Avowed: Best Abilities To Unlock First

Like any good RPG, Avowed features dozens of character abilities that you can unlock by leveling up. Every time you gain a new level, you can unlock a new ability. The character abilities in Avowed are split up into four categories: Fighter, Ranger, Wizard, and Godlike. However, the Godlike abilities can't be unlocked normally like the other three categories. So, for the most part, you're left to unlock abilities from Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard.

While these do represent the three main combat styles in Avowed, it's important to note that the abilities in each category can be useful for any combat style you use. For example, just because you primarily use melee weapons doesn't mean you only have to unlock abilities from the Fighter category. In fact, the other two trees feature abilities that can vastly improve the melee combat style, and vice versa.

With this in mind, it might be daunting to try and navigate the different ability trees in Avowed when you're first starting out. Fortunately, we've put together a list of the first five abilities you should target. These abilities are great for any playstyle and give you an edge in the early part of the game.

The first ability we have is called Minor Missiles, and it's the first ability available in the Wizard category. Even if you're planning to use a massive melee weapon or a bow/gun, this is an ability you want to have in your arsenal. Minor Missiles uses a small amount of Essence to launch three magic projectiles at a single enemy. You don't have to guide the missiles in any way, as they seek out an enemy by themselves and deal massive damage to whoever is unlucky enough to be in their path.

When you're in a pinch, out of stamina, and need to finish an enemy off at longer ranges, Minor Missiles is the ability you want to have on your hotbar. You can upgrade it two more times to increase the number of missiles launched, but the first unlock is all you need for the early game of Avowed.

Next up is Survivalist, which comes from the Ranger category. Available at level one, Survivalist is arguably the first ability you want to unlock in Avowed. It makes food restore 20% more health and Essence when consumed, as well as making bonus effects last 20% longer. While you always want to use a Health or Essence Potion during the heat of combat, you'll find yourself running out of them quite often. That's where your food comes in, which can be accessed from your inventory.

Food can be a lifesaver in Avowed, as some of it can increase both your health and Essence at the same time. By unlocking the Survivalist ability, you give your food even more power than it already has. Food never goes bad in Avowed, so it's something that always plays a role throughout a playthrough. Upgrading the Survivalist ability unlocks new recipes you can use to heal or give yourself powerful bonus effects.

The first ability from the Fighter category we recommend is Toughness, which is the most basic ability on the list but it's one you want to unlock quickly. Toughness gives your character a flat 20% increase to maximum health. Regardless of whether or not you find combat challenging in Avowed, the farther you go, the more difficult enemies and bosses get. There are some key scenarios where you'll want an extra 20% health so you don't have to burn through Health Potions or your valuable food items.

Toughness is an ability you can hold off unlocking, but you want to grab it sooner rather than later. Upgrading Toughness increases your maximum health by higher percentages, going to an extra 35% and 45%, eventually.

Our second ability from the Wizard category is called Grimoire Mastery. While this ability is more worth it if you use a Grimoire of the Elements book as a secondary option, it has perks outside of combat. The Grimoire of the Elements book features spells you can use, with or without the use of a wand. Most Grimoire books grant you access to spells around specific elements, such as fire, water, lightning, and air. Unlocking the Grimoire Mastery ability allows you to use these spells in combat, or outside of it.

The best use of the Grimoire Mastery ability for me has been to navigate through the world of Avowed. By having access to the spells in the various Grimoire books I've picked up, I can burn through cobwebs, power on generators, and create ice paths by shooting freeze spells at specific plants regardless of whether I have the companions to perform these tasks for me. While these spells are effective in combat as well, they are particularly useful to get through any obstacle that you come across in the Living Lands.

Upgrading the Grimoire Mastery ability allows you to access higher-tier spells, which are often found in rarer Grimoire of the Elements books.

Finally, the last ability we recommend you target first in Avowed is Parry, from the Ranger category. The Parry ability grants your character the chance to perform a perfect block against an enemy and be rewarded for doing so. By performing a perfect block against an enemy's melee attack, you can knock the enemy backward and get in a counter-attack on them. If you take advantage of the Parry ability, you'll be able to stay healthy and continuously deal damage to any enemy that uses melee attacks.

The Parry ability does use some stamina, but it consumes less than dodging and attacking to avoid taking damage. Upgrading the Parry ability increases its efficiency and deals more stun damage to enemies when you attack them after a perfect block.

Obsidian is no stranger to crafting compelling RPGs. For more help on the team's latest effort, use our Avowed guides hub.