Choosing the optimal build in *Avowed* can significantly enhance your early game experience, allowing you to handle enemies more effectively while maintaining your survivability. Whether you enjoy close-quarters combat, long-range sniping, or unleashing powerful spells, these builds are designed to give you a strong start in *Avowed*.
Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)
The *Two-Handed Brawler* is all about brute force, perfect for those who want to deal massive damage and plow through enemies. Focusing on high-damage two-handed weapons, this build allows you to hit hard while withstanding enemy attacks. It’s a straightforward yet effective strategy that excels in *Avowed’s* early stages.
To optimize damage and durability, prioritize the following:
- **Might (3)** – Enhances melee damage output.
- **Constitution (3)** – Boosts health and overall toughness.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Improves attack speed and dodging.
- **Resolve (2)** – Reduces the impact of enemy stuns and knockbacks.
Might increases your melee damage, Constitution provides more health, and Dexterity aids in attack speed and evasion. Your primary abilities should focus on charging into enemies, boosting your damage, and recovering health during combat. The Charge ability is crucial, allowing you to rush into fights and smash enemies before they react. Complement this with Bleeding Cuts for damage over time and Toughness to increase your maximum health, making you an unstoppable force.
For weapons, the Horsecutter two-handed sword or Drawn in Winter axe are top choices. Both deliver powerful hits, ensuring fights are short and intense. This build suits players who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward melee style, aiming to eliminate enemies swiftly before they can retaliate.
Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)
The *Stealth Ranger* is ideal for those who prefer mobility and picking off enemies from a distance. This build emphasizes bows, firearms, and stealthy movement, excelling in avoiding damage while delivering devastating critical hits. It contrasts with the Two-Handed Brawler by focusing on precision, patience, and maintaining distance.
To maximize effectiveness, focus on:
- **Perception (3)** – Enhances ranged accuracy and critical hit chance.
- **Dexterity (3)** – Boosts movement and attack speed.
- **Might (2)** – Increases ranged weapon power.
- **Resolve (2)** – Aids in resisting stuns and knockbacks.
Perception increases critical hit chances, Dexterity improves speed and evasion, and Might enhances ranged damage. With these attributes, you can land lethal headshots while staying agile. Key abilities include Tanglefoot to immobilize enemies, Marksmanship to boost bow and gun damage, and Shadowing Beyond for temporary invisibility, ensuring enemies rarely close in on you.
Opt for a bow or arquebus for long-range engagements, and carry a pistol with a melee weapon as a backup. If you relish sniping enemies undetected and then disappearing into the shadows, this build is for you. You can discover some of the best weapons in various treasures scattered throughout *Avowed*.
Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)
For those who wish to dominate the battlefield with potent magic, the *Frost Wizard* offers an excellent early-game build. It revolves around freezing enemies, delivering high burst damage, and maintaining control over combat. This build demands strategic positioning and efficient resource management, but when mastered, it’s one of the most powerful setups in *Avowed*.
The Frost Wizard focuses on:
- **Intellect (3)** – Boosts spell effectiveness.
- **Perception (3)** – Enhances accuracy and spell critical hit chance.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Speeds up spellcasting.
- **Resolve (2)** – Reduces interruptions during casting.
Intellect improves spell potency, Perception aids critical hits, and Dexterity accelerates casting. Your abilities should center on applying Frost Accumulation to slow and eventually freeze enemies, making them vulnerable. Essential spells include Chill Blades for close-range freezing, Blast of Frost, and Bristling Frost for area-of-effect frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, using Charge from the Fighter tree will shatter them, dealing bonus damage.
Equip a wand and a frost-based grimoire for optimal performance. Wands allow attacks when Essence is depleted, while a grimoire provides access to powerful frost spells. If you enjoy playing a spellcaster who can lock down groups of enemies while inflicting heavy damage, this build is ideal.
Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)
The Melee Fighter is a balanced build that blends offense and defense, making it suitable for players seeking versatility. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, this build emphasizes quick attacks, blocking, and outlasting opponents rather than sheer damage output.
Focus on:
- **Might (3)** – Increases melee damage.
- **Perception (3)** – Improves accuracy and critical spell damage.
- **Dexterity (2)** – Enhances attack speed.
- **Resolve (2)** – Prevents interruptions while casting.
Might amplifies melee damage, Dexterity boosts speed, and Resolve increases resistance to stuns and knockbacks. Core abilities should include Charge to close gaps, Shield Bash to stagger enemies, and Constant Recovery for passive health regeneration, allowing you to control fights and remain resilient.
Choose a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield for optimal performance. The shield provides additional defense while allowing steady damage output. This build is perfect for players seeking a well-rounded playstyle that balances offense and defense.
Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?
If you crave pure melee destruction, the Two-Handed Brawler is your choice. For stealth and ranged combat enthusiasts, the Stealth Ranger is ideal. If magic and battlefield control appeal to you, the Frost Wizard is the way to go. For a balanced mix of attack and defense, opt for the Melee Fighter.
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.*
