Ranger

Explore the Ranger class in Pillars of Eternity. Learn about their roles, primary attributes, companion choices, and key abilities like Marked Prey and Wounding Shot.

The Ranger in Pillars of Eternity is a versatile class that excels as a Striker and Defender, fighting alongside a loyal animal companion. They possess high Accuracy and a variety of abilities that enhance both their own combat prowess and that of their companion.

Roles: Striker, Defender

Primary Attributes: Might, Perception, Dexterity, Intellect

Key Characteristics:

• Endurance: 36 + 12 / level (Medium)
• Health: 5 x Endurance (High)
• Accuracy: 30 + 3 / level (Very High)
• Deflection: 20 + 3 / level (Medium)
• Fortitude / Reflex / Will: 20 + 3 / level
• Skill Bonuses: +1 Stealth, +2 Survival

Playing a Ranger:

The animal companion is a crucial element of the Ranger's kit, providing flanking and combat bonuses. However, if the companion is knocked out, the Ranger suffers a significant performance penalty. For maximum damage output from a companion, the Wolf is recommended. For an enemy-engaging tank, the Boar is a better choice due to its higher defenses.

Prioritize Might and Dexterity for fast, hard-hitting attacks. Perception is also important, though the Ranger naturally has high Accuracy and abilities to further boost it. Intellect is less critical as most Ranger debuffs are long-lasting or very short duration, making frequent application more valuable than duration.

Rangers are primarily ranged combatants. While they can engage in melee, they miss out on key abilities like Stunning Shots and Twinned Shots. The Powder Burns ability makes firearms a viable option, especially when paired with pistols and arquebuses to mitigate friendly fire. Quick Switch can be useful for transitioning to faster weapons after using firearms.

Recommended racial choices include Wood Elf for general synergy, Hearth Orlan for a lethality boost when fighting alongside a companion, or Island Aumaua if utilizing Powder Burns due to the extra weapon set.

Talent choices should focus on supporting the companion, with Resilient being paramount. Vicious is generally more useful than Merciless early on, and Faithful is a good later investment. Investing in teamwork abilities can further enhance the synergy between Ranger and companion.

Ranger Abilities:

All Rangers gain an animal companion at level 1.

Animal Companion

Gain an animal companion that you can send to fight your opponents.

Companion	Special	MIG	CON	DEX	PER	INT	RES
Antelope	+7 to all defences	10	10	14	15	5	9
Bear	+2 DR	15	12	9	13	5	10
Boar	+20% Might when <50% Endurance	11	16	8	10	5	15
Lion	Roar causes Terrified, 3.5m radius, 11s	13	13	12	11	5	11
Stag	For 40s damage foes within 2m	13	10	12	15	5	10
Wolf	+2 damage, +12 Deflection vs. disengage attacks	10	10	13	15	5	12

All companions have a base 9 DR (11 for Bears), gaining +2 DR at levels 4, 7, 10, 13 and 16. A Ranger and their companion share the same Endurance.

Bonded Grief

Usage: Passive
Requires: Acquired automatically at level 1
If the Ranger's companion (or the Ranger) falls to 0 Endurance, the other suffers -2 Might, -2 Resolve and -10 Accuracy until their partner is restored to consciousness.

Marked Prey

Usage: 1 / encounter
Duration: 30s
For 30s, the Ranger and their companion gain +20% damage against the Marked target.

Wounding Shot

Usage: 2 / encounter
Range: 6m
Duration: 10s
The target is Hobbled for 10s and receives Raw damage equivalent to Primary Attack damage over 6s.

Predator's Sense

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 3
The Ranger's companion inflicts +50% damage vs. enemies suffering from a DoT effect.

Swift Aim

Usage: Modal
Requires: Level 3
The Ranger gains +20% attack speed and +50% reload speed but with a -7 Accuracy penalty.

Vicious Aim

Usage: Modal
Requires: Level 3
The Ranger takes -20% penalties to attack speed and reload speed but gains +10 Accuracy and +20% ranged damage.

Arrow Sense

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 5
The Ranger gains +15 Deflection against ranged attacks.

Defensive Bond

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 5
The Ranger and their animal companion gain +15 Defense against AoE attacks.

Stalker's Link

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 5
The Ranger gains +10 Accuracy against an enemy engaged by his companion.

Driving Flight

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 7
Each ranged attack can additionally hit an enemy up to 5m behind the original target, inflicting 50% damage.

Heal Companion

Usage: 2 / encounter
Range: 20m
The Ranger restores +40 Endurance to his companion.

Takedown

Usage: 2 / encounter
Duration: 5s
The target takes Primary Attack damage and is knocked Prone by the companion.

Binding Roots

Usage: 5 / rest
Requires: Level 9
Range: 20m
Duration: 30s
The target takes Primary Attack damage and is knocked Prone by the companion.