes, cultures, professions, classes and subclasses. While your character’s personality will be shaped by your actions in the game the groundwork for this, and the character’s background, is determined in the character creation phase.
The first things you’ll determine are sex and race. The race selection is the same as it was in Pillars of Eternity, with options being Human, Aumaua, Orlan, Dwarf, Elf and Godlike. Each race has sub-race selections, such as the choice between Coastal and Island Aumaua, Wood or Pale Elf and so on. The most options are present of the Godlike race, as they have four subraces in addition to being able to be the Godlike variant of any other race.
After you selected these options, you will move on to class selection. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire introduced multiclassing, allowing you to pick a mixture of 2 classes. All possible class combinations have their own names, such as the mix of a Barbarian and Cipher would be called Witch. Additionally, all classes have subclasses which alter the specialization of that class. Rogues, for example, can be Assassins, Tricksters or Streetfighters. When multiclassing, you still select a subclass for both classes.
After this, you can distribute points into your abilities and attributes. These are Might, Constitution, Dexterity, Perception, Intellect and Resolve. The game helpfully marks which stats are most important for your chosen class(es). Keep in mind that these highlighted attributes are only combat-relevant, and that other attributes may be checked during conversations or scripted events.
Next, you select your character’s background - their culture and professional past. Culture determines from which part of Eora you hail. Thankfully Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire acknowledges that immigration and emigration are things that happen, so your selection of race and sub-race do not restrict your choices. Your choice of culture affects your stats, and will also have storyline significance in opening up conversation options otherwise locked. Background similarly unlocks conversation options, and futher affects your various stats.
After you’ve chosen your character’s background, you can select their weapon proficiencies. This determines with what weapons you start the game, as well as giving special abilities when wielding those weapon types. This is a departure from how Pillars of Eternity handled weapon specialization, and this method offers more freedom to the player. Later, as you level up, you can add further proficiencies, so you don’t need to stress over this too much.
Finally, we arrive at visual customization. You can pick from a wide range of character portraits. These cover all race and sex combinations, and your selected race and sex don’t restrict portrait selection. Your character can be a female Orlan fire Godlike, and your portrait may be a male island Aumaua (not that I see the point in this). Various physical traits, like hair style and color, face, and skin tone can be changes, alongside voice and name.
One welcome new addition is the chance to alter your character’s default pose. Picking from options like Stoic, Heroic, Sullen, Roguish and more, this will add greater variety to the world so that not every character stands in an identical, generic manner. These poses are also peppered around NPCs for the same effect.
When you’ve set everything up, you’re greeted by a summary screen collecting all relevant information, allowing you to review your selections and jump back to make any last minute tweaks. You’re now ready for your journey in the Deadfire Archipelago!
If you want to find out more about Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, check out our review.
