In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, the ability to respec your character or your companions adds a layer of flexibility and experimentation to gameplay, allowing players to refine their builds as they progress through the game. To utilize this feature, you must visit a merchant who offers the “Retrain Character” option. The first merchant where you can access this functionality is located in Port Maje Harbor, but after that initial encounter, this option becomes available at any qualifying merchant throughout the game.

Key Details of the Respec Feature:

1. Class Restrictions:
– When you respec a character, you cannot change their class or race. This means that while you can modify skills, stats, and even multiclass distributions (if your character is multiclassed), the original class remains fixed.

2. How to Respec:
– To initiate the respec process, approach a merchant, select the “Retrain Character” option, and then follow the prompts. You will need to pay a fee based on the current level of the character being respecced; higher levels incur higher costs.

3. Companion Respec:
– The respec mechanics for your companions mirror that of the main character. You can reset their stats and skills in the same manner, allowing you to optimize their roles in your party.

4. Bugs and Glitches:
– Some players have encountered issues with companion portraits disappearing following a respec. This glitch can often be resolved by adjusting the order of your party members or temporarily removing and re-adding the affected companion to your party.

5. Nature of Respec:
– It’s important to note that respec is strictly a statistical and skill reset; it does not alter any visual aspects or the fundamental identity of the character. Therefore, any unique traits and character background will remain intact.

Summary of Respec Process:
– Find a Merchant: Locate any merchant with the “Retrain Character” option.
– Choose Respec: Select a character for respec.
– Pay the Fee: Based on the character’s current level, pay the required fee.
– Reallocate Points: Adjust your skills and stats within the limitations of the original class.

This feature is especially valuable for players who wish to experiment with various builds or adapt their strategies to meet the challenges they face in the game world, eliminating the need to start anew to try different character configurations.