There's no limit to how you can experiment with builds in unique guns in Avowed you choose. If it wasn't obvious, you'll want to dual-wield pistols for your first loadout and equip your favorite arquebus for your secondary loadout.

There are four unique pistols and three unique arquebuses in Avowed, and you can mix and match these based on your playstyle. For an elemental-focused Gunslinger build, Caeroc's Pride and Heavenstrike can both be enhanced with various shock and fire-boosting gear. For me, the Power Attack bonuses on The Disappointer, Magic Mistol, Fair Play, and Izmalt's Meteoric Apparatus are too good to up and require different armor, clothing, and accessories than an elemental build. Further, you'll want to balance movement speed and defense to make the Gunslinger build viable for both short- and long-range combat.

Best Guns For A Gunslinger Build

Mix & Match Guns To Meet Your Preferences

For a power attack Gunslinger, start off with The Disappointer and upgrade its enchantment to Shared Misery ASAP. Caeroc's Pride has a power attack ability that deals large amounts of Shock accumulation, but should be replaced with Fair Play eventually. When you finally reach Galawain's Tusks, Magic Mistol is ideal for a late-game option to replace The Disappointer. For a power attack Gunslinger, Izmalt's Meteoric Apparatus is your best-in-slot arquebus - its close-range power attacks deal high stun and knock enemies back. Use Fair Play to bring an enemy within close range, then blast them away with a powered-up Izmalt shot.

Best-In-Slot Gun (Power Attack)

ive Effect

Recommended Enchantment

Izmalt's Meteoric Apparatus

Concussive Grudge: Short-range Power Attacks deal High Stun and knock enemies back

Meteoric Devastation: Killing an enemy deals moderate Fire Accumulation to nearby enemies.

Fair Play

Vengeful Shot: Taunt and gain +100% Critical Hit Chance against enemies that Incapacitate one of your Companions

Equal Footing: A Power Attack pulls the hit enemy into melee range.

Magic Mistol

Foe-seeker: Bullets seek and target enemies

Unstable Shot: Power Attacks deal moderate Stun to nearby enemies.

You can choose to go the elemental route with Caeroc's Pride and Moonstrike, Avowed's Starmetal arquebus (or its upgraded version, Heavenstrike), with Izmalt and One Last Trick as backup options. Taking this route, be sure to utilize elemental-enhancing gear, and definitely take advantage of the Wizard elemental accumulation abilities detailed below.

Best-In-Slot Gun (Elemental)

ive Effect

Recommended Enchantment

Moonstrike / Heavenstrike

Freezing Lash: Hits deal +10% bonus Frost Damage

Ondra's Anger: Power Attacks deal high Frost Accumulation to nearby enemies

Caeroc's Pride

Shocking Lash: Hits deal +10% bonus Shock Damage

Thunder's Fall: Power Attacks deal high Shock Accumulation to nearby enemies

Fair Play

Vengeful Shot: Taunt and gain +100% Critical Hit Chance against enemies that Incapacitate one of your Companions

Turnabout: Killing an enemy restores 10% of your Maximum Health and 50% of your Maximum Stamina

One Last Trick is a more versatile choice for arquebuses in either Gunslinger choice, and can hit multiple enemies with its ricochet ability or utilized for Fire damage. There are no wrong choices here, and each of the unique guns in Avowed can be incorporated into this build effectively.

Best Gunslinger Abilities In Avowed

Utilize Ranger Abilities Such As Sniper & Marksmanship For Ultimate Gunslinging

There are some core abilities in Avowed that are essential for a Gunslinger build, all from the Ranger ability tree. These include Steady Aim, Marksmanship, Quick Switch, Sniper, and Staggering Shot. Steady Aim will slow time up to 75% when fully ranked up, while Marksmanship increases gun damage up to 50%. Outside of these core abilities, your remaining ability points should be invested based on your gun choices. Critical Hits and Critical Hit Damage are your core damage drivers, so Critical Strike is highly recommended as well. Tanglefoot is useful for locking enemies in place for an easier headshot.

Giatta's Acceleration ability increases the Move Speed and Attack Speed of all allies for 15 seconds and is ideal here.

For elemental Gunslinger builds that utilize the elemental enchantments on Caeroc's Pride, One Last Trick, or Moonstrike/Heavenstrike, the Wizard abilities Heart of the Storm, Scion of Flame, and Secret of Rime, respectively, will boost elemental accumulation. For a more damage-based Gunslinger approach, Retribution from the Fighter tree will give you up to 120% increased damage against enemies that hit you for 10 seconds. Evasive is another Ranger skill that will come in handy for close-range encounters, increasing Stamina efficiency for Dodge. Flurry of Blows is also effective, maximizing attack speed and increasing movement significantly.

Best Gunslinger Attributes In Avowed

Slinging Guns Requires Dexterity, Resolve & Perception

In of attribute investment, Dexterity and Perception are going to be the main stats, with Resolve being important as well. Dexterity controls your attack and action speed, which the Gunslinger needs equal amounts of. High attack speed equates to quick-firing pistols, while action speed will increase your reload speed and how fast you switch between loadouts. Equip speed will be noticeably faster with high Dexterity and the Quick Switch ive ability enabled. Perception and Resolve are your secondary stats; Perception controls both critical hit chance and increases your range — both equally important.

Related
Avowed: 10 Best Unique Weapons For Rangers

The 10 best unique weapons in Avowed for Rangers include Sheathed in Summer, Moonstrike, Last Light of Day, and the Umbral Needle.

Stamina is going to be very important as you'll be running around blasting enemies into oblivion with Power Attacks, which cost Stamina. Resolve increases your maximum Stamina, which can also be made more efficient through equipment and accessories. Overall, you're looking to increase critical hit chance and attack speed with Dexterity and Perception to enable fast-paced combat and quick fire rate on your pistols and arquebuses, with Resolve boosting your Stamina for Power Attacks. Might should not be completely ignored either as it increases your basic damage amount and will help take enemies out much faster.

Best Armor, Clothing & Accessories For A Gunslinger

Ring Of The Peerless Marksman & Ashfall's Legacy Are Gunslinger Essentials

In of gear, the Gambeson of the Grand Empire unique light armor is a strong option, so be sure to help the refugees in Dawnshore and meet up with them again at the entrance to Thirdborn. The Wavebinder Robes that can later be found in Naku Kubel are the best in-slot armor.

There are two overpowered rings for Gunslingers: the Ring of the Peerless Marksman, which gives +10% damage to ranged weapons, and Ashfall's Legacy, which gives +10% attack damage and +20% critical hit damage to pistols and arquebuses. These are all essential, while your remaining gear is more flexible. Both the Blackwing Gloves and Trickster's Gloves are great options for unique gloves.

Boot selections include the Blackwing Boots, Tranton Family Greaves, and Berserker Boots, while both the Painter's Brush Trinket and Cartographer's Companion amulet are decent accessory choices. There are many glove and boot options that fit well with the elemental Gunslinger approach, with the Wildwalker Armor set, gloves, and boots as a top contender. No matter which approach you take, the Gunslinger build will allow you to experiment with different options and still be an effective damage dealer. The Gunslinger buildakes advantage of some of the best unique gear, pistols, and arquebuses in Avowed, and is a blast to play.

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Avowed
Systems
Released
February 18, 2025
ESRB
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Xbox Game Studios
Engine
Unreal Engine 5