Chanter — Pillars of Eternity eGuide

Areas of Focus:

Major: Support

Minor: Crowd Control

Supplemental: Defense, Miscellaneous

Chanters have learned some magic abilities and use implements like wizards and druids, but their main skill is to chant phrases that can inspire their allies and strike fear into their foes. Multiple chanters can combine their voices to make special duet (or more) effects. Chanters gain the following two abilities and one passive bonus at first level.

Lore

In every culture across Eora, there are chanters. Many historians consider chanters to be the most ancient workers of magic, their hallowed phrases stirring the collective memory of wayward souls around them, compelling them to generate magical effects in a kind of “re-enactment.” In some societies, chanters form organized groups of storytellers and researchers, but in most parts of the world they are just a time-honored part of local folk traditions.

Overview

Chanters are historians and storytellers, their memories saturated with generations of oral tradition. The distinguishing power of chanters is their ability to continually chant magical phrases that have a wide variety of effects. Chanters can combine phrases in a variety of ways to suit their needs, adding and removing individual elements as they see fit. They are also capable of casting powerful spells, called invocations, after they have spoken enough phrases in battle.

Chanters are storytellers and repositories of ancient lore from myriad cultural traditions. Though chanters have a bit of minor talent in traditional arts of combat and soul-based magic, their true power lies in their chants and invocations. They construct chants from individual iconic phrases. Through the clever overlapping of phrases, chanters can grant their allies a sizable stack of minor bonuses over a large area. While chants may seem modest compared to a wizard or a priest magic, chanters are able to recite their chants while occupied with other activities, making them extremely versatile. Additionally, chanter’s invocations are pretty powerful spells and they have the highest number of summoning spells.

Starting Stats

Endurance

36 + 12/level (Low)

Health

4 x Endurance (Low)

Accuracy

25 + 3/level (Average)

Deflection

25 (Very High)

Skill Bonus

Lore +2 Mechanics +1

Starting Abilities

Phrases/Chants – Magical phrases build chanter’s power until they can use an Invocation.

Invocations – Powerful magical effects after speaking a required number of phrases.

Chanter Companion

Kana Rua

Race: Island Aumaua

Sex: Male

Class: Chanter

Culture/Faction: Rauatai

Available: Caed Nua

Age & Appearance: 31 years old, stocky aumaua with golden skin (white and brown accents) and short copper hair.

Description: Passionate, introspective, open-minded, academic, verbose, gregarious.

Tactics

Commander Build

Advantages: High Survivability, Strong Field Presence, Summons, Crowd Control, Buffs

Disadvantages: Takes time to shine, Moderate Micro

Strategy

The Commander Chanter is a tough frontline build that is meant to position the chanter in the thick of battle and build toward invocations while chanting phrases. Using Summons and powerful invocations to deal damage, the primary focus is on positioning and survivability. This character works well in large teams where they can serve as a distraction for more vulnerable allies.

Equipment

Focus on using large shields with high deflection bonuses. Hatchets and Maces serve as great early game weapons until you get a strong one-handed unique weapon later.

Wear Heavy Armor, as you will be in the center of the fray absorbing a lot of damage.

Races

Moon Godlike

Wild Orlan

Culture

Old Vailia or Rauatai

Aedyr or Ixamitl Plains

Attributes

Might 8

Constitution 18

Dexterity 7

Perception 11

Intellect 17

Resolve 14

Phrases

Come, Come Soft Winds of Death

At the Sight of Their Comrades, Their Hearts Grew Bold

Dull the Edge, Blunt the Point

Lo, their Endless Host, the Harbingers Doom

One Dozen Stood Against the Power of the Saint

Aefyllath Ues Mith Fyr

The Dragon Thrashed, The Dragon Wailed

Invocations

But Reny Daret’s Ghost He Would not Rest

The Thunder Rolled Like Waves on Black Seas

If Their Bones Still Slept Under That Hill, None Can Say

At the Sound of His Voice, the Killers Froze Stiff

Gernisc Slew the Beast, but Soon Faced Its Kin

Rise Again, Rise Again, Scions of Adon!

Gernisc’s Beast Lit the Night with his Breath

Talents

Weapon and Shield Style

Cautious Attack

Ancient Memory

Beloved Spirits

Hold the Line

Field Triage

Alternate Build

For a party with strong ranged weapon users or two chanters, consider giving one chanter a ranged weapon and putting them on the back line. Swapping phrases like Lo, their Endless Host, the Harbingers Doom for supportive phrases like “Sure-Handed Ila Nocked Her Arrows with Speed” can be a very effective way to use this class offensively.

Talents

Chanters are beloved, in a way, by the soul fragments to whom they speak. In addition to gaining the benefits of individual phrases, as long as the chanter is chanting, he or she and all allies within range benefit from constant Endurance recovery. Because chants do not occur out of combat and are temporarily suspended by roars, the benefits of Ancient Memory are likewise suspended for that time.

Chanters gain access to all 1st level chanter phrases. They string any number of phrases together into a chant that can be used in combat, with each phrase taking effect as it is chanted and lingering for several seconds after the phrase ends. This allows them to combine overlapping bonuses (or penalties), something which is known as twisting the phrases. Multiple chanters can twist their phrases for bonus effects, too. Note that chants are free actions, in that the character can speak them while attacking or moving or using items.

Ancient Memory

Grants Ancient Memory (Passive, Must be chanting)

Area of Effect: 4.0m Radius (base 4.0m) from Caster

Effects: Friendly AoE: +0.8 Endurance

Invokes a primal energy, causing allies within range to benefit from constant Endurance regeneration while the Chanter is chanting.

Beloved Spirits

Modifies Ancient Memory (+2 Endurance)

Ancient Memory (Passive, Must be chanting)

Area of Effect: 4.0m Radius (base 4.0m) from Caster

Effects: Friendly AoE: +0.8 Endurance

Improves the chanter’s connection to the soul fragments they employ, increasing Ancient Memory’s healing capability.

Phrases and Invocations

Chants

All chanters must select two 1st level phrases and one 1st level invocation at character creation. These two phrases are automatically entered into the default chant for the chanter.

To use their special kind of magic, chanters link together individual short phrases from different legends to create longer chants. The phrases have distinctive, thematically-appropriate effects that are of low power, but can be applied while the chanter is engaged in other combat activities. As one phrase ends and another begins, the effects of the first phrase will linger, allowing multiple phrases to overlap with each other. Through the clever overlapping of phrases, chanters can grant their allies a sizable stack of minor bonuses.

Chants are modal activated abilities, combinations of player assembled phrases that play out over time. Chanters always have one chant selected; they are modal and exclusive to each other. They will always start chanting as soon as combat begins and always stop chanting as soon as combat ends. A chain of low power, long-range area of effect passive buffs and debuffs that plays out over time.

Invocations

Linger: 2.0 sec

Foe Aura: x0.9 Slash Damage, x0.9 Pierce Damage for 6 sec

Reduces Slashing and Piercing damage of enemies in the area of effect.

Level One Invocations

But Reny Daret’s Ghost, He Would not Rest

Requires 3 Phrases chanted

Range: 10m

Effects: Summon: Phantom

Calls beyond the Shroud and summons a phantom to fight for the party.

The Thunder Rolled Like Waves on Black Seas

Requires 3 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 2.5m (base 2.5m) 90° Cone

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Foe AoE: 4.0m Push, Stunned for 5 sec vs. Fortitude

Creates a thunderous explosion that Stuns and shoves enemies in the area of effect.

If their Bones Still Slept Under that Hill, None Can Say

Linger: 3.0 sec

Foe Aura: -10 Accuracy against Disengaging enemies for 9 sec

Reduces Accuracy of Disengagement Attacks for enemies in the area of effect.

Lo, their Endless Host, the Harbingers Doom

Duration: 6.0 sec

Linger: 3.0 sec

Foe Aura: Frightened

Generates a field of terror, Frightening enemies in the area of effect.

One Dozen Stood Against the Power of the Saint

Duration: 6.0 sec

Linger: 3.0 sec

Friendly Aura: +10 Defense against Frightened attacks, +10 Defense against Terrified attacks for 9 sec

Decreases the duration of and defends against Frightened and Terrified effects for allies in the area of effect.

Rime and Frost Followed the Footfalls of Karth

Duration: 6.0 sec

Linger: 3.0 sec

Friendly Aura: Drop Trap: Rime and Frost Trap over 9 sec

Speed: Fast

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Target: 10-15 Freeze, Hobbled for 10 sec vs. Fortitude

Allies leave a hazardous trail of frost wherever they move, Hobbling and causing Freeze damage to enemies.

Level Two Invocations

Shatter their Shackles, Cast off their Chains!

2nd level Chanter Spell (Requires 4 Phrases chanted)

Area of Effect: Length: 5.0m (base 5.0m) 90° Cone

Effects: Friendly AoE: +10 Defense against Hobbled attacks for 10 sec, +10 Defense against Stuck attacks for 30 sec, +10 Defense against Paralyzed attacks for 30 sec, +10 Defense against Petrified attacks for 30 sec

Decreases the duration of and defends against Hobbled, Stuck, Paralyzed and Petrified effects for allies in the area of effect.

Reny Daret’s Ghost Spake, “I’ll Catch You, Ben Fidel”

Requires 4 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 5.0m (base 5.0m) 90° Cone

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Foe AoE: Terrified for 12 sec vs. Will

Causes enemies in the area of effect to be Terrified.

Gernisc Slew the Beast, but Soon Faced Its Kin

Requires 4 Phrases chanted

Range: 10m

Effects: Summon: 3 Wurm

Conjures three wurms into existence to fight for the party.

The Lover Cried out to the Beloved, “I am Yours!”

Requires 4 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 2.5m (base 2.5m) 90° Cone

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Foe AoE: Charmed for 6 sec vs. Will

Stirs something deep inside enemies in the area of effect, Charming them.

My Son, Do You See your Sisters Across the Moor?

Requires 4 Phrases chanted

Range: 10m

Area of Effect: 1.0m Radius (base 1.0m)

Effects: Summon: 2 Will-O-Wisps

Amasses stray soul fragments to form two Will-O-Wisps that fight for the party.

At the Sound of His Voice, the Killers Froze Stiff

Requires 4 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 5.0m (base 5.0m) 90° Cone

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Foe AoE: Paralyzed for 8 sec vs. Will

Paralyzes enemies in the area of effect.

Level Three Phrases

Seven Men, Onto the Deck They Went

Duration: 8.0 sec

Linger: 4.0 sec

Friendly Aura: +10 Defense against Prone attacks, +10 Damage Reduction (Freeze), +10 Damage Reduction (Shock) for 12 sec

Allies in the area of effect gain a bonus to Freeze and Shock Damage Reductions, and a bonus to defense against the Prone affliction.

The Dragon Thrashed, The Dragon Wailed

Duration: 8.0 sec

Linger: 4.0 sec

Foe Aura: 40 Burn Damage over 12 sec, 40 Slash Damage over 12 sec

Generates a hazard field causing Burn and Slash damage to enemies in the area of effect.

The Silver Knights’ Shields Broke Both Arrow and Blade

Duration: 8.0 sec

Linger: 4.0 sec

Friendly Aura: +10 Deflection for 12 sec

Increases the Deflection of allies in the area of effect.

Aefyllath Ues Mith Fyr

Duration: 8.0 sec

Linger: 4.0 sec

Friendly Aura: +25 Burn Damage for 12 sec

Bestows a Burning effect on all ally weapons.

Level Three Invocations

Oh, But Knock Not on the Door of Urdel and Gurdel

Requires 5 Phrases chanted

Range: 10m

Area of Effect: 1.0m Radius (base 1.0m)

Effects: Summon: 2 Ogre

Summons two fearsome ogres to fight for the party for the duration.

Rise Again, Rise Again, Scions of Adon!

Requires 5 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 5.0m (base 5.0m) 90° Cone

Effects: Friendly AoE: Revive with 50 Endurance

Revives allies in the area of effect with a small amount of Endurance.

The Bride Caught their Ruse and Set to Make them Pay

Requires 5 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 2.5m (base 2.5m) 90° Cone

Effects: Friendly AoE: +10 Dexterity, +10 Perception, +10 Intellect for 30 sec

Empowers allies in the area of effect with bonuses to Dexterity, Perception, and Intellect.

The Brideman Slew Thirty ‘Fore They Crossed Half the Hall

Requires 5 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 2.5m (base 2.5m) 90° Cone

Effects: Friendly AoE: +5 Might, +5 Constitution, +5 Resolve for 30 sec

Empowers allies in the area of effect with bonuses to Might, Constitution and Resolve.

Summon Noble Creature

1st level Chanter Spell

Range: 6m

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Target: 1-6 Slash

Summon: Beagle Dog

Summons a noble creature to fight by your side.

Seven Nights She Waited While the White Winds Wept

Requires 5 Phrases chanted

Area of Effect: Length: 7.5m

Interrupt: 40 (Average)

Effects: Foe Target: 45-60 Freeze vs. Reflex

Attacks enemies in sev en directions around the chanter with bolts of freezing ice.

Gernisc’s Beast Lit the Night with his Breath

Requires 5 Phrases chanted

Range: 10m

Area of Effect: 1.0m Radius (base 1.0m)

Effects: Summon: Drake

Calls down a drake from the skies to fight for the party.