You’re standing there in the character creator. The music is swelling—that classic, haunting Justin Bell score—and you’ve finally settled on a class. Maybe a Cipher because you like melting brains, or a Paladin because you want to be the moral anchor of the party. But then you see it. The sub-race menu. Specifically, the Godlike Pillars of Eternity options.
It's a big choice. Like, a really big one.
In Eora, being Godlike isn't just about having a cool glowing head or some antlers. It means you were "blessed" (or cursed, depending on who you ask) by one of the deities before you were even born. Your soul was physically altered. You're a walking, talking divine billboard. But here’s the kicker: in a game that’s all about gear, Godlike characters can’t wear helmets.
💡 You might also like: I Put the Team on My Back: Why Greg Jennings and Demetrius Williams Still Matter in 2026
Is a permanent stat buff worth losing your head slot? Let’s get into it.
The Physical Reality of Being Godlike
Most people think being Godlike is a purely cosmetic "cool factor" thing. It’s not. In the lore of Pillars of Eternity, specifically detailed in the Collector's Book and the in-game cyclopedia, Godlike are basically the "mules" of the gods. Because of their physical deformities—those growths, flames, or crystals on their heads—they can’t wear any headgear.
That means no +2 Perception hats. No fancy enchanted helms that grant immunity to Fear. You are trading your gear flexibility for a racial passive that scales with your health.
It’s a trade-off that creates a very specific playstyle. If you’re playing on Path of the Damned difficulty, that lack of a helmet slot can actually be a massive liability in the early game. You have to be okay with being "locked in" to your racial identity. Honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing design choices Obsidian ever made.
Death Godlike: The Finisher
If you want to talk about raw power, we have to start with the Death Godlike. These guys look like they’ve walked out of a nightmare, with black, chitinous growths covering their faces. They are associated with Berath, the god of death and cycles.
Their racial ability, Death's Usher, is arguably the strongest offensive passive in the game. When an enemy drops below 25% Endurance (or Health in the sequel), you deal significantly increased damage to them. It’s a finisher move that never turns off.
Think about that for a second. In a boss fight against something like Adra Dragon, that final 25% is usually the hardest part of the fight. Everyone is out of spells. Your tank is hanging on by a thread. That's when the Death Godlike shines. They just... end things.
Fire Godlike: The Revenge Tank
Then you have the Fire Godlike. These are the children of Magran. Their heads literally smolder, and when they get hurt, they ignite.
They get Battle-Forged. When their Endurance drops below 50%, they gain a massive boost to Damage Threshold (DT) and deal fire damage to anyone hitting them in melee. It makes them the ultimate "don't touch me" character.
I’ve seen builds where people intentionally lower their defensive stats just to trigger Battle-Forged as quickly as possible. It’s risky. It’s fun. It’s very Magran. But remember, if you aren't being hit, this ability is useless. Putting a Fire Godlike passive on a back-line Wizard is basically a wasted racial slot.
Nature and Moon: The Sustain Game
Not everyone wants to be a living bomb or an executioner. Sometimes you just want to stay alive.
The Moon Godlike is widely considered the "S-Tier" choice for beginners and solo runs. Their ability, Silver Tide, triggers a healing wave for the entire party whenever the Godlike hits certain health thresholds (75%, 50%, and 25%).
- It’s a free heal.
- It doesn't use an action.
- It scales with level.
It’s incredibly hard to kill a party that has a Moon Godlike Paladin leading the charge. In the first Pillars of Eternity, this was so strong it felt almost like a cheat code.
Then there’s the Nature Godlike. These are the children of Galawain. They look like they’ve got a forest growing out of their skulls. Their passive, Wellspring of Life, gives them a bonus to Might, Constitution, and Dexterity when they are at low health. It’s a "clutch" mechanic. It’s for the players who like to live on the edge, gaining strength as the battle gets more desperate.
The Social Cost of Divinity
We have to talk about the roleplay aspect because Pillars of Eternity is a CRPG that actually cares about your choices. Being Godlike in Eora isn't like being a Tiefling in D&D where people might just find you "edgy."
In the world of Eora, Godlike are often viewed with a mix of awe and absolute terror. Some cultures see them as omens. Others see them as property of the church. Because they are sterile—Godlike cannot reproduce—they are often seen as a "dead end" for a family bloodline.
When you talk to NPCs in Defiance Bay or Twin Elms, your race matters. You’ll get unique dialogue. Some people will trust you more; others will be genuinely frightened of what you represent. It adds a layer of isolation to the protagonist’s journey. You aren't just a kith; you are a mistake of the gods or a masterpiece, depending on who’s looking at you.
What the Guides Often Miss
Most "best builds" lists focus entirely on the numbers. They’ll tell you to go Moon Godlike for the heals.
But they miss the synergy with specialized gear. Since you can’t wear a helmet, you are essentially "pre-geared." In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, this was adjusted slightly with new subclasses, but the core remains: your head is your most powerful tool.
If you're playing a Barbarian, the Fire Godlike's Battle-Forged triggers constantly because Barbarians are designed to take damage. If you're playing a Rogue, the Death Godlike's finisher ensures that once you've applied a sneak attack to a weakened foe, they stay down.
It’s about thematic synergy, not just "the biggest number."
Making the Choice: A Practical Framework
Choosing a Godlike is a commitment. You can't change your race halfway through the game (without mods or console commands, anyway).
If you want a Main Tank, go Moon or Fire. Moon is better for party support; Fire is better for solo survivability and punishing melee attackers.
If you want a Glass Cannon Striker, go Death Godlike. The ability to bypass that final chunk of an enemy's health bar is invaluable, especially on higher difficulties where enemies have bloated health pools.
If you are a Caster, honestly? Nature Godlike is your best bet if you want the Godlike flavor. The stat boosts to Might and Dexterity help your spell damage and casting speed when things get hairy. However, many veteran players argue that Casters are actually better off as Humans or Elves because the headgear you find later in the game (like the Maegfolc Skull) provides better utility than the racial passives.
Evolution in Deadfire
It’s worth noting that the Godlike experience changed in the sequel, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. Obsidian listened to the feedback. They added the Avian Godlike (Pallegina's race), though it’s largely restricted to her. They also tweaked how the bonuses scale.
In the second game, the power creep of helmets became even more apparent. This makes the Godlike choice even "heavier." You really have to love that passive to give up some of the unique legendary helms found in the Deadfire Archipelago.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re sitting at the character creation screen right now, here is how you should actually decide:
- Check your difficulty. On Easy or Normal, pick whatever looks coolest. On Path of the Damned, pick Moon Godlike if you're worried about staying alive, or Death Godlike if you have a solid healer and want to maximize DPS.
- Look at your class. If you are a Monk, Fire Godlike is incredible because you want to take damage to generate Wounds. The synergy is perfect.
- Commit to the Roleplay. Prepare for unique dialogue. Don't skip the "Godlike" specific prompts in conversations. They often provide the most interesting insights into the lore of the gods like Magran, Galawain, and Berath.
- Plan your gear around it. Since your head slot is gone, prioritize high-quality capes and rings. You need to make up those lost stat points somewhere else. Look for items like the Ring of Thorns or the Cloak of an Elandra early on.
- Watch the Health Bar. Most Godlike abilities are "threshold-based." This means you need to be comfortable seeing your character's health drop. If you are the kind of player who heals as soon as a character loses 10% health, you are wasting the Godlike's potential. Let them bleed a little; that's where the magic happens.