Welcome to your go-to guide for surviving Path of the Damned—the ultimate challenge in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning player seeking a more refined strategy, these tips will give you a tactical edge.

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1. Master Stealth for Tactical Advantage

Stealth can be weaponized, especially in high-difficulty settings. Use it to start every battle on your terms.

• Auto-Pause Setup: Enable auto-pause for “Enemy Spotted” and “Combat Start.” Toggle stealth with the Alt key.
• Tank First: Send your tank to engage while your remaining party stays stealthed just outside detection range.
• Stack Buffs in Stealth: Buffs and summons don’t break stealth—cast them repeatedly to start fully prepared.
• Spell Exploits: Spells like Delayed Blast Fireball can be stacked stealthily for massive opening damage.

This method lets you open fights with full buffs and surprise attacks.

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2. Buff Accuracy and Debuff Defenses

Enemy stats are significantly boosted in this mode, so stack your hit chances and reduce theirs.

• Accuracy Boosters: Use Devotions for the Faithful and Dire Blessing to increase party accuracy by 20+.
• Debuffs: Use Shining Beacon, Expose Vulnerabilities, or Miasma of Dull-Mindedness to weaken enemies.
• Weapon Effects: Choose weapons with built-in debuffs (e.g., Morningstars with Body Blows to lower Fortitude).

This ensures your disables land and your DPS actually hurts.

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3. Use High-Value Food Buffs

Food is essential in Path of the Damned. Equip your party before major encounters.

• Tanks – Captain’s Banquet: Grants immunities to mind, intellect, and resolve afflictions—crucial for frontliners.
• Melee DPS – Hot Razor Skewers: Adds Might, power level, and penetration.
• Casters – Crusted Swordfish: Boosts AoE size (+20%), spell damage (+10%), and spell penetration (+2).

Stockpile or purchase these from Neketaka vendors, especially at Pĕriki’s Overlook.

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4. Summons for Crowd Control and Positioning

Summons do more than damage—they control space.

• Maurice’s Tentacles (Wand): Spawns three durable tentacles—ideal for locking off chokepoints.
• Zone Control: Place summons behind your tank or around corners to stall or block enemy access to your casters.

This gives your squishier party members room to breathe—and cast.

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5. Run a Caster-Heavy Team

A classic “one tank, four casters” party is incredibly effective on this difficulty.

• Tank Role: Draw aggro and absorb hits.
• Caster Roles: Priests, Wizards, Ciphers, and Druids bring superior AoE, buffs, debuffs, and summons.
• Alpha Strike: Begin encounters from stealth with spell volleys—often wiping out threats before they act.

Magic rules the Deadfire. Lean into it.

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6. Chain Buffs and Summons

Winning on Path of the Damned is often about preparation and sustained advantage.

• Pre-Combat Buffs: Cast Litany for the Spirit, Blessing, Shield for the Faithful, and other long-duration spells before pulling enemies.
• Mid-Combat Buffing: Don’t stop at one round—recast or layer buffs throughout prolonged fights.
• Chokepoint Control: Keep at least one summoner with a fast-casting summon for sudden disruptions.

Your advantage grows with every spell cast.

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7. Prioritize Equipment and Formation

Gear and positioning are more important than ever.

• Tanks: Use plate or heavy armor for durability.
• Casters: Equip light armor for faster recovery time.
• Formations: Put melee up front, casters in the center, and ranged/support in the rear.
• Weapon Swapping: Carry weapons with different damage types (slash, crush, pierce) to exploit resistances.

Proper planning prevents party wipes.

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Conclusion

Path of the Damned isn’t unfair—it’s just demanding. Stealth, food, spell synergy, and positioning are your greatest tools. Follow these strategies, and you’ll find even the hardest fights can be overcome with smart planning and execution.

Need more help? Ask for specific build guides, boss strategies, or class combos—I’ve got your back in the Deadfire.