Owlcat Games released Wrath of the Righteous on 2 September 2021, built on the Pathfinder first edition tabletop rules and the adventure path of the same name. Character creation offers 25 classes, 12 races and more than a thousand spells, feats and abilities, and combat switches between turn based and real time with pause at any moment. Above all of that sit the Mythic Paths and a crusade layer where you command the Fifth Crusade against the Worldwound.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paladin | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Slayer | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Sorcerer | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Cleric | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Magus | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition tier list.
A-Tier: Paladin
Paladin is a top-performing option in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Radiance | A longsword recovered in the Gray Garrison at the end of Chapter 1, and one of very few weapons with its own upgrade questline later on. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Mythic Paths | You gain mythic power at the end of Chapter 1 and commit to a path early in Chapter 2. |
How to Play Paladin
Paladin focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Radiance does the damage and Mythic Paths keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Slayer
Slayer is a strong option in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Finnean the Talking Weapon | A sentient weapon that reshapes itself into whatever weapon type you ask for, and comments on the choice. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Crusade army management | From Chapter 3 you run the Fifth Crusade out of Drezen, recruiting units, building forts and fighting army battles on a strategic map. |
How to Play Slayer
Slayer focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Finnean the Talking Weapon with Crusade army management and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Sorcerer
Sorcerer is a strong option in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Fauchard | An exotic two handed reach polearm with an 18 to 20 threat range. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Turn based or real time with pause | Both modes are live and you can switch mid encounter. |
How to Play Sorcerer
Sorcerer focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Turn based or real time with pause covers the gap Fauchard leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Cleric
Cleric is a specialized option in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Falchion | A two handed martial sword with the same 18 to 20 threat range as the Fauchard, but no exotic proficiency cost and no reach. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Pathfinder first edition rules | Armour class, attack bonus, saving throws, spell resistance and roughly a thousand feats and spells all come straight from the tabletop system. |
How to Play Cleric
Cleric focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Pathfinder first edition rules rather than raw numbers, and Falchion is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Magus
Magus is a specialized option in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Composite Longbow | The standard ranged option, adding your Strength modifier to damage up to the bow's rating. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Six chapters from Kenabres to the Worldwound | The campaign runs The Worldwound Incursion, Sword of Valor, Demon's Heresy, The Midnight Isles, Herald of the Ivory Labyrinth and City of Locusts. |
How to Play Magus
Magus focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Composite Longbow and Six chapters from Kenabres to the Worldwound pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Slayer: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Paladin once you understand core mechanics and have access to Radiance
- Keep a Sorcerer setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Magus for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Switch to turn based mode for any fight that killed you in real time. The same encounter becomes readable once you can see initiative, attacks of opportunity and buff durations, and you can switch back afterwards.
- The combat log names every roll. When a boss shrugs off your spells, the log will show spell resistance or a successful saving throw, which tells you whether to buy a caster level item or change spell school.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Guides
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Overview
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Tier List
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Walkthrough
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Beginner's Guide
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Tips & Tricks
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Weapons Guide
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Combat Guide
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Boss Guide
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Maps & Locations
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Crafting Guide
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Classes & Characters
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