Need advice for stronghold

[harf4ng]

Hi,
I just got my stronghold, my characters are level 4, and I build a few stuff in my stronghold to keep prestige and security even.
Then I was attacked... if I use automatic resolution of the fight, usually I lost some stronghold part. And if I use manual resolution, the fight is very hard, and my main character dies in a second, targetted by enemies.
So need advice about all that :)

Thanks

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Depending on difficulty mode, the hired stronghold guards are rarely successful. So, always return to Caed Nua and defend the stronghold yourself.

Furthermore, defer stronghold rebuilding to a later point. It is just side-quest content that causes distraction. In Act 2, focus on Defiance Bay, Dyrford and even The White March 1.

[harf4ng]

I found stronghold maybe a good way to earn money, no? As money is not unlimited in this game, enemies do not respawn :)

I don't think I hired any guard. And I played in normal. But as soon as I enter the fight, dunno why my character was in the front (usually it is in second line), the wyrms target her first, and I died in one second...

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

The stronghold is a huge money sink because of reconstructing the buildings and losing taxes. You earn a lot more cash by simply exploring the world and picking up loot wherever possible. Eventually, you will literally drown in gold.

About the stronghold defense battles, well, level 4 isn't much. Who are your companions? Which difficulty mode? Single characters can complete the entire game on highest difficulty. Perhaps equip heavy armor and a shield before such a battle. Anyone can do that. Wurms do Slash damage, btw.

[harf4ng]

Wurms do slash damage when they fire at us ?

[harf4ng]

So what use is the stronghold if it is a money sink ? My main character is a cipher (this is how it is called ?) in my party I have a tank, but for stronghold battle they target my cipher first and the battle occurs at the center of the room with me in the front...

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by harf4ng:

Wurms do slash damage when they fire at us ?

That could be a mistake in the Wiki, since their ranged attack likely does Burn damage.
--> https://orcz.com/Pillars_of_Eternity:_Bestiary_-_Wurm
--> https://pillarsofeternity.fandom.com/wiki/Wurm

Originally posted by harf4ng:

So what use is the stronghold if it is a money sink ?

It gives access to a multitude of bonus options. Resting bonuses, stronghold adventures (that grant spare companions XP and items as rewards), a merchant, extra crafting materials, the stronghold defense quest:
--> https://pillarsofeternity.fandom.com/wiki/Stronghold_management
--> https://pillarsofeternity.fandom.com/wiki/Stronghold_random_events
--> https://pillarsofeternity.fandom.com/wiki/Caed_Nua

Originally posted by harf4ng:

My main character is a cipher (this is how it is called ?) in my party I have a tank, but for stronghold battle they target my cipher first and the battle occurs at the center of the room with me in the front...

Sounds odd. Especially since losing your Watcher does not imply losing the battle. Also, offense can be the better defense in this game. Some players use the term "tank", but the fighter class is a tank class by design (= class traits), and offensive fighters are more reliable. Eder, the story companion you have met in Gilded Vale, is very good as an offensive ruffian.

[harf4ng]

Yes this is eder I use as a tank. I even took the kana heavy armor to give it to him :)
But there is no real taunt skill right ? Si even with a tank, as wurms have range attack, they can just safely fire at me and kill me :)
And why the fight is in the middle of the hall ? Lol :)
So what do you suggest for stronghold ? Just forget it and continue adventure ?

[Baldurs_Gate_2]

Get high security for less of those bad encounters. Put only mercenaries in with high security like the ogre from the cave you can get (don't kill him).

Botanic Garden / Curio shop are "important" for plants / parts for crafting. The wooden lodge for bounties.

Everything else is more or less for resupply of common things or a rest bonus. You will have enough money later on and the stronghold encounters become way easiert as you progress.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by harf4ng:

So what do you suggest for stronghold ? Just forget it and continue adventure ?

Level up some more, then start rebuilding the stronghold.

As for ambushes, pause combat immediately and enable autopause options. In the odd case that you really cannot save your Cipher main character, you should still be able to win such battles with the remaining party members.

[Garwain]

a few hirelings can make the stronghold attacks easier in my opinion, even if they are just the cheap ones.
There is no taunting afaik, but oftentimes you can tank an enemy by engaging them in melee. afaik the AI will often switch attention to a character that engages them. so I guess a few cheap melee hirelings could keep ranged enemies occupied and make it easier.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Well, that bears the risk of losing hirelings and losing their bonuses to Security/Prestige, too.

The cheaper solution would be to equip one or multiple summoning figurines and summon creatures at the start of a battle.

[Garwain]

Hmm, at lvl 4? think some cheap hirelings would be easier. hiring new ones is like 50 cp or so. figurines aren't that cheap, the only free one that early in the game I know of is that one at the theatre in defiance bay.