Priest

Priest
Portrait of Durance, a human priest.
Class
Resource(s)	Faith Spells
Roles	Support
Rec. attributes	Might Intellect Dexterity Resolve
Class ID	Priest
Icon

Priests are one of the playable classes in Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.

They are devoted followers of one or more deities, though almost all have a primary dedication to a single god above all others. They are capable in combat, but their true power comes from their prayers. These prayers form the common spells priests use in battle, ranging from healing magic and divine attacks to a variety of blessings and curses.

Description

Priests are devotees of Eora's deities and practitioners of religious magic. While all priests dedicate themselves to specific gods, priests' power is actually derived from their personal beliefs. In contrast to most paladins, priests tend to focus on philosophy, teaching, and the relationship of religious organizations with common folk. The reception of priests in any given part of the world depends largely on how their god is revered - or reviled - by the people who live there.

Background

In a world with many gods, there are many different types of priests. Though the majority of priests spend their time tending to worshipers or engaged in relatively peaceful pursuits, there are ranks of dedicated adventuring or mercenary priests who have turned the flame of their faith into a spark to ignite the power of their souls. Such men and women have found a divine link to their chosen deity, but their abilities stem solely from within.

Dedicated to spreading the news of their gods' dominions in the realms of mortals through their own deeds, adventuring priests thrust themselves into lethal conflict to prove their worth. Often trained to fight alongside soldiers of their respective churches, priests are capable in the fray (and near the fray, for those who follow less melee-oriented faiths), but their true power comes from their prayers, faith-inspired miracles that aid their allies and punish their enemies. These miracles range from combat blessings, weapon enchantments, and protective barriers to divine summons, sanctified wards, and crippling curses. In many ways, the prayers of priests have almost as much variety as wizards spells, though priests are restricted to invoking prayers that are aligned with their faith. Additionally, priests often specialize in the weapons, armor, and litanies of prayers most beloved by their church. Thus, the multitude of gods produces a multitude of different priests, each with their own unique array of abilities.

Priests are well-versed in philosophy, myths, and legends, giving them an inherent bonus to the Lore skill. Additionally, the requirements of their faith often involve traveling long distances in difficult circumstances, giving them an inherent bonus to Athletics.

Statistics

Game	Resources	Endurance	Health	Accuracy	Defenses				Skill bonuses
					DEF	FOR	REF	WIL
Pillars of Eternity	Faith Spells	36 + 12 per level	4x Endurance	20	15	20	20	20	+1 Athletics +2 Lore
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire		-	40 + 10 per level	20	20	20	20	25	+2 History +2 Religion +2 Arcana +2 Diplomacy +2 Alchemy

Abilities

Priests have few personal buffs, few single-target strike spells, some crowd control abilities, many AoE buffs and healing spells. They can use combo attacks with other priests and are the first class that is able to provide party wide healing.

List of abilities

• Priest spells (in Pillars of Eternity)
• Priest spells and passives (in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire)

Spells

Priests do not gain power directly from their deity, but from their belief in the deity and the tenets of their religion. Priests gather energy into their own souls and release it through the use of specific prayers. These prayers form the common spells priests use in battle, ranging from healing magic and divine attacks to a variety of blessings and curses. Relying on large area of effect bonuses mixed with small area offensive spells to direct combat from afar.

Priests gain access to all spells of a given level as soon as he/she is able to cast from that level, but their overall access is limited by their faith.

Compared to wizards, priests have access to a smaller number of spells overall but do not need to prepare those spells in a grimoire. And while priests do have offensive spells, they are smaller in area and generally weaker in power than similar effects available to wizards and druids.

Talents

Note: Pillars of Eternity only

• Interdiction – Condemns the priest's foes, Dazing any enemies in the area of effect.
• Empowered Interdiction – The priest's condemnations of an enemy become more apt, increasing the Accuracy of his or her Interdiction ability.
• Untroubled Faith – The priest's ability to inspire becomes more than just a sum of his or her actions, negating Reputations that negatively influence Holy Radiance.
• Painful Interdiction – Priests are able to channel their fury through Interdiction, adding a painful Weakening affliction to the attack.
• Brilliant Radiance – Enemies take Burn damage from the priest's Holy Radiance (vessels take increased Burn damage)
• Inspiring Radiance – Allies gain an Accuracy bonus from the priest's Holy Radiance.
• Aggrandizing Radiance – Allies gain less healing from the priest's Holy Radiance, but the priest gains a bonus to all Attributes and Movement.
• Bonus 1st Level Spell – Gain an extra spell cast of level 1 spells.
• Bonus 2nd Level Spell – Gain an extra spell cast of level 2 spells.
• Bonus 3rd Level Spell – Gain an extra spell cast of level 3 spells.
• Bonus 4th Level Spell – Gain an extra spell cast of level 4 spells.

The following talents are available only to priests of specific deities:

• (Berath): The Pallid Hand – Accuracy bonus with Mace and Great sword. Can cast special version of Concelhaut's Corrosive Siphon.
• (Eothas): Hope Eternal – Accuracy bonus with Flail and Morning star. Can cast healing spell that shortens Frightened and Terrified.
• (Magran): Inspired Flame – +10 Accuracy with Sword and Arquebus. Can cast a limited version of Burst of Summer Flame.
• (Skaen): Prey on the Weak – Accuracy bonus with Stiletto and Club. Adds Baby Sneak Attack.
• (Wael): Incomprehensible Revelation – Accuracy bonus with Quarterstaff and Rod. Can cast a weaker version of Arkemyr's Dazzling Lights.

Moreover, the choice of Deity affects which 8th level spells will be available to the priest.

Progression

In Pillars of Eternity

• At character creation, priests must select one deity, and automatically learn the ability Holy Radiance (the effects of which scale with their deity's favoured disposition - or with their level in the case of NPCs).
• A priest's selected deity grants them one unique talent that can be learned at any time (see below).
• As spellcasters, priests learn all spells at each new tier, but are limited to the amount of casts that can be made per rest at each tier (see the table below).
• At every odd level (1, 3, 5, etc.), the next tier of spells are unlocked.
• Spell Mastery allows the spellcaster to pick a single spell to switch to "per encounter" restoration. This occurs at level 9, 11, 13, and 15, for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th level (or lower) and spells respectively.
• As with other classes, priests learn one talent at every even level (2, 4, 6, etc.).

Character level	Ability level learned	Maximum casts by ability level / tier								Spell mastery
		1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th
1	1st	2
2		3
3	2nd	4	2
4		4	3
5	3rd	4	4	2
6		4	4	3
7	4th	4	4	4	2
8		4	4	4	3
9	5th	4	4	4	4	2				1st
10		4	4	4	4	3
11	6th	4	4	4	4	4	2			2nd
12		4	4	4	4	4	3
13	7th	4	4	4	4	4	4	2		3rd
14		4	4	4	4	4	4	3
15	8th	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	2	4th
16		4	4	4	4	4	4	4	3

In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

• At character creation, priests must pick a deity, select one 1st level spell (active only), and automatically learn the ability Holy Radiance. This does not change for multiclass characters. A priest's subclass automatically grants them one spell at every power level.
• As with other classes, priests pick 2 spells/abilities at every level where a new power level is unlocked excluding the first (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19), and one spell/ability at all other levels (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20). Ability points may be spent on active or passive abilities, and on any currently-unlocked power levels.
  • Multiclass characters pick 1 spell/ability from either the priest ability tree or the other class tree at all levels where a new power level isn't unlocked, and 1 spell/ability for both classes at all levels where a new power level is unlocked (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19).
• As spellcasters, priests are limited to the amount of spell casts that can be made per encounter at each tier, though this scales with their level (see the table below).
• As with other classes, new ability power levels are learned every second level from level 1 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13), then every third level from level 13 (16, 19).
  • Multiclass characters may only learn up to (and including) power level 7 spells, and unlock a new power level every third level from level 1 (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19).

Character level	Power level learned		Ability points		Max spell casts at this ability power level
	Single	Multi	Single	Multi	Single class									Multiclass
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
1	1 (I)	1 (I)	1	1+1	2									2
2			1	1	2									2
3	2 (II)		2	1	2	1								2
4		2 (II)	1	1+1	2	1								2	1
5	3 (III)		2	1	2	2	1							2	1
6			1	1	2	2	1							2	1
7	4 (IV)	3 (III)	2	1+1	2	2	2	1						2	2	1
8			1	1	2	2	2	1						2	2	1
9	5 (V)		2	1	2	2	2	2	1					2	2	1
10		4 (IV)	1	1+1	2	2	2	2	1					2	2	2	1
11	6 (VI)		2	1	2	2	2	2	2	1				2	2	2	1
12			1	1	2	2	2	2	2	1				2	2	2	1
13	7 (VII)	5 (IV)	2	1+1	2	2	2	2	2	2	1			2	2	2	2	1
14			1	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	1			2	2	2	2	1
15			1	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	1			2	2	2	2	1
16	8 (VIII)	6 (VI)	2	1+1	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1		2	2	2	2	2	1
17			1	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1		2	2	2	2	2	1
18			1		2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1		2	2	2	2	2	1
19	9 (IX)	7 (VII)	2	1+1	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	1
20			1	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1	2	2	2	2	2	2	1

Deity

When players create a priest character, they select a deity. Each choice highlights two types of behavior that are celebrated and two types of behavior that are condemned. For priests played as the main character, their Holy Radiance power will shift based on their behavior. Reinforcing their deity's preferred behavior will gradually increase their power, while playing against type will cause a small diminishment in their power. These changes are not dramatic, but reflect a measure of dissonance between the character's stated faith and how they choose to conduct themselves.

In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, a priest's disposition will affect the power of their Holy Radiance ability as well as the damage of Faith Attuned, an enchantment applied to Spiritual Weapon.

Deity	Dispositions		Favored weapons	Playable
	Favored	Condemned		poe1	poe2
Berath	Stoic Rational	Cruel Passionate	Mace Great sword
Eothas	Honest Benevolent	Cruel Shady / Deceptive	Flail Morning star
Gaun (Xoti only)	Stoic Rational	Cruel Passionate	Hatchet	-	*
Magran	Aggressive Clever	Passionate Diplomatic	Sword Arquebus
Rymrgand (Vatnir only)	Rational Honest	Diplomatic Benevolent	Hatchet	-	*
Skaen	Cruel Shady / Deceptive	Aggressive Benevolent	Stiletto Club
Wael	Deceptive Clever	Rational Honest	Quarterstaff Rod
Woedica	Rational Cruel	Diplomatic Benevolent	Unarmed

Moreover, in Pillars of Eternity, each deity will give access to an exclusive talent and one 8th level spell. In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, each subclass has a unique variant of the abilities: Spiritual Weapon, "Symbol of" (with the exception of Woedica), and Incarnate (with the exception of Harvester of Gaun and Woedica).

Exclusives abilities and talents
Deity	In Pillars of Eternity		In Pillars of Eternity
	Talent	8th level spell	Spiritual Weapon	8th level spell	Incarnate
Berath	The Pallid Hand	Symbol of Berath	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Berath)	Symbol of Berath	Incarnate (Priest of Berath)
Eothas	Hope Eternal	Symbol of Eothas	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Eothas)	Symbol of Eothas	Incarnate (Priest of Eothas)
Gaun	-	-	Spiritual Weapon (Harvester of Gaun)	Symbol of Eothas	Lashing Vine (Harvester of Gaun)
Magran	Inspired Flame	Symbol of Magran	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Magran)	Symbol of Magran	Incarnate (Priest of Magran)
Rymrgand	-	-	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Rymrgand)	Symbol of Rymrgand	Incarnate (Priest of Rymrgand)
Skaen	Prey on the Weak	Symbol of Skaen	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Skaen)	Symbol of Skaen	Incarnate (Priest of Skaen)
Wael	Incomprehensible Revelation	Symbol of Wael	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Wael)	Symbol of Wael	Incarnate (Priest of Wael)
Woedica	-	Symbol of Woedica	Spiritual Weapon (Priest of Woedica)	Hand of Weal and Woe	Writ of Mending

Subclasses

Priests in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire must select one of six subclasses as their deity: Berath, Eothas, Magran, Skaen, Wael, and Woedica. Two more subclasses, Harvester of Gaun and Rymrgand are exclusive to the companions Xoti and Vatnir respectively, and cannot be selected by the player.

A priest's subclass automatically grants them an ability at each new ability power level. These abilities are typically pulled from other classes, with some already in the ability tree, and others completely unique to the subclass.

Berath

Berath is the god of death, doors, and the wheel of reincarnation itself. Portrayed as either a genderless deity or twinned male and female incarnation, Berath seldom speaks with their followers. Their priests are expected to be rational and unemotional, treating death with a dispassionate dignity.

Bonus
Priests of Berath automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Level: Touch of Rot Holy Meditation Spreading Plague Divine Terror Rot Skulls Salvation of Time Rusted Armor Symbol of Berath Hand of Berath

Eothas

Eothas is the god of light, redemption, hope, and rebirth. The god was believed to have been destroyed at the end of the Saint's War, but many of his priests and followers continued to worship him. His return to Eora at Caed Nua is not yet known to most mortals. Priests of Eothas are honest and kind in their dealings, condemning all expressions of cruelty and falsehood.

Bonus
Priests of Eothas automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Level: Sunbeam Withdraw Watchful Presence Circle of Protection Revive the Fallen Minor Intercession Resurrection Symbol of Eothas Light of Eothas

Magran

Magran is the goddess of war, fire, and struggle. She is invoked and revered by warriors of all culture, but especially by the people of the Dyrwood, who believe the goddess helped them defeat St. Waidwen during the Saint's War. Magran favors bold action and quick wits over emotion and diplomacy.

Bonus
Priests of Magran automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Level: Fan of Flames Spiritual Weapon Ray of Fire Shining Beacon Flame Shield Pillar of Holy Fire Torrent of Flame Symbol of Magran Magran's Might

Skaen

Skaen, known also as the Quiet Slave, is the god of secret hatred, resentment, and violent rebellion. He is usually depicted as a small, bald man covered in lash scars whose ears and nose have been cut off. He appears outwardly submissive, with downcast eyes. However, his eyes glitter black with quiet hatred, and his fist is clenched. He is known to manifest in a horrific incarnation known as the Effigy to followers desperate enough to perform certain unspeakable rites. In Dyrwood, Skaen's faithful often double as torturers and executioners, delighting in the fall of high-status prisoners.

Bonus
Priests of Skaen automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Level: Barbs of Condemnation Escape Divine Mark Finishing Blow Shadowing Beyond Spiritual Ally Minor Avatar Symbol of Skaen Revenge of Skaen

Wael

Wael is the god of dreams, secrets, mysteries, and revelations. Inscrutable even to the other gods, Wael has no determinate gender or consistent appearance. Its symbol is the eye, though the look and number of the eyes often change. People pray to Wael both to protect their secrets as well as to unravel the mysteries in front of them. Followers of Wael are known for many Strange and unusual practices, possibly for good reasons, possibly for no reason at all.

Bonus
Priests of Wael automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Level: Arcane Veil Iconic Projection Mirrored Image Llengrath's Displaced Image Confusion Arkemyr's Wondrous Torment Gaze of the Adragan Symbol of Wael Blessing of Wael

Woedica

Priests and Priestesses of the Exiled Queen express their faith as lawyers and judges in towns and urban centers. The most prominent among them have served as advisers in royal court. They are of particular importance in the Empire of Aedyr, where business contracts require their endorsement. Woedica's devotees are typically found in the upper classes, but any tradition-minded person who longs for a vanished past will find a place in her faith. "When Woedica takes back her throne" is a common saying amongst her followers, signifying a utopian future when society will be properly ordered once again, and she will take her rightful place as ruler of the gods.

Bonus
Automatically learn the following priest spells at new power levels: Writ of Engagement Spiritual Weapon Writ of Consumption Divine Terror Writ of War Pillar of Holy Fire Writ of Sorcery Hand of Weal and Woe Writ of Mending

Harvester of Gaun

An aspect of Eothas, Gaun emphasizes the natural ending of mortal life. He is most often portrayed as a farmer with a lantern and sickle, implements his priests utilize in ceremonies and combat. The sickle represents the time of harvest, i.e. the natural end of life, and the lantern represents a light that guides dead souls to the Beyond.

Bonus
Gains Hatchet proficiency (Interfering Strikes). Priests of Gaun automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Levels: Blessed Harvest Withdraw Vile Thorns Circle of Protection Wicked Briars Minor Intercession Wall of Thorns Symbol of Eothas Lashing Vine

Rymrgand

God of entropy, cold, winter, bad luck, famine, and natural disasters. Manifests as a giant albino aurochs, moving amidst a great blizzard, and in the plodding footsteps of Rymrgand come death and disintegration.

Bonus
Priests of Rymrgand automatically learn the following spells at the appropriate Power Level: Touch of Rot Blizzard Spreading Plague Noxious Burst Blast of Frost Ninagauth's Freezing Pillar Death Ring Symbol of Rymrgand Call of Rymrgand

Suggestions

Priest presents the best choice for sole healing. Depending on how well your group's front line holds things together, you may find your character either healing some or a lot. Priest very much defines what a back line healer consists of, but their spells easily reach any where. If someone goes below half health, a priest can quickly cast a Withdraw spell to temporarily take them out of battle for some seriously huge healing. The default AI tends to be somewhat intelligent about this, especially with Xoti. As a side note, Xoti performs best as a Contemplative (Priest + Monk multiclass). Otherwise, you may find the character passing out a lot as she tries to "reap" those souls from your enemies at the front line. This will tend to draw much aggression her direction that leads to her spells never going off, and no healing means you may quickly lose the battle.

Priest offers some of the best aggressively defensive spells available. This may involve laying down spell traps in the form of seals that damage your enemies as they walk through them. However, the class' direct damage spells lack much of the oomph seen in several other classes. A properly built Cipher or Wizard will out-perform well in that area given a long battle. If you want to engage often in melee with your opponents as a single class Priest, then you should learn to focus on Blessing and Dire Blessing. You can use the Withdraw spell for emergencies.

As mentioned earlier with Xoti, Monk makes a fantastic Multi Class option if you prefer mixing it in with melee on the front line in battle.

Related items

Icon	Name	Item type	Enchantments
	Seal of Faith	Ring	Seal of Faith (enchantment): +1 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-level Spell uses
	Nightshroud	Mace	Exceptional (weapon): +8 • +30% Spellchance: Blind: 10% chance to cast Blind (10.0 sec, +15 vs. ) on Hits or Crits
	War Club of the Mataru	Club	Fine (weapon): +4 • +15% Spellchance: Hobble: 10% chance to cast Hobble (10.0 sec, +15 vs. ) on Hit or Critical Hit
	Gyrd Háewanes Sténes	Scepter	Accurate 4: +15 • +15% Raw Lash: +20% damage

Notable characters

Pillars of Eternity

Priest

Adwellen Rügfald III

Beodmar

Bethwl

Cadegund

Casfath

Chapel Priest

Dodwyna

Durance

Eldrid Wenfeld

Fexa

Grimda

Hafmacg

Hannah Cade

Historian

Idelman

Ilfa

Initiate (Temple of Woedica)

Loralei Rosethorn

Nedmar

Onŵen

Records Keeper

Talyna

Thaos ix Arkannon

Thorfen

Timothy Whitewater

Trygil

Wymund

The White March - Part I

Lafda

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Priest

Anes of the Many Eyes

Berathian Priest

Burapo

Captain Gold-Fin Chiara

Daelan

Daffyd

Dawnstar Vendor

Eld Engrim

Elisheva

Gaderian Bosc

Ganor

Hamuto Stoneheel

High Priest Hati

High Priest Kasu

High Priestess Saewyn

Larro's Second

Marihi

Mark van der Bij

Meryel the Mad

Mimriko

Mother Sharp-Rock

Nairi

Ogne (Deadfire)

Oswald

Pitli

Torclef

Waenglith

Xoti

Yseyr the Berathian

Gallery

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  Cadegund, a human priestess of Magran