Discover how to create the best Mage build in Avowed, with recommendations for skills, attributes, weapons, companions, and leveling progression!
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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. Wizards have access to a wide array of spells, allowing for both offensive attacks and defensive maneuvers. With abilities like Grimoire Mastery, Flurry of Blows, and Arcane Seal, can harness elemental powers to inflict status effects.
Mage Build offers a unique and dynamic gameplay experience centered around spellcasting and elemental manipulation. This build build in Avowed largely depends on your playstyle and how you want to approach combat. Players can wield weapons in one or both hands, use spells dynamically, and customize their character’s abilities and playstyle. In this guide, we aim to tell you about all the elements of a Mage build and how to get the best start in the game.
Everything You Need To Know About Mage Build Guide in Avowed
Our Mage build focuses on attributes and abilities that boost your combat effectiveness and survivability. The Mage build focuses on leveling core attributes like Intellect, Perception, and Resolve. Wizard is all about blasting, while the Fighter is about attacking, and Ranger is about shooting and stabbing. Focusing on Intellect allows you to increase spell effectiveness and increases Essence capacity, making your spellcasting more potent. Use some points on Resolve to improve concentration and reduce the chances of spell interruption during combat. Perceptions allow you to boost accuracy and critical hit chance.
Wizard offers a dynamic and strategic combat experience, dealing damage and providing utility through a diverse array of spells. To cast higher-level spells contained in Grimoires, you can unlock Grimoire Mastery. The spellcaster playstyle allows you to deal raw damage during close-range or ranged combat. Our best primary weapon for Mage build is Minoletta’s Conduit, which increases attack damage and maximum Wand range.
The Long Touch is your beginner bow, and Ancient Alacrity is your best bow for ranged combat that slows the hit enemy. Combine Wizard skills with Ranger skills like Steady Aim, Quick Switch, and Flurry of Blows to make your character more effective in combat. However, casting spells consumes Essence, which can deplete rapidly during intense battles. To balance spell selection, Essence management, and equipment choices adds a layer of complexity to the Wizard class.
Mage build Pros | Mage build Cons |
---|---|
Versatility in Combat | Resource Dependency |
Elemental Mastery | Complex Gameplay |
Essence Management |
Mage Build Features & Mechanics
Below are the essential best Mage build features and mechanics for Avowed:
- Background: Arcane Scholar
- Attribute Points: Intellect, Perception, and Resolve
- Weapon Choices: Wands, Grimoires, and Bow
- Best Skills: Grimoire Mastery, Flurry of Blows, and Arcane Seal
- Recommended Companions: Giatta, Marius
- Best Consumables: Burned Lady, Charming Libation, and Essence Potion
Background
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Arcane Scholar is the best background for Mage build in Avowed, granting unique dialogue options, knowledge-based advantages, and potentially a starting boost to magical skills. 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. Arcane Scholar works well with the hybrid spellcasters who mix magic with another skill set. Compared to other Backgrounds in the game, the Arcane Scholar focuses more on knowledge and efficiency rather than brute magical force.
Attribute Points
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Intellect, Perception, and Resolve are the best attribute points for the Mage build because these attributes make your character stronger. Leveling up Intellect enhances your spellcasting effectiveness, including spell range, duration, and damage. Perception, on the other hand, increases accuracy with spells and allows you to hit your targets more reliably. Increasing the Resolve allows you to better resist crowd control effects. Several consumables can provide attribute enhancements. You will also gain attribute points when you progress and gain experience, your character levels up. You can temporarily boost your attributes with food and consumables or permanently via companions.
Weapon Choices
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Wands and Grimoires are the best weapons for the Mage build because they deal massive damage and damage against hostile characters. One-handed ranged weapons paired with a Grimoire offer a balanced combat style. However, the beginning weapons are not effective as compared to the end-game magic weapons. Each weapon type comes with unique strengths, so selecting the one that complements your playstyle is crucial. Grimoires is the off-hand weapon that deals heavy damage in combat. This weapon-type grant allows Wizards to expand their magical repertoire by equipping different tomes. A grimoire may determine which spells are available at a given time. However, some grimoires may offer buffs like faster casting speed, reduced mana cost, or elemental resistances.
Wands are your primary weapon for Mage build. It provides ranged magical attacks, passive bonuses, or unique spellcasting effects. The wand offers elemental damage, giving spellcasters offensive options and a unique playstyle. Pairing it with a grimoire allows for a mix of ranged attacks and spellcasting for a balanced mage playstyle. The wand is a good option for a magic-focused build, especially for the players who are tired of weapons like greatsword or axe.
You can swap the weapons at any level, giving you more flexibility in the game. It’s best to use an advanced weapon for more damage when you get advanced further. These weapons deal greater damage at the expense of defense, making them ideal for an aggressive playstyle. Experimenting with different weapon types allows you to learn their mechanics and choose which weapon is best suited for your playstyle.
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 Ranger 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
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The most important skills at this level are Minor Missiles, blast, Finesse, and Steady Aim. 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 Wizard Build for Avowed from levels 1 to 10:
Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Minor Missiles Rank 1 | Wizard | Summons three magical projectiles that seek out enemies, dealing large amounts of damage to nearby enemies on impact. |
3 | Blast Rank 1 | Wizard | Power Attacks with wands explode on impact, dealing reduced Stun and Explosive Damage to nearby enemies. |
4 | Finesse Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases damage with one-handed melee weapons by 25%. |
5 | Steady Aim Rank 1 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 25%. |
6 | Bounce Rank 1 | Wizard | Power attacks with wands bounce to closer foes, dealing reduced damage. |
7 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 1 | Wizard | Unlock level 5 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 10%. |
8 | Survivalist Rank 1 | Ranger | Food restores 20% more Health and Essence, and bonus effect durations are increased by 20%. |
9 | Parry Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases damage with bows and guns by 25%. |
10 | Harvest Essence Rank 1 | Wizard | The Essence fragments dropped by defeated enemies restore 2 times as much Essence. |
Levels 11-20 Skills
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Increase your damage potential from level 11 to 20. Select the skill potential from levels 11 to 20. Skill like Survivalist Rank 2 allows you to unlock recipes for strong healing foods. Grimoire Mastery Rank 2 is another best skill to unlock because it unlocks level 15 Grimoire spells.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Wizard Build for Avowed from levels 11 to 20:
Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
---|---|---|---|
11 | Scion of Flame Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Fire Accumulation you deal by 20%. |
12 | Spirit of Decay Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Poison Accumulation you deal by 20%. |
13 | Quick Switch Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases your Equip Speed by 50%. |
14 | Survivalist Rank 2 | Ranger | Unlock recipes for strong healing foods. |
15 | Meteor Shower Rank 1 | Wizard | Conjures a cataclysmic shower of destructive meteors that rain down upon the area, dealing great damage and Fire Accumulation to nearby enemies. |
16 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 2 | Wizard | Unlock level 15 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 18%. |
17 | 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. |
18 | Sniper Rank 1 | Ranger | Enhance ranged weapon damage against unaware foes by 25%. |
19 | Staggering Show Rank 1 | Ranger | Power Attacks with bows and guns deal +40% Stun. |
20 | Flurry of Blows Rank 1 | Ranger | Gain attack speed, rapid stamina regeneration, and increase move speed for 10 seconds. |
Levels 21-25 Skills
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At levels 21-25, you want to increase your elemental damage and increase survivability. At this stage, you can use the best one-handed weapons and have great survivability and damage.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Wizard Build for Avowed from levels 21 to 25:
Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
---|---|---|---|
21 | Heart of the Storm Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Shock Accumulation you deal by 20%. |
22 | Flurry of Blows Rank 2 | Ranger | Flurry Of Blows grants lifesteal to your weapon damage. |
23 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 3 | Wizard | Unlock level 20 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 20%. |
24 | Secret of Rime Rank 1 | Wizard | Increases the amount of Frost Accumulation you deal with by 20%. |
25 | Survivalist Rank 2 | Ranger | Unlock recipes for foods with powerful effects. |
Best Wizard Skills Explained
The best skills for Mage build in Avowed are Grimoire Mastery, a flurry of Blows, Survivalist, and Arcane Seal. Grimoire Mastery is a passive ability within the Wizard class that enhances your spellcasting capabilities by unlocking higher-level grimoire spells. The flurry of Blows allows for a rapid succession of attacks, increasing damage output. Survivalist provides you the ability to cook at camp with overpowered consumables.
Once you get rank 2, you can make food that surpasses the need for potions, increasing your survivability dramatically. Arcane Seal increases Essence regeneration and casting efficiency. It conjures a seal at your feet that lasts for 30 seconds when activated. Each skill is useful during the gameplay, so choosing the best one is crucial as it can save your life.
- Heart of the Storm- It increases your proficiency with shock-based attacks by increasing the amount of Shock Accumulation.
- Grimoire Mastery- This allows you to get access to the higher-level grimoire spells.
- Flurry of Blows- It increases mobility, enabling swift positioning and evasion. Also, provides you with a rapid succession of attacks.
- Survivalist- This skill increases your character’s efficiency with consumables and unlocks advanced recipes.
- Arcane Seal- Boost your maximum ability cast speed while within the seal, enabling faster spell deployment.
- Secret of Rime- It increases your proficiency with frost-based attacks by increasing the amount of Frost Accumulation you inflict on enemies.
Companions
Giatta and Marius are best companions for a Mage build because Giatta can heal while Marius can root, discover treasures, and burst single targets. Each of these companions brings unique abilities and backgrounds to your journey. Giatta joins your party during the main story quest, “The Animancy Method.” Marius becomes available after progressing through the main story quest, “An Untimely End.”
Create a balanced and formidable party by including Giatta’s support and healing skills with Marius’s offensive and tactical prowess. Use Giatta Barrier to provide protective shields to allies and Marius Heart Seeker’s ability to increase damage dealt to low-health enemies. Giatta Acceleration skill can increase movement and attack speed, while Marius Wounding Shot can deal damage over time to enemies.
Giatta
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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 |
Marius
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Skill 1 | Skill 2 | Skill 3 | Skill 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Binding Roots | Heart Seeker | Shadow Step | Wounding Shots |
Entangle enemies | Increases damage dealt to low-health enemies | Devastating Blow | Damage over time |
Wizard Gameplay & Tips
Use companions like Giatta and Marius to complement your Mage build. Giatta provides healing and support spells, while Marius offers ranged attacks and crowd control. Focus on attributes like Intellect, Perception, and Resolve to increase your Wizard’s capabilities. Choose Wand as your primary weapon and Grimoires as your Off-Hand weapon. Use the advanced bow as your secondary weapon to deal damage from a safe distance.
Mastering combat techniques is essential to enhance your combat effectiveness. It’s best to combine Wizard skills with the Ranger skills for a multiclass playstyle. Use the grenades to deal damage over time. Equip a bow and start from stealth by crouching and shooting an arrow at the highest damage-producing target. Invest in skills like Grimoire Mastery, a flurry of Blows, Survivalist, and Arcane Seal to deal devastating damage and increase your survivability in intense fights.
Weapons and Armor
Beginner Weapon and Armor
Slot | Item | Bonus |
---|---|---|
Weapon 1 | Fine Wand | 11% critical hit chance 30 physical damage |
Off-Hand | Anextli’s Grimoire | -28% Ability cost -15% cooldown |
Secondary Weapon | The Long Touch | +5% damage against full-health enemies |
Armor | Stelgaer’s Pride | Reduce the incoming damage and maximum stamina +10 |
Gloves | Boots of the Bricklayer | +15 carry capacity |
Boots | Obsidian Order Sabatons | +10% resistance to potion and bleed accumulation |
Trinket | Crystalline Egg | Summons a trio of crystal eater spiderlings to fight with you |
Ring | Ashfall’s Legacy | +10% attack damage and +20% critical hit damage with pistols and arquebuses |
Ring | Vailian Dueling Ring | 7% chance to avoid melee damage |
Endgame Weapon and Armor
Slot | Item | Bonus |
---|---|---|
Weapon 1 | Minoletta’s Conduit | +5% Attack Damage +30% Maximum Wand Range |
Off-Hand | Legendary Beothel’s Grimoire | -74% ability cost -55% cooldown |
Secondary Weapon | Ancient Alacrity | Slows the hit enemy by 15% for 5 seconds |
Armor | Lave-Forged Plate | +45% resistance to Fire Accumulation |
Gloves | Gloves of the Strangler | +15% Sneak Attack Damage |
Boots | Sojourner Boots | Increases your health restoration from all sources by 5% |
Trinket | Cartographer’s Companion | +1 Dex, +2 Perception |
Ring | Sigil of the Arcane | +20% ability cast speed -20% ability essence cost |
Ring | Ring of the Founder | +10% damage against targets with full health |
Consumables
Burned Lady is a consumable that grants you 7 Essence Regeneration and seven health Regeneration. Charming Libation grants five essence regeneration and +6 to all attributes while in conversations for 300 sec. Essence Potion restores 70% of your Maximum Essence for 300 sec. 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 Mage Build in Avowed
What is the best Mage build in Avowed?
The best Mage build uses a one-handed weapon (Wand), Grimoire, and a ranged bow. It grants you high-level spell-casting ability, survivability, and damage within a range.
Which is the best Background for a Mage build?
War Hero is the best background for a Mage build, providing a strong foundation in key physical attributes.
Which are the best skills for Mage build?
Grimoire Mastery, Flurry of Blows, and Arcane Seal are the best skills for the Mage build. These abilities not only allow you to deal massive damage but also provide more survivability in the game.
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