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Discover how to create the best Pistol 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 uncover a secret mystery. A Pistol Build in Avowed focuses on using Pistols as the primary weapon, as it provides critical hit potential and effective crowd control. This is the best build for you if you prefer a fast, mobile fighting approach while dealing critical hits. You can pair Pistols with another Pistol for additional versatility. Selecting the best attributes is essential, as gameplay mostly revolves around them. Companions in this build are your bread and butter that can save your life when you’re having a tough day. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best Avowed Pistol build along with some useful gameplay tips and gear to choose from.
Everything You Need To Know About Pistol Build Guide in Avowed
The Pistol build in Avowed offers high burst damage along with mobility in ranged combat. It offers a mix of agility and firepower, making it the best choice for players who prefer dealing with enemies from a safe distance. Our Pistol build includes dual-wielded Pistols, allowing you to deal massive damage. Perception, Dexterity, and Might are the best attributes to focus on as they increase your effectiveness. Caeroc’s Pride is the best Pistol because it deals shock damage and has an increased crit rate.
Fair Play is also a good option because it restores health and stamina on kills. Choose the skills that complement your playstyle and build. Marksmanship, Steady Aim, Staggering Shot, and Sniper are the best skills to unlock for the Avowed Pistol build. Use the Quick Switch skill to reduce weapon swap time. Marius and Yatzli are the best companions to add in the build due to their abilities to help you in tough encounters. However, this build is less effective in stealth situations and requires much time to reload the Pistol. Vanguard Scout is the best background that we include in the build to increase your ranged combat experience.
| Pistol Build Pros | Pistol Build Cons |
|---|---|
| High Burst Damage | Less Effectiveness in Stealth |
| Fast Attack Speed | Higher Reload Speed |
| High Mobility |
Pistol Build Features & Mechanics
Below are the essential best Pistol build features and mechanics for Avowed:
- Background: Vanguard Scout
- Attribute Points: Perception, Dexterity, Might
- Weapon Choices: Pistols and Arquebus
- Best Skills: Sniper, Staggering Shot, Steady Aim, Marksmanship, Critical Strike, Quick Switch
- Recommended Companions: Marius and Yatzli
- Best Consumables: Mulled Musketeer, Tani Cream, Beetle Pie
Related:
Background
Vanguard Scout is the best background for the Pistol build in Avowed. The Vanguard Scout’s emphasis on Perception and Dexterity aligns well with the needs of a gunslinger. This background is ideal for players seeking a stealthy, ranged combat experience. You start with a common axe, such as a Vanguard Scout, and attribute points distributed to enhance critical hit chance, attack speed, and health. You can quickly acquire ranged weapons like firearms. Vanguard Scout also unlocks unique dialogue options.
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
Perception, Dexterity, and Might are the best attributes to focus on in the Pistol build. Perception allows you to increase critical hit chance, enhancing damage output. Invest points in this attribute to extend the effective range of your Pistol. Investing attribute points in Dexterity increases the attack speed and improves the weapon switching speed. This allows you for quicker firing and change the weapons in tough combat. Might, on the other hand, provide bonuses to all damage types and improve carrying capacity.
You need to be mindful when allocating points in the attributes as your gameplay depends on it. 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 maximum level of 30. Below is the distribution of the attribute points for the Pistol build in Avowed.
- Intellect: 0
- Perception: 11
- Dexterity: 5
- Might: 5
- Resolve:4
- Constitution: 2
Weapon Choices
Equipping a Pistol in each hand allows for a rapid firing sequence. You can charge both weapons and release two bullets at once by holding both attack and block buttons. This allows you to maximize your overall damage output. Both your main hand and off-hand must hold the unique Pistol. For the secondary weapon, you can select the Arquebus. This makes a powerful combination for dealing the damage in ranged combat. Pistols inflict physical damage and contribute to an enemy’s stun meter. The firing rate of Pistols is comparable to drawing a bow. However, the reload times are influenced by the character’s Dexterity attribute. Pistol shots are loud and can alert nearby enemies, making them less suitable for stealth approaches.
Pistols are your bread and butter in the Avowed Pistol build. You can even use abilities like Marksmanship to improve firearm accuracy and damage. Pistols are one-handed ranged weapons that deliver high damage, leading to a bleed effect. However, the locking isn’t possible unless paired with a shield while wielding a Pistol. Headshots with Pistols result in automatic critical hits. You need to invest in Dexterity to boost shooting and reloading speeds. This makes the Pistol effective for the bleeding effect. Pistols like The Disappointer come with the “Bleeding Lash” enchantment. This adds a 10% bonus for Bleed damage to each hit.
Secondary Weapon
Arquebus is your secondary weapon that offers high burst damage, long-range precision, and armor penetration. This makes it ideal for eliminating enemies before they can engage you. Use this weapon for a one-shot kill from a safe distance, allowing you to control the battlefield. The Arquebus has the longest range of any firearm in the game, making it the best weapon to pick for the Sniper build. Enhance the capability of Arquebus by using the Sniper ability. One Last Trick is a unique Arquebus that bounces bullets to an additional target and reloads faster.
Skill Selection
Tanglefoot, Survivalist, Steady Aim, Marksmanship, and Quick Switch are the best skills to unlock at initial levels. 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.
Levels 1-10 Skills
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Pistol Build for Avowed from levels 1 to 10:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | ||
| 2 | Tanglefoot Rank 1 | Ranger | Summon lingering entangling vines that root nearby enemies in place for 8 seconds. |
| 3 | Survivalist Rank 1 | Ranger | Food restores 20% more Health and Essence and bonus effect durations are increased by 20%. |
| 4 | Steady Aim Rank 1 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 25%. |
| 5 | Evasive rank 1 | Ranger | Reduces the Stamina cost of Dodge by 25%. |
| 6 | Armored Grace Rank 1 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina penalty for Medium and Heavy armor by 15. |
| 7 | Marksmanship Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases damage with bows and guns by 25%. |
| 8 | Scavenger Rank 1 | Ranger | When picking herbs, occasionally receive an extra Upgrade Material. |
| 9 | Shadowing Beyond Rank 1 | Ranger | Channel the Beyond, becoming Invisible and draining Essence until your next combat action. |
| 10 | Quick Switch Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases your Equip Speed by 50%. |
Levels 11-20 Skills
Power Slider, Critical Strike, Sniper, and Staggering Shot are crucial skills to use for mid-game combats. Upgrade your equipped abilities to make them more effective in combat. You need to enhance the damage effectiveness as you’ll encounter high-level enemies equipped with heavy armor.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Pistol Build for Avowed from levels 11 to 20:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Power Slide Rank 1 | Ranger | Your slides pass through enemies and knock them down at the cost of 20 Essence. |
| 12 | Power Jump Rank 1 | Fighter | Press crouch while in the air to slam to the ground, interrupting nearby enemies. The area of effect and amount of Stun dealt increases based on your fall height. |
| 13 | Survivalist Rank 2 | Ranger | Unlock recipes for strong healing foods. |
| 14 | Tanglefoot Rank 2 | Ranger | Vines deal Poison Accumulation. |
| 15 | Critical Strike Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 10%. |
| 16 | Shadowing Beyond Rank 2 | Ranger | While Invisible, gain increased Stealth Attack Damage and Move Speed. |
| 17 | Steady Aim Rank 2 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 50%. |
| 18 | Sniper Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies by 25%. |
| 19 | Marksmanship Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases damage with bows and guns by 40%. |
| 20 | Staggering Shot Rank 1 | Ranger | Power Attacks with bows and guns deal +40% Stun. |
Levels 21-30 Skills
Upgrade your abilities to a higher rank to make them more effective and deal more damage with your Pistol during intense combat. The higher your abilities are, the more chances you get for the deadly hits.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Pistol Build for Avowed from levels 21 to 30:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Quick Switch Rank 2 | Ranger | Guns in your inactive Loadout reload automatically after 3 seconds. |
| 22 | Staggering Shot Rank 2 | Ranger | Power Attacks with bows and guns deal +70% Stun. |
| 23 | Critical Strike Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 15%. |
| 24 | Sniper Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies by 35%. |
| 25 | Steady Aim Rank 3 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 75%. |
| 26 | Staggering Shot Rank 3 | Ranger | Power Attacks with bows and guns deal +90% Stun. |
| 27 | Armored Grace Rank 2 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina penalty for Medium and Heavy armor by 25. |
| 28 | Marksmanship Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases damage with bows and guns by 50%. |
| 29 | Sniper Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies by 40%. |
| 30 | Critical Strike Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 20%. |
Best Pistol Skills Explained
Sniper, Staggering Shot, Steady Aim, Marksmanship, Critical Strike, and Quick Switch are the best skills to unlock for the Avowed Pistol build. Steady Aim is a passive skill that increases proficiency with ranged weapons, specifically bows and guns. Sniper is a passive ability that boosts your effectiveness with ranged weapons against unsuspecting foes. Marksmanship is the passive ability that increases your proficiency with bows and firearms. Staggering Shot is a passive ability that enhances your proficiency with bows and firearms.
- Quick Switch- This ability increases your equip speed by 50%, providing you more flexibility in combat.
- Sniper- Increase ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies.
- Staggering Shot- Boost the stun dealt by power attacks with bows and guns.
- Steady Aim- Slows down time when aiming power attacks with bows or guns.
- Marksmanship- This ability allows you to increase your damage output with bows and guns.
- Critical Strike- It increases your critical hit chance, allowing you to dominate enemies with your Pistols.
Companions
Marius and Yatzli are the best companions for the Pistol build in Avowed. Yatzli’s ranged attacks and slowing abilities complement your Pistol tactics. Use Marius’s Binding Roots ability to immobilize groups of enemies and Bleeding Cuts ability to inflict damage over time, weakening targets for your attacks. Mariu’s crowd control ensures that enemies remain at a distance, allowing you to use your ranged weapons effectively. Use Marius’s Heart Seeker’s ability to increase damage dealt to low-health enemies.
Yatzli’s ranged magical attacks and debuffs can soften targets from a distance. This makes it easier for you to approach and execute stealth kills. Her abilities complement an assassin’s need to control the battlefield. Arduous Delay of Motion is her crowd control ability that can hinder foes, allowing you to take control over the battlefield. Her Blast ability ensures that attacks affect multiple enemies, which further increases overall damage output. Her Slowing Hex ability mitigates enemy movement speed.
Marius
| 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 |
Yatzli
| Skill 1 | Skill 2 | Skill 3 | Skill 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essence Explosion | Minoletta’s Missile Battery | Arduous Delay of Motion | Blast |
| Increases the size of the blast caused by Essence Explosion. | Increases the rate of fire for missiles from Minoletta’s Missile Battery. | Creates an area of effect that afflicts all enemies within its radius. | Deals explosive damage, breaking enemy Blocks, destroying walls, and shattering frozen enemies for bonus damage. |
Pistol Gameplay & Tips
Marius and Yatzli are the best companions for the Avowed. Pistols are one-handed weapons, allowing for dual-wielding. Focus on attributes like Perception, Might, and Dexterity to enhance your effectiveness in combat. Perception increases critical hit chance, Might provide a flat bonus to all damage types, and Dexterity improves attack speed along with the reload times. Use skills like Marksmanship, Steady Aim, and Sniper to increase your overall damage output in ranged combat. Use Arquebus as a secondary weapon in the tough encounter when your Pistols are not bringing any positive outcome.
Take advantage of cover to reload safely and plan your next move. Use the Pistol to keep the enemies at a distance, allowing you to reduce the need to close combat. Marksmanship is the best skill to choose for the bow because it increases damage with bows and firearms. You can also use abilities like Tanglefoot to immobilize enemies, making them vulnerable to ranged attacks. Swapping your weapon is essential to win any fight. Combine your Ranger skill with the Fighter skills for the multiclass and to make your character’s potential devastating. Use the grenades to deal damage over time.
Weapons and Armor
Beginner Weapon and Armor
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | The Disappointer | Physical Damage: 69 Stun: 80 Stamina Cost: 20 Critical Hit Chance: 3% |
| Off Hand Weapon | Caeroc’s Pride | Physical Damage: 69 Stun: 80 Stamina Cost: 20 Critical Hit Chance: 3% |
| Secondary Weapon | Izmalt’s Meteoric Apparatus | 431 Physical Damage4 364 Stun 25 Stamina Cost 3% Critical Hit Chance |
| Armor | Blackwing Armor | +30% Stealth Attack Damage |
| Gloves | Gloves of the Strangler | +3% Critical Hit Chance |
| Boots | Boots of the Bricklayer | +10% Dodge Distance |
| Trinket | Night-Mistress’ Favor | Slowly regenerate Essence while close to a Companion |
| Ring | Ring of Pain Amplification | +15% Critical Damage |
| Ring | Ring of the Founder | +10% Damage Against enemies with full health |
Location
- The Disappointer (Pistol)- Purchased from Merchant Kerdhead “Curry” Cullen, situated in a small alley, north of Philosopher Alley, Paradis Hightown, Paradis City, Region of Dawnshore.
- Caeroc’s Pride (Pistol)- Location is Dawnshore. Defeat Tempestuous Luandi and loot his body to find this item on an island near Ondra’s Reach and The Catch in Dawnshore.
- Izmalt’s Meteoric Apparatus (Arquebus)- Location is Shatterscarp. Purchased from Kampeki at Fish in a Barrel in Thirdborn in Shatterscarp for 12,355 Skeyt.
- Blackwing Armor- Location is Dawnshore. Choosing to kill your assassin at the end of the Dawnshore zone.
- Gloves of the Strangler- Location is Dawnshore. Behind a secret door on the outer wall of Paradis, slightly southwest of the Paradis Hightown gate.
- Boots of the Bricklayer- Location is Dawnshore. Found inside of the Pargrun Cache east of the Overgrown Expanse Party Camp in Dawnshore.
- Night-Mistress’ Favor- Location is Dawnshore. Received as a reward for ignoring talking about Giuliana’s contraband in Giuliana’s Shipment as part of the Side Quest.
- 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.
- Ring of the Founder- Found in the Ancient Grotto, on the body of the Idol of Secret Hatred Totem Piece.
Endgame Weapon and Armor
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Magic Mistol | Physical Damage: 173 Stun: 200 Stamina Cost: 20 Critical Hit Chance: 3% |
| Off Hand Weapon | Fair Play | Physical Damage: 127 Stun: 140 Stamina Cost: 20 Critical Hit Chance: 3% |
| Secondary Weapon | One Last Trick | 431 Physical Damage4 364 Stun 25 Stamina Cost 3% Critical Hit Chance |
| Armor | Sentinel Mail | -30% incoming Fire, Frost, and Shock Damage |
| Gloves | Wolf Gloves | +1 Dexterity |
| Boots | Greaves of Exalted Stride | +10% resistance to Poison and Bleed Accumulation |
| Trinket | Poisoner’s Kit | Your weapons deal +5% bonus Poison Damage |
| Ring | Disciple’s Ring | +60 Maximum Essence |
| Ring | Gourmand’s Delight | Food restores 40% more Health and Essence |
Location
- Magic Mistol (Pistol)- This Workshop is available in the Galawain’s Tusks region, northwest of the Slumbering Fields.
- Fair Play (Pistol)- Location is Shatterscarp. Can be purchased from the merchant located to the right of the entrance of Thirdborn.
- One Last Trick (Arquebus)- Location is Emerald Stair. Received as a reward from Ranger Captain Acierno for the Emerald Stair Side Quest “Steel Resolve,” after letting Dorso go into exile.
- Sentinel Mail- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Found in the Pargrun Cache east of the Living Archives.
- Wolf Gloves- Location is Emerald Stair. Found in the southern tower of the Naku Tedek Grounds west of Maxim’s Claim in Emerald Stair, in the area where you fight the Xaurips.
- Greaves of Exalted Stride- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Sold by Merchant Alonya at Oddments and Oddities south of the Living Archives for 9,500 Skeyt.
- Poisoner’s Kit- Location is Shatterscarp. Wasteland Courier Side Quest – Test the “goods” you receive from Aiko, and tell Daiko nothing happened.
- Disciple’s Ring- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. In a chest inside Razvan’s Hut in the Lost Village.
- Gourmand’s Delight- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Purchased from Chef Kumitru at Kimitru’s Questionable Edibles in Solace Keep for 3,000 Skeyt.
Consumables
Mulled Musketeer is the best consumable because it grants +40% action speed and reload speed. Tani Cream allows you to gain +2 Dexterity and +5% maximum stamina. Beetle Pie is another consumable that provides you +2 Might and +10% damage. 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 Pistol in Avowed
What is the best Pistol build in Avowed?
The best Pistol build in Avowed uses Pistols on both hands, allowing you to maximize your overall damage output. Marius and Yatzli are the best companions for the Pistol build in Avowed.
Which is the best Background for the Pistol build?
Vanguard Scout is the best background for the Pistol build in Avowed. The Vanguard Scout’s emphasis on Perception and Dexterity aligns well with the needs of a gunslinger.
Which are the best skills for a Pistol build?
Perception, Dexterity, and Might are the best attributes to focus on in Pistol build. Investing points in these attributes allows you to increase your effectiveness in combat.
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