Pathfinder: WotR Lich Mythic Path Guide – Undead Army & Hidden Ending

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous does not have a seasonal system like typical online games. The latest major DLC, "A Dance of Masks," was released around May 2024. The current latest patch is version 2.4.x. This article's information is based on these versions.

Transcend the laws of death and reign as an immortal king over all living things. This is the "Lich" Mythic Path. In Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, the path to becoming the most evil and most powerful spellcaster awaits. Overwhelming power gained by integrating arcane spellbooks to break caster level limits, an undead army capable of enslaving even defeated enemies and former companions, and forbidden rituals to ascend to god-like existence... This article thoroughly covers everything from the Lich Mythic Path's unlock conditions, powerful builds, story implications, to the hidden ending.

Lich Mythic Path Basic Information

The path of the Lich is an evil one, exploring the powers of necromancy and casting aside one's mortal body to become an undead being. Its benefits are immeasurable, especially for arcane spellcasters.

Key Abilities and Undead Army by Mythic Rank

The Lich's power grows with each Mythic Rank, and the player character gradually loses their humanity. The key abilities unlocked at each rank are as follows:

1. Mythic Rank 3: Path to Lichdom
   The path is formally established. At this point, you can summon a powerful undead companion, the "Skeleton Champion." He possesses Fighter class abilities, can have his equipment changed, and remains a reliable force until the end. Additionally, Lich-specific spells and abilities (class features) such as "Vampiric Blade" and "Cause Fear (Mass)" are unlocked.
2. Mythic Rank 4: Army of the Dead
   In Crusader mode, you gain the "Lord of the Dead" ability, which allows you to resurrect defeated enemy units as undead soldiers. This lets you immediately replenish forces lost in battle and lead a vast undead army.
3. Mythic Rank 5: Immortal Flesh
   Your player character finally gains undead traits. As a result, your Charisma score replaces your Hit Points (HP) bonus, and your Constitution score becomes 0. Many status effects like poison, disease, paralysis, and sleep become ineffective, and physical defenses significantly improve. However, you will take damage from positive energy (healing spells).
4. Mythic Rank 6: Soul Repurposing
   The Lich's ruthlessness increases further, making the "Repurpose" ability available to resurrect defeated enemies as undead. This allows you to immediately enslave powerful foes after defeating them.
5. Mythic Rank 7: Necromancy Mastered
   Even more powerful Lich-specific spells are unlocked. The power to dominate the battlefield approaches completion with an enhanced version of "Finger of Death" to instantly dispatch enemies, and spells that spread negative energy over a wide area.
6. Mythic Rank 8-9: Completion of the Undead King
   You undergo the final transformation into a Lich and fully master mythical powers. At this stage, an event occurs where specific NPCs, such as former companions Staunton Vane and Delamere, can be resurrected as powerful undead allies. They possess unique abilities and form the core of the Lich's army.

Recommended Builds and Mythic Abilities

To maximize the Lich's potential, appropriate class selection and Mythic Ability acquisition are essential.

Compatible Classes

• Wizard (especially Exploiter Wizard): One of the classes that benefits most from spellbook integration. High Intelligence makes the Lich's spell DCs (Difficulty Class) very high. The Exploiter archetype offers extreme flexibility, further increasing spell DCs with "Arcane Exploit" or granting additional feats.
• Sorcerer (especially Undead Bloodline): With Charisma as its main ability score, it perfectly synergizes with the "Charisma converted to Hit Points (HP) bonus" trait gained upon becoming undead. This creates a versatile character with high durability as a powerful spellcaster. The Undead Bloodline further enhances necromancy spells.
• Arcanist: A class that combines the Wizard's spell list with the Sorcerer's flexible spell slots. Spellbook integration is possible, making it a powerful choice.

Recommended Mythic Abilities and Feats

• Abundant Casting (all three ranks): Absolutely essential for spellbook integration builds. It significantly increases spell slots and drastically improves sustained combat capability.
• Last Stand: A survival ability effective in any build. Recommended as insurance to overcome critical situations.
• Ascendant Element (Negative): Many Lich spells and abilities deal negative energy damage, making this ability extremely powerful as it ignores enemy resistances and immunities.
• Mythic Spell Penetration: Further strengthens the overwhelming caster level of 30, easily penetrating even the high spell resistance of high-level demons.
• Lord of the Dead: A Lich-exclusive Mythic Ability. Greatly enhances all summoned undead, including the Skeleton Champion.

Story Implications and the Hidden Ending "True Ascension"

The evil path of the Lich significantly impacts relationships with companions and the story's conclusion.

Parting Ways and Reuniting with Companions

As you progress on the path of undeath, the rift with good-aligned companions deepens. Notably, Seelah, a Paladin, will inevitably leave your party in Chapter 5 and become hostile if you choose the Lich path. Other good-aligned companions, such as Sosiel, may also depart depending on your choices.

Conversely, the Lich can resurrect characters who have died as undead. This offers a unique development specific to this path, allowing you to recruit figures like Staunton Vane and Delamere, who perished during the story, as new companions.

The Path to the Hidden Ending "True Ascension"

The Lich is one of the few Mythic Paths that can achieve the hidden ending, "True Ascension," by fulfilling specific, complex conditions. This ending isn't merely about becoming an immortal but about transforming into a god-like entity in the world of Golarion.

The main conditions are as follows:

• Maintain cooperation with Zacharius until the end and assist his research.
• Cooperate with Areelu Vorlesh's research, whom you meet in Chapter 4, and gain her approval.
• Fully unravel the mystery of the "Lexicon of Paradox."
• Defeat multiple Demon Lords and collect the "Nahyndrian Crystals" they possess.

Summary

The Lich Mythic Path is the ideal choice for players who want to wield overwhelming magical power and lead an undead army to conquer the world. The benefits of caster level 30 through spellbook integration are immense, allowing you to experience gameplay as the most powerful spellcaster in the game. However, this power comes at a great cost, and parting ways with beloved companions is unavoidable.

For those who wish to enjoy thorough villainous roleplay, build a unique party and army unlike any other path, and gaze into the game's hidden depths, the Lich path will be an unforgettable experience.