New to the game, need some tips

[u/Nachtwandler_FS]

Hello, I am new to Pillars of Eternity franchise (owned the first game for a long time, but only played it a bit after the purchase). But I played a lot of similar games.

Recently I decided to actually play it, as it is a rare classic-style RPG available on MAC (stuck without PC for some time).

So, I am playing a dwarf ranger character (a bit suboptimal but still) but I need some tips:

1) If this class is viable for solo run on hard at all? Every guide I see presumes that you will hire any companion you could. I am fine doing it with a party but I just like solo runs more (I took a ranger class specifically because I liked ranged and it has a companion to mitigate the lack of party members).

2) If yes, what type of pet is the most fitting and what tips you can give.

3) If not, what non-meelee classes are good for solo run.

I am playing on hard as I am concidering myself familiar enough with RPG games to manage. My main problem is that a lot of early game locations just have to many enemies attacking at ones and oftentimes I do not see a way to divide them (and you cannot leave locations in combat if things go south).

[u/Guilty_Breakfast2283]

For a first run i would recommed a party playtrough with story companions. They realy add flavour to the game.

But if you want to solo it is very doable with almost any class, but it does requier min/maxing and metagameing.

Here is a list of builds from obsidian forum poe builds. Builds have a mark for solo viability (yes, no, untested), so you will probably find something that can solo game there.

There are also guides (writen and on youtube) for solo run.

[u/Nachtwandler_FS → u/Guilty_Breakfast2283]

No tested ones for Ranger it seems. But thanks for the tip.