Avowed, which was just released on February 18th by Obsidian, is an action-packed RPG in the Living Lands where you as the main character are a “god-like” envoy from the Aedyr Empire. For those who may not know, as a fun fact this game takes place in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity which is another great game to enjoy if you cannot get enough of the lore and world-building Avowed has to offer. Similar to many RPGs Avowed is packed with multiple weapons and abilities but fortunately you are not restricted in choosing what weapons or abilities to use. The multitudes of options may seem a bit overwhelming at first but I have several tips and recommended settings that will make your time getting acclimated to Avowed’s combat system much easier. 

Recommended Settings for Combat Advantages

The first tip I would recommend for anyone just getting started or looking to play the game through a different lens is to go into your settings and look for the graphics tab where you will be able to toggle between first-person and third-person. Ultimately this comes down to personal preference but I have noticed my hip fire with the bow and pistol seem more accurate when I am in third person so it has been my main POV while playing. For those looking for a more up close and personal combat style like using the Ax, Hammer, or Greatsword you may enjoy the first-person setting to allow for more immersion and overall ease of combat. If you do decide to go with the first-person setting I would highly encourage that you increase your field of vision (mine is currently set on 95) because this game has very little one-on-one combat and having that extra peripheral vision can save you from a flank or pincer attack. Third-person will grant the ultimate field of vision so it may be worth turning on when you are battling a large group or face several enemies that utilize ranged attacks like archers or mages. 

There are a few other settings I would recommend to anyone who is looking to get the best advantage when playing but also wants a smooth gameplay experience. When in the graphics tab of settings, you will find the toggle for Motion Blur, which I have completely turned to 0% along with Camera Sway Strength (found in the Game tab of settings). Having both of these reduced to 0% will immediately create a more crisp feel when playing and will make a drastic impact in improving your accuracy. When these settings are at 100% it can be extremely disorienting when you are in combat with either POV because you will find yourself feeling dizzy trying to make quick maneuvers and you will have a harder time being precise with attacks. There are also other settings you can tweak to ensure you are not experiencing any slowness or disorientation but I found fully eliminating Motion Blur and Camera Sway Strength gave a massive advantage. 

Best Weapons and Attack Types for Max Damage

Weapons that allow for ranged attacks and will require a bit of aim and lead time are; Wand, Crossbow/Bow, Grimoire (certain spells are projectiles), and the Arquebuses/Pistol you will want to bump up your sensitivity settings a little higher. I have found being able to quickly turn on an attacker can be a lifesaver because enemies will not hesitate to attack all at once. Having that snap-like turn with a higher sensitivity combined with aim assist can make for some satisfying combos if you are going with the more ranged route. Another great feature that Avowed included is the ability to swap multiple types of weapons instantly so depending on your build or current weapons you can adapt to almost any situation. You can also combine offhand weapons with one-handed ones to create some powerful builds such as the Grimoire, Sword, and Bow as secondary to take advantage of the three styles of combat. The Grimoire and Bow will require you to be accurate and precise so make sure you explore the different types of spells to know if you need to lead a shot similar to the bow, which also has a drop to factor in for when aiming. Timing is another key element to master when fighting your way across the Living Lands, Grimoires and Wands for example may have different cast times. You do not want to be caught off guard when you are fighting a new enemy and you take preventable damage before successfully launching your spell and having to reset or waste heals. 

Fortunately, if you are carrying a Sword or one-handed weapon you can quickly swap to it before taking damage and even parry their attack if it is a melee one. This also requires timing but can be a massive benefit if mastered because successfully parrying an attack can cause enemies to become vulnerable to a counterattack. You will need to first unlock this ability in the skill tree and upgrade it to see its full potential but I would highly suggest doing so for anyone using a melee weapon. The Ax is another great compliment to this build as it is also a one-handed weapon that can provide great speed and versatility. Similar to a successful parry, timing is key with the Ax as well because depending on if you swing early or late it can leave you well out of position but landing your first hit can set you up for a barrage of damage. 

Lastly, there are the two-handed weapons like the classic greatsword and the powerful great hammer which is the slowest of the two-handed weapons but makes up for it with its damage. Although these weapons may be slower in attack speed they both cause stun damage which is a very important aspect of any melee combat. When an enemy has their stun meter filled they will be incapacitated and vulnerable to take heavy damage or even a special attack, so it is important to consecutively hit your attacks to fill the meter. Another benefit to stunning your enemies is that it can give you an opening to heal and eat so that you can recover during a boss battle or when engaged with a much stronger opponent. Special attacks are another reason to choose a weapon with higher stun damage because these can only be triggered once an opponent's stun meter is maxed and they are incapacitated. These attacks differ by weapon type but they all can do massive damage and depending on your character’s damage output can quickly eradicate an opponent which is key when handling mobs. 

Overall this game has a ton of variety when it comes to abilities, weapons, and attacks which makes it fun to explore and try out new things, so do not feel like you need always to use the same combination. Plus there are tons of Unique Weapons and Armour that can give you massive buffs or a bonus to attacking which are well worth tracking down and finding. These recommendations should improve the feel of combat and give you a great advantage to begin exploring and fighting your way through the Living Lands with confidence!