Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly enhance your early game experience, allowing you to handle enemies more effectively while maintaining your own survival. Whether you favor close-quarters combat, long-range sniping, or casting powerful spells, these builds will set you up for success in *Avowed*.
Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)
The *Two-Handed Brawler* build is your go-to for sheer brute force. If you're looking to deal massive damage and plow through enemies, this is the build for you. By focusing on high-damage two-handed weapons, you'll be able to deliver devastating blows while also being resilient enough to absorb incoming attacks. This straightforward yet effective approach excels in the early stages of *Avowed*.
To optimize this build for both damage and durability, prioritize the following stats:
- **Might (3)** – Enhances melee damage output.
- **Constitution (3)** – Increases health and overall toughness.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Improves attack speed and dodging.
- **Resolve (2)** – Reduces the impact of enemy stuns and knockbacks.
Might will boost your melee damage, Constitution will increase your health, and Dexterity will aid in attack speed and evasion. Your main abilities should focus on charging into battles, amplifying your damage, and recovering health during fights. The *Charge* ability is essential here as it allows you to rush into combat and crush enemies before they can react. Combine it with *Bleeding Cuts* for damage over time and *Toughness* to boost your max health, turning you into an unstoppable force on the battlefield.
For weapons, consider the *Horsecutter* two-handed sword or *Drawn in Winter* axe, both of which deliver powerful hits that make fights quick and brutal. This build is perfect for players who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward melee style, aiming to dispatch enemies swiftly before they can retaliate.
Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)
The *Stealth Ranger* is perfect for those who prefer agility and distance. This build emphasizes bows, firearms, and stealthy movement, making it ideal for dealing significant damage from afar while avoiding direct confrontations. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, the Stealth Ranger relies on precision, patience, and keeping enemies at a distance.
To maximize the effectiveness of this build, focus on these attributes:
- **Perception (3)** – Enhances ranged accuracy and critical hit chance.
- **Dexterity (3)** – Increases movement speed and attack speed.
- **Might (2)** – Boosts ranged weapon power.
- **Resolve (2)** – Assists in resisting stuns and knockbacks.
Perception will increase your critical hit chances, Dexterity will enhance your speed and evasion, and Might will amplify your ranged weapon damage. With these stats, you'll be able to deliver lethal headshots while maintaining mobility. Key abilities should include *Tanglefoot* to immobilize enemies, *Marksmanship* to increase damage from bows and guns, and *Shadowing Beyond* for temporary invisibility, ensuring enemies rarely get close enough to strike.
Opt for a bow or arquebus for long-range engagements, and keep a pistol and melee weapon handy for when enemies get too close. If you enjoy picking off enemies from a distance and then disappearing into the shadows, this build is tailored for you. You can discover some of the best weapons hidden in various treasures scattered throughout *Avowed*.
Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)
For those who wish to dominate the battlefield with magical prowess, the *Frost Wizard* is an excellent early-game build. This build focuses on freezing enemies, unleashing high burst damage, and maintaining control over the battlefield. It demands careful positioning and efficient resource management, but when executed correctly, it's one of the most potent setups in *Avowed*.
The Frost Wizard build hinges on these stats:
- **Intellect (3)** – Increases spell effectiveness.
- **Perception (3)** – Enhances accuracy and spell critical hit chance.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Speeds up spellcasting.
- **Resolve (2)** – Reduces interruptions during casting.
Intellect will boost your spell power, Perception will help with critical hits, and Dexterity will quicken your casting speed. Your abilities should revolve around applying *Frost Accumulation*, which slows and eventually freezes enemies, making them vulnerable. *Chill Blades* is crucial for close-range freezing, while *Blast of Frost* and *Bristling Frost* deliver massive area-of-effect frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, using *Charge* (from the Fighter tree) will shatter them, dealing additional damage.
Carry a wand and a frost-based grimoire as your weapons. Wands allow you to attack even when your Essence is depleted, and a good grimoire grants access to powerful frost spells. If you enjoy playing a spellcaster who can control and devastate groups of enemies, this build is ideal for you.
Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)
The *Melee Fighter* offers a balanced approach, blending offense and defense, making it suitable for players seeking versatility. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, this build focuses on quick strikes, blocking, and outlasting opponents rather than sheer damage.
To ensure this build's effectiveness, prioritize these stats:
- **Might (3)** – Increases melee damage.
- **Perception (3)** – Improves accuracy and critical spell damage.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Boosts attack speed.
- **Resolve (2)** – Enhances resistance to interruptions during casting.
Might will enhance your melee damage, Dexterity will increase your speed, and Resolve will make you more resistant to stuns and knockbacks. Your core abilities should include *Charge* to close gaps quickly, *Shield Bash* to stagger enemies, and *Constant Recovery* for passive health regeneration, allowing you to control fights while staying resilient.
For weapons, choose a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield. The shield provides additional defense while enabling you to deal consistent damage. This build is ideal for players who prefer a well-rounded playstyle that can handle both offense and defense effectively.
Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?
If you crave raw melee power, the Two-Handed Brawler is your choice. For those who enjoy stealth and ranged combat, the Stealth Ranger is perfect. If you're drawn to the magic and control offered by spellcasting, opt for the Frost Wizard. And for a balanced mix of attack and defense, the Melee Fighter is your best option.
Ultimately, your choice should align with what you find most enjoyable. *Avowed*'s combat system is both fun and engaging, so choose a build that highlights the elements of the game you love most.
*Avowed is now available on PC and Xbox.*
