Top Early Game Strategies for Avowed

Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly enhance your early game experience, allowing you to tackle enemies efficiently while maintaining your survivability. Whether you lean towards close combat, long-range sniping, or the power of magic, these builds are designed to give you a strong start in *Avowed*.

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Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)

The Two-Handed Brawler is all about brute force. This build is perfect for players who want to unleash massive damage and bulldoze through enemies. By focusing on high-damage two-handed weapons, you'll be able to hit hard and withstand enemy attacks effectively. It's a straightforward yet highly effective strategy that excels in Avowed's early stages.

To maximize both damage and durability, prioritize the following stats:

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

Might amplifies your melee damage, while Constitution increases your health pool. Dexterity aids in speeding up your attacks and dodging, and Resolve helps you stay on your feet. Key abilities should focus on charging into battle, boosting your damage, and recovering health mid-fight. The Charge ability is crucial as it allows you to rush into combat 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, consider the Horsecutter two-handed sword or the Drawn in Winter axe. These weapons deliver devastating blows, making encounters quick and brutal. This build suits players who thrive on a high-risk, high-reward melee style, aiming to eliminate foes before they can retaliate.

Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)

The Stealth Ranger is ideal for those who prefer a mobile and strategic approach, picking off enemies from a distance. This build emphasizes the use of bows, firearms, and stealthy movement, allowing you to avoid damage while landing critical hits. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, the Stealth Ranger focuses on precision, patience, and maintaining distance from enemies.

To optimize this build, prioritize these stats:

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

Perception enhances your critical hit chances, Dexterity improves your agility and evasion, and Might increases your ranged damage. Equip abilities like Tanglefoot to root enemies in place, Marksmanship to amplify bow and gun damage, and Shadowing Beyond for temporary invisibility. These abilities ensure you stay out of harm's way while dealing lethal blows.

For weapons, a bow or arquebus is ideal for long-range attacks, with a pistol and melee weapon as backup if enemies close in. If you enjoy sniping enemies from the shadows before disappearing, this build is for you. Explore Avowed's world to discover some of the best weapons hidden in various treasures.

Related: Complete List of Avowed Missions (All Main & Side Quests)

Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)

For players who wish to dominate the battlefield with powerful magic, the Frost Wizard is the best early-game build. This build revolves around freezing enemies, dealing high burst damage, and controlling the flow of combat. It requires careful positioning and resource management, but when executed correctly, it's one of the most potent setups in the game.

Focus on these stats to make the most of this build:

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

Intellect boosts your spell power, Perception aids in landing critical hits, and Dexterity speeds up your casting. Your abilities should center on applying Frost Accumulation, which slows and eventually freezes enemies, making them vulnerable targets. Essential spells include Chill Blades for close-range freezing, Blast of Frost, and Bristling Frost for massive area-of-effect frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, using Charge (from the Fighter tree) will shatter them, dealing bonus damage.

For weapons, carry a wand and a frost-based grimoire. Wands allow you to attack even when out of Essence, while a grimoire provides access to powerful frost spells. If you enjoy controlling the battlefield and dealing significant damage with magic, this build is your path to victory.

Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)

The Melee Fighter is a balanced build that blends offense and defense, making it ideal for players seeking versatility. Unlike the Two-Handed Brawler, this build emphasizes quick attacks, blocking, and endurance rather than raw damage.

To succeed with this build, focus on these stats:

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

Might enhances your melee damage, Dexterity speeds up your attacks, and Resolve keeps you steady in combat. 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 engagements while maintaining your health.

For weapons, opt for a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield. The shield offers additional defense while allowing you to deal consistent damage. This build is perfect for players who want a well-rounded playstyle capable of handling both offense and defense effectively.

Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?

If you crave pure melee destruction, the Two-Handed Brawler is your go-to. For stealth and ranged combat, the Stealth Ranger is the best choice. If you're drawn to magic and battlefield control, the Frost Wizard will serve you well. And for a balanced approach to attack and defense, the Melee Fighter is your ideal build.

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

Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.