The first Pillars of Eternity game was considered a beast among RPG games both new and old and the second game is no less beloved. With an interesting story, immersive themes, and plenty of world-building options, there is a lot to love about the sequel of the first Pillars of Eternity.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is packed with narrative. Because the players’ actions and interactions as “the Watcher” can impact elements of the storyline so much, there are multiple different endings to the game. Some are fantastic and beloved (or joked about) by fans, whereas some others — not so much.
10 The Best: Return To The Wheel
This is something of a “secret” ending in the game, which is what makes it so fun. At the very beginning of the game, before you have even created your character or gone to meet with The Pallid Knight, you can tell Berath that you want to return to the wheel.
The game will accept and immediately end, after roughly five or so minutes of gameplay. It isn’t exactly the most satisfying of endings but for many players, it still counts — however brief it may be.
9 The Worst: Try To Fight Eothas
“You recall there was something you were supposed to do, but it feels as though you’ve been locked in a cage and dropped into the sea. You sink and forget, only to remember again.”
Trying to fight a literal God doesn’t exactly bode well for the player.
This is one of the worst endings because, despite all your efforts, you end up being essentially obliterated by Eothas. The world is left in chaos and ultimately everything that has occurred in the game has led up to this point - with you absorbed into the body of Eothas.
8 The Best: Rebuild Humanity
In terms of satisfaction, this is one of the best endings of the game. To get it, you will need to avoid convincing Eothas to destroy Eora and (obviously) not attempt to kill him. Pretty straightforward.
Although the true fate of what happens after the Wheel remains unclear, Eothas completes his task of destroying it to remove the false gods’ power. Eothas releases the souls he has kept trapped and, afterward, scholars make discoveries to help improve the world post-Wheel. The stewardship of Eora goes to none other than Berath.
7 The Worst: Eothas Kills Eora
Eothas’ end goal is to “break the Wheel” but the Watcher can plant the seed in his mind during their confrontation to obliterate all life on Eora altogether. He goes through with his plan but, later, rethinks what the Watcher has urged him to do and finally takes out all life on Eora. All of it.
“And what dies does not come back.” This end sucks given the fact that literally all of Eora is wiped out in an instant. It’s a decently pessimistic, bummer ending.
6 The Best: Romance Xoti
If you ensure that you end the game while still on good terms with Xoti, you two will stay in contact. She will write letters to you, lamenting about how much she misses you. (On the other hand, if you had a fling with her then things will not go as well!)
The companion selection is one of the best things about Pillars of Eternity 2. Xoti is one of the most beloved, being lighthearted, fun, and passionate. There are a few ways Xoti’s “relationship status” can end up, but this one is by far the most favorited among fans.
5 The Worst: Find The Ancient City Without Help
You can find the city of Ukaizo without the help of any faction and avoid too much disaster from Eothas. Essentially, Neketaka falls apart, and issues arise for both Huana and Rauataians — who are already preoccupied with their fight over Ukaizo.
If you had favored with a faction before coming to the city, that faction would have a better outcome than the rest. Unfortunately in this ending, everything is somewhat of a scramble and the conflict remains.
4 The Best: Prevent Maia’s Covert Op
You can protect Maia, a Rauataian navy officer, from going ahead with her secret operation. If she is is a party member, she will attempt a covert assignment. It is up to the player to decide what to do — whether they fail to prevent it or they take action against it.
Preventing her will result in peace at Port Maje and result in discussion between the two factions of Ikawha and Clario. Rather than falling into another dispute, the two will rule over the island peacefully.
3 The Worst: Refuse To Help Berath
This is also something of a secret ending but it isn’t too difficult to find. It doesn’t pan out too well for the player.
“No sooner has Berath spoken than you feel yourself dissolve. It is not an unpleasant sensation - something between falling asleep and drifting on a warm current.”
You can refuse to help Berath at the very beginning of the game and, consequentially, be stripped of your mortal body. Your soul finds another carrier — probably in the form of some furry, scavenging creature.
2 The Best: Dissuade Bearn From The Lighted Path
Eder is one of the better companions available in the game, unlike many of the Final Fantasy party members in the series. You can convince Eder that the gods are not worth pursuing the Lighted Path, rescue Bearn, and Eder will return to him and raise him.
This is one of the better endings with a rather sweet touch. If you do not manage to discourage Bearn, Eder will find him upset that he did not help Eothas and consequentially vanishes afterward.
1 The Worst: Skipping Splintered Reef
Splintered Reef is a location (and quest) in Pillars of Eternity 2 known for being occupied by the undead. While they may not be as powerful as some of the undead NPCs that Dungeons and Dragons has to boast, they can prove a nuisance to avoid in combat.
As it turns out, those who live at Splintered Reef are actually luring in unsuspecting ships in order to extend their lifespans. If you do not visit Splintered Reef at all, this will continue to happen — and many vessels will be condemned to this terrible doom.
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