Top Avowed Companions Ranked by Utility

In the immersive world of *Avowed*, Companions play crucial roles beyond their narrative contributions and dialogue. They offer practical advantages, from unlocking new pathways to enhancing combat efficiency. Here’s a detailed ranking of every Avowed Companion, from the least to the most effective, based on their utility and combat prowess.

4. Marius

In my experience with *Avowed*, Marius (depicted above, right) didn't quite align with my preferred play style. Although his passive abilities can aid in early-game exploration by helping locate items and plants, he becomes less relevant once other Companions join your party. Marius's combat abilities focus on controlling and weakening enemies, which can be beneficial against melee-focused foes with low health. However, his overall impact is quite niche. Here’s a breakdown of Marius’ abilities and their potential upgrades:

• Blinding Roots: Roots enemies in place for 8 seconds, with upgrades to stun, trap multiple enemies, and cause Bleed Accumulation.
• Heart Seeker: A piercing shot that hits the target despite obstacles, upgradable to hit two enemies, deal increased damage to those below 50% Health, and reduce cooldown by 33%.
• Shadow Step: Disappears and reappears to slash an enemy up to three times, with upgrades to kill stunned enemies instantly, deal more damage to low-health foes, and affect up to six enemies.
• Wounding Shots: Causes Bleed Accumulation with attacks, with upgrades to reduce enemy damage reduction, slow hit enemies, and further reduce enemy damage.

While Marius can be helpful in specific scenarios, particularly for melee-focused Envoys, he lacks the versatility and power needed for the broader journey across the Living Lands in *Avowed*.

3. Giatta

Giatta, a support-focused Animancer, leverages her magical abilities to heal, shield, and buff the party. Though not the top choice for dealing damage, her support capabilities shine in high-stress situations, such as *Avowed’s* challenging boss encounters. Below are Giatta’s abilities and their enhancements:

• Purification: Heals allies by 25% of their maximum Health, with upgrades to heal up to 50%, interrupt and knock back enemies, and boost damage reduction by 20% for 15 seconds.
• Barrier: Provides a temporary health shield for 20 seconds, with upgrades to increase shield health, heal enemies when the barrier dissipates, and protect Giatta from melee hits with a knockback effect.
• Acceleration: Boosts allies' move and attack speed for 15 seconds, with upgrades to add 15% damage reduction, extend acceleration duration by 10 seconds, and reduce ability cooldowns by 50%.
• Reconstruction: Heals allies slightly with attacks, with upgrades to heal more when allies are below 20% health, grant temporary health at full health, and revive incapacitated allies upon enemy kills.

Additionally, Giatta can power Essence Generators, unlocking new areas and access to late-game loot. While not the most powerful, she pairs exceptionally well with Envoys using Wizard builds focused on magic.

2. Kai

Kai is your first Companion in *Avowed*, and he remains a valuable asset throughout your adventure. As a formidable tank, Kai can handle combat effectively without much need for player intervention. Here are Kai’s abilities and their upgrades:

• Fire and Ire: Fires from his Blunderbuss to stun and taunt a single enemy for 10 seconds, with upgrades to ignite targets, increase Stun, and reduce the cooldown by 50%.
• Unbending Defense: Regenerates health and boosts damage reduction by 25%, with upgrades to reduce incoming damage by 50%, increase Health regeneration, and emit a shockwave to damage nearby enemies upon expiration.
• Leap of Daring: Stuns and taunts nearby enemies upon landing, with upgrades to double the area of effect, gain temporary health per enemy hit, and increase attack damage per enemy hit.
• Second Wind: Revives himself with 50% of his maximum health, with upgrades to increase health to 75%, gain temporary attack speed, and reset all ability cooldowns.

Kai’s abilities are versatile, effective against both single high-health enemies and for crowd control. His self-revival capability makes him an invaluable ally, requiring minimal micromanagement. Moreover, Kai can use fire to clear obstacles like spider webs and roots, aiding exploration.

1. Yatzli

Yatzli, a powerful Wizard, brings fiery attacks and superb crowd control to the party, effectively serving as your personal air support in *Avowed’s* fantasy setting. Here are her abilities and upgrades:

• Essence Explosion: Releases essence and explosive damage upon hitting an enemy, with upgrades for a larger blast, fire accumulation, and a 33% cooldown reduction.
• Minoletta’s Missile Battery: Fires a volley of enemy-seeking arcane missiles, with upgrades to increase fire rate, extend range, and add shock accumulation.
• Arduos Delay of Motion: Slows an enemy for 10 seconds, with upgrades to intensify slowing effects, create an area of effect, and cause frost accumulation.
• Blast: Causes a small area of effect burst on hit, with upgrades to break blocks, destroy walls, shatter frozen enemies, increase stun, and inflict Frozen, Ignited, or Shocked status with a 5% chance.

Yatzli’s potent abilities match her fierce personality, and she can clear obstacles to access new areas. Although you recruit her last in *Avowed*, her value as a Companion for the rest of your journey is undeniable.

*Avowed* is set to launch on PC and Xbox on February 18, promising players an engaging experience with these dynamic Companions.