Choosing the right build in *Avowed* can significantly impact your early game experience, enhancing your ability to efficiently tackle enemies while ensuring your survival. Whether you're drawn to close-quarters combat, long-range sniping, or the thrill of casting powerful magic, these builds offer a strong foundation for your adventures in *Avowed*.
Two-Handed Brawler (War Hero Build)

The *Two-Handed Brawler* is perfect for players who thrive on brute force. This build focuses on dealing massive damage and plowing through enemies with high-damage two-handed weapons. It's a straightforward yet highly effective approach for the early stages of *Avowed*.
To optimize damage and durability, prioritize the following attributes:
- Might (3) – Increases melee damage output.
- Constitution (3) – Enhances health and overall tankiness.
- Dexterity (2) – Boosts attack speed and dodging capabilities.
- Resolve (2) – Mitigates the impact of enemy stuns and knockbacks.
Your main abilities should revolve around charging into combat, boosting damage, and recovering health during fights. The *Charge* ability is essential as it allows you to rush into battle and strike enemies before they can react. Combine this with *Bleeding Cuts* to inflict damage over time, and *Toughness* to increase your maximum health, transforming you into an unstoppable force.
For weapons, the *Horsecutter* two-handed sword or *Drawn in Winter* axe are top choices. Both deliver devastating blows, ensuring quick and brutal encounters. This build suits players who embrace a high-risk, high-reward melee style, aiming to eliminate enemies before they can retaliate.
Stealth Ranger (Vanguard Scout Build)

The *Stealth Ranger* is ideal for those who prefer mobility and precision, engaging enemies from a distance. This build emphasizes bows, firearms, and stealthy movement, making it excellent for dealing critical hits while minimizing damage taken. It's all about precision, patience, and keeping foes at bay.
To maximize this build's effectiveness, focus on:
- Perception (3) – Enhances ranged accuracy and critical hit chance.
- Dexterity (3) – Increases movement speed and attack speed.
- Might (2) – Boosts ranged weapon power.
- Resolve (2) – Improves resistance to stuns and knockbacks.
Your key abilities should include *Tanglefoot* to immobilize enemies, *Marksmanship* to amplify bow and gun damage, and *Shadowing Beyond* for temporary invisibility. These skills ensure that you can strike from afar and remain elusive.
For weaponry, opt for a bow or arquebus for long-range engagements, and keep a pistol and melee weapon as backup for close encounters. This build is perfect for those who enjoy sniping enemies undetected and then disappearing into the shadows. *Avowed* offers numerous treasures scattered across the world where you can find some of the best weapons.
Frost Wizard (Arcane Scholar Build)

If you're drawn to controlling the battlefield with potent magic, the *Frost Wizard* offers an excellent early-game build. It revolves around freezing enemies, delivering high burst damage, and maintaining control over combat scenarios. This build demands strategic positioning and efficient resource management but rewards players with one of the game's most powerful setups.
Key attributes for the Frost Wizard include:
- Intellect (3) – Boosts spell effectiveness.
- Perception (3) – Improves accuracy and spell critical hit chance.
- Dexterity (2) – Accelerates spellcasting.
- Resolve (2) – Reduces interruptions during casting.
Your abilities should focus on applying *Frost Accumulation*, which slows and eventually freezes enemies, making them vulnerable targets. *Chill Blades* is crucial for close-range freezing, while *Blast of Frost* and *Bristling Frost* deliver massive area-of-effect frost damage. If an enemy is frozen, using *Charge* (from the Fighter tree) will shatter them, inflicting bonus damage.
Equip a wand and a frost-based grimoire for your weapons. Wands allow you to attack when out of Essence, and a strong grimoire grants access to powerful frost spells. This build is ideal for players who relish playing a spellcaster capable of locking down groups of enemies and dealing heavy damage.
Melee Fighter (War Hero Build)

The *Melee Fighter* offers a balanced approach, blending offense with defense, making it suitable for players seeking versatility. This build focuses on swift attacks, blocking, and enduring combat rather than solely on raw damage output.
Essential attributes for the Melee Fighter include:
- Might (3) – Increases melee damage.
- Perception (3) – Enhances accuracy and critical spell damage.
- Dexterity (2) – Improves attack speed.
- Resolve (2) – Prevents interruptions during casting.
Core abilities for this build include *Charge* to close distances, *Shield Bash* to stagger opponents, and *Constant Recovery* for passive health regeneration. This combination allows you to control the battlefield while maintaining your health.
Choose a one-handed sword or axe paired with a shield for your weapons. The shield provides additional defense while allowing you to deal consistent damage. This build is ideal for those who prefer a well-rounded playstyle capable of handling both offensive and defensive roles.
Which Build Should You Choose in Avowed?
If you're after pure melee destruction, the *Two-Handed Brawler* is your go-to. For stealth and ranged combat, opt for the *Stealth Ranger*. If you're fascinated by magic and battlefield control, the *Frost Wizard* is the perfect fit. And for a balanced mix of attack and defense, the *Melee Fighter* is your best choice.
Ultimately, your decision should also consider what you find enjoyable. *Avowed*'s combat system is both engaging and versatile, so tailor your build to the elements you love most.
*Avowed* is currently available on PC and Xbox, inviting you to explore its rich world and combat dynamics with the build that resonates with your playstyle.