Exploring Avowed Classes: A Comprehensive Guide

In the gaming community, anticipation continues to build around Obsidian Entertainment's upcoming action RPG set in the world of Eora. As we approach the 2025 release window, questions about Avowed's character progression systems have sparked considerable discussion among fans of the Pillars of Eternity universe. Today, we're diving deep into what we know about Avowed's approach to classes and character building.

Unlike its CRPG predecessors, Avowed has taken a different approach to character progression. Rather than implementing the traditional class system familiar to Pillars of Eternity fans, Obsidian has opted for a more fluid, classless structure built around skill trees and ability progression. This departure represents one of the most significant shifts from the established Eora setting, where classes were deeply integrated into the world's lore.

The Classless Approach in Avowed

Avowed avowed classes—or rather, the lack thereof—has become a hot topic among RPG enthusiasts. Instead of selecting a predefined class like Wizard, Cipher, or Paladin, players will develop their character through multiple skill trees that allow for customization without rigid class boundaries.

This system enables players to mix and match abilities across different combat styles:

• Melee combat with various weapon types

• Ranged combat using bows and firearms

• Magical abilities through grimoires and spellcasting

"There are several ability trees to progress through, and you won't be locked to a particular class or playstyle," Obsidian confirmed in recent interviews. This approach prioritizes unlocking new abilities rather than investing points into stats for incremental power increases.

But does this flexibility come at a cost to the rich world-building that made Pillars of Eternity special?

Lore Implications: How Does This Fit Eora?

For dedicated fans of the Pillars universe, this shift raises important questions. In Eora's established lore, many abilities required lifelong dedication:

• Wizards spend decades studying arcane texts

• Ciphers are born with their soul-manipulating abilities

• Chanters learn ancient phrases through years of practice

How does Avowed reconcile this classless system with the world's established rules? Some hints from the game's narrative suggest your character possesses unique abilities that set them apart from ordinary inhabitants of the Living Lands. As an envoy from Aedyr, your character seems to have unusual aptitude for various combat styles that might be explained through the story.

Comparing to Other RPGs

When examining Avowed avowed classes (or lack thereof), comparisons to other first-person RPGs become inevitable. The system appears to draw inspiration from titles like:

1. The Elder Scrolls series, which allows players to develop skills through use

2. Kingdoms of Amalur, which offered hybrid class development

3. More recent titles like Greedfall, balancing predetermined roles with customization

However, concerns remain about whether this approach might lead to homogenized character builds or reduce replayability. In games with flexible progression, players often gravitate toward optimal builds regardless of role-playing considerations.

Combat Depth: Quality Over Quantity?

The shift away from classes raises questions about combat depth. In Pillars of Eternity, each class offered distinct playstyles with unique resource management and tactical considerations. Will Avowed's ability trees provide the same level of mechanical distinction?

Early previews have shown combat that integrates melee, ranged, and magical abilities with environmental interactions. Water conducts lightning spells, and fire can spread through appropriate surfaces. These systemic elements could potentially add depth that compensates for the absence of class-specific mechanics.

"Combat is more stutter-step than ballet," noted one preview, suggesting that while flashy, the fighting system might lack the rhythm and strategic flow that made Pillars combat so engaging for many players.

The Role-Playing Perspective

For role-playing purists, the classless system presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it allows for more personalized character development without arbitrary restrictions. On the other, it might diminish the sense of identity and specialization that comes with mastering a specific class.

What might be most concerning for some fans is how this approach affects immersion in the world of Eora. The Pillars universe was built with classes as fundamental societal roles, not just gameplay mechanics. Will Avowed's narrative account for this shift in a satisfying way?

Looking Forward: Potential and Concerns

As we approach Avowed's release, the question remains: will the absence of traditional classes enhance or diminish the experience? The answer likely depends on your priorities as a player.

If you value:

• Mechanical flexibility and hybrid playstyles

• Gradual character evolution without restarting

• Accessibility for newcomers to the Pillars universe

Then Avowed's approach might be refreshing. However, if you prioritize:

• Deep role-playing within established lore

• Distinct character identities with clear strengths and weaknesses

• Replayability through dramatically different class experiences

You might find yourself missing the structure that classes provided in previous Eora adventures.

The Verdict

Ultimately, Avowed avowed classes represent a significant departure from Pillars of Eternity's approach to character progression. Whether this change proves to be an evolution or a simplification remains to be seen when the game releases.

What are your thoughts on Avowed's classless approach? Would you have preferred a more traditional system, or are you excited about the flexibility of skill trees? The conversation around character building in RPGs continues to evolve, and Avowed represents just one approach to this fundamental aspect of the genre.

As we await more details and hands-on time with the game, one thing is certain: Obsidian's return to the world of Eora will give us plenty to discuss, regardless of how we develop our characters within it.

This overview is based on Polygon, a leading source for gaming culture and industry analysis. Polygon's recent features on RPG design trends discuss how the move toward classless progression systems, as seen in Avowed, reflects a broader shift in player expectations for customization and narrative flexibility, while also raising questions about the preservation of deep lore and replayability in established universes.