Pathfinder: WotR – Lann vs. Wenduag, Who to Choose? Guide

[Information as of June 26, 2026]
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous does not have a season system. Instead, multiple DLCs and major updates have been released. The latest major content is the set of DLCs (DLC#4, #5, #6) included in “Season Pass 2.” In particular, DLC “A Dance of Masks” and its accompanying Patch 2.5.0y have introduced changes to existing content, such as revisions to the “Gold Dragon” Mythic Path.

Early in your adventure in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, players face a significant decision: which of the two Mongrel warriors, Lann or Wenduag, to recruit into their party. This choice not only affects your combat strength but also deeply influences the unfolding story and your protagonist's role-playing. This article thoroughly compares their performance, builds, and story impact, explaining who you should choose and even how to recruit both.

Character Basic Information Comparison

First, let's compare their basic profiles in a table. Even just looking at this, you can see the differences in their personalities and roles.

The First Choice: Which Companion Should You Recruit?

Towards the end of the Prologue, after rescuing Seelah and the others, the protagonist is forced to choose whether to officially add Lann or Wenduag to their party. This choice is naturally made based on your protagonist's role-playing alignment.

• Choosing Lann: If you choose options that show heavenly light and value hope and cooperation with companions, he will join your party. This is a suitable choice for "Lawful" or "Good" alignments. His story is closer to a classic hero's tale, focused on protecting his community and upholding justice.
• Choosing Wenduag: If you embrace demonic power and show a desire for strength, she will take an interest in the protagonist. This matches "Chaotic" or "Evil" alignments, or a playstyle that believes power is everything. Her route unfolds a dark narrative filled with betrayal and domination.

Performance and Build Comparison: Who is the Strongest Archer?

Both are powerful ranged physical attackers, but their characteristics differ significantly. Choose according to your party composition and playstyle.

Lann: Self-Sufficient, Stable Attacker

Lann's starting class, "Zen Archer," is a Monk archetype that is both unique and powerful. Its greatest feature is the ability to add a high Wisdom ability score bonus to both ranged attack rolls and AC (Armor Class). This allows him to maintain high defenses without wearing armor, while delivering incredibly accurate shots. The Monk ability "Flurry of Blows" increases the number of attacks without reducing Base Attack Bonus (BAB), making him a high-frequency attacker from the early game.

• Recommended Build Options:
  Even purely leveling "Zen Archer" to 20 provides top-tier performance into the late game. If considering multiclassing, classes that rely on Wisdom are a good fit. Acquiring a few levels of "Cleric (Crusader)" will grant powerful divine Spell Slots and bonus feats, strengthening both offense and defense. Combining with "Inquisitor (Sacred Huntsmaster)" allows him to gain an animal companion to hold the front line while he boosts damage from the rear with judgments and bane abilities.
• Synergy with Mythic Paths:
  Given his Lawful Good alignment, Mythic Paths like "Angel" or "Aeon" are an excellent match. Particularly, the powerful buff spells of "Angel" can further enhance Lann's offensive capabilities.

Wenduag: Specialized High-Damage Attacker

Wenduag's starting class is "Fighter," making her a pure physical attacker. Fighters gain bonus feats every two levels, which allows her to quickly acquire bow-related feats (e.g., Precise Shot, Clustered Shots, Improved Critical) and specialize as a pure damage dealer. Leveraging her high Strength to equip a composite longbow, her damage output has the potential to surpass Lann's.

• Recommended Build Options:
  While continuing to level Fighter is powerful, multiclassing is recommended to maximize her damage. Mixing in "Slayer" grants bonuses against studied targets and "Sneak Attack" damage, causing her single-target damage to skyrocket. Combining with "Rogue (Knife Master)" further increases her "Sneak Attack" dice. Furthermore, a build focused on enhancing herself as a "Fighter (Mutation Warrior)" and rapid-firing throwing axes is also known for dealing tremendous damage.
• Synergy with Mythic Paths:
  Her thirst for power synergizes exceptionally well with the "Demon" Mythic Path's rage. Additionally, the "Trickster" Mythic Path, which enhances critical hits and confounds enemies, would be an interesting combination to fully unleash her damage potential.

Story Impact and How to Recruit Both

Depending on who you choose, the fate of the Mongrels living underground can change significantly. However, by meeting specific conditions, it's possible to eventually add both characters to your party.

Story Branching and Character Personalities

If you choose Lann, his personal quests depict themes of companionship, self-sacrifice, and fighting to lead the Mongrels to a better future. On the other hand, if you choose Wenduag, her quests revolve around domination through power, betrayal, and merciless choices that test the protagonist's strength. Her romance route can even reveal an unexpected side hidden beneath her cold demeanor.

[IMPORTANT] Steps to Recruit Both Characters

If you wish to recruit both, the route of choosing Lann first is relatively easier and more reliable. Here are the steps:

1. Choose Lann in the Prologue: First, recruit Lann into your party as usual.
2. Chapter 3: Progress Lann's personal quest "A Return to the Roots": Towards the end of the quest, you will confront Wenduag.
3. Spare Wenduag without killing her, using a specific method: This is the most crucial point. During the conversation with Wenduag, choose the [Evil] alignment option: "You are weak and insignificant. Honor is not for the likes of you," and succeed a Persuasion check. This allows you to crush her pride and make her leave without killing her. Be careful, simply telling her to "leave" will not set the correct flag.
4. Reunion in Chapter 5: If the above conditions are met, Wenduag will reappear in Chapter 5 and join your forces. This allows you to have both Lann and Wenduag in your party.

Even if you initially chose Wenduag, there are opportunities to recruit Lann in Chapter 3 and Chapter 5, but the conditions are more complex. Therefore, if you aim to have both, choosing Lann first is strongly recommended.

Summary: Which Fits Your Playstyle?

The choice between Lann and Wenduag is the first major branching point in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Make the optimal choice that suits your playstyle.

• For beginners or those seeking stability, choose "Lann": His build is simple yet powerful, with an excellent balance of offense and defense. His story is also a classic hero's journey, easy to empathize with, and he will serve as a reliable backbone for your party until the end.
• For high damage or evil playthroughs, choose "Wenduag": While her build requires optimization, the payoff is the potential for some of the highest damage output in the party. Her dark and stimulating narrative offers a depth that a good-aligned playthrough cannot provide.
• If you want to enjoy both their combat strength and stories, "choose Lann first and spare Wenduag in Chapter 3": This method is the most reliable. You will ultimately add two powerful archers to your party and experience the story deeply from their differing perspectives.

Whichever path you choose, that decision will undoubtedly make your Crusade unique. Choose your best companion carefully, but always follow your heart.