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Discover how to create the best Frost build in Avowed, with recommendations for skills, attributes, weapons, companions and leveling progression!
Avowed is a first-person RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, the game takes place in the Living Lands, where you are uncovering a secret mystery. A formidable Frost build in Avowed excels in both crowd control and damage output.
Incorporating Frost magic into a Spellsword or Spellblade allows players to freeze enemies. Allocating the attribute points is crucial as it makes your character more powerful. It’s essential to manage Essence consumption and get ready to encounter enemies resistant to Frost effects. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best Avowed Frost build, along with some useful gameplay tips and gear to choose from.
Everything You Need To Know About Frost Build Guide in Avowed
The Frost build in Avowed specializes in ice-based spells to control the battlefield. Our build includes Wand as a primary weapon, Grimoire as an off-hand weapon, and Dagger as a secondary weapon for tough combat. Equip a high-level Wand to deal massive frost damage in combat. The Frost build includes abilities like Chill Blades, Freezing Pillar, Wand Mastery, and Bristling Frost to eliminate enemies without taking any damage. A Frost build in Avowed offers robust crowd control and defensive capabilities, making it ideal for players who prefer strategic combat.
Intellect, Perception, and Might are the best attributes to invest as your gameplay mostly revolves around them. The more you allocate points to these attributes, the more you can deal frost damage in intense fights. Use the Secret of Rime to enhance the amount of Frost Accumulation you deal with. Equip a Grimoire that complements Frost magic, making you a lethal player in the game. Giatta and Kai are the two best companions that we include in our Frost build. However, frost spells excel in immobilizing enemies, but their immediate damage is less substantial. Some Frost spells often require significant Essence to cast.
| Frost Build Pros | Frost Build Cons |
|---|---|
| Crowd Control | High Essence Consumption |
| Defensive | Delayed Damage Output |
| Synergy with Melee Combat |
Frost Build Features & Mechanics
Below are the essential best Frost build features and mechanics for Avowed:
- Background: Arcane Scholar
- Attribute Points: Intellect, Perception, Might
- Weapon Choices: Wand, Grimoire, Dagger
- Best Skills: Chill Blades, Freezing Pillar, Wand Mastery, Secret of Rime, Bristling Frost, Blast of Frost
- Recommended Companions: Giatta and Kai
- Best Consumables: Fine Aedyran Mead, Krakenhorn, Murkbrew
Related:
Background
Arcane Scholar is the best background for the Frost build in Avowed. It shapes your character’s history and influences early gameplay elements. Choosing the Arcane Scholar background unlocks unique dialogue options related to your extensive knowledge. Arcane Scholar provides a flexible starting point for players interested in both magic and combat. This background grants a balanced distribution of attribute points, emphasizing intellect and versatility. Choose this background to enhance your character’s frost magical capabilities and gameplay experience.
Background plays a pivotal role in shaping your role-playing experience. It affects your dialogue options and determines your starting weapon during the tutorial. Your initial allocation of attribute points across six stats is also influenced. However, they do not restrict your access to any equipment or abilities as the game progresses. Regardless of your background, you can use any equipment and abilities. Avowed enriches your character’s backstory and provides initial attribute distributions and dialogue options by selecting the background.
Attribute Points
Intellect, Perception, and Might are the best attributes to invest in for Frost build in Avowed. These attributes increase your spellcasting efficiency and combat effectiveness. Investing attribute points in Intellect increases your maximum Essence. This enables more frequent spellcasting and bolsters your resistance against elemental effects like Ignited, Shocked, and Frozen. Perception is the second best attribute to focus on because it boosts your critical hit chance and extends the range of your spells. It makes sure that your frost attacks are both potent and far-reaching.
Might, on the other hand, amplifies damage from all sources, including magical attacks, and increases your carrying capacity. Boost your damage with all attacks, including magical ones, by focusing on these attributes. You can earn additional attribute points upon leveling up, offering opportunities to customize your build. Enhance your attribute points by using the consumables you acquire while progressing. You can select 27 attributes at a max level of 30. Below are the attribute points distribution for the Frost build in Avowed.
- Constitution: 1
- Intellect: 12
- Perception: 6
- Might: 4
- Dexterity: 3
- Resolve: 1
Weapon Choices
A wand, Grimoire, and a Dagger are the best weapons for the Frost build in Avowed. Wand serves as primary weapons for spellcasters, allowing for ranged magical attacks. At the same time, Grimoire in the off-hand allows you to access and amplify a variety of spells, including frost-based ones. Select the dagger, such as Survivor’s Guilt, as your secondary weapon that delivers bonus Frost damage and rapidly builds Frost accumulation through swift attacks. This dagger is perfect for agile combatants focusing on debuffing enemies.
The wand in your Frost build is your primary weapon that provides ranged magical attacks, passive bonuses, or unique spellcasting effects. It offers a constant damage output and elemental effects during combat. Equipping the upgraded weapon significantly enhances your effectiveness in Avowed. This weapon specializes in complementing your Frost build. Invest skill points in Wizard class to enhance your damage output with Wand. You can equip certain Wands that are equipped with enchantments that provide additional benefits in combat.
Grimoire is your off-hand weapon for the Frost build in Avowed. Grimoire unlocks high-tier spells, dealing devastating damage in the fight. You can cast multiple spells, providing flexibility in various combat situations. It complements the spells assigned to your main hand. Pairing a Wand in your main hand with a Grimoire in your off-hand is an effective setup. You can use this combination for a balance between constant damage and spell versatility.
Secondary Weapon
Dagger is your secondary weapon for the Frost build in Avowed. Dagger is well known for its rapid attack speed and high critical hit chance. We recommend you use the dagger that deals frost damage in combat, complementing your frost build. You can increase the effectiveness of the dagger by investing skill points in specific skills. While equipping weapons in both hands is possible, the attack delay remains consistent. Upgrading requires specific materials and can be done on a workbench. Use the dagger while fighting the enemies in close range or if you want stealth takedown.
Frost Accumulation
Frost Accumulation in Avowed is a unique mechanic that allows you to freeze the enemies when Frost accumulation reaches max. Enemies can be shattered with a weapon hit for massive damage. Frozen enemies are highly susceptible to damage; striking them can lead to a Shatter. Skills like Chill Blades, Blizzard, and Blast of Frost inflict Frost Accumulation on enemies. This feature enhances combat effectiveness by immobilizing and shattering enemies.
Frost Passive
Secret of Rime is a passive ability within the Wizard’s skill tree that enhances your proficiency with frost-based attacks. Use this ability to increase the amount of Frost Accumulation you inflict on enemies. This makes it easier to freeze and shatter them during combat. This passive ability is highly effective when you combine it with active spells like Chill Blades and Blizzard.
Skill Selection
The game allows you to unlock skills at each level, starting at 2. One level gives you one more skill point to place in one of three skill trees. You can mix and match skill trees, but Wizard and Fighter synergize the best together. Moreover, you can reset skills at any time with gold, though it gets more expensive the more levels you increase.
Levels 1-10 Skills
Chill Blades, Wand Mastery, Grimoire Mastery, Blizzard, and Constant Recovery are the best skills for the Frost build at the initial stages of the game. Invest skill points to gain the skills that can keep you alive in the initial stages of the game. Passive skills are used to increase damage or survivability, while active skills require essence, and you can’t use them due to their cost.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Frost Build for Avowed from levels 1 to 10:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | ||
| 2 | Minor Missiles Rank 1 | Wizard | Summons 3 Magical projectiles that seek out enemies, dealing large amounts of damage to nearby enemies on impact. |
| 3 | Arcane Veil Rank 1 | Wizard | Invokes a powerful arcane shield for 20 seconds that makes your spell casting Uninterruptable and increases your Damage Reduction by 50%. |
| 4 | Chill Blades Rank 1 | Wizard | Summons blades of ice that blast forward, dealing Frost Accumulation at long distances. |
| 5 | Blast Rank 1 | Wizard | Power Attacks with wands explode on impact, dealing reduced Stun and Explosive Damage to nearby enemies. |
| 6 | Wand Mastery Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases damage with wands by 25%. |
| 7 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 1 | Wizard | Unlock level 5 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 10%. |
| 8 | Blizzard Rank 1 | Wizard | Conjures a violent storm of ice and snow, pummeling nearby enemies with raining ice and Frost Accumulation. |
| 9 | Bristling Frost Rank 1 | Wizard | The caster is surrounded by a protective frost that increases Damage Reduction by 10% and deals Frost Accumulation to enemy melee attackers. |
| 10 | Harvest Essence Rank 1 | Wizard | The Essence fragments dropped by defeated enemies restore 2 times as much Essence. |
Levels 11-20 Skills
Blast of Frost, Secret of Rime, and Freezing Pillar are the best skill after reaching level 11. Upgrade your equipped abilities to make them more effective in combat. You need to enhance your frost damage as you’ll be encountering high-level enemies equipped with heavy armor.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Frost Build for Avowed from levels 11 to 20:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 2 | Wizard | Unlock level 10 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 15% |
| 12 | Blast of Frost Rank 1 | Wizard | Channels a cone of frost that blasts enemies with Frost Accumulation. |
| 13 | Blizzard Rank 2 | Wizard | Reduces the cast time for Blizzard. |
| 14 | Wand Mastery Rank 2 | Wizard | Increases damage with wands by 40%. |
| 15 | Retribution Rank 1 | Fighter | After taking damage from an enemy, your next attack within 5 seconds deals +70% of the original damage you received. |
| 16 | Secret of Rime Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Frost Accumulation you deal by 20%. |
| 17 | Blast Rank 2 | Wizard | Power Attacks with wands deal increased Stun. Nearby enemies caught in the explosion receive the same amount of Stun as the original attack. |
| 18 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 3 | Wizard | Unlock level 15 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 18%. |
| 19 | Freezing Pillar Rank 1 | Wizard | Drives a large pillar of frigid ice into the ground, dealing damage and high Frost Accumulation to nearby enemies. |
| 20 | Secret of Rime Rank 2 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Frost Accumulation you deal by 35%. |
Levels 21-30 Skills
Upgrade your skills to the higher rank to make them more effective in combat. Skills like Blizzard, Secret of Rime, and Wand Mastery need to be at Rank 3, maximizing their capabilities.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Frost Build for Avowed from levels 21 to 30:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Blizzard Rank 3 | Wizard | Increases the duration by 6 seconds. |
| 22 | Blast of Frost Rank 2 | Wizard | Use both hands to create two cones of frost, covering a larger area and dealing double the damage and Frost Accumulation. |
| 23 | Bristling Frost Rank 2 | Wizard | Incoming melee damage creates an area of effect that deals Frost Accumulation to nearby enemies. |
| 24 | Arcane Seal Rank 1 | Wizard | Conjures an Arcane Seal at your feet for 30 seconds. Your Essence regenerates while you stand within the seal’s lingering area of effect. |
| 25 | Retribution Rank 2 | Fighter | After taking damage from an enemy, your next attack within 8 seconds deals +100% of the original damage you received. |
| 26 | Secret of Rime Rank 3 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Frost Accumulation you deal by 45%. |
| 27 | Wand Mastery Rank 3 | Wizard | Increases damage with wands by 50%. |
| 28 | Freezing Pillar Rank 2 | Wizard | The pillar no longer breaks on impact but remains as a lingering frost area of effect. The pillar shatters after taking damage, or 20 seconds have passed, sending out Explosive Damage to nearby enemies. |
| 29 | Chill Blades Rank 2 | Wizard | Blades deal Bleed Accumulation. |
| 30 | Arcane Seal Rank 2 | Wizard | Increases your maximum Ability Cast Speed while within the seal. |
Best Frost Skills Explained
Chill Blades, Freezing Pillar, Wand Mastery, Secret of Rime, Bristling Frost, and Blast of Frost are the best skills for the Avowed Frost build. Chill Blade summons blades of ice, projecting them forward to inflict Frost Accumulation on enemies. Freezing Pillar is an active ability that controls the battlefield through AoE frost damage. Wand Mastery increases the damage output of wands, making it essential for spellcasters. Bristling Frost enhances the defense and applies frost Accumulation to enemies. Blast of Frost is an active ability that channels a cone of frost, inflicting frost Accumulation on foes within the AoE effect.
- Blast of Frost- Channels a frost cone that deals with extensive frost accumulation.
- Chill Blades- Summons blades of ice that inflict frost damage and can pierce through multiple enemies.
- Freezing Pillar- Drives a pillar of ice into the ground, dealing frost damage and acting as a frost area effect.
- Wand Mastery- This ability increases damage dealt with wands
- Secret of Rime- Increases the frost accumulation you inflict by a certain percentage.
- Bristling Frost- Surrounds the caster with a frost aura that reduces incoming damage and retaliates against melee attacks with frost damage
Companions
Giatta and Kai are the best companions for the Avowed Frost build. These companions complement a frost-focused build, enhancing your combat effectiveness and overall gameplay experience. Giatta offers a range of buffs to the entire team, enhancing survivability and combat prowess. Giatta excels in maintaining the party’s health and enhancing combat capabilities. This makes her an invaluable companion for the Arcane Scholar. Giatta joins your party during the main story quest, “The Animancy Method.” Giatta’s Inspiration ability increases the attack and movement speed.
Kai is a tank companion that can taunt enemies to draw their aggression away from you. He serves as a frontline defender, allowing you to use frost spells in combat. His Second Wind ability allows Kai to revive himself with a portion of his health once per encounter. You gain a buffer against incoming damage with Kai on your side. He can manage a cluster of enemies, creating opportunities for your magic users to unleash their spells. His ability to engage and control enemy threats lets you execute spellcasting strategies.
Giatta
| Skill 1 | Skill 2 | Skill 3 | Skill 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purification | Barrier | Acceleration | Reconstruction |
| Essence Generator | Protective shields to reduce incoming damage | Increases the movement and attack speed | Heal and restore health |
Kai
| Skill 1 | Skill 2 | Skill 3 | Skill 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire and Ire | Unbending Defense | Leap of Daring | Second Wind |
| Fires a powerful shot from his blunderbuss | Regenerate Health and increase his Damage Reduction by 25% | Crashes down upon the enemy, Stunning and Taunting all nearby enemies | Revives himself when his health is reduced to zero |
Frost Gameplay & Tips
Mastering a Frost build in Avowed requires strategic planning and execution. Intellect, Perception, and Might are the main attributes that you need to focus on in the beginning. Intellect boosts maximum Essence and elemental resistances, while Perception enhances critical hit chance and spell range. Use the skills like Chill Blade to unleash a series of frost-infused blades. This allows you to apply significant Frost accumulation to enemies. Blizzard is also the best ability to unlock at the higher rank because it summons a storm that deals AoE frost damage.
The secret of Rime is your bread and butter as it amplifies the amount of Frost Accumulation you inflict, making it easier to freeze enemies. You can also use Arcane Veil to maximize damage reduction and prevent spellcasting disturbance by granting a temporary shield. Equip a high-level Wand to increase Frost damage and apply Frost Accumulation. Get your hands on the Grimoire that allows you to access powerful frost spells and reduces ability costs. Use the Blizzard to initiate the combat and target specific threats using the Chill Blades. Arcane Veil allows you to anticipate incoming damage to maintain uninterrupted casting. Incest some points in Harvest Essence to refresh Essence efficiently during the ongoing combat. Pair with companions like Kai for frontline defense with Giatta for healing and support.
Weapons and Armor
Beginner
Beginner Weapon and Armor
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Minoletta’s Conduit | 55 Physical Damage 56 Stun 12 Stamina Cost 6% Critical Hit Chance |
| Off-Hand | Anextli’s Grimoire | -20% Ability Cost -15% Cooldown |
| Secondary Weapon | Sheathed in Summer | 137 Physical Damage 104 Stun 9 Stamina Cost 9% Critical Hit Chance |
| Armor | Many-Hued Doublet | -15% incoming Fire, Frost, and Shock Damage |
| Gloves | Death Knight Gloves | 15% Frost Damage |
| Boots | Stormdancer Boots | 10% incoming Fire, Frost, and Shock Damage |
| Trinket | Berath’s Blessed Ward | -5% damage from Vessels |
| Ring | Ring of Pain Amplification | +15% Critical Damage |
| Ring | Arcanist’s Ring | +1 Intellect |
- Minoletta’s Conduit- Location is Emerald Stair. Purchased from Abritt Porrya at Porrya & Vellino in Fior mes Iverno in the Emerald Stair for 3,780 Skeyt
- Anextli’s Grimoire: This can be looted from a skeleton north of Ivona’s Threshold in Dawnshore, just northwest of Watermill.
- Sheathed in Summer- Location is Dawnshore. Looted from the Dawnshore Bounty target Octav, the Firebrand
- Many-Hued Doublet- Location is Dawnshore. Purchased from Merylin in the Southern Paradis Market for 500 Skeyt
- Death Knight Gloves- Location is Emerald Stair. Kill Captain Aelfyr at the end of the Emerald Stair chapter
- Stormdancer Boots- Location is Shatterscarp. Don’t give Keipo the Leviathan Heart at the end of the Side Quest “Heart of Valor.”
- Berath’s Blessed Ward- Location is Emerald Stair. Complete the side quest “Elder Offerings” in Emerald Stair, and don’t report the food theft
- Ring of Pain Amplification- Location is Emerald Stair. Obtained from Dolina as a reward for defeating Amadio and the Xaureps in the Fortified Xaurep Camp in the northeastern Grim Wetlands of Emerald Stair
- Arcanist’s Ring- Location is DawnShore. Found in a small lockbox near the smugglers at Castol’s Folly in Dawnshore.
Advanced
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Whisper of Exiles | 77 Physical Damage 80 Stun 12 Stamina Cost 6% Critical Hit Chance Hits deal +10% bonus Frost Damage |
| Off-Hand | Eilara’s Grimoire | -20% Ability Cost -15% Cooldown |
| Secondary Weapon | Survivor’s Guilt | 137 Physical Damage 104 Stun 9 Stamina Cost 9% Critical Hit Chance |
| Armor | Death Knight Armor | +30% resistance to Frost Accumulation |
| Gloves | Gloves of the Strangler | +15% Stealth Attack Damage |
| Boots | Berserker Boots | -10% incoming Fire, Frost, and Shock Damage |
| Trinket | Cartographer’s Companion | +1 Dex, +2 Perception |
| Ring | Ring of Elemental Balance | +10% Fire, Frost, and Shock Accumulation |
| Ring | Ring of the Founder | +10% damage against targets with full health |
Locations
- Whisper of Exiles- Location is Shatterscarp. Found near some Dreamscourge-covered rocks in the Great Sands Sea, just above the “at” in “Great” on the map
- Eilara’s Grimoire- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Found on the Parapet of the Living Archives in a chest next to The Book of Oaths.
- Survivor’s Guilt- Inside Belderreno’s (Bounty Quest) Lair, there’s a root at the entrance you can climb up, and then a few ledges upward later, you’ll find this next to a skeleton.
- Death Knight Armor- Location is Emerald Stair. Found in the Waterfall Cave in Emerald Stair. Go past the wooden doors, and in the first room, there will be water to the left. Dive down and swim to the end to open a chest containing the armor.
- Gloves of the Strangler- Location is Dawnshore. Behind a secret door on the outer wall of Paradis, slightly southwest of the Paradis Hightown gate.
- Berserker Boots- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Found in a chest in the Outcast Cave Camp west of Warden’s Rest.
- Cartographer’s Companion- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Found on a dead dwarf near the Bounty target Urvolnau west of Berath’s Bounty
- Ring of Elemental Balance- Inside the Shrine of Wael. Enter the shrine proper in a large room, and near the back will be a gated area you can access by using Frost. The ring is on a body.
- Ring of the Founder- Found in the Ancient Grotto, on the body of the Idol of Secret Hatred Totem Piece.
Consumables
Fine Aedyran Mead grants +2 Perception and +10% Maximum Essence for 300 seconds. Krakenhorn is a consumable that provides a fixed amount of both Health and Essence regeneration and additional effects that last for 300 seconds. Murkbrew allows you to gain +2 Intellect and +10% Maximum Essence. You need to take three points into the survivalist skill in the ranger tree. Once unlocked, you can craft advanced food and buffs that drastically increase your survivability, damage, and regeneration.
FAQs about Frost build in Avowed
What is the best Frost build in Avowed?
The best Frost build in Avowed uses Wand as a primary weapon, Grimoire as an off-hand weapon, and Dagger as a secondary weapon. Intellect, Perception, and Might are the best attributes to invest in for Frost build in Avowed. These attributes increase your spellcasting efficiency and combat effectiveness.
Which is the best Background for Frost build?
Arcane Scholar is the best build for the Frost build in Avowed. It shapes your character’s history and influences early gameplay elements.
Which are the best skills for Frost build?
Chill Blades, Freezing Pillar, Wand Mastery, Secret of Rime, Bristling Frost, and Blast of Frost are the best skills for the Avowed Frost build.
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