Parallels
Full Windows 11 ARM inside macOS.
Difficulty: EasyCost: $49.99Estimate
Parallels
How to play Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire on Mac
RPG · 2018
Best in a Windows 11 ARM virtual machine via Parallels.
Overall rating: Runs great on Mac · 100% of 1 players say it runs well
Your setup
Detect your Mac to see whether Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire will run.
Best in a Windows 11 ARM virtual machine via Parallels.
How to run Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire on your Mac in 2026
Best path: Parallels
Should run in a Windows 11 ARM virtual machine (Parallels). This is an estimate — not a verified report. Demanding 3D titles may need lower settings.
- Heads up on Parallels: Estimated compatibility — no verified report yet
| Method | Quality | Difficulty | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ParallelsPick | Good | Medium | $99/yr | Get it ↗ |
| Boosteroid | Estimate | Easy | $9.95 /mo | Get it ↗ |
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
88
Metacritic
10.0
Metacritic Users
Explore a vast archipelago in this deep, party-based RPG, making choices that shape a dynamic world. Engage in tactical combat and intricate storytelling as you hunt a rogue god through a richly detailed, pirate-themed setting.
The Mac build is Intel-only (x86_64) and runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2 translation — it's a Mac app, but not a true arm64 native one. Expect a ~10–15% performance tax versus a real native port.
What the world thinks
Performance
How Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire runs on your Mac, from our performance model and player reports.
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Best way to play it on Mac
The Mac build is Intel-only (x86_64) and runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2 translation — it's a Mac app, but not a true arm64 native one. Expect a ~10–15% performance tax versus a real native port.
See if this is the right method for your setup
Ways to play Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire on Mac
Here are all the options available, ranked by what we recommend first.
Boosteroid
Needs 25+ Mbps internet, wired ideal.
Difficulty: EasyCost: $9.95 / monthEstimate
Compare methods at a glance
Lower = betterHow each supported method stacks up on setup effort, time and runtime overhead.
Method
Setup Difficulty
Time Investment
Performance Overhead
- ParallelsVMTop pickSetupModerateTime30 minOverheadHigh
- BoosteroidCloudSetupSimpleTime5 minOverheadLow
Where to buy Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
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Step-by-step setup guides
Idiot-proof walkthroughs for every method.
How to run Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire on Mac with Parallels
Estimate· CompatibilityUsing Parallels to play Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire means running a full copy of Windows 11 ARM inside macOS. This is the most "it just works" approach for games that don't behave under CrossOver, and DirectX 11 is hardware-accelerated. You'll need a Windows license and roughly 80 GB of disk space.
Step-by-step
- Buy / start a trial of Parallels Desktop.
- Install Windows 11 ARM via the one-click wizard.
- Inside Windows, install Steam / Xbox app and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
- Enable DirectX 11 in Parallels settings for best 3D performance.
Video proof
Try Parallels Desktop free ↗Affiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.
How to run Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire on Mac with Boosteroid
Estimate· StreamingStreaming Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire through Boosteroid is the fastest way to start playing on a Mac — there's nothing to install, no Windows VM, no compatibility layer. The game runs on a remote GPU and your Mac just receives the video, which means even a base M1 MacBook Air can play the most demanding AAA titles at high settings. The tradeoff is that you need a stable internet connection (ideally wired or 5GHz Wi-Fi with 25+ Mbps down) and a subscription.
Step-by-step
- Create a Boosteroid account and pick a plan.
- Use the web client or download the macOS app.
- Add Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire from their library (you'll need to own it on Steam/Epic).
Video proof
Get Boosteroid ↗Affiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.
Our recommendation
For most Mac players we recommend Parallels as the fastest, smoothest way to play Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. Full Windows 11 ARM inside macOS.
| Method | Quality | Difficulty | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ParallelsPick | Good | Medium | $99/year + Windows licence |
| Boosteroid | Estimate | Easy | $9.95 / month |
Comments
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