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Perception (PER, Attribute Perception) is one of the primary attributes in Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.

Overview[ | ]

Perception represents a character's senses as well as their instinctive ability to pick up on details. In interactions, it can be used to catch someone in a lie, to make an observant comment about their appearance, or to notice something happening in the background. In combat, it contributes to the accuracy, Reflex defenses and grants a bonus to Interrupt.

  • Ratings:
    • 5 - Oblivious
    • 10 - Average
    • 15 - Observant
    • 20 - Eagle-Eyed

Effects[ | ]

Bonuses
Reflex Interrupt Accuracy
2 -16 -24 -8
3 -14 -21 -7
4 -12 -18 -6
5 -10 -15 -5
6 -8 -12 -4
7 -6 -9 -3
8 -4 -6 -2
9 -2 -3 -1
10 no change
11 +2 +3 +1
12 +4 +6 +2
13 +6 +9 +3
14 +8 +12 +4
15 +10 +15 +5
16 +12 +18 +6
17 +14 +21 +7
18 +16 +24 +8
19 +18 +27 +9
20 +20 +30 +10
21 +22 +33 +11
22 +24 +36 +12
23 +26 +39 +13
24 +28 +42 +14
25 +30 +45 +15
... ... ... ...

Combat[ | ]

Per point of Perception above/below 10, a character gains:

See Combat for more explanation on how bonuses are calculated and applied.

Dialog and scripted interactions[ | ]

In conversations, the protagonist's perception is commonly checked for noticing a lie or other relevant detail about the dialog partner.

In scripted interactions, any party member's perception may be checked to notice hidden objects or minor details that would otherwise be missed.

See Uses of Perception in interactions for a detailed list.

Detection[ | ]

In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Perception is used to detect hidden objects. This was changed from Pillars of Eternity, where detection was based on the character's Mechanics skill. The higher a party member's Perception, the larger the distance in which they will detect traps and hidden objects, like stashes, switches or items.

Objects that are more difficult to detect require the character to be closer to them in order to be detected, though if the character's Perception is less than the object's difficulty level, it will not be able to be detected at all.

Unlike in Pillars of Eternity, characters do not get a debuff to the detection skill by not being in scouting mode.

The range at which a hidden object is detected is calculated using the lowest value of 12 (maximum detection range), the current line-of-sight distance (a dynamic value which determines the fog clear radius) and a calculated value using:

(perception + 1) - difficulty

Given the above, if the detectable object's difficulty is greater than the character's Perception, the detectable range for the object will be <= 0, and therefore the object will be unable to be detected by that character. Note that an object must be within a character's line of sight in order to be detected.

Allocation[ | ]

A player character's Perception score is allocated during character creation, and does not progress with levels. By default you may put between 3 and 18 points in it, but the character's race and culture can modify those limits - for example for an Orlan from The White that Wends, it would be between 6 and 21:

Racial bonuses:
Elf +1
Orlan +2
Cultural bonuses:
The White that Wends +1

Buffs in Pillars of Eternity[ | ]

There are various ways to (temporarily) increase a character's Perception beyond their base score. These buffs are not restricted to the upper limit that is imposed during character creation - so a temporary score of 30 or more is not impossible.

Passive abilities/talents[ | ]

unlimited – permanently active once learned

Type Ability PER modifier
Quest reward talent Hylea's Boon +1
Quest reward talent Song of the Heavens +1
Rewarded talent Effigy's Resentment +1

Weapons[ | ]

unlimited – bonus while equipped

Weapon type Name PER modifier
Hunting bowPrey Maker Pillars of Eternity+1

Equipment[ | ]

one – bonus while equipped

Slot Item PER modifier
HeadIverra's Diving Helmet The White March - Part II-1
HeadFootpad's Hood Pillars of Eternity+1
NeckGlanfathan Adraswen Pillars of Eternity+1
HeadLiripipe of Thinking Pillars of Eternity+1
HandsSpiderfingers Pillars of Eternity+1
HeadThe Pilgrim's Lasting Vigil Pillars of Eternity+1
ArmorElryn's Jacket The White March - Part II+2
ArmorHusk of the Great Western Stag Pillars of Eternity+2
ArmorScales of the Raven Pillars of Eternity+2
HeadHelmet of Darksee Pillars of Eternity+2
NeckRuphec's Watchful Cloak MKII The White March - Part I+2
NeckThe Core Pillars of Eternity+2
NeckTorc of the Falcon's Eyes Pillars of Eternity+2
NeckLilith's Shawl Pillars of Eternity+3
NeckMantle of the Excavator The White March - Part II+4
Armor Of Perception 1 Enchantment +1
Armor Of Perception 2 Enchantment +2

Resting bonuses[ | ]

one

Location Inn Room PER modifier Lasts for
Gilded Vale Blackhound Inn Laborers Rest +1 2 rests
Copperlane Fox and Goose Merchant's Stay +1 2 rests
Brackenbury Charred Barrel Criminal's Getaway +2 2 rests
Ondra's Gift Salty Mast Broad Beam +1 2 rests
Caed Nua Brighthollow Tower +3 3 rests

Prostitute boons[ | ]

one – for the protagonist only

Location Brothel Prostitute PER modifier Lasts for
Ondra's Gift Salty Mast Aldwyn +2 1 rest
Ondra's Gift Salty Mast Orico +1 1 rest

Modal or active buffs[ | ]

onewhich includes:

Active abilities/spells

– temporary bonus when used

Type Ability PER modifier Duration Affected characters
Spell Crown of the Faithful +6 30 sec 1.25m Radius

Consumable items

– temporary bonus when used

Type Item PER modifier Duration
Food Chocolate Biscuit +1 150 sec
Food Darkest Rauatai Cookies +1 150 sec
Food Ixamitl Ricepan +1 150 sec
Food Savory Pie +1 150 sec
Food Speckleback Jerky +1 200 sec
Food Stew +1 150 sec
Food Vegetable +1 150 sec
Food Vegetable Dish +1 150 sec
Food Stalwart Rabbit Stew +2 150 sec
Drug Blacsonn +3 600 sec
Drug Snowcap −2 600 sec
Drug Svef −2 600 sec

Buffs in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire[ | ]

Most perception buffs are applied via one of the three Perception Inspirations; Insightful, Aware, and Intuitive. Stacking rules apply depending on whether the effect is passive or active. Generally, all passives stack - but actives do not and will instead use the highest bonus. In the case of inspirations, a Tier 1 inspiration will always be superseded by a Tier 2 one of the same type, and so on.

Passive effects[ | ]

unlimited – obtained during gameplay

Name PER modifier Duration
Alchemic Guile +2 Until rest
Berath's Blessing - Champion Stats +2 Permanent
Cauldron Brew +1 Permanent
Effigy's Resentment: Sagani +1 Permanent
Fortune: Intuition +1 Until rest
Galawain's Blessing +2 Until rest
Savage Cunning +1 Permanent

Abilities/spells[ | ]

one – temporary bonus when used, mostly combat only

Type Ability PER modifier Duration Affected characters
5th Level Chanter Invocation
7th Level Chanter Invocation
The Bride Caught their Ruse and Set to Make them Pay
Set to Their Purpose, They All Knew Their Part
+5 (Insightful) 30.0 sec Allies AoE + Self
1st Level Cipher Spell Valorous Echoes +5 (Insightful) 20.0 sec Allied Target
4th Level Cipher Spell Wild Leech +5 (Insightful)* 45.0 sec Self (Random Effect)
5th Level Cipher Spell Tactical Meld +5 (Aware) 30.0 sec Allied Target + Self
1st Level Fighter Ability
3rd Level Fighter Ability
3rd Level Fighter Ability
Disciplined Barrage
Tactical Barrage
Disciplined Strikes
+5 (Aware/Intuitive) 15.0 sec Self
8th Level Fighter Ability Inspired Discipline +5 (Insightful) 30.0 sec Self
1st Level Priest Spell Blessing +5 (Insightful) 20.0 sec Friendly AoE
3rd Level Priest Spell Dire Blessing +5 (Aware) 30.0 sec Friendly AoE
7th Level Priest Spell Minor Avatar +5 (Insightful) 30.0 sec Self
8th Level Priest Spell Crowns for the Faithful +5 (Insightful) 30.0 sec Friendly AoE
8th Level Ranger Ability Bonded Fury +5 (Aware) 30.0 sec Animal Companion
1st Level Wizard Spell Conjure Familiar: Bird +3 60.0 sec Self
1st Level Wizard Spell Eldritch Aim +5 (Aware) 10.0 sec Self
7th Level Wizard Spell Berkana's Midnight Daydream [FS] +5 (Nimble)* 12.0 sec Allied Target (Random Effect)
Watcher-only Ability Mien of Death's Herald +5 (Insightful/Aware/Intuitive) 30.0 sec Self

Weapons[ | ]

unlimited – bonus only in combat, and either triggers under certain conditions or granted as a castable ability

Weapon type Name Enchantment PER modifier Condition Duration
Mace Magistrate's Cudgel Fair Trial +5 (Insightful) 1-in-6 chance upon being afflicted 15.0 sec
Rapier Squid's Grasp Certain Mutiny +5 (Intuitive) To self if any party members are Charmed or Dominated

Equipment[ | ]

unlimited – bonus only in combat, and either triggers under certain conditions or granted as a castable ability

Type Item Enchantment PER modifier Condition Duration
Amulet Cog of Cohh Sight of the Coalition +5 (Aware) Whenever an ally scores a killing blow 8.0 sec
Belt Least Unstable Coil [SSS] Empowered Being +5 (Intuitive) 1-in-6 chance after using an Empowered Spell or Ability 10.0 sec
Plate armor Blackened Plate Armor Contentment in Pain +5 (Insightful)* When the wearer becomes Bloodied (25-50% Health), once per encounter 30.0 sec
Ring Ring of Clenched Muscle [FS] Test Subject +5 (Insightful) 10% chance to trigger random tier 1 Inspiration on being hit. 1-in-6 chance for it to be Insightful. 10.0 sec

unlimited – bonus while equipped

Type Item Enchantment PER modifier
Amulet Protective Eothasian Charm Darkest Before Dawn +1
Amulet Torc of the Falcon's Eyes Of Perception +2 +2
Cloak Ajamuut's Stalking Cloak Tracker +1
Hat Blackblade's Hood Hawk-eye +1
Hat Cowl of the Piercing Gaze Woedica's Wisdom +1
Helm Blackened Plate Helm Pallid Countenance +1
Helm Horns of The Bleak Mother Beast's Cunning +1
Helm The Maw of Ingimyrk [SSS] Keen Senses +2
Helm Serpent Crown Royal Plumage +1
Ring Chameleon's Touch Versatile +1 (as Cipher/Ranger)
Ring Kuaru's Prize Jewel of Clarity +1

Pets[ | ]

unlimited – bonus while equipped to either self or party

Pet Target PER modifier
Atlas Self +1
Ginger Demon Self +1
Gosha Self +1
Jules Self +1
Ludde Self +1
Nebula Party (in AoE) +5 (Insightful) 1-in-6 chance for 10.0 sec every 12 seconds
Onyx Self +1
Sheba Self +1
Toby Self +1

Resting bonuses[ | ]

one - until next rest

Location Room Cost PER modifier
Dunnage, The King's Coffin Captain's Cabin Copper pires (cp)800 +3

Prostitute boons[ | ]

one – for the protagonist only, lasts until next rest.

Location Prostitute PER modifier
Queen's Berth, The Wild Mare Aenalys +2
Queen's Berth, The Wild Mare Konstanten +1
Dunnage, The King's Coffin Cabin Boy +1

Consumable items[ | ]

one – for the user until next rest

Type Item PER modifier
Food Candied Nuts +2
Food Murkberries +2
Food Seafood Stew +1
Food Vegetables +1
Drink Murkbrew +2

unlimited – for the user for a duration (sometimes only in combat)

Type Item PER modifier Duration Combat only
Drug Ripple Sponge +3 180 sec
Drug Svef +3 180 sec
Potion Nature's Bounty +2 30 sec
Potion Potion of Mental Prowess +2 45 sec Yes
Potion Vial of Starlight [DMT] +5 10 sec Yes
Scroll Deck of Endless Possibilities [DMT] +5 (Insightful)* 30 sec Yes
Scroll Scroll of Blessing +5 (Insightful) 20 sec Yes

Class[ | ]

unlimited – permanently to the character, sometimes under a condition

Type Name PER modifier Condition
Subclass Wild Mind +5 (Intuitive) Small chance on casting ability

Debuffs in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire[ | ]

Most perception debuffs are applied via one of the three Perception Afflictions; Distracted, Disoriented, and Blinded. Stacking rules apply depending on whether the effect is passive or active. Generally, all passives stack - but actives do not and will instead use the highest penalty. In the case of afflictions, a Tier 1 affliction will always be superseded by a Tier 2 one of the same type, and so on.

Abilities/spells[ | ]

one – temporary penality when used, mostly combat only

Type Ability PER modifier Duration Affected characters
1st Level Cipher Spell Eyestrike -5 (Blinded) 12.0 sec Foe Target + Foe AoE
1st Level Druid Spell

1st Level Priest(Eothas) Spell

Sunbeam -5 (Blinded) 8.0 sec AoE
1st Level Wizard Spell

3rd Level Druid(Watershaper) Spell

Chill Fog -5 (Blinded) 15.0 sec AoE

Foe AoE

2nd Level Wizard Spell Miasma of Dull-Mindedness -10 20.0 sec AoE
2nd Level Rogue Ability

3rd Level Rogue Ability

Blinding Strike

Confounding Blind/Gouging Strike

-5 (Blinded) 15.0 sec Target
3rd Level Rogue Ability Debilitating Strike -5 (Distracted) 15.0 sec Target
3rd Level Fighter Ability Mule Kick -5 (Disoriented) 8.0 sec Target
3rd Level Paladin Ability

5th Level Paladin Ability

Glorious Beacon

Enduring Beacon/Inspired Beacon

-5 (Blinded) 8.0 sec Foe AoE
4th Level Cipher Spell Wild Leech -5 (Distracted) - Target (Random Effect)
4th Level Rogue Passive Ability Persistent Distraction -5 (Distracted) - Attackers
5th Level Cipher Spell Borrowed Instinct -8 20.0 sec Foe Target
5th Level Priest Spell Searing Seal -5 (Blinded) 15.0 sec Hazard AoE
5th Level Rogue Ability

7th Level Rogue Ability

Smoke Cloud

Smoke Grenade

-5 (Distracted) 12.0 sec AoE
7th Level Rogue Ability Pernicious Cloud -5 (Distracted) 18.0 sec AoE
7th Level Cipher Spell Screaming Souls -5 (Distracted) 18.0 sec AoE
8th Level Priest(Magran) Spell Symbol of Magran -5 (Blinded) 4.0 sec Foe AoE
9th Level Priest Spell Revenge of Skaen -5 (Blinded) 6.0 sec AoE
9th Level Priest Spell Blessing of Wael -5 (Blinded) 8.0 sec Attackers

Class[ | ]

unlimited – permanently to the character, sometimes under a condition

Type Name PER modifier Condition
Subclass Wild Mind -5 (Blinded) Small chance on casting ability
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