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Attributes
Pillars of Eternity

Attributes

Learn how to distribute attributes in Pillars of Eternity. All six primary attribute scores start at 10 with 15 points to spend.

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Learn how to distribute attributes in Pillars of Eternity. All six primary attribute scores start at 10 with 15 points to spend.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Start with all attribute scores at 10.
  2. 2
    You have 15 points to distribute among the six attributes.
  3. 3
    You can decrease one attribute to increase another at a 1-to-1 cost.
  4. 4
    The minimum attribute value is 3, and the maximum is 18 before racial and cultural modifications.
  5. 5
    Racial and cultural modifications can make attribute values range from 2 to 20 (or 2 to 21 for Might and Perception).
  6. 6
    Consider starting with all scores at 9, then allocating points to priority attributes and removing points from less important ones.
  7. 7
    Gear can often increase attributes with mild penalties (8 or 9) back to 10.
  8. 8
    Avoid completely dumping an attribute, as it can harm your character long-term.

Attribute Descriptions:

Might: Measures physical and mental strength. Affects all damage rolls (including firearms) and healing ability efficacy.

  • Score 8: -4 Fortitude, -6% Damage / Healing
  • Score 9: -2 Fortitude, -3% Damage / Healing
  • Score 10: Base
  • Score 11: +2 Fortitude, +3% Damage / Healing
  • Score 12: +4 Fortitude, +6% Damage / Healing
  • Score 13: +6 Fortitude, +9% Damage / Healing
  • Score 14: +8 Fortitude, +12% Damage / Healing
  • Score 15: +10 Fortitude, +15% Damage / Healing
  • Score 16: +12 Fortitude, +18% Damage / Healing
  • Score 17: +14 Fortitude, +21% Damage / Healing
  • Score 18: +16 Fortitude, +24% Damage / Healing
  • Score 19: +18 Fortitude, +27% Damage / Healing
  • Score 20: +20 Fortitude, +30% Damage / Healing

Constitution: Measures vigor and stamina. Affects health scores.

  • Score 8: -4 Fortitude, -10% Endurance / Health
  • Score 9: -2 Fortitude, -5% Endurance / Health
  • Score 10: Base
  • Score 11: +2 Fortitude, +5% Endurance / Health
  • Score 12: +4 Fortitude, +10% Endurance / Health
  • Score 13: +6 Fortitude, +15% Endurance / Health
  • Score 14: +8 Fortitude, +20% Endurance / Health
  • Score 15: +10 Fortitude, +25% Endurance / Health
  • Score 16: +12 Fortitude, +30% Endurance / Health
  • Score 17: +14 Fortitude, +35% Endurance / Health
  • Score 18: +16 Fortitude, +40% Endurance / Health
  • Score 19: +18 Fortitude, +45% Endurance / Health
  • Score 20: +20 Fortitude, +50% Endurance / Health

Dexterity: Measures agility and coordination. Affects attack speed.

  • Score 8: -4 Reflex, -6% Attack Speed
  • Score 9: -2 Reflex, -3% Attack Speed
  • Score 10: Base
  • Score 11: +2 Reflex, +3% Attack Speed
  • Score 12: +4 Reflex, +6% Attack Speed
  • Score 13: +6 Reflex, +9% Attack Speed
  • Score 14: +8 Reflex, +12% Attack Speed
  • Score 15: +10 Reflex, +15% Attack Speed
  • Score 16: +12 Reflex, +18% Attack Speed
  • Score 17: +14 Reflex, +21% Attack Speed
  • Score 18: +16 Reflex, +24% Attack Speed
  • Score 19: +18 Reflex, +27% Attack Speed
  • Score 20: +20 Reflex, +30% Attack Speed

Perception: Measures perception and insight. Affects Accuracy.

  • Score 8: -4 Reflex, -2 Accuracy, -6 Interrupt
  • Score 9: -2 Reflex, -1 Accuracy, -3 Interrupt
  • Score 10: Base
  • Score 11: +2 Reflex, +1 Accuracy, +3 Interrupt
  • Score 12: +4 Reflex, +2 Accuracy, +6 Interrupt
  • Score 13: +6 Reflex, +3 Accuracy, +9 Interrupt
  • Score 14: +8 Reflex, +4 Accuracy, +12 Interrupt
  • Score 15: +10 Reflex, +5 Accuracy, +15 Interrupt
  • Score 16: +12 Reflex, +6 Accuracy, +18 Interrupt
  • Score 17: +14 Reflex, +7 Accuracy, +21 Interrupt
  • Score 18: +16 Reflex, +8 Accuracy, +24 Interrupt
  • Score 19: +18 Reflex, +9 Accuracy, +27 Interrupt
  • Score 20: +20 Reflex, +10 Accuracy, +30 Interrupt

Intellect: Measures reasoning and logic. Affects ability duration and area of effect.

  • Score 8: -4 Will, -10% Duration, -12% Area of Effect
  • Score 9: -2 Will, -5% Duration, -6% Area of Effect
  • Score 10: Base
  • Score 11: +2 Will, +5% Duration, +6% Area of Effect
  • Score 12: +4 Will, +10% Duration, +12% Area of Effect
  • Score 13: +6 Will, +15% Duration, +18% Area of Effect
  • Score 14: +8 Will, +20% Duration, +24% Area of Effect
  • Score 15: +10 Will, +25% Duration, +30% Area of Effect
  • Score 16: +12 Will, +30% Duration, +36% Area of Effect
  • Score 17: +14 Will, +35% Duration, +42% Area of Effect
  • Score 18: +16 Will, +40% Duration, +48% Area of Effect
  • Score 19: +18 Will, +45% Duration, +54% Area of Effect
  • Score 20: +20 Will, +50% Duration, +60% Area of Effect

Resolve: Measures willpower, determination, and self-belief. Affects Deflection.

  • Score 8: -4 Will, -2 Deflection, -6 Concentration
  • Score 9: -2 Will, -1 Deflection, -3 Concentration
  • Score 10: Base
  • Score 11: +2 Will, +1 Deflection, +3 Concentration
  • Score 12: +4 Will, +2 Deflection, +6 Concentration
  • Score 13: +6 Will, +3 Deflection, +9 Concentration
  • Score 14: +8 Will, +4 Deflection, +12 Concentration
  • Score 15: +10 Will, +5 Deflection, +15 Concentration
  • Score 16: +12 Will, +6 Deflection, +18 Concentration
  • Score 17: +14 Will, +7 Deflection, +21 Concentration
  • Score 18: +16 Will, +8 Deflection, +24 Concentration
  • Score 19: +18 Will, +9 Deflection, +27 Concentration
  • Score 20: +20 Will, +10 Deflection, +30 Concentration

Attribute Checks:

Certain interactions in Pillars of Eternity require a minimum attribute score. A score of 16 is generally sufficient for most checks, while 19 covers all but one (a Resolve 20 check in a late-game sidequest). Resolve is crucial for conversation checks, with Perception and Intellect also frequently used.

Conversation checks are made against the main character's attribute score, but you can often choose another party member in scripted sequences.

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