Top Early Game Strategies for Avowed

Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly impact your early game experience, enhancing your ability to tackle enemies while ensuring your survival. Whether you're drawn to close combat, long-range sniping, or the arcane arts of magic, these builds will set you up for success from the start.

Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)

The *Two-Handed Brawler* is designed for players who relish in brute force. If your strategy involves dealing massive damage and bulldozing through foes, this is the build for you. With an emphasis on high-damage two-handed weapons, you'll not only hit hard but also withstand enemy attacks with ease. This straightforward yet effective approach excels in the early stages of *Avowed*.

To enhance both damage and resilience, prioritize these attributes:

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

Your primary abilities should focus on charging into battle, amplifying damage, and recovering health during combat. The *Charge* ability is crucial as it allows you to rush into fights and smash enemies before they can react. Combine this with *Bleeding Cuts* for damage over time and *Toughness* to boost your maximum health, turning you into an unstoppable force.

The ideal weapons for this build are the Horsecutter two-handed sword or the Drawn in Winter axe, both renowned for their devastating impact. This build suits players who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward melee style, aiming to swiftly eliminate enemies before they can retaliate.

Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)

The *Stealth Ranger* is perfect for those who thrive on mobility and precision, taking down enemies from a distance. This build concentrates on bows, firearms, and stealthy maneuvers, enabling you to deal substantial critical hits while minimizing damage taken. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, the Stealth Ranger emphasizes accuracy, patience, and keeping adversaries at bay.

To maximize effectiveness, focus on these attributes:

• **Perception (3)** – Increases ranged accuracy and critical hit chance.
• **Dexterity (3)** – Boosts movement speed and attack speed.
• **Might (2)** – Enhances ranged weapon power.
• **Resolve (2)** – Assists in resisting stuns and knockbacks.

With these stats, you'll be able to deliver lethal headshots while maintaining agility. Your key abilities should include *Tanglefoot* to immobilize enemies, *Marksmanship* to amplify bow and gun damage, and *Shadowing Beyond* for temporary invisibility, ensuring that foes rarely get close enough to harm you.

For weaponry, opt for a bow or arquebus for long-range engagements, complemented by a pistol and a melee weapon for close encounters. This build is ideal for players who relish sniping enemies unnoticed and then disappearing into the shadows. You can discover some of the best weapons hidden in various treasures throughout *Avowed*.

Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)

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

The Frost Wizard's effectiveness hinges on these attributes:

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

Your abilities should revolve around applying *Frost Accumulation*, which slows and eventually freezes enemies, turning them into easy targets. *Chill Blades* is essential for close-range freezing, while *Blast of Frost* and *Bristling Frost* deliver massive area-of-effect frost damage. Once an enemy is frozen, using *Charge* (borrowed from the Fighter tree) will shatter them, dealing bonus damage.

Carry a wand and a frost-based grimoire as your weapons of choice. Wands allow you to attack even when Essence is depleted, while a potent grimoire grants access to formidable frost spells. This build is perfect for players who enjoy dominating the battlefield with magic, freezing and shattering groups of enemies with devastating effect.

Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)

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

The Melee Fighter Build emphasizes these attributes:

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

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

For weapons, a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield is recommended. The shield provides additional defense while allowing you to deal consistent damage. This build is excellent for players who prefer a well-rounded playstyle capable of handling both offensive and defensive scenarios.

Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?

If you crave pure melee destruction, the Two-Handed Brawler is your choice. For those who favor stealth and ranged combat, the Stealth Ranger is ideal. If magic and battlefield control are your forte, opt for the Frost Wizard. And for a balanced mix of attack and defense, the Melee Fighter is the best option.

Ultimately, your choice should reflect what you find enjoyable. *Avowed*'s combat system is engaging and versatile, so tailor your build to the elements you enjoy most.

*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*