Pillars of Eternity sees players assume the role of a character defined as a "Watcher" – a person able to see and interact with the souls of people, viewing the memories of those deceased or communing with those who linger – operating on role-playing mechanics that include party-based real-time-with-pause tactical gameplay. The game is played from a fixed isometric viewpoint consisting of 3D models against two-dimensional pre-rendered backdrops,[4][5] in a similar vein as its spiritual predecessors  – Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment.[6]
New games begin with players creating a character, with the choices they make on the character's race, background, stats, and class  – except their appearance  – impacting what choices can be made in dialogues with non-player characters (NPCs) or interactive objects.[7][8] Each class of the eleven available  – fighter, rogue, ranger, barbarian, monk, paladin, wizard, druid, priest, chanter, and cipher  – benefits from certain prominent stats in the game, and features a set of abilities unique to them,[9] which can be used in battles with hostile enemies and creatures: for example, the cipher can use the soul of an enemy in order to attack them,[9] and druids can shapeshift into a beast and cast spells.[10] In addition to these, the character may make use of five skills  – Stealth, Athletics, Lore, Mechanics and Survival  – which confer bonuses in various situations,[11] such as unlocking containers and gaining bonuses when resting outside inns. The character classes and game mechanics are similar to Dungeons & Dragons,[12] but are a proprietary system created for the game.[13] Characters level up upon acquiring experience points from completing quests and certain situations  – battling enemies does not reward experience, meaning conducting non-violent approaches can be just as rewarding.[14]