What are the best weapons in Pillars of Eternity? Why are they the best?

While exploring the world of Eora in Pillars of Eternity, you’ll encounter hundreds of weapons for your party to use. Trying to determine which ones are the best can be a challenge, especially when some are so similar to one another. Need an easy list of what to look out for? Here are the 10 best weapons you will come across on your adventure.

10. Ravenwing

In a party-based RPG like Pillars of Eternity, a varied party is essential. Dealing a lot of damage is great and all, but not so great when you don’t have any healers or tanks. Well, the Ravenwing is great for those characters who don’t rely as much on pure damage output. This weapon can be found in the Brackenbury Sanitarium in Defiance Bay.

Video Walkthrough:

[Let's Play Pillars of Eternity Path of the Damned S1#086] Ravenwing & Blaidh Golan (Man Who Waits)

Why It’s So Great:

• Bypasses enemy defense rating - amazing on higher difficulties
• Decent stats overall
• Allows tanks to deal more damage while being the focus of attention

Stats:

• +4 Accuracy
• 16-23 Crush Damage
• +3 Defense Rating bypass
• +4 Bonus Accuracy when attacking the same target as an ally
• +25% Bonus Damage when attacking the same target as an ally

9. Sabre of the Seas

What does it take to control the seas? This sword gives you that answer. You can find this item being sold by a merchant in Anslög's Compass.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Good Playthrough (HD) - Ranga

Why It’s So Great

• One of the first weapons on this list that you can acquire
• Reasonably priced at 900 copper
• No combat required to acquire this weapon
• Bound spell is amazing, especially at lower levels

Stats:

• +4 Accuracy
• 15-22 Slash Damage
• 10% chance to cast Overwhelming Wave spell on Hit or Critical Hit once per encounter

8. Gyrd Háewanes Sténes

Is your spellcaster feeling left out of having an awesome weapon? Well, they’re in luck because an awesome scepter exists. This weapon was actually patched into the game after it was released, so if you played Pillars of Eternity back in the day you might not have seen it. You now receive this weapon for finishing the quest A Call to Court.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Good Playthrough in Hard (HD) - A Call to Court

Why It’s So Great

• One of the first soulbound weapons you can acquire
• One of the only ranged soulbound weapons in the game
• Chance to cast an extremely strong spell when dealing damage

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +21 Accuracy
• 12-18 Crush or Slash Damage
• +20% Raw Damage
• 10% chance to cast Dominate spell for 15 seconds on Hits or Critical Hits
• +3 Resolve

Druid Specific Stats:

• 20% chance to cast Restore Spiritshift on Hit or Critical Hit once per encounter

Priest Specific Stats:

• Grants 2 charges of Llengrath’s Displaced Image when Critically Hit per encounter

Wizard Specific Stats:

• Grants 1 charge of Gref’s Authority per encounter

7. Steadfast

There are only a few weapons like Steadfast in Pillars of Eternity - weapons that any class can use and that change depending on who is using it. While any character can bind to this weapon, its bonuses change depending on the class of the character it is bound to. Obtaining this weapon requires the player to reach Adaryc in the Iron Flail Fort and either kill him or make peace with him.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Evil Playthrough in Hard (HD) - Steadfast

Why It’s So Great:

• Very easy to obtain
• Chance to heal when taking damage makes it excellent for tank barbarians
• One of the first soulbound weapons you can obtain

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +12 Accuracy
• 16-23 Slash or Pierce Damage
• +5 Will
• +1 Resolve
• Immunity to Frightened and Terrified

Barbarian/Druid/Ranger Specific Stats:

• 15% Chance to cast Restore Major Endurance spell when Hit or Critically Hit

Chanter/Fighter/Wizard Specific Stats:

• Can target enemy’s Will defense instead of Deflection defense

Cipher/Monk/Rogue Specific Stats:

• 25% chance to cast Champion’s Boon spell on kill

Paladin/Priest Specific Stats:

• 15% chance to cast Sunlance spell on Hit or Critical Hit

6. Stormcaller

While every weapon can be upgraded to deal bonus elemental damage, Stormcaller is unique in that it can deal full shock damage to your enemies. This weapon is acquired after finding its two components in Russetwood and at the top of Durgan’s Battery Watchtower.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Good Playthrough in Hard (HD) - Stormcaller

Why It’s So Great:

• One of few weapons that deal elemental damage like shock
• One of few ranged soulbound weapons
• Chance to cast powerful spells

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +12 Accuracy
• 15-22 Pierce or Shock Damage
• Inflicts -6 Shock Defense Rating for 8 seconds
• Grants 2 charges of Bulwark Against the Elements spell per rest
• Grants 2 charges of Crackling Bolt per rest

Chanter Specific Stats:

• 5% chance to cast The Thunder Rolled like Waves on the Black Seas on Hits or Critical Hits

Cipher Specific Stats:

• 10% chance to cast Soul Shock on Hits or Critical Hits

Ranger Specific Stats:

• 10% chance to cast Returning Storm on Hits or Critical Hits

5. Nightshroud

A Priest or Rogue only weapon, Nightshroud is an excellent choice for weaker characters who rely on avoiding attacks. One can find Nightshroud in the Halls of Remembrance in Durgan’s Battery.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Good Playthrough in Hard (HD) - Nightshroud

Why It’s So Great:

• The defense bypass is great, especially on higher difficulties
• Welding Nightshroud makes it harder to become Blinded
• The chance to blind makes it excellent for support characters like the priest

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +12 Accuracy
• 16-23 Crush Damage
• +3 Defense Bypass Rating
• 10% chance to cast Blind spell on Hits or Critical Hits
• +50 Defense against Blinded and Dazed attacks
• Grants 1 charge of Shadowing Beyond per rest

Priest Specific Stats:

• 15% chance to cast Barbs of Condemnation spell on Hit or Critical Hit

Rogue Specific Stats:

• 5% chance to cast Finishing Blow on Hit or Critical Hit

4. The Grey Sleeper

Soulbound items can sometimes be intimidating. To unlock their full potential the wielder usually has to complete various tasks such as dealing or taking damage. This weapon’s soul bind completes when the user travels to various locations.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars Of Eternity: The White March - The Grey Sleeper [Quest]

Why It’s So Great:

• Good stats
• Chance to cast very powerful spells when dealing damage
• Completing the soul bind simply requires traveling to various locations

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +12 Accuracy
• 20-29 Pierce Damage
• Grants 3 charges of the Slow Spirits spell per rest
• 10% chance to cast Paralyze spell on Hit or Critical Hit
• 5% chance to cast Invoke Vessels spell on Hit or Critical Hit
• 5% chance to cast Twin Stones spell on Hit or Critical Hit

3. Dragon’s Maw Shield

While technically a shield, this item can double as an offhand weapon because it can deal periodic damage. If that isn’t enough, the awesome dragon on the front can light a large area of effect on fire. This unique shield can be looted from an enemy in the west tower of Durgan’s Battery.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Evil Playthrough in Hard (HD) - Elder Skuldrak

Why It’s So Great:

• Allows tanks and durable attackers that use shields to deal more damage while not sacrificing defenses
• One of three shields that deal damage in the game
• The only soulbound shield in the game
• Looks awesome!

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +20 Deflection
• -4 Accuracy
• 13-18 Crushing Damage
• +1 enemies engaged
• 25% chance to cast Taste of the Hunt spell on Hits or Critical Hits
• Grants 1 use of Dragon’s Breath Spell per rest

Barbarian Specific Stats:

• Grants Savage Defiance when vitality drops below 50%, once per encounter

Fighter Specific Stats:

• Grants Fear Aura when vitality drops below 26%

2. The Unlabored Blade

The Unlabored Blade is extremely easy to get. All you have to do is complete the Iron and Flame quest in The White March - Part II. You get the weapon as a reward, regardless of the outcome of the quest or your character’s alignment.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Evil Playthrough in Hard (HD) - Iron and Flame

Why It’s So Great:

• Very easy to acquire
• Excellent as a main hand or offhand weapon
• Any class can bind with the weapon
• Becomes one of two Mythic weapons once you complete the soul bind
• Grants very powerful spells while equipped

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +18 Accuracy
• 15-21 Slash Damage
• +20% Attack Speed
• 3% chance to cast Firebug spell on a Hit or Critical Hit
• Gain 1 charge of the Dimensional Shift spell per rest
• Gain 2 charges of the Healing Chain spell per rest

1. Abydon’s Hammer

What’s it like to wield a fragment of a god? Abydon’s Hammer answers that question, and it answers it well. You’ll naturally get this weapon during one of the quests in The White March - Part II and upon completing the final quest in the expansion, you complete the soul bind.

Video Walkthrough:

Pillars of Eternity Good Playthrough in Hard (HD) - Abydon's Hammer

Why It’s So Great:

• Easy to acquire
• Has the easiest soul bind in the game
• Makes the final quest in The White March - Part II easier
• Becomes one of two Mythic weapons once you complete the soul bind
• Grants very powerful spells and passive abilities when equipped

Stats:

• Soulbound
• +18 Accuracy
• 23-33 Crush Damage
• +10 Bonus Accuracy against Eyeless enemy
• +50% Bonus Damage against Eyeless enemy
• +4 Might
• Gain 1 charge of Ring of the Ancient Forge spell per encounter
• Gain 1 charge of Abydon’s Labor spell per encounter
• Gain 1 charge of Abydon’s Power spell on Critical Hit per encounter
• Every 3 seconds, all Vessel enemies become afraid for 3 seconds

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