Survival

Survival is a skill in Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. It is used when it comes to situations where knowledge about the wilds, creatures, poisons and the like is in demand. In Pillars of Eternity, it determines which resting bonuses a character may choose when camping.

Description and usage

In Pillars of Eternity

Survival allows characters to choose from a variety of long-term bonuses each time they camp. The first six levels grant the following bonuses, in order (Rank I / Rank II / Rank III).

1. Damage Reduction (+1/+2/+3)
2. Received Healing Multiplier (+20%/+40%/+60%)
3. Bonus Movement (+1/+2/+3)
4. Accuracy Bonus vs. Creature Type (+10/+15/+20)
5. Increased Consumable Duration  (+20%/+40%/+60%)
6. Bonus Damage vs. Flanked Enemies (+10%/+20%/+30%)

After the sixth level, the previously-earned bonuses are replaced by more powerful bonuses in the same order they were received (capping at level III).

Survival can also be used in conversations and scripted interactions that involve wilderness challenges or specialized information about nature.

Bonuses given	Survival level
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23
Damage reduction	Rank I: +1 Damage Reduction						Rank II: +2 Damage Reduction						Rank III: +3 Damage Reduction
Healing multiplier		Rank I: +20% Healing received						Rank II: +40% Healing received						Rank III: +60% Healing received
Bonus movement			Rank I: +1 Move Speed						Rank II: +2 Move Speed						Rank III: +3 Move Speed
Accuracy bonus vs type				Rank I: +10 Accuracy against type						Rank II: +15 Accuracy against type						Rank III: +20 Accuracy against type
Consumable duration					Rank I: +20% Consumable Duration						Rank II: +40% Consumable Duration						Rank III: +60% Consumable Duration
Damage vs. flanked						Rank I: +10% Damage to Flanked targets						Rank II: +20% Damage to Flanked targets						Rank III: +30% Damage to Flanked targets

In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Survival can be used in conversations and scripted interactions that involve wilderness challenges or specialized information about nature.

In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, the bonuses given to characters at rest are based upon food and drink, instead of Survival. As with other passive skills, Survival is only used during conversations and scripted interactions, and otherwise has no effect on gameplay or combat mechanics.

Initial bonuses

The following bonuses are applied as a result of a character's class and background.

In Pillars of Eternity

Class bonuses:

Barbarian	+1
Druid	+2
Fighter	+1
Monk	+1
Ranger	+2

Background bonuses:

Colonist	+2
Drifter	+1
Explorer	+1
Hunter	+1
Slave	+1

In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Class bonuses:

Barbarian	+1
Druid	+2
Fighter	+1
Ranger	+2

Background bonuses:

Colonist	+1
Explorer	+1
Farmer*	+2
Hunter	+1
Midwife*	+1
Slave	+1
Soldier*	+1

Buffs in Pillars of Eternity

In addition to a character's base Survival, there are various ways to gain further bonuses. Some of these buffs are permanent or can be activated for as long as desired, while others must be enabled and then expire after their duration runs out. Some can only applied to the character themselves, while others apply to allies. Some buffs stack, others are mutually exclusive.

A character's Survival score for a certain attack can benefit from the given number of bonuses from each of the following tables at the same time.

Passive abilities/talents

Unlimited – Permanently active once learned

Talent	Classes	Modifier
Rymrgand's Boon	All	+1

Equipment

One only – While equipped

Slot	Item	Modifier
Armor	Jack of Wide Waters	+2
Armor	Sanguine Plate	+2
Neck	Mantle of the Excavator [WM2]	+2
Head	Rugged Wilderness Hat	+2

Rites

One only – Duration: see table

Item	Modifier	Duration
Rite of the Untamed Wild	+3	120 s

Resting

One only – Duration: see table

Area	Inn	Room	Modifier	Duration
Copperlane	Goose and Fox	Vixen's Burrow	+1	2 rests
Hearthsong	The Celestial Sapling	Wanderer's Reprieve	+1	2 rests
Caed Nua	Brighthollow	Warden's Lodge	+2	3 rests

Boons

One only – For the protagonist only – Duration: see table

Prostitute	Modifier	Duration
Gjefa	+1	1 rest

Buffs in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Passive effects

unlimited – obtained during gameplay

Name	Modifier	Duration
Granis' Training	+1	Permanent
Savage Cunning	+2	Permanent
Galawain's Blessing	+2	Until rest

Equipment

unlimited – bonus while equipped

Type	Item	Enchantment	Modifier
Belt	Huana Charm Belt	Wayfarer	+1
Cloak	Ruata's Walking Cloak	Well-traveled	+1
Ring	Chameleon's Touch	Versatile	+1 (as Druid)

Pets

unlimited – bonus while equipped to either self or party

Pet	Target	Modifier
Kaz	Self	+1

Consumable items

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

Type	Item	Modifier	Duration
Unguent	Unguent of Animalism	+2	120 sec

Notable uses in Pillars of Eternity

Quest dialogs

In quest related dialogs the player's Survival score may unlock options as a result of his knowledge about things related to the environment and how to deal with its dangers.

Quest	Location	NPC	Description	Survival required	Other requirements
Clandestine Cargo	Ondra's Gift	Imatl	?	7
Blood Legacy	Dyrford Village – Dracogen Inn (first floor)	Lord Harond	Tell him there are better roads to Eina's Rest than travelling through Dyrford.	5
Blood Legacy	Dyrford Village	Hendyna	Know, she's speaking of pregnancy when asked about Lady Aelys.	4
A Farmer's Plight	Dyrford Crossing	Korgrak	Tell him he can't hide here any longer.	9

Other dialogs

In dialogs, not related to certain quests, the player's Survival score may as well unlock additional conversation options.

Location	NPC	Description	Survival required	Other requirements
Copperlane – The Goose and Fox	Kaenra	Have more detailed knowledge about svef when talking about her fiancé's old self.	2
Copperlane – Scriveners' Dormitory	Coren	Guess he used some drugs.	2
Endless Paths of Od Nua Level 2	Barely living xaurip, lying on the floor in the northernmost chamber	Examine it and find skin discolorments and ritualistic paint applied, additionally signs of a certain poison coinciding with the paintings. (Less detailed results possible with only [Perception 16].)	5

Notable uses in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Items

Type	Item	Enchantment	Stat	Formula
Cloak	Ruata's Walking Cloak	Unburdened	Stride	(Survival * 0.005) + 1.15
Spear	Mohorā Tanga	Harpooning	Bonus melee damage	(Survival * 0.0025) + 1.05
War bow	Saint Omaku's Mercy
		Heavy Draw	Bonus damage	(Survival * 0.005) + 1.05
		Decisive Shots	Bonus damage	(Survival * 0.005) + 1.1
Pike	Ngati's Tusk [SSS]	Hunter of Hunters	Enemy defense debuff in AoE	(Survival * -0.25) + -4