Learn about the Fighter class in Pillars of Eternity, including roles, primary attributes, and all available abilities like Constant Recovery and Knock Down.
Roles: Defender, Striker
Primary attributes: Constitution, Resolve, Might
Endurance: 42 + 14 per level (High)
Health: 5 x Endurance (High)
Accuracy: 30 + 3 per level (Very High)
Deflection: 30 + 3 per level (Highest)
Fortitude / Reflex / Will: 20 + 3 per level
Skill bonuses: +1 Athletics, +1 Lore, +1 Survival
The Fighter has excellent intrinsic Deflection and Accuracy, coupled with exceptional weapon skill. Their high defense and self-healing capabilities allow them to be a durable front-line presence that also contributes significantly to enemy elimination.
For a tanky build focused on drawing enemy attention (aggro), abilities like Defender and Into the Fray are recommended, best paired with a Weapon and Shield style.
For a lethal build, Knock Down enhances the Fighter's full attack, synergizing well with a Two Weapon Style. The Ruffian weapon set is ideal for two-weapon fighting as it covers all damage types. For a two-handed weapon, the Soldier set is the best choice. The Charge ability can turn an efficient killer into an assassin, enabling them to quickly reach vulnerable casters behind the enemy front line.
A tanky Fighter should prioritize increasing Resolve, while a lethal Fighter may prefer Dexterity. Both builds benefit from high Might for increased weapon damage and to boost Constant Recovery. Some Intellect is also advisable to extend the duration of self-buffs.
Given their strong defense and self-healing, racial choices that trigger abilities at 50% Endurance might not be optimal. Recommended racial choices include Coastal Aumaua, Boreal Dwarf, Pale Elf, and Wild Orlan.
Fighter Abilities
All Fighters automatically gain the Constant Recovery ability at level 1.
Constant Recovery
Usage: Passive
Requires: Acquired automatically at level 1
Duration: 45s
The Fighter recovers 5 Endurance every 3 seconds for 45 seconds. This ability is upgraded by the Rapid Recovery talent and further enhanced by the Fighter-only item, Cloak of the Tireless Defender.
Disciplined Barrage
Usage: 1 / encounter
Speed: Instant
Duration: 15s
The Fighter gains +20 Accuracy for 15 seconds.
Knock Down
Usage: 2 / encounter
Speed: Average
Area of Effect: Target
Accuracy: +0 vs. Fortitude
Duration: 5s
The Fighter's full attack deals an additional +20% damage and knocks the target prone for 5 seconds. This ability is upgraded by the Bonus Knock Down talent.
Confident Aim
Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 3
The Fighter gains +20% graze to hit conversions and +20% minimum damage.
Defender
Usage: Modal
Requires: Level 3
The Fighter can engage +2 additional enemies at the cost of -5 Deflection. This ability is upgraded by the Wary Defender talent.
Guardian Stance
Usage: Modal
Requires: Level 3
Area of Effect: 2m radius
Allies within the area of effect gain +10 Deflection, but the Fighter suffers a -10 Accuracy penalty.
Into the Fray
Usage: 2 / encounter
Requires: Level 5
Speed: Average
Range: 5m
Area of Effect: Target
Interrupt: 0.5s
Accuracy: +0 vs. Reflex / +0 vs. Fortitude
Duration: 12s
The Fighter pulls an enemy 5m towards them, inflicting 22 - 30 Pierce damage. The target may be left Dazed for 12 seconds.
Vigorous Defense
Usage: 1 / encounter
Requires: Level 5
Speed: Instant
Duration: 15s
The Fighter gains +20 to all defenses for 15 seconds.
Weapon Specialization - Adventurer
Requires: Level 5
Usage: Passive
Grants +15% damage when using a Flail, Estoc, Pollaxe, Wand, or War bow.
Weapon Specialization - Knight
Requires: Level 5
Usage: Passive
Grants +15% damage when using a Battle axe, Sword, Morning star, or Crossbow.
Weapon Specialization - Noble
Requires: Level 5
Usage: Passive
Grants +15% damage when using a Dagger, Mace, Rapier, Rod, or Scepter.
Weapon Specialization - Peasant
Requires: Level 5
Usage: Passive
Grants +15% damage when using a Hatchet, Quarterstaff, Spear, Unarmed, or Hunting bow.
Weapon Specialization - Ruffian
Requires: Level 5
Usage: Passive
Grants +15% damage when using a Club, Sabre, Stiletto, Blunderbuss, or Pistol.
Weapon Specialization - Soldier
Requires: Level 5
Usage: Passive
Grants +15% damage when using a Warhammer, Great sword, Pike, Arbalest, or Arquebus.
Armored Grace
Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 7
Reduces the speed penalty for wearing armor by -20%.
Clear Out
Usage: 2 / rest
Requires: Level 7
Speed: Average
Range: 0
Area of Effect: 2.5m 135° cone
Interrupt: 0.5s
Accuracy: +10 vs. Fortitude
Duration: 5s
Enemies within the area of effect take 30 - 40 Crush damage and are knocked prone for 5 seconds.
Fearless
Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 7
The Fighter is immune to Frightened and Terrified.
Overbearing Guard
Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 7
Accuracy: +0 vs. Fortitude
Duration: 5s
The Fighter's disengagement attacks have a chance to knock the enemy prone for 5 seconds.
Unbending
Usage: 3 / rest
Requires: Level 7
Speed: Instant
Duration: 15s
For the duration of the effect, 50% of damage taken is converted to healing over time over 5 seconds.
Critical Defense
Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 9
The Fighter gains +20% crit to hit and +10% hit to graze against incoming attacks.
Take the Hit
Usage: Modal
Requires: Level 11
Area of Effect: 2m radius
50% of the damage taken by allies within the area of effect is redirected to the Fighter as Raw damage.
Unbroken
Usage: Passive (1 / encounter)
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