Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly enhance your early game experience, allowing you to tackle enemies effectively while maintaining your survivability. Whether you're drawn to the thrill of close combat, the precision of long-range attacks, or the strategic power of magic, these builds will set you up for success in *Avowed*.
Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)
The *Two-Handed Brawler* is the ultimate choice for players who revel in brute force. If you're looking to dish out massive damage and plow through adversaries, this build is for you. Focused on wielding high-damage two-handed weapons, you'll hit like a freight train while being resilient enough to soak up attacks. It's a straightforward yet devastating approach that excels in *Avowed's* early stages.
To optimize this build for maximum damage and endurance, you'll want to prioritize:
- **Might (3)** – Enhances your melee damage output.
- **Constitution (3)** – Boosts your health and overall durability.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Increases attack speed and improves your dodging capabilities.
- **Resolve (2)** – Minimizes the effects of enemy stuns and knockbacks.
Might amplifies your melee damage, Constitution beefs up your health, and Dexterity aids in attack speed and evasion. Your primary abilities should revolve around charging into the fray, boosting your damage, and regenerating health during combat. The Charge ability is crucial as it lets you surge into battle and crush enemies before they can respond. Complement this with Bleeding Cuts for sustained damage over time and Toughness to increase your maximum health, turning you into an unstoppable juggernaut.
For weapons, the Horsecutter two-handed sword or Drawn in Winter axe are top choices. These weapons pack a punch, ensuring that fights are short and fierce. This build is perfect for those who crave a high-risk, high-reward melee style, focused on annihilating enemies swiftly before they can retaliate.
Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)
If mobility and long-range precision are your preference, the *Stealth Ranger* build is your go-to. This setup emphasizes the use of bows, firearms, and stealthy movement, making it ideal for dealing substantial critical damage while minimizing the harm you take. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, the Stealth Ranger thrives on precision, patience, and keeping foes at bay.
To maximize this build's effectiveness, you'll need to focus on:
- **Perception (3)** – Enhances ranged accuracy and critical hit probability.
- **Dexterity (3)** – Improves movement speed and attack speed.
- **Might (2)** – Boosts the power of your ranged weapons.
- **Resolve (2)** – Increases resistance to stuns and knockbacks.
Perception enhances your chances of landing critical hits, Dexterity boosts your agility and evasion, and Might increases the potency of your ranged attacks. With these attributes, you'll be able to deliver lethal headshots while staying nimble. Key abilities to include are Tanglefoot to immobilize enemies, Marksmanship to amplify your bow and gun damage, and Shadowing Beyond for temporary invisibility, ensuring enemies rarely get close enough to strike.
For weaponry, opt for a bow or arquebus for long-range engagements, and keep a pistol and melee weapon handy for when enemies close in. If you relish the art of sniping foes from the shadows and then disappearing, this build is tailored for you. You can discover some of the best weapons hidden in treasures scattered throughout *Avowed*.
Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)
For those who prefer to dominate the battlefield with magical prowess, the *Frost Wizard* is the optimal early-game build. It centers on freezing enemies, unleashing high burst damage, and maintaining control over encounters. This build demands strategic positioning and efficient resource management, but when executed correctly, it's one of the most potent configurations in the game.
The Frost Wizard's success hinges on:
- **Intellect (3)** – Enhances the effectiveness of your spells.
- **Perception (3)** – Improves accuracy and the chance of critical spell hits.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Accelerates your spellcasting.
- **Resolve (2)** – Reduces interruptions during spellcasting.
Intellect magnifies your spell potency, Perception increases critical hit chances, and Dexterity quickens your casting speed. Your abilities should focus on applying Frost Accumulation, which slows and eventually freezes foes, making them vulnerable. Essential spells include Chill Blades for close-range freezing, Blast of Frost, and Bristling Frost for widespread frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, utilizing Charge (borrowed from the Fighter tree) will shatter them, delivering bonus damage.
In terms of weaponry, carry a wand and a frost-based grimoire. Wands allow you to attack even when your Essence is depleted, while a powerful grimoire grants access to devastating frost spells. If you enjoy controlling the battlefield with magic and dealing heavy damage, this build is perfect for you.
Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)
The Melee Fighter offers a balanced approach, blending offense and defense, making it ideal for players seeking versatility. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, this build emphasizes swift attacks, blocking, and endurance rather than sheer damage output.
The Melee Fighter Build focuses on:
- **Might (3)** – Increases your melee damage.
- **Perception (3)** – Improves accuracy and boosts critical spell damage.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Enhances attack speed.
- **Resolve (2)** – Prevents interruptions while casting.
Might amplifies your melee damage, Dexterity increases your speed, and Resolve makes you more resistant to stuns and knockbacks. Your core abilities should include Charge to close distances, Shield Bash to stagger enemies, and Constant Recovery for passive health regeneration, ensuring you can control battles while staying alive.
When selecting weapons, a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield is ideal. The shield provides additional defense while allowing you to maintain a steady offensive. This build is excellent for players who desire a well-rounded playstyle capable of handling both attack and defense.
Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?
If raw melee power is your goal, opt for the Two-Handed Brawler. For those who favor stealth and ranged combat, the Stealth Ranger is the way to go. If you're drawn to magic and battlefield control, the Frost Wizard is your best choice. And for a balanced mix of offense and defense, the Melee Fighter is your ideal build.
Ultimately, your choice should reflect what you find most enjoyable. *Avowed*'s combat system is engaging and diverse, so tailor your build to the elements you love most.
*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*
