Wrath of the Righteous — The best races to choose from

Let’s face it, you’re going to spend hours just trying to make your main character in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Naturally, you’ll have to select a particular race as well. This sequel happens to include the options from Kingmaker, as well as new ones such as the Dhampir, Oread, and Kitsune. Some races even gain access to class archetypes or subclasses that aren’t available to others. Anyway, here’s our Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous guide to help you with the best races to choose from when you create your character.

Note: For more information, check out our Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous guides and features hub. Likewise, you can take a look at our character creation guide to help you get started.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous – Character creation guide — The best races to choose

Here are my recommendations for the best races to choose for your main character in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. I’ve also added details regarding the new races added in this sequel. However, there are some options that won’t be included here as they’re either underwhelming or I wasn’t too keen on trying them out.

Humans

In my opinion, humans are one of the best races in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. No, it’s not just because of favoritism since we’re all humans after all. Rather, it’s due to several important factors:

• +2 to an ability score at character creation
• +1 skill point each level up
• bonus feat on character creation

If you pick a class/archetype that adds a bonus feat at level one, then you practically have three extra perks just when you’re starting out. Lastly, there’s general ease of use since you won’t need to worry about heritage bonuses and penalties, making this a great pick for newcomers.

Note: Humans gain access to the Slayer – Imitator archetype/subclass.

Elves

If we’re solely looking at INT-based spellcasters (i.e., Alchemist, Arcanist, Magus, Wizard, and Witch), then choosing an elf for your race is a great option. The default pick grants:

• Keen Senses – +2 Perception.
• Elven Magic – +2 bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance; +2 Knowledge (Arcana).
• Elven Immunities – Immune to sleep effects; +2 saving throw bonus vs. enchantment spells.
• Elven Weapon Familiarity – Longbows, longswords, rapiers, and shortbows; weapons with “Elven” in their names are treated as martial weapons.

Of the three heritage choices, just go with Basic so you can retain the racial traits. Alternatively, you can pick Blightborn if you’re building a caster who uses necromancy spells more often.

Note: Elves gain access to the Magus – Spell Dancer archetype/subclass.

Half-Elves

As the offspring of a human and an elf, half-elves try to have the best of both worlds. You’ll receive:

• +2 to an ability score at character creation
• Keen Senses – +2 Perception.
• Elven Immunities – Immune to sleep effects; +2 saving throw bonus vs. enchantment spells.

As for the heritage picks, Basic has Adaptability options that give huge bonuses to a selected skill (i.e., Athletics, Trickery, and the like). Alternatively, Kindred-Raised adds +2 CHA, which is good for classes that use the stat (i.e., Bards, Paladins, Bloodragers, Oracles, Skalds, and Sorcerers).

Note: Half-Elves gain access to the Rogue – Master of All archetype/subclass.

Aasimar

The Aasimar are a race in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous that has been touched by the divine. They have the following:

• Celestial Resistance – +5 acid resistance, cold resistance, and electricity resistance.
• Light Halo – +2 saving throw bonus vs. blinded or dazzled effects.
• Aasimar Wings – Later as you continue to level up, your Aasimar may also gain wings.

Because of their divine nature, the Aasimar race is ideal for role-playing and synergy when selecting classes that use divine spells (i.e., Oracles, Paladins, and Clerics). They also have several heritage picks, and they all provide bonuses with no drawbacks whatsoever. Here are some good choices:

• Angelkin – +2 STR and CHA; +2 Lore (Religion) and Use Magical Device; can use Lesser Restoration. This is a great pick for Paladins who eventually want to get the Angel Mythic Path.
• Musetouched – +2 DEX and CHA; +2 Persuasion and Mobility; can use Glitterdust. For lore purposes, you could go with the Azata Mythic Path.

Note: Aasimar gain access to the Oracle – Purifier archetype/subclass.

Tieflings

Tieflings were added in The Wildcards DLC for Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Thankfully, the race is part of the base game in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. They have “Fiendish Resistance,” which adds +5 cold resistance, electricity resistance, and fire resistance.

Compared to Aasimar, Tiefling heritage options denote the type of demonic entity that sired them (which is why there’s also a certain penalty). Here are some examples:

• Grimspawn – +2 DEX and INT; -2 WIS; +2 Trickery and Persuasion; can use Frigid Touch; +5 acid resistance.
• Hungerseed – +2 STR and WIS; -2 CHA; +2 Persuasion; can use Invisibility; +2 bonus to combat maneuver checks and combat maneuver defense.
• Motherless – +2 STR and WIS; -2 INT; +2 Mobility and Lore (Nature); can use Blur; gains a secondary Bite attack.
• Pitborn – +2 STR and CHA; -2 INT; +2 Trickery and Perception; can use Stone Call; +2 bonus to all rolls to confirm critical hits.

Note: Tieflings gain access to the Bloodrager – Reformed Fiend archetype/subclass.

Dhampir

The Dhampir is a new playable race added in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. They are the progeny of vampires and humans. They have the following racial traits:

• Resist Level Drain – No penalties from energy drain effects.
• Undead Resistance – +2 bonus saving throws vs. disease and mind-affecting spells.
• Negative Energy Affinity – Because Dhamphirs are considered undead, positive energy harms them and negative energy heals them.

Because of Negative Energy Affinity, they are a lot more complicated to use. Also, similar to Tieflings, Dhampir heritage options provide benefits and penalties. Here are a couple of examples:

• Jiang-Shi-born – +2 DEX and INT; -2 WIS; +2 Stealth and Use Magic Device.
• Moroi-born – +2 STR and CHA; -2 WIS; +2 Stealth and Use Magic Device.
• Vampire King-born – +2 STR and INT; -2 DEX; +2 Persuasion and Knowledge (World).

Note: Dhampirs gain access to the Wizard – Cruoromancer archetype/subclass.

Oread

Oreads are also humans, but their ancestry includes a mixture of the blood of elemental beings. Oreads are another new playable race added in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. They have the following traits:

• Slow Movement (Dwarf-Blooded) – Lower base speed (i.e., movement range in battles).
• Keen Senses – +2 Perception.
• Energy Resistance – +5 acid resistance.
• Acid Affinity – Increased difficulty check for enemies hit by acid-type spells.

For the heritage pick, I would suggest getting Ironsoul. You’ll get +2 CON and WIS, but -2 DEX. You can cast Lead Blades once per day, enchanting your equipped weapon as though it increased in size (i.e., higher damage).

Note: Oreads gain access to the Monk – Student of Stone archetype/subclass.

Kitsune

The last new playable race added in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the Kitsune. Ever wanted to play as a humanoid fox? Well, now you can. They have the following traits:

• Keen Senses – +2 Perception.
• Agile – +2 Mobility.
• Kitsune Magic – Increased difficulty check for enemies targetted by your spells; Light spell-like ability if you have 11 CHA (or 11 INT for Keen Kitsune).

Speaking of which, you do have the regular Kitsune and the Keen Kitsune. Both have +2 DEX and -2 STR. The difference is that the former has +2 CHA and the latter has +2 INT.

Note: Kitsune gain access to the Sorcerer – Nine-Tailed Heir archetype/subclass.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is available via Steam.