Best Avowed Companions, Ranked by Helpfulness

In Avowed, the Companions are not just integral for their narrative and dialogue but also for their practical contributions to gameplay. From unlocking new pathways to enhancing combat strategies, each Companion brings unique abilities to the table. Here's a detailed ranking of every Companion in Avowed, from least to most effective:

4. Marius Marius, while initially helpful for early-game exploration, quickly becomes outclassed by other Companions. His passive abilities aid in finding items and plants, but his combat prowess leaves much to be desired. Here are his abilities and upgrades:

• Blinding Roots: Roots enemies in place for 8 seconds, with upgrades to stun, trap multiple enemies, and apply Bleed Accumulation.
• Heart Seeker: A piercing shot that always hits the target, with upgrades to hit two enemies, deal increased damage to low-health foes, and reduce cooldown.
• Shadow Step: Vanishes and reappears to slash enemies, with upgrades to instantly kill stunned enemies, increase damage to low-health foes, and target up to six enemies.
• Wounding Shots: Attacks cause Bleed Accumulation, with upgrades to reduce enemy damage reduction, slow enemies, and further reduce enemy damage.

Marius' abilities focus on controlling and weakening enemies, making him somewhat niche. He's best suited for melee-focused Envoys but lacks the overall power needed for the majority of the journey through the Living Lands.

3. Giatta Giatta, an Animancer, excels in support roles, using magic to heal, shield, and buff the party. While she's not the strongest in terms of direct damage, her utility in high-stress situations, such as boss fights, is invaluable. Here are her abilities and upgrades:

• Purification: Heals allies by 25% of their maximum Health, with upgrades to heal up to 50%, interrupt and knock back enemies, and increase damage reduction.
• Barrier: Grants temporary health to allies for 20 seconds, with upgrades to increase temporary health, heal enemies upon barrier end, and protect Giatta from melee attacks.
• Acceleration: Boosts move and attack speed for 15 seconds, with upgrades to reduce damage taken, extend duration, and reduce ability cooldowns.
• Reconstruction: Attacks heal allies slightly, with upgrades to heal low-health allies more, grant temporary health, and revive incapacitated allies upon killing enemies.

Giatta also activates Essence Generators, unlocking new areas and loot. She's an excellent choice for Envoys using Wizard builds focused on magic.

2. Kai Kai, the first Companion you encounter, remains a valuable asset throughout Avowed. As a tank, he can take and deal damage effectively with minimal player input. Here are his abilities and upgrades:

• Fire and Ire: Fires from his Blunderbuss, stunning and taunting enemies, with upgrades to ignite, increase stun, and reduce cooldown.
• Unbending Defense: Regenerates health and increases damage reduction, with upgrades to further reduce damage, increase regeneration, and unleash a damaging shockwave.
• Leap of Daring: Stuns and taunts enemies with a leap, with upgrades to expand its area of effect, grant temporary health, and boost attack damage.
• Second Wind: Revives himself with 50% health, with upgrades to increase health restored, grant a temporary attack speed boost, and reset ability cooldowns.

Kai's versatility in handling both single targets and crowds, coupled with his self-revival, makes him a powerful and low-maintenance combat partner. He can also clear certain obstacles, enhancing exploration.

1. Yatzli Yatzli, a Wizard, brings fiery and powerful attacks to the party, excelling in both damage and crowd control. She's the ultimate support in combat, akin to air support in the Living Lands. Here are her abilities and upgrades:

• Essence Explosion: Explodes with arcane power, with upgrades to increase blast size, apply fire accumulation, and reduce cooldown.
• Minoletta’s Missile Battery: Fires a volley of enemy-seeking missiles, with upgrades to increase fire rate, range, and apply shock accumulation.
• Arduos Delay of Motion: Slows enemies for 10 seconds, with upgrades to intensify slowing, create an area of effect, and apply frost accumulation.
• Blast: Attacks cause a small area of effect, with upgrades to deal explosive damage, break blocks, shatter frozen enemies, and apply various status effects.

Yatzli's potent abilities and her ability to clear obstacles make her an invaluable addition to your party, despite being the last Companion you recruit.

Avowed is set to launch on PC and Xbox on February 18.