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Discover how to create the best Unarmed 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. The unarmed build is designed to eliminate enemies swiftly, reducing the duration of combat encounters. Attributes like Might, Constitution, and Dexterity are the best ones to focus on for unarmed playstyle. This plays a crucial role in certain situations, providing benefits that can be highly rewarding if used effectively.
Unarmed combat doesn’t rely on weapons, so you don’t need to spend resources on upgrading or maintaining weaponry. Passive like Iron Fists increase your damage output and durability. Unarmed fighter excels in close combat situations with the right skills and attributes. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best Unarmed build in Avowed, including the best gameplay tips for unarmed and the best gear to wear while progressing.
Everything You Need To Know About Unarmed Build Guide in Avowed
Our Unarmed build in Avowed focuses on dealing the damage with magic and punches. Crafting an effective unarmed build requires strategic planning to maximize your character’s potential. Focus on increasing your attributes like Might, Constitution, and Dexterity. Might increase your damage output, Constitution enhances your health pool, ensuring survivability in close combat, and Dexterity improves your attack speed and accuracy.
Skill like Iron Fist in our Unarmed build allows you to improve the quality of your unarmed attacks, allowing them to break barriers. Players with an Unarmed build need to focus on skills to increase their proficiency with unarmed attacks, improving damage and effectiveness. Choose the light to medium armor to balance protection with mobility. We recommend you equip items that boost your health, stamina regeneration, or unarmed damage.
However, you need to monitor your stamina to avoid exhaustion consistently. The Unarmed build is less effective when you level up in the game and encounter high-level enemies. Some magic can deal massive damage in combat, so choosing the correct magic is crucial. Players are not dependent on gear with this build, as your primary and secondary weapon is magic only. Choose the high-level shield later in the game to block the incoming enemy attacks.
| UNARMED Build Pros | UNARMED Build Cons |
|---|---|
| No Gear Dependency | Delayed Damage Output |
| Scale easily | Limited Range |
| Unique Roleplay | Less effective at greater difficulties |
Unarmed Build Features & Mechanics
Below are the essential best UNARMED build features and mechanics for Avowed:
- Background: Vanguard Scout
- Attribute Points: Might, Constitution, and Dexterity
- Weapon Choices: Magic and Shield
- Best Skills: Iron Fists, Harvest Essence, Blood Magic, Scion of Flame, and Parry
- Recommended Companions: Giatta and Kai
- Best Consumables: Bunch of Peppers, Health Potion, and Cured Bovigrand Lion
Background
The Vanguard Scout is the best background for Unarmed build in Avowed. It is perfect for players who focus on survival skills, exploration, and stealth. A Vanguard Scout will have strong skills in surviving harsh environments. Vanguard Scout provides a variety of stealth-based dialogue and gameplay options. You can sneak around, set traps, and use techniques to defeat enemies or collect information. 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. 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. This can be especially useful in the game’s wilderness areas. Vanguard Scout’s decent Constitution allows you to endure physical strain. You can gather information, bypass enemies, or make more strategic decisions while progressing.
Attribute Points
Might, Constitution, and Dexterity are the main attributes you need to focus on for your Unarmed build. These stats allow you to maximize your physical combat abilities, resilience, and overall survivability. Might is essential for any physical combat, making it crucial for an Unarmed character. It affects your damage output, making it important to increase the effectiveness of your unarmed attacks.
Constitution, on the other hand, boosts your health and stamina, making you more resilient. Hitting and engaging in melee combat without weapons is dangerous, so try to increase this attribute. Dexterity improves your ability to dodge attacks, making it crucial as an Unarmed character in the game. This attribute allows you to increase attack speed and accuracy, which can benefit your unarmed strikes.
Weapon Choices
Magic and Shield are the best weapons to choose for Unarmed build. You can cast spells without using any Wand or Grimoire. You need to upgrade some skills in the Wizard class. Consider a small magical focus or shield-like item that provides buffs without forcing you to wield a traditional weapon. Magic is a great way to enhance your melee combat, increase survivability, and add versatility to your play style. Use magic to enchant your fists with fire, lightning, or lifesteal, or use mobility spells to move into the melee range to overwhelm foes.
Shields can make you tankier and allow you to handle multiple enemies more effectively. Shields allow you to block incoming attacks and possibly counter enemies in melee combat. It provides damage reduction against melee and ranged attacks. However, timing is crucial here as it helps you to mitigate the damage. It also helps you better manage stamina by allowing you to absorb hits without depleting it. You can also use it as stagger resistance because it prevents you from being easily knocked back or stunned. Certain shields may offer protection against magic, so choosing the best one is important here. Block the enemy attacks with the shield and use Wizard abilities to deal damage during combat.
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 you can synergize Fighter skills and Wizard skills for the Unarmed build. Moreover, you can reset skills at any time with gold, though it gets more expensive the more levels you increase.
Levels 1-10 Skills
The crucial skills at this level are Minor Missiles, Shield Bash, Parry, Blood Magic, and Iron Fists. 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 Unarmed Build for Avowed from levels 1 to 10:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | ||
| 2 | Charge Rank 1 | Fighter | Dash forward and smash into anything in your way, interrupting enemies and dealing Explosive Damage to break enemy Blocks, destroy walls, and shatter frozen enemies for bonus damage. |
| 3 | Evasive Rank 1 | Ranger | Reduces the Stamina cost of Dodge by 25% |
| 4 | Parry Rank 1 | Ranger | Time a perfect Block against a melee attack to knock the enemy back and gain an immediate counter-attack. |
| 5 | Shield Bash Rank 1 | Fighter | Attacking while holding Block slams your shield forward to Stun, push back, and interrupt enemies. |
| 6 | Grimoire Mastery Rank 1 | Wizard | Unlock level 5 Grimoire spells and decrease the Essence cost of all Grimoire spells by 10%. |
| 7 | 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. |
| 8 | Iron Fist Rank 1 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are Fine quality and can break wooden barriers and explosive barrels. |
| 9 | Charge Rank 2 | Fighter | Increases the distance traveled during Charge by 100% |
| 10 | Unbreakable Rank 1 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina cost when Blocking by 30%. |
Levels 11-20 Skills
Boost your damage potential along with the survivability from level 11 to 20. Choose the skills that enhance your damage per second. This will allow you to dominate enemies coming in your path. Skills like Parry allow you to block the enemy and counterstrike the enemy with high damage output. The Retribution attack allows you to deal 70% of the original damage after taking damage from the enemy.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Unarmed Build for Avowed from levels 11 to 20:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Shield Bash Rank 2 | Fighter | Increases Stun dealt by Shield Bash. |
| 12 | Iron Fists Rank 2 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are of Exceptional quality. |
| 13 | 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% |
| 14 | Power Slide Rank 1 | Ranger | Your slides pass through enemies and knock them down at the cost of 20 Essence. |
| 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 | Unbreakable Rank 2 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina cost when Blocking by 50%. |
| 17 | Parry Rank 2 | Ranger | Increases Parry efficiency by 25 %, dealing greater Stun when Parrying enemies. |
| 18 | Iron Fists Rank 3 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are of Superb quality. |
| 19 | Bear Ally Rank 1 | Ranger | Summon a bear ally to aid you in battle for 30 seconds. |
| 20 | Evasive Rank 2 | Ranger | Reduces the Stamina cost of Dodge by 35%. |
Levels 21-25 Skills
At levels 21-25, you want to increase damage per second potential with high-level skills. Use the shield and magic to deal damage in combat. We recommend you equip a higher quality shield as it can protect your players from incoming damage.
Below is a list, in order, of the skills for the Best Unarmed Build for Avowed from levels 21 to 25:
| Level | Skill Name | Tree | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Iron Fists Rank 4 | Fighter | Unarmed attacks are of Legendary quality. |
| 22 | Bear Ally Rank 2 | Ranger | Your bear ally roars when summoned, Taunting enemies and increasing the damage it deals. |
| 23 | Unbreakable Rank 3 | Fighter | Decreases the Stamina cost when Blocking by 60%. |
| 24 | Arcane Veil Rank 2 | Wizard | Incoming arrows or similar projectiles are reflected back at enemies |
| 25 | Inspiring Triumph | Fighter | Killing enemies restores 10% of your companion’s max health |
Best Unarmed Skills Explained
Iron Fists, Harvest Essence, Blood Magic, Scion of Flame, and Parry are the best skills to invest in for the Unarmed build in Avowed. Iron Fists is a passive skill designed to enhance unarmed combat. You can upgrade this ability to increase the effectiveness of your unarmed attacks as you progress through its ranks. The skills rank not only increases the damage output of your unarmed strikes but also maximizes their overall effectiveness.
Harvest Essence increases the restoration of Essence. This ability increases the amount of Essence you regain from Essence fragments dropped by defeated enemies. Blood Magic enables spellcasting to continue by consuming health when Essence is depleted. Scion of Flame increases your proficiency with fire-based magic. Parry is a unique ability that enhances your defensive and offensive capabilities in melee combat.
- Iron Fists- Improves the quality of your unarmed attacks, allowing them to break barriers.
- Harvest Essence- Increases the essence restored by essence fragments from defeated enemies.
- Blood Magic- Allows you to continue casting spells using health when the essence is depleted.
- Arcane Seal- Conjures a seal that regenerates Essence and increases ability cast speed, slowing enemies within its range.
- Parry- Allows you to knock back enemies and counterattack after a perfect block.
- Fireball- Summons a sphere of fire that explodes into lingering flames, enhancing area and reducing cooldown.
- Retribution- Increases the damage of your next attack after taking damage from an enemy.
Companions
Giatta and Kai are the best companions to choose for the Unarmed build in Avowed. She can heal your character when you take damage during combat. 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.” Each of these companions brings unique abilities and backgrounds to your journey. Giatta excels in healing and support roles, making her an invaluable asset to any party.
Kai serves as a frontline tank, drawing enemy attention and absorbing damage. This is beneficial for unarmed fighters, providing support in managing multiple enemies. Kai becomes available after completing the “Message from Afar” quest in Dawnshore. This companion can manage enemy aggression, allowing you to focus on close-quarters combat. Including Kai as your companion can increase the effectiveness of your unarmed build by providing a reliable tank and crowd control.
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 |
Unarmed Gameplay & Tips
Unarmed combat in Avowed offers a unique and immersive experience, making agility, speed, and strategic positioning crucial. Some Fighter skills like Iron Fists increase unarmed combat effectiveness. Focus on increasing your attributes points like Might, Constitution, and Dexterity. Might increase damage dealt with unarmed attacks, and the Constitution boosts health and stamina, improving survivability.
Dexterity increases your attack speed and evasion. Use the shield to parry attacks, providing defense without hindering unarmed combat. Equip the high-level shield to block all the incoming attacks. Giatta and Kai are the best companions to choose for your Unarmed build. Giatta grants healing and buffs, while Kai acts as a tank, draws enemy attention, and absorbs damage during combat. We recommend you use quick dashes to evade attacks and reposition. Time your shield blocks to deflect attacks and focus on increasing critical hit chance and damage to maximize unarmed combat.
Weapons and Armor
Beginner Weapon and Armor
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Blizzard | Conjures a violent storm of ice and snow, pummeling nearby enemies with raining ice and Frost Accumulation. |
| Off-Hand | Unflinching Duty | Chance to avoid melee damage, +20 Stamina |
| Secondary Weapon | Ring of Fire | Creates a fiery barrier around the caster that reduces damage and burns melee attackers. |
| Armor | Stelgaer’s Pride | 18% Damage Reduction -35 Maximum Stamina -30 Maximum Essence |
| Gloves | Blackwing Gloves | +1% Critical Hit Chance +10% Critical Damage |
| Boots | Tranton Family Greaves | +20 Maximum Health +20% Dodge Distance +10% Move Speed |
| Trinket | Berath’s Blessed Ward | -5% damage from Vessels |
| Ring | Ring of Pain Amplification | +15% Critical Damage |
| Ring | Ring of the Founder | +10% Damage Against enemies with full health |
Endgame Weapon and Armor
| Slot | Item | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon 1 | Arcane Seal | Conjures a seal that regenerates Essence and increases ability cast speed, slowing enemies within its range. |
| Off-Hand | Spindlewalker | Block 91 Stability 20 Parry 380 Elemental Resistance 50 |
| Secondary Weapon | Freezing Pillar | Derives a pillar of ice into the ground, dealing with frost damage and acting as a frost area effect. |
| Armor | Berserker Scale | 15% damage reduction 71 Additional damage reduction -25 Maximum Stamina -35 Maximum Essence |
| Gloves | Sentinel Gloves | +15% Stun |
| Boots | Berserker Boots | -10% incoming Fire, Frost, and Shock Damage |
| Trinket | Cartographer’s Companion | +1 Dex, +2 Perception |
| Ring | Ashfall’s Legacy | +10% Attack Damage +20% Critical Hit Damage |
| Ring | Disciple’s Ring | +60 Maximum Essence |
Consumables
Consumables in Avowed provide temporary benefits, such as restoring health or essence or granting buffs to various attributes. You can obtain them by defeating enemies, looting crates or chests, or purchasing from merchants. Bunch of Peppers is the best consumable that grants 25 Essence Regeneration. To gain 150 Health Regeneration, you can use a Cured Bovigrand Lion. Health Potion allows you to restore 70% of your maximum health for 300 seconds. Open the radial menu and select the consumable icon to use a consumable. This will lead you to the consumables section, where you can choose the items you wish to use.
FAQs about Unarmed in Avowed
What is the best Unarmed build in Avowed?
The best Unarmed build in Avowed uses Magic and Shield to deal damage and block incoming attacks in combat.
Which is the best Background for an Unarmed build?
The Vanguard Scout is the best background for Unarmed build in Avowed. It is perfect for players who focus on survival skills, exploration, and stealth.
Which are the best skills for Unarmed build?
Iron Fists, Harvest Essence, Blood Magic, Scion of Flame, and Parry are the best skills to invest in for the Unarmed build in Avowed. These abilities not only allow you to deal massive damage but also provide more survivability in the game.
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