Pillars of Eternity features a large, text-heavy cast of companions and recruitable NPCs who join your party across the main story and side content. This guide covers voice actors, class roles, kit highlights, and narrative function for each core character, with an emphasis on choices that remain relevant in Pillars of Eternity 2 and Reaper of Souls. Expect clear breakdowns of who joins when, how decisions affect party dynamics, and practical insights for optimizing builds while preserving roleplaying context.
Overview and Scope of the Cast
Pillars of Eternity’s cast is designed to support multiple playstyles, with each companion filling distinct tactical roles while contributing to a branching story. The game emphasizes party composition, background-driven motivation, and long-term consequences, making it important to understand who is available, when they appear, and how their personal quests integrate into the larger campaign. This section summarizes the core roster and flags key decisions that change relationships, gear, and story outcomes across the original game and its expansion Reaper of Souls.
Core Party Companions and Joining Order
The core companions join in a relatively fixed order as you progress through the main quest line. Understanding timing is essential for min-maxing, because some characters grant unique items or class-specific training early. Below is a concise overview of the standard party roster, including voice talent and baseline class roles.
| Character | Class (default) | Voice Actor | Join Condition / Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durance | Chanter / Priest | Travis Willingham | Automatically at start (Aedyr-born priest) |
| Eder | Paladin / Fighter | Jarion Monroe | Automatically at start (Ondra’s missionary) |
| Aloth | Wizard / Mage | Matthew Waterson | Automatically at start (servant of Berath, if not playing as him) |
| Rimetu | Rogue / Trickster | Laura Bailey | Auto after main story segment in Defiance Bay |
| Skaen | Barbarian / Fighter | Travis Willingham | Auto after main story segment in Defiance Bay |
| Wahinda | Druid / Chanter | Jennifer Hale | Available in Readceras during Act II |
| Tirana | Paladin / Chanter | Jennifer Hale | Act II side content / Stronghold affiliation |
| Tekehu | Monk / Fighter | Matthew Waterson | Act II Stronghold questline |
| Mriehel | Wizard / Priest | Jennifer Hale | Deadfire expansion / Act II path |
| Kana Rua | Rogue / Monk | Jennifer Hale | Deadfire expansion optional recruitable |
Playable Origin Heroes and Locked Roles
If you choose a pre-made origin hero, your party slot and class are locked, but companions still fill complementary roles. For example, playing as the Watcher (custom) leaves all slots open, while playing as one of the six origin heroes fixes one party member and influences early access to companions and side content. Origins are valuable for story-specific bonuses and unique reactions from party members, particularly Durance’s religious skepticism or Eder’s devotion, which can shift dialogue options in key moments.
Recruitable NPCs and Story-Related Allies
Beyond the core team, several NPCs can join temporarily or permanently depending on choices. These allies often bring specialized mechanics, such as additional summoned creatures, unique weapon proficiencies, or access to region-specific quests. Their availability is tied to act structure, stronghold decisions, and whether certain faction thresholds are met. Below is a summary of major recruitable NPCs, where they appear, and what they contribute to the party.
| NPC | Role / Utility | Acquisition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berath (if not played) | Summon, high INT support | Default leader unless player chooses to play as him | Powerful spellcasting, access to unique rituals |
| Hylea (romance option) | Ranged support / archery focus | Act II, Readceras faction quests | Can become permanent with high romance and decisions |
| Mordesthei (Gilberta sidequest) | Tank / shield specialization | Act I side content in certain regions | Requires specific moral choices and optional combat |
| Additional Stronghold Allies | Regional specialists, crafting, and trade | Post-Defiance Bay stronghold management | Influence stronghold economy and minor story branches |
Class and Build Considerations by Character
Each companion has class affinities that align with their backstory. Matching builds to narrative themes can enhance roleplay without sacrificing effectiveness. Below are key build directions to consider for the most frequently used party members.
- Durance: Dominate or Wael-centric hex builds work well for debuff control, supported by Priest synergies and the Rod of the Priests item line for sustain.
- Eder: Two-Handed weapon builds, Shieldbearer, or Paladin archetypes maximize his frontline durability; consider Auspice feats for party-wide defensive utility.
- Aloth: High-INT Wizard or Occultist paths let him exploit his starting Phylactery; prioritize spell penetration and mobility to leverage his long casting range.
- Rimetu: Duelist or Sharpshooter rogue paths excel; synergy with trickster abilities and backstab mechanics makes her potent in burst damage scenarios.
- Skaen: Greatsword Barbarian or single-target Fighter builds capitalize on high damage output; Bloodthirst mechanics can align with aggressive roleplay.
- Wahinda: Druidic tank or controlling Chanter builds offer strong AoE control; Wildshape utility pairs well with environmental storytelling in Readceras.
Narrative Function and Party Dynamics
Companions in Pillars of Eternity are not just combat assets; they carry personal quests, ideological conflicts, and evolving relationships that can shift based on player decisions. Durance’s skepticism toward gods, Eder’s zealous optimism, and Aloth’s pragmatic devotion to Berath can create friction or synergy depending on chosen leadership and dialogue options. These dynamics affect approval, gift preferences, and even access to companion-specific story arcs, some of which unlock alternative resolutions in the finale. Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor a party that fits both your tactical goals and your envisioned roleplay arc.
Deadfire Expansion and Additional Options
The Deadfire expansion introduces a new region, stronger scaling, and additional recruitable characters such as Mriehel and Kana Rua, who bring unique class hybrids and action-economy tools. The expansion also refresges endgame content, so party composition choices made in the base game can influence difficulty and reward distribution in Act II. If you plan to tackle Deadfire content, it is worth reviewing which companions scale well into higher level tiers and which may require respec investment to remain competitive.
Practical Tips for Managing the Cast
To get the most out of the Pillars of Eternity cast, rotate companions based on encounter type, keep an eye on their gear and weapon proficiencies, and invest in traits and resolution choices that align with your intended party identity. Use Stronghold management to generate consumables and downtime bonuses, and revisit companion approval regularly to secure powerful unique gifts and story resolutions. Because choices have lasting effects, document key decisions that influence permanent NPC availability, especially in Acts II and III where some party members may permanently leave or join.
Summary and Takeaways
- The core Pillars of Eternity cast includes Durance, Eder, Aloth, Rimetu, Skaen, with additional options in Readceras and Deadfire.
- Voice actors include Travis Willingham, Jarion Monroe, Matthew Waterson, Laura Bailey, and Jennifer Hale, among others.
- Join order and availability depend on story chapter, stronghold progression, and Act-specific conditions.
- Class builds should balance narrative flavor with party needs; many characters excel in multiple archetypes.
- NPCs like Berath and Hylea can be permanent or conditional allies, shaping both combat and story outcomes.
- Deadfire adds new recruitable characters and endgame considerations that interact with your base-game party choices.
- Approval, gifts, and roleplay decisions directly affect narrative resolution and long-term party synergy.