Avowed: Essential Beginner Tricks for an Epic Start

In just a short while, Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed has climbed high on my list of favorite games in 2025, due to its striking resemblance to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, its comprehensive dialogue choice system, and the flexibility to mold your gameplay style as you see fit. However, while it echoes familiar aspects of other RPGs, Avowed presents mechanics and intricacies that newcomers might miss until later in the game. Unlike starting your journey in the Living Lands as a brash yet ill-equipped adventurer, here are some essential tips to help you maximize your enjoyment from the outset, as these lessons aren’t always taught explicitly by the game itself.

I really enjoy playing Avowed, which is similar to Skyrim but has unique elements that beginners might miss. Here are a few tips for starting off right in this game, so you can have an amazing experience from the beginning. These tips aren’t always explained in the game itself.

Tips for Players Starting Avowed for the First Time

After spending numerous hours on the game ‘Avowed’, I came to understand that I hadn’t been making optimal use of some gameplay aspects. Here are some crucial suggestions I’d pass on to a novice starting out with this game:

1. Familiarize yourself with the control layout at the beginning, as it will make navigation and combat much smoother.
2. Don’t neglect the quest log. It serves as a handy guide for keeping track of your objectives and progress within the game world.
3. Take advantage of the crafting system to create powerful equipment, potions, and other useful items that can give you an edge in battle and exploration.
4. Pay attention to the skill trees and attribute points you allocate to ensure your character is balanced and effective in various situations.
5. Don’t shy away from exploring every nook and cranny of the game world, as there are often hidden treasures, secrets, and valuable resources to be found.
6. Engage in conversations with NPCs (Non-Player Characters) whenever possible, as they can provide essential information, quests, or even clues for solving puzzles.
7. Don’t forget to save your game regularly, as unexpected events can occur and losing progress could be frustrating.

Forge your path while creating your character. Build your own build.
Answer dialogue options like a real person, not according to what’s good or bad.
Not everything that gives you a side quest will be obvious. Seek them out.
Only focus on the important stats.
Be as nosy as possible.

Build Your Own Build

Even though the game offers three distinct skill trees for you to distribute your points into, it’s important to note that you aren’t confined to just one category. In fact, the game grants you the freedom to select both a primary and secondary weapon, as well as decide which weapon goes in which hand. For example, I’ve experimented with all three trees, playing as a wizard who wields a grimoire and a one-handed sword as my main weapons set, while carrying dual pistols as my backup. The skills in the game only have a maximum of three ranks, so investing three points to fully master that skill seems like a reasonable trade-off compared to other skill-based games where you might need to invest more points to achieve similar results.

Answer Like a Real Person

Following games such as Mass Effect, Skyrim, and The Outer Worlds, it’s common to find yourself grappling with dialogue options that seem inherently good or evil. Often, there are choices that fall somewhere in between. In Avowed, there’s no physical cue to tell you if your decision will make a mercenary leave or summon his gang to attack your group. However, by carefully considering all your options, you’ll realize that people don’t view actions as strictly good or evil. Instead, they have nuanced perspectives. Moreover, new characters and towns won’t automatically hate you for actions taken in other regions, allowing more freedom to shape your character according to your own choices.

Seek Out Side Quests

Newcomers to the game Avowed, take note: Not all side quests are offered by characters with an exclamation mark above their heads. Some may need to be discovered through exploration, as there are NPCs who call for help without necessarily having a quest for you. Assisting these characters can lead to additional quests in different regions.

Focus Only on Important Stats

As a devoted player, I’ve discovered that when leveling up, there are six distinct traits where you can allocate stat points. However, it’s crucial to prioritize three key ones: Might, Perception, and Resolve. By channeling your points into these attributes, you’ll find navigating through numerous initial dialogue scenarios a breeze. In my gaming journey, I’ve noticed that most unique dialog options, excluding those tied to your character’s backstory, primarily revolve around these three attributes.

The remaining three traits can be enhanced in various ways as you progress. For instance, one of the earliest skills you can boost is Toughness, which amplifies your health by up to 45%, offering an alternative to investing points in Constitution.

Be a Nosy Envoy

Delve into whatever content you encounter and thoroughly investigate hidden corners for an engaging experience. I’m thrilled that the Obsidian development team created such intricate and informative companions who guide and explain things to you, enhancing immersion. This exploration grants you access to a wealth of overpowered loot and uncovers new lore tidbits that contribute significantly to understanding the storyline. While fans of Pillars of Eternity may already be familiar with the narrative, novices are at a disadvantage. Thus, don’t hesitate to snoop where you shouldn’t, read everyone’s journal, and grab every lore book from the start. By the time you reach the final areas, you’ll have a substantial edge.

Avowed is available to be played on PC and Xbox.

2025-02-22 01:36