Top Early Game Strategies for Avowed

Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly enhance your early game experience, allowing you to efficiently tackle enemies while maintaining your own survivability. Whether you're drawn to the visceral thrill of close combat, the strategic advantage of long-range attacks, or the tactical control of magic, these builds are designed to set you up for success right from the start in *Avowed*.

Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)

The *Two-Handed Brawler* is all about unleashing brute force. Ideal for those who relish in dealing massive damage and bulldozing through adversaries, this build centers on high-damage two-handed weapons. It's a straightforward yet devastating approach that excels in *Avowed's* early stages.

To maximize your damage and durability, this build prioritizes:

• **Might (3)** – Enhances your melee damage output.
• **Constitution (3)** – Boosts your health and overall tankiness.
• **Dexterity (2)** – Increases attack speed and improves dodging capabilities.
• **Resolve (2)** – Reduces the effects of enemy stuns and knockbacks.

Might increases your melee damage, Constitution enhances your health, and Dexterity aids in attack speed and evasion. Focus your abilities on charging into enemies, boosting your damage, and recovering health during fights. The Charge ability is crucial as it allows you to rush into battle and smash enemies before they can react. Combine this with Bleeding Cuts for damage over time and Toughness to increase your max health, turning you into an unstoppable force.

For weapons, opt for the Horsecutter two-handed sword or the Drawn in Winter axe, both of which deliver powerful blows to make fights quick and brutal. 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 perfect for those who prefer mobility and precision, focusing on bows, firearms, and stealthy movement. This build is excellent for avoiding damage while delivering significant critical hits, contrasting with the Two-Handed Brawler's approach by emphasizing precision and patience.

To maximize effectiveness, this build relies on:

• **Perception (3)** – Increases ranged accuracy and critical hit chance.
• **Dexterity (3)** – Boosts movement and attack speed.
• **Might (2)** – Enhances ranged weapon damage.
• **Resolve (2)** – Improves resistance to stuns and knockbacks.

Perception heightens your critical hit chances, Dexterity enhances speed and evasion, and Might amplifies ranged weapon damage. Equip yourself with abilities like Tanglefoot to root enemies, Marksmanship to increase bow and gun damage, and Shadowing Beyond for temporary invisibility, ensuring enemies rarely get close enough to harm you.

For weapons, a bow or arquebus is ideal for long-range engagements, while a pistol paired with a melee weapon serves as a backup if enemies close the distance. If you enjoy sniping enemies undetected and then disappearing into the shadows, this build is tailored for you. You can find some of the best weapons in various treasures scattered across *Avowed*.

Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)

If you prefer to dominate the battlefield with powerful magic, the *Frost Wizard* is the optimal early-game build. It focuses on freezing enemies, delivering high burst damage, and maintaining control over combat. This build requires strategic positioning and effective resource management, but when mastered, it's one of the most potent setups in the game.

The Frost Wizard relies on:

• **Intellect (3)** – Enhances spell effectiveness.
• **Perception (3)** – Boosts spell accuracy and critical hit chance.
• **Dexterity (2)** – Speeds up spellcasting.
• **Resolve (2)** – Reduces interruptions during casting.

Intellect boosts spell effectiveness, Perception aids in critical hits, and Dexterity accelerates casting. Center your abilities on applying Frost Accumulation to slow and eventually freeze enemies, making them vulnerable targets. Essential spells include Chill Blades for close-range freezing, Blast of Frost, and Bristling Frost for massive AoE frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, using Charge (from the Fighter tree) can shatter them instantly for bonus damage.

Arm yourself with a wand and a frost-based grimoire. Wands enable attacks even when you're out of Essence, while a grimoire provides access to powerful frost spells. If you relish the role of a spellcaster capable of controlling and devastating groups of enemies, this build is your best choice.

Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)

The Melee Fighter offers a balanced approach, blending offense and defense for players seeking versatility. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, this build emphasizes quick attacks, effective blocking, and endurance rather than sheer damage output.

This build focuses on:

• **Might (3)** – Increases melee damage.
• **Perception (3)** – Enhances accuracy and critical spell damage.
• **Dexterity (2)** – Boosts attack speed.
• **Resolve (2)** – Prevents interruptions during casting.

Might amplifies your melee damage, Dexterity increases your speed, and Resolve makes you more resistant to stuns and knockbacks. Core abilities should include Charge to close gaps, Shield Bash to stagger enemies, and Constant Recovery for passive health regeneration, ensuring you can control and survive battles.

Choose a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield for your weapons. The shield provides additional defense while allowing steady damage output. This build is ideal for players who prefer a well-rounded playstyle capable of handling both offense and defense.

Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?

If raw melee power is your goal, the Two-Handed Brawler is your path. For those who favor stealth and ranged combat, the Stealth Ranger is the perfect fit. If you're drawn to the control and devastation of magic, opt for the Frost Wizard. And for a balanced mix of attack and defense, the Melee Fighter is your best choice.

Ultimately, your decision should hinge on what you find enjoyable. *Avowed*'s combat system is both fun and engaging, so tailor your build to the aspects of the game you enjoy most.

*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*