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Discover how to create the best Sniper 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 occurs in the Living Lands, where you uncover a secret mystery. A Sniper Build in Avowed is a long-range, high-damage playstyle focused on killing enemies before they even try to detect you. Arquebuses and Bows are your bread and butter for this build, allowing you to deal damage from a safe distance.
Allocating points in correct attributes is crucial for the Sniper build as your gameplay revolves around them. Unlock the stealth-related skills from the skill trees, maximizing your capability in combat. This build is perfect for players who love stealth gameplay and tactical combat, along with high-damage shots. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best Avowed Sniper build and helpful Sniper gameplay tip,s along with the gear to choose from.
Everything You Need To Know About Sniper Build Guide in Avowed
Sniper build in Avowed excels in long-range precision, stealth-based takedowns, and high burst damage. Sniper Passive grants up to 45% additional damage against unaware enemies. Aquebus and Bow allow engagement from a safe distance. This allows you to avoid direct encounters during combat. Skills like Shadowing Beyond allow you to become invisible and reposition, preventing detection. Our Sniper build includes Vanguard Scout as a background and Kai & Marius are the best companions.
This build advantage of the Ranger skill tree, focusing on abilities that enhance ranged attacks and critical hits. Perception, Might, and Dexterity are the main attributes you need to invest in to carry your Sniper build. Use Marksmanship skills to boost damage with bows and firearms. Skills like Critical Strike increases critical hit chance and damage. Marius as your ally immobilizes groups of enemies, preventing them from approaching you. However, proper positioning is essential to keep enemies at range.
| Sniper Build Pros | Sniper Build Cons |
|---|---|
| High Damage from Stealth | Low Defense |
| Safe Long Range Combat | Long Reload Times |
| Crowd Control | Weak in Close Range Combat |
Sniper Build Features & Mechanics
Below are the essential best Sniper build features and mechanics for Avowed:
- Background: Vanguard Scout
- Attribute Points: Perception, Might, Dexterity
- Weapon Choices: Arquebus and Bow
- Best Skills: Sniper, Staggering Shot, Marksmanship, Steady Aim, Shadowing Beyond, Armored Grace
- Recommended Companions: Kai and Marius
- Best Consumables: Magran’s Blessing, Springberries, Mulled Musketeer
Related:
Background
Vanguard Scout is the best background for the Sniper build in Avowed. Vanguard Scout starts with an axe, you’ll quickly obtain ranged weapons like bows early in the game that align the sniper’s arsenal. Stealth allows you to take down enemies without even letting them react. You can quickly acquire ranged weapons like bows or firearms, aligning with their stealth-oriented role. Vanguard Scout also unlocks unique dialogue options. This background is ideal for players seeking a stealthy, ranged combat experience. This background is ideal for players seeking a stealthy, ranged combat experience. It offers a role-playing foundation that complements a sniper-themed build.
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, Might, and Dexterity are the main attributes to invest in for the Avowed Sniper build. Investing attribute points in Perception increases critical hit chance and maximum range, which is essential for a sniper playstyle. Might enhance damage from all sources and increase carrying capacity. Dexterity, on the other hand, Improves attack, action, and reload speeds. This allows you for quicker shots and better mobility. Constitution is another attribute that should also focus on improving as it can improve your gameplay as well.
You need to be mindful when allocating points in the attributes, as your gameplay depends on it. Upon leveling up, you can earn additional attribute points, 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. You can create a potent Sniper character by focusing on these attributes. Below is the distribution of the attribute points for the Sniper build in Avowed.
- Intellect: 1
- Perception: 12
- Might: 6
- Dexterity: 5
- Constitution: 2
- Resolve: 1
Weapon Choices
Arquebus and Bow are the best weapons to use for Avowed Sniper build. These weapons focus on high-damage, long-range options that will maximize your efficiency in eliminating enemies from a distance. Arquebus offers high burst damage, long-range precision, and armor penetration. This makes it ideal for removing 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 most extended range of any firearm in the game, making it the best weapon to pick for the Sniper build. Enhance Arquebus’s capability by using the Sniper ability. One Last Trick is a unique Arquebus that bounces bullets to an additional target and reloads faster.
The bow is also a crucial weapon for the Sniper build because it provides stealth-friendly precision and long-range damage. This makes it an excellent alternative to the Arquebus. Bows excel in stealth scenarios, allowing players to perform surprise attacks with reduced noise. Equip the best bow when encountering enemies in ranged combat, allowing you to eliminate enemies silently. One of the best weapon bows is “The Long Touch,” which offers increased critical hit chance and other damage enhancements. However, the bow also has limitations, such as projectile falloff affecting performance at longer ranges. This is a versatile option for players focusing on sniper attacks.
Stealth
Stealth in Avowed is a unique mechanic that allows you to approach the enemy with strategy. Players can crouch to reduce visibility to bypass them or for stealth takedown. This gives you the opportunities for better positioning. Moving into stealth mode allows you to attack enemies without alerting others. Shadowing Beyond is a unique ability that allows the players to become invisible until their next combat action. The stealth approaches are more challenging in the game as the game lacks mechanics for creating distractions. Use the weapons that provide you with openings for the stealth attacks.
Sniper Passive
Sniper is a passive ability from the Ranger skill tree that increases damage with bows and guns against unaware enemies. This makes your beginning attacks from stealth more lethal and effective. Pairing this ability with the Shadowing Beyond enhances your combat effectiveness allowing you to be invisible and deal massive damage without being detected. You can unlock this ability at reaching level 15 in Avowed. At Rank 1, damage increases by 25%. At Rank 2, damage increased by 35%. And at Rank 3, damage increased by 45%. The damage bonus escalates as you progress and invest in the Sniper ability. This makes your progression much faster and allows you to eliminate a cluster of enemies without taking damage.
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 Fighter and Ranger synergize. Moreover, you can reset skills at any time with gold, though it gets more expensive the more levels you increase.
Levels 1-10 Skills
Steady Aim, Marksmanship, Evasive, Shadowing Beyond, and Quick Switch are the best skills to unlock at the 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.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Sniper 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 | Steady Aim Rank 1 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 25%. |
| 4 | Evasive Rank 1 | Ranger | Reduces the Stamina cost of Dodge by 25%. |
| 5 | Armored Grace Rank 1 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina penalty for Medium and Heavy armor by 15. |
| 6 | Shadowing Beyond Rank 1 | Ranger | Channel the Beyond, becoming Invisible and draining Essence until your next combat action. |
| 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 | Survivalist Rank 1 | Ranger | Food restores 20% more Health and Essence and bonus effect durations are increased by 20%. |
| 10 | Quick Switch Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases your Equip Speed by 50%. |
Levels 11-20 Skills
Power Slide, Power Jump, Critical Strike, Sniper, and Staggering Shot are the best skills to use after reaching level 11. Upgrade your equipped abilities to make them more effective in combat. You need to enhance the stealth hit chance as you’ll encounter high-level enemies equipped with heavy armor.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Sniper Build for Avowed from levels 11 to 20:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Steady Aim Rank 2 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 50%. |
| 12 | Marksmanship Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases damage with bows and guns by 40%. |
| 13 | Power Slide Rank 1 | Ranger | Your slides pass through enemies and knock them down at the cost of 20 Essence. |
| 14 | 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. |
| 15 | Critical Strike Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 10%. |
| 16 | Sniper Rank 1 | Ranger | Increases ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies by 25%. |
| 17 | Shadowing Beyond Rank 2 | Ranger | While Invisible, gain increased Stealth Attack Damage and Move Speed. |
| 18 | Survivalist Rank 2 | Fighter | Unlock recipes for strong healing foods. |
| 19 | Armored Grace Rank 2 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina penalty for Medium and Heavy armor by 25. |
| 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 stealth hits during intense combat. The more your abilities are of high level the more you get chances for the Sniper hits.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Sniper Build for Avowed from levels 21 to 30:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Marksmanship Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases damage with bows and guns by 50%. |
| 22 | Steady Aim Rank 3 | Ranger | Holding your Power Attack with a bow or gun slows time by 75%. |
| 23 | Shadowing Beyond Rank 3 | Ranger | Reduces Essence drain while Invisible. |
| 24 | Inspiring Triumph Rank 1 | Fighter | Killing enemies restores 10% of your Companion’s Maximum Health. |
| 25 | Armored Grace Rank 3 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina penalty for Medium and Heavy armor by 30. |
| 26 | Critical strike Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases your Critical Hit Chance by 15%. |
| 27 | Staggering Shot Rank 2 | Ranger | Power Attacks with bows and guns deal +70% Stun. |
| 28 | Sniper Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies by 35%. |
| 29 | Staggering Shot Rank 3 | Ranger | Power Attacks with bows and guns deal +90% Stun. |
| 30 | Sniper Rank 3 | Ranger | Increases ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies by 40%. |
Best Sniper Skills Explained
Sniper, Staggering Shot, Marksmanship, Steady Aim, Shadowing Beyond, and Armored Grace are the best skills for the Avowed Sniper build. Steady Aim is a passive skill that increases proficiency with ranged weapons, bows explicitly and guns. Sniper is a passive ability that boosts your effectiveness with ranged weapons against unsuspecting foes. Shadowing Beyond is an active ability that makes you invisible, facilitating stealth tactics and sudden attacks. 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.
- Armored Grace- Reduces the stamina penalty for wearing medium and heavy armor.
- Sniper- Increase ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies.
- Staggering Shot- Increase ranged weapon damage against unaware enemies.
- Marksmanship- This ability allows you to increase your damage output with bows and guns.
- Steady Aim- Slows down time when aiming power attacks with bows or guns.
- Shadowing Beyond- This ability allows you to be invisible and move stealthily, reducing Essence drain during invisibility.
Companions
Kai and Marius are the two best companions for the Sniper build in Avowed. These companions complement a sniper-focused playstyle to enhance both survivability and combat efficiency. Kai’s Leap of Daring allows him to charge into battle, drawing enemy attention and absorbing damage. Marius’s ability to halt enemy movements complements a sniper’s need. These companions in your Sniper build boosts your effectiveness in both ranged and close-quarters combat.
Marius brings crowd control and damage-over-time capabilities to the party. His Binding Roots ability immobilizes groups of enemies. This stops the enemies from approaching you in intense combat, allowing you to use the bow on them. His Wounding Shots apply bleed effects, dealing damage over time to make them vulnerable. Kai’s tanking abilities and Marius’s crowd control create a dynamic. Use this setup to maximize your damage output while minimizing risk. The Second Wind ability allows Kai to revive himself once per encounter, and Fire and Ire taunt enemies. Kai can manage a cluster of enemies, creating opportunities for your ranged attacks. Each of these companions brings unique abilities and backgrounds to your journey.
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 |
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 |
Sniper Gameplay & Tips
Use Kai and Marius for the Avowed Sniper build to complement your playstyle. Initiate combat from stealth for bonus damage. You need to position yourself or behind cover to avoid detection. Use the sniper ability to enhance damage against unaware enemies. Use Shadowing Beyond to become invisible, allowing you to reset fights or reposition. The use Arquebuses to hit hard but it reloads slowly. Switch to a bow after firing to change your strategies, allowing you to dominate enemies. Skills like Marksmanship increase overall ranged damage, making you a lethal player in the game.
Use light or medium armor to maintain mobility for repositioning. Use Kai to draw enemy attention, letting you snipe safely. Shooting enemies in the head or weak spots is best for bonus crit damage. Use Tangleroot to immobilize foes and create space to deal damage with your Arquebus. Allocate points into Dexterity and Perception to boost attack speed and critical hit chance. Keep checking your stamina and essence levels, as you’ll be vulnerable if they end. Keep checking your stamina and essence levels, as you’ll be vulnerable if they end.
Weapons and Armor
Beginner
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Izmalt’s Meteoric Apparatus | 431 Physical Damage4 364 Stun 25 Stamina Cost 3% Critical Hit Chance |
| Secondary Weapon | The Long Touch | 189 Physical Damage 182 Stun 12 Stamina 9% Crit. 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 | Arcanist’s Ring | +1 Intellect |
| Ring | Ring of the Founder | +10% damage with ranged weapons |
- Izmalt’s Meteoric Apparatus (Arquebus)- Location is Shatterscarp. Purchased from Kampeki at Fish in a Barrel in Thirdborn in Shatterscarp for 12,355 Skeyt.
- The Long Touch (Bow)- Location is Dawnshore. Purchased at Paradisian Military Surplus in the Militia Headquarters in Northern Paradis for 4,320 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. Obtained as a reward for ignoring talking about Giuliana’s contraband in Giuliana’s Shipment as part of the Side Quest “A Lady Never Tells.”
- Arcanist’s Ring- Location is Dawnshore. Found in a small lockbox near the smugglers at Castol’s Folly in Dawnshore.
- Ring of the Founder- Found in the Ancient Grotto, on the body of the Idol of Secret Hatred Totem Piece.
Advanced
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | One Last Trick | 431 Physical Damage4 364 Stun 25 Stamina Cost 3% Critical Hit Chance |
| Secondary Weapon | Ancient Alacrity | 162 Physical Damage4 182 Stun 12 Stamina Cost 9% Critical Hit Chance |
| Armor | Councilor’s Garb | +50% Stealth Attack Damage |
| Gloves | Sentinel Gloves | +15% Stun |
| 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 |
- 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.
- Ancient Alacrity (Bow)- Location is Galawain’s Tusk. In the Solace Lava Tubes sub-area. Take the stairs up after fighting Sibelius, and open the first locked door to find the bow.
- Councilor’s Garb- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Kill Kostya toward the end of the Main Story Quest “Our Dreams Divide Us Still.”
- Sentinel Gloves- Location is Galawain’s Tusks. Found in the building on the north side of Ash Forest Outpost. Head up the stairs towards where you rescue Petru, but take a right to jump over and drop into the building.
- 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
Magran’s Blessing is a Consumable that grants you +20 damage and +20% damage reduction. Springberries allow you to gain 15 health regeneration and 15 essence regeneration. Mulled Musketeer is the best consumable because it grants +40% action speed and reload speed. 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 Sniper Build in Avowed
What is the best Sniper build in Avowed?
The best sniper build in Avowed uses Arquebus as a primary weapon and a Bow as a secondary weapon. Perception, Might, and Dexterity are the main attributes to invest in for the Avowed Sniper build.
Which is the best Background for a Sniper build?
Vanguard Scout is the best background for the Sniper build in Avowed. Vanguard Scout starts with an axe, you’ll quickly obtain ranged weapons like bows early in the game that align the sniper’s arsenal.
Which are the best skills for Sniper build?
Sniper, Staggering Shot, Marksmanship, Steady Aim, Shadowing Beyond, and Armored Grace are the best skills for the Avowed Sniper build.
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