Best Avowed Companions, Ranked by Helpfulness

In *Avowed*, companions aren't just narrative additions; they're vital for exploration and combat. Their abilities range from path-opening to devastating attacks. Here's a ranking of *Avowed's* companions, from least to most helpful.

4. Marius

My experience with Marius proved his playstyle didn't mesh well with mine. While his early-game utility in finding items and plants is helpful, he's quickly outmatched by other companions. His combat prowess is limited. Here's a breakdown of his abilities and upgrades:

Blinding Roots: Roots enemies for 8 seconds. Upgrades include stunning, trapping multiple enemies, and inflicting Bleed. Heart Seeker: A piercing shot that always hits. Upgrades include hitting two enemies, increased damage to low-health enemies, and cooldown reduction. Shadow Step: Vanishes and attacks an enemy (up to three times). Upgrades include instant kills on stunned enemies, increased damage to low-health enemies, and increased targets. Wounding Shots: Inflicts Bleed. Upgrades include reducing enemy damage reduction, slowing enemies, and further damage reduction.

Marius' abilities primarily focus on crowd control and weakening enemies. Effective against certain foes, especially with a melee-focused Envoy, his overall impact diminishes significantly as the game progresses.

3. Giatta

Giatta, a support-focused Animancer, excels at healing, shielding, and buffing. While lacking in raw damage, her utility is invaluable in challenging situations. Her protective abilities are a lifeline during tough boss fights. Here are her abilities:

Purification: Heals allies (upgradable to 50% health, enemy interruption, and increased damage reduction). Barrier: Grants allies a temporary health shield (upgradable for increased health, healing on expiration, and self-protection). Acceleration: Increases ally movement and attack speed (upgradable for damage reduction, extended duration, and cooldown reduction). Reconstruction: Heals allies with attacks (upgradable for enhanced low-health healing, temporary health at max health, and ally revival on enemy kill).

Giatta can also activate Essence Generators, unlocking late-game areas. She's a perfect complement to magic-focused Envoy builds.

2. Kai

Kai, an early companion, remains useful throughout the game. This tank deals significant damage with minimal player input. His abilities include:

Fire and Ire: High-stun Blunderbuss shot with a taunt (upgradable for ignition, increased stun, and cooldown reduction). Unbending Defense: Health regeneration and damage reduction (upgradable for increased damage reduction, regeneration, and a damaging shockwave). Leap of Daring: Stunning and taunting area-of-effect attack (upgradable for increased area, temporary health per hit, and bonus attack damage). Second Wind: Self-revival (upgradable for increased health restoration, attack speed boost, and cooldown reset).

Kai's abilities are versatile, effective against both single strong enemies and groups. His self-revival makes him exceptionally reliable. He can even use fire to clear obstacles.

1. Yatzli

Yatzli, a powerful Wizard, brings high damage and crowd control. She's essentially air support in the Living Lands. Her abilities are:

Essence Explosion: Explosive arcane damage (upgradable for larger blast radius, fire accumulation, and cooldown reduction). Minoletta’s Missile Battery: Volley of homing missiles (upgradable for increased fire rate, range, and shock accumulation). Arduos Delay of Motion: Slows enemies (upgradable for intensified slow, area-of-effect, and frost accumulation). Blast: Area-of-effect burst damage on hit (upgradable for explosive damage, breaking blocks, shattering frozen enemies, and increased stun/status effects).

Yatzli's potent abilities and obstacle-clearing capabilities make her the top companion, despite being recruited last.

Avowed releases on PC and Xbox on February 18.