"Avowed Beginner's Guide Released"

*Avowed* is now available, and Obsidian’s latest RPG is designed to captivate both seasoned players and newcomers alike. If you're new to the RPG genre, it can feel daunting, but don't worry—I'm here to share some essential tips to help you navigate *Avowed* with confidence.

Know the Basics

Like many RPGs, *Avowed* rewards you with XP for completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring new areas. As you accumulate XP, you'll level up, earning attribute and ability points to customize your character. Whether you envision yourself as a formidable warrior or a powerful wizard, the choice is yours. Your selected attributes will determine your strengths, so choose wisely. I often opt for the scholar class due to my love for lore, but *Avowed* offers flexibility—allowing you to reassign points if your initial build isn't working out. This feature makes the game incredibly beginner-friendly.

Explore Avowed's World

While *Avowed* doesn't offer a fully open world, it provides a semi-linear experience filled with story objectives. It's tempting to follow the markers straight to the main quest, but the true essence of *Avowed* lies in exploration. Dive into buildings, caves, and new areas to uncover loot and resources. Side quests abound, offering easy XP to bolster your character's growth.

Don't just collect books and notes—immerse yourself in the rich storytelling that Obsidian is known for. These items offer deeper insights into the game's world. Keep an eye out for treasure maps, which can lead you to special gear or valuable coins. Thorough exploration will also net you plenty of gold, crucial for acquiring better weapons and gear, significantly enhancing your combat effectiveness, especially against tougher foes. Rushing through the story can leave you underpowered, so take your time to explore and prepare.

Stock Up On Health and Essence Potions

Combat in *Avowed* can be challenging, particularly for newcomers. Balancing physical and essence attacks while monitoring your health and essence bars is key. Health and essence potions are vital: health potions restore a significant amount of health, while essence potions refill your essence bar. You'll find these potions scattered throughout the world or available from vendors in cities. Health potions glow bright red, and essence potions are bright pink, making them easy to spot.

Use these potions judiciously. For minor health depletion, utilize food found during your explorations. Some food and herbs can also cure effects like poison, so save them for when you really need them. Only use health potions when your health is critically low—it's not like *Call of Duty* where you reload after every kill.

Give Your Companions Some Love

Each time you level up, you gain skill and attribute points that enhance your combat abilities and dialogue options. But don't overlook your companions. Failing to upgrade their abilities can lead to frustrating restarts after combat failures.

Your companions are crucial in battle, often providing healing support. If they're underdeveloped, you'll find yourself overwhelmed by enemies. Regularly upgrading your companions ensures they remain valuable assets, significantly easing your path to victory.

Upgrade Your Gear

As you explore, you'll gather resources that can be used to enhance your weapons and gear. At your camp, there's an upgrade station to the left upon entering, perfect for improving your equipment. Early on, you might switch weapons frequently, so be selective with your upgrades. Investing in better gear might cost more, but the benefits—like increased attack power, higher critical hit chances, and better protection—are well worth it.

Have Fun and Play Your Way

*Avowed* is all about immersing yourself in its world. Whether you focus on the main storyline or dive into every side quest, the game accommodates your playstyle. The beauty of RPGs like *Avowed* lies in crafting your own narrative. So, explore the Living Lands at your own pace and enjoy the journey.

And that's your beginner's guide to *Avowed*. Dive in and let the adventure begin!

*Avowed is available now on PC and Xbox.*