Ratnook Hill

Your guide to tackling the dangerous Ratnook Hill in Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Learn about traps, powerful enemies like Wererats, and valuable loot.

Hey there! So, you're thinking about checking out Ratnook Hill? It's located in the Shrike region, just southeast of the Old Sycamore. Honestly, this place is pretty tough for low-level parties, so I'd recommend waiting until Chapter 2 when your average party level is around ten. If you're set on going now, you can find it by following the Shrike River southwest from Nettle’s Crossing.

When you arrive on the southwestern edge of the map, you'll have the option to head north or east. Your goal is to make your way uphill towards the northeastern edge. Keep your eyes peeled along the way, because there are a bunch of dangerous traps. You'll need a Perception or Trickery skill of 21 to spot and disarm them, but they're a good source of experience. The corpses scattered around are also a grim reminder of the danger here. There's one near the southwest edge that looks like it was scavenged by rodents, and another near a cave on the northeast side that holds an Ancient Rostlandic Coin. Watch out for a really nasty trap near the entrance with a Perception and Trickery DC of 32 – it doesn't seem to do anything right away, but it might be an alarm!

After you've dealt with the traps and maybe looted that coin, it's time to head into the cave. That's where you'll find the main inhabitants: a pack of Wererats. These guys are level 8 Rogues, so they have a pretty high Armor Class thanks to their Dexterity and buffs, and a decent Attack Bonus. While their raw damage isn't insane, their Sneak Attacks can really hurt. It might be tempting to spread out to avoid Sneak Attacks, but it's often better to focus fire on one enemy at a time to take them down quickly. They have decent HP and Damage Reduction 10/silver, so blunt damage might not be your best bet. Direct damage spells or anything that targets Will Saves, like Hideous Laughter, work wonders. Finishing them off with fire or acid is also a solid plan.

Now, here's where things get a little more intense. Deeper inside the cave, another Wererat will eventually join the fight after a short delay. This one is an 8th-level Alchemist who hangs back and throws bombs. He has an even higher Attack Bonus than the Rogues and his bombs deal area damage, which can hit your allies too. To counter this, make sure you have resistance to fire; the Resist Energy spell is a great preparation. Once the Rogues are down, focus on the Alchemist.

It's a good idea to buff up before this fight. Aim for an Armor Class of 30+ for your tanks, and spells like Resist Energy, Communal are super helpful. When you enter the cave, concentrate your attacks on one of the Rogue Wererats until it's defeated, then move on to the second. After they're both down, gang up on the Alchemist. While this fight is doable in Chapter 1 with a well-prepared party, there's absolutely no shame in waiting until you're stronger.

Once you've cleared out the wererats, you can loot the bodies. One of the Rogues drops a Shock Shortsword +1, a Masterwork Shortsword, Padded Armor +1, and a Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2. The other drops a Kukri +1, a Keen Kukri +1, and a suit of Leather Armor +2. The bomb-throwing Alchemist leaves behind a Masterwork Club, a Bombardier’s Vest, a Headband of Vast Intelligence +2, a Potion of Resist Cold, and a Potion of Remove Curse. Don't forget to check a crate in the northwestern part of the cave for various gems, a Potion of Vanish, and some other goods that will fetch a good price from a merchant. Oh, and a variety of cheeses! After emptying the crate, you'll find a chest containing a Wand of Shield.

Finishing up here means you've completed the Northern Shrike Expedition. Once that's done, head back to Oleg’s Trading Post, sell any extra loot, get some rest, and prepare yourself for the assault on the Stag Lord’s Fort.