"Avowed Beginner's Guide Released"

*Avowed* is out now, and Obsidian’s latest RPG is designed to captivate both seasoned players and newcomers to the genre. If you're new to RPGs, don't worry—I've got some tips to help you dive in and enjoy the game to its fullest.

Know the Basics

*Avowed* follows the traditional RPG formula where you earn XP by completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring new areas. As you accumulate XP, you'll level up, gaining attribute and ability points to customize your character. Whether you want to craft a formidable warrior or a powerful wizard, the choice is yours.

Attributes determine your character's strengths. Personally, I lean towards the scholar class because of my love for reading, but *Avowed* encourages you to experiment with different builds. The game's beginner-friendly feature allows you to re-roll your points if your initial choices don't pan out, making it easier to find the perfect playstyle.

Explore Avowed’s World

While *Avowed* isn't a fully open world, it offers a semi-linear experience with clear story objectives. It's tempting to follow the markers, but the true joy of RPGs lies in exploration. Venturing off the beaten path can lead to discovering loot, resources, and engaging side quests that offer easy XP.

Books and notes scattered throughout the world enrich the narrative, showcasing Obsidian's storytelling prowess. Don't just collect them—read them to deepen your understanding of the game's universe. Keep an eye out for treasure maps, which can lead to special gear and coins, enhancing your gameplay experience.

Exploring also helps you amass gold, crucial for acquiring better weapons and gear. This can significantly impact your combat effectiveness, especially against tougher enemies. Taking your time to explore will ensure you're well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Stock Up On Health and Essence Potions

Combat in *Avowed* can be challenging, especially for newcomers. Balancing physical and essence attacks while monitoring your health and essence bars is key. Health and essence potions are essential—health potions restore a large amount of health, while essence potions refill your essence bar. You can find these potions in the world or purchase them from vendors in cities; they're easily identifiable by their bright red (health) and pink (essence) colors.

Use potions wisely. If your health is only slightly depleted, consider using food items you've collected instead. Some foods and herbs can cure effects like poison, so save them for when you really need them. Reserve health potions for when your health is critically low, unlike in games like *Call of Duty* where you might reload after every encounter.

Give Your Companions Some Love

As you level up, you'll receive skill and attribute points to enhance your character's abilities and dialogue options. However, don't overlook your companions. Upgrading their abilities is crucial for success in combat. Strong companions can provide healing and support, preventing you from being overwhelmed by enemies. Neglecting them can lead to frustrating restarts, so keep them well-equipped and upgraded.

Upgrade Your Gear

Throughout your journey, you'll gather resources that can be used to upgrade your weapons and gear at the camp's upgrade station. Early on, you might switch weapons frequently, so be strategic about where you invest your resources. Upgrading gear can significantly boost your attack power, critical chance, and damage protection, making it a worthwhile investment.

Have Fun and Play Your Way

The essence of RPGs like *Avowed* is to immerse yourself in another world. Whether you focus on the main story or explore every side quest, the game is designed to let you create your own narrative. Enjoy the freedom to save the Living Lands in your unique way.

And that's a beginner's guide to *Avowed*. Dive in, explore, and most importantly, have fun!

*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*