*Avowed* is out now, and Obsidian’s latest RPG is designed to captivate both seasoned players and newcomers to the genre. If you're new to RPGs, don't worry—I've got some tips to help you dive in and enjoy the experience.
Know the Basics
*Avowed* follows the traditional RPG formula. You'll earn XP by completing quests, defeating enemies, exploring new areas, and more. As you accumulate XP, you'll level up, gaining attribute points and ability points to customize your character. Whether you want to craft a formidable warrior or a powerful wizard, the choice is yours.
Attributes determine your character's strengths. Personally, I lean towards the scholar class because I enjoy the lore, but feel free to choose what suits you best. One of the most beginner-friendly features of *Avowed* is the ability to re-roll your points if your initial build isn't working out. This flexibility makes it easier for new players to experiment and find their perfect playstyle.
Explore Avowed’s World
While *Avowed* isn't a fully open world, it offers a semi-linear experience with plenty of room for exploration. It's tempting to follow the main story markers, but the true joy of RPGs lies in getting lost in the world. Exploring buildings, caves, and various areas will reward you with valuable loot and resources. Don't miss out on the side quests scattered throughout the game; they're often easy and provide a good boost of XP.
Books and notes scattered around the world enrich the story. Obsidian excels at storytelling, so take the time to read these items to deepen your understanding of the game's universe. Keep an eye out for treasure maps as well; they can lead you to special gear or a hefty sum of coins, which are crucial for upgrading your equipment.
Exploring thoroughly will also net you a significant amount of gold, which is essential for purchasing better weapons and gear. This can make a huge difference in combat, especially against tougher enemies. Rushing through the story might leave you underpowered, so take your time to explore and prepare.
Stock Up On Health and Essence Potions
Combat in *Avowed* can be challenging, especially for newcomers. Balancing physical and essence attacks while keeping an eye on your health and essence bars is key. Health and essence potions are your go-to items for recovery. Health potions restore a large amount of health, while essence potions refill your essence bar. You can find these potions throughout the world or purchase them from vendors in cities; they're easy to spot with their bright red and pink colors, respectively.
Be strategic with your potion use, particularly with health potions. If you've only lost a small amount of health, use food items you've collected instead. Some food and herbs can also cure effects like poison, so save those for when you really need them. Reserve health potions for when your health is critically low; they're not like ammo in *Call of Duty* that you can use freely after every encounter.
Related: Where To Find Woedica’s Inheritance Treasure Map in Avowed
Give Your Companions Some Love
Each time you level up, you'll receive skill and attribute points to enhance your character's abilities and dialogue options. However, don't overlook your companions. Neglecting their upgrades can lead to frustrating restarts after tough battles.
Your companions play a crucial role in combat, often providing healing and support. If they're underleveled, you might find yourself overwhelmed by enemies. By keeping them strong, you'll turn them into valuable assets that significantly ease your path to victory.
Upgrade Your Gear
As you explore, you'll gather resources that can be used to upgrade your weapons and gear. At your camp, there's a station to the left where you can perform these upgrades. Early in the game, you'll switch weapons frequently, so be selective about where you invest your resources. Upgrading gear, especially the pieces you plan to use for a while, can significantly boost your attack power, critical chance, and damage protection.
Have Fun and Play Your Way
The essence of RPGs like *Avowed* is to immerse yourself in another world. Whether you focus on the main story or dive into every side quest, the game is designed to let you create your own narrative. Enjoy the Living Lands at your own pace and in your own way.
And that's a beginner's guide to *Avowed*.
*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*
