Top Early Game Strategies for Avowed

Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly enhance your early game experience, enabling you to tackle enemies effectively while ensuring your survival. Whether you lean towards the brute force of melee combat, the precision of long-range attacks, or the strategic control of magic, these builds offer a robust start in *Avowed*.

Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)

The *Two-Handed Brawler* build is perfect for players who revel in sheer power. Ideal for those who want to obliterate foes with high-damage, two-handed weapons, this build excels at dealing massive blows while being resilient enough to endure enemy attacks. It's straightforward yet devastating, making it a top choice for *Avowed's* early stages.

To optimize this build for maximum impact and toughness:

• **Might (3)** – Amplifies your melee damage output.
• **Constitution (3)** – Enhances your health and overall durability.
• **Dexterity (2)** – Boosts your attack speed and ability to dodge.
• **Resolve (2)** – Minimizes the effects of enemy stuns and knockbacks.

Focus your abilities on charging into battle, boosting your damage, and healing during fights. The *Charge* ability is crucial, enabling you to rush into combat and smash enemies before they can react. Combine this with *Bleeding Cuts* for ongoing damage and *Toughness* to increase your health, making you a formidable force.

For weapons, consider the *Horsecutter* two-handed sword or the *Drawn in Winter* axe, both renowned for their devastating impact. This build suits players who thrive on high-risk, high-reward melee combat, aiming to swiftly dispatch enemies before they can retaliate.

Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)

The *Stealth Ranger* build is tailored for players who prefer agility and distance, focusing on bows, firearms, and stealth tactics. It's ideal for those who want to avoid taking damage while delivering lethal, critical strikes from afar. This build emphasizes precision, patience, and keeping adversaries at bay.

To excel with this build, prioritize:

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

Equip abilities like *Tanglefoot* to immobilize enemies, *Marksmanship* to enhance your bow and gun damage, and *Shadowing Beyond* for brief invisibility. These skills ensure you remain elusive and effective, rarely allowing enemies to close in.

Choose a bow or arquebus for long-range engagements, and keep a pistol and melee weapon as a backup for when enemies get too close. This build is perfect for those who relish in sniping foes before they even notice you, then disappearing into the shadows. You can find some of the best weapons scattered in numerous treasures throughout *Avowed*.

Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)

For players who prefer to dominate the battlefield with magic, the *Frost Wizard* build is a top choice in the early game. This build revolves around freezing enemies, delivering high burst damage, and maintaining control over the fight. It demands strategic positioning and efficient resource management but, when executed well, it's among the most powerful setups in *Avowed*.

To harness the power of frost:

• **Intellect (3)** – Enhances your spell effectiveness.
• **Perception (3)** – Improves your spell accuracy and critical hit chance.
• **Dexterity (2)** – Increases your spellcasting speed.
• **Resolve (2)** – Reduces interruptions during spellcasting.

Focus on abilities that apply *Frost Accumulation* to slow and eventually freeze enemies, making them vulnerable. *Chill Blades* is essential for close combat freezing, while *Blast of Frost* and *Bristling Frost* unleash area-of-effect frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, using *Charge* (from the Fighter tree) can shatter them instantly, dealing bonus damage.

Arm yourself with a wand and a frost-based grimoire. Wands allow you to attack even when out of Essence, and a potent grimoire provides access to formidable frost spells. This build is ideal for players who enjoy controlling the battlefield and dealing substantial damage through magical prowess.

Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)

The *Melee Fighter* build offers a balanced approach, blending offense and defense, making it suitable for players seeking versatility. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, this build focuses on rapid strikes, blocking, and outlasting opponents rather than sheer damage.

To achieve a well-rounded performance:

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

Your core abilities should include *Charge* to close gaps quickly, *Shield Bash* to stagger enemies, and *Constant Recovery* for passive health regeneration. This combination allows you to control the fight while maintaining your health.

Opt for a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield. The shield adds an extra layer of defense while enabling you to deal consistent damage. This build is excellent for players who want a balanced playstyle capable of handling both offensive and defensive scenarios.

Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?

If raw melee power is your goal, opt for the *Two-Handed Brawler*. For those who enjoy stealth and ranged combat, the *Stealth Ranger* is ideal. If you're drawn to magical control and battlefield domination, the *Frost Wizard* is the way to go. And for a balanced approach to both attack and defense, the *Melee Fighter* is your best choice.

Ultimately, your decision should reflect what you find fun and engaging. *Avowed*'s combat system is dynamic and enjoyable, so tailor your build to the elements that excite you the most.

*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*