Avowed Guide: Best Background To Pick

In Avowed, your chosen background can be quite important. It influences dialogue choices, initial weaponry, and attribute distribution. However, backgrounds are completely focused on the narrative and they do not lock you into specific classes or playstyles. But which background in Avowed is the best? In this guide, we’ll explore all of the available backgrounds in the game, their unique attributes, and how they align with different playstyles.

• Best Classes in Avowed Tier List

Which Background Should You Choose in Avowed?

Your background selection should align with your preferred role-playing experience. As we mentioned already, it's all about storytelling. Yeah, backgrounds do offer an initial attribute distribution and starting weapon, but they can be reassigned before finalizing your character.

The best background is the one that resonates with your character. Games such as Baldur's Gate and Dragon's Age rely heavily on the storytelling players add to the game. 

Backgrounds and Their Starting Attributes

Each background provides an initial weapon and a suggested allocation of ten attribute points across six key stats:

• Might: Increases damage and carry capacity.

• Constitution: Affects health and resistance to damage over time.

• Dexterity: Boosts attack speed and action speed.

• Perception: Enhances critical hit chance and maximum range.

• Intellect: Increases maximum Essence and elemental resistance.

• Resolve: Improves stamina and Second Wind efficiency.

Below is a breakdown of each background, their starting weapon, and suggested attribute points.

Arcane Scholar

Summary: A knowledgeable spellcaster whose research pushed boundaries, now serving the emperor.

• Starting Weapon: Dagger

• Attributes:

  • Might: +2

  • Dexterity: +2

  • Perception: +2

  • Intellect: +3

  • Resolve: +1

• Ideal For: Spellcasters, ranged damage dealers, or hybrid spellblade builds.

Court Augur

Summary: A clairvoyant mystic with a gift for persuasion and subterfuge.

• Starting Weapon: Mace

• Attributes:

  • Dexterity: +2

  • Perception: +3

  • Intellect: +3

  • Resolve: +2

• Ideal For: Wizards who prefer a mix of magic and manipulation.

Noble Scion

Summary: A fallen noble, granted mercy by the emperor and now a valued court member.

• Starting Weapon: Sword

• Attributes:

  • Might: +2

  • Constitution: +1

  • Dexterity: +2

  • Perception: +2

  • Intellect: +2

  • Resolve: +1

• Ideal For: Jack-of-all-trades builds, supporting both melee and magic.

Vanguard Scout

Summary: A wilderness tracker saved from a life of crime and enlisted as an imperial agent.

• Starting Weapon: Axe

• Attributes:

  • Might: +1

  • Constitution: +2

  • Dexterity: +2

  • Perception: +3

  • Intellect: +1

  • Resolve: +1

• Ideal For: Rangers and rogues, who need agility and critical strikes.

War Hero

Summary: A decorated soldier, honored by the emperor for their battlefield prowess.

• Starting Weapon: Spear

• Attributes:

  • Might: +3

  • Constitution: +2

  • Dexterity: +1

  • Perception: +1

  • Resolve: +3

• Ideal For: Tanky melee fighters who value durability and strength during battle.

Do Backgrounds Affect Avowed Gameplay?

Beyond attributes and weapons, backgrounds will offer you unique dialogue options in the course of the game. This will allow your character to reference their past in conversations, making the story more coherent. However, this won’t drastically alter the game’s progression.

Additionally, your background determines your first weapon, which slightly influences early combat encounters. However, other weapons, such as bows, wands, shields, and grimoires, are available early in the game, so you can quickly jump into the build you want.

Best Backgrounds for Each Playstyle

While you can adjust attributes freely, certain backgrounds naturally align with specific playstyles:

• Wizard: Arcane Scholar – High Intellect and Perception for spellcasting.

• Fighter: War Hero – Strong Might and Constitution for melee combat.

• Ranger: Vanguard Scout – High Perception and Dexterity for ranged combat and critical hits.

• Hybrid Mage: Noble Scion – Balanced stats for a versatile build blending magic and melee.

Conclusion

Choosing a background in Avowed isn't about stats, it's about role-playing and emerging into the story. The best thing to do here is just pick the one that sounds the most fun.