*Avowed* is out now, and Obsidian's latest game has elements that should delight RPG fans while remaining accessible to newcomers to the genre. RPGs can be overwhelming for beginners, but with these tips, you'll be ready to dive into the world of *Avowed* and enjoy it to the fullest.
Know the Basics
*Avowed* follows the classic RPG formula. You earn XP by completing quests, defeating enemies, exploring new areas, and more. As you accumulate XP, you level up, gaining attribute and ability points to customize your character. Whether you want to create a formidable warrior skilled in melee combat or a powerful wizard, the choice is yours.
Attributes determine your character's strengths. I often opt for the scholar class in such games, mainly because I enjoy the lore and backstory, but you should choose what suits you best. Thankfully, *Avowed* offers the flexibility to re-spec your points if your initial build doesn't meet your expectations, making it a very beginner-friendly RPG.
Explore Avowed's World
*Avowed* features a semi-open world, blending structured story objectives with the freedom to explore. While it's tempting to follow the main quest markers, the true essence of RPGs like *Avowed* lies in exploration. Venturing off the beaten path into buildings, caves, and other areas can yield valuable loot and resources. Additionally, side quests are plentiful and often provide easy XP for your character.
Engage with the world's lore by reading books and notes scattered throughout. Obsidian excels in storytelling, so take the time to absorb the background and enrich your experience. Keep an eye out for treasure maps, which can lead you to special gear or a substantial amount of coins.
Exploring thoroughly will also help you amass gold, which is crucial for purchasing better weapons and gear. This can significantly impact your combat effectiveness, especially against formidable boss-level enemies. Rushing through the story might leave you underpowered, so take your time to prepare adequately.
Stock Up On Health and Essence Potions
Combat in *Avowed* can be challenging, especially for newcomers. Balancing physical and essence attacks while monitoring your health and essence bars is key. Health and essence potions are essential, restoring health and refilling your essence bar, respectively. You can find these potions scattered across the world or purchase them from vendors in cities. Health potions are easily identifiable by their bright red glow, while essence potions are bright pink.
However, use these potions judiciously. If your health is only slightly depleted, consider using food items you collect during your travels. Some food and herbs can cure specific effects like poison, so save them for when you need them most. Reserve health potions for when your health is critically low, unlike in games like *Call of Duty*, where you might reload after every encounter.
Give Your Companions Some Love
As you level up, you'll gain skill and attribute points that enhance your combat abilities and conversation options. However, don't forget to upgrade your companions as well. Neglecting their development can lead to frustrating restarts after tough battles.
Your companions play a crucial role in combat, offering support and even healing abilities. Weak companions can leave you overwhelmed by enemies, but with regular upgrades, they become invaluable assets that significantly boost your chances of victory.
Upgrade Your Gear
As you explore, you'll collect resources that can be used to upgrade your weapons and gear. At your camp, you'll find a station to the left upon entering where you can perform these upgrades.
Early in the game, you'll frequently switch weapons, so be strategic about where you invest your resources. Upgrading gear can enhance attack power, critical hit chance, and damage resistance, among other benefits. While better gear requires more resources to upgrade, the payoff is well worth it.
Have Fun and Play Your Way
Games like *Avowed* are about immersing yourself in another world. Whether you focus solely on the main story or tackle every side quest available, the beauty of RPGs lies in crafting your own adventure. So, explore the Living Lands at your own pace and enjoy the journey.
And that's a beginner's guide to *Avowed*. Enjoy your adventure in the Living Lands!
*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*
