Avowed in 2026: I Have No Class and That’s the Point

In 2026, I’m still happily picking at Avowed like a raccoon in a dumpster of skill points. Obsidian Entertainment took its classic RPG brain and shoved it into a first-person action body, and the result is a progression system that feels less like choosing a permanent career and more like speed-dating every combat style in Eora. There are no classes here—none, zip, nada—and I’m not gonna lie, that absence is the best thing since sliced bread. Instead of locking me into 'Fighter' or 'Wizard' forever, Avowed hands me skill trees and says, 'Go wild, you beautiful disaster.' The game launched in 2025, but in 2026 I’m still reallocating points like a squirrel hiding nuts.

The Three Trees That Run the Show

The bulk of Avowed’s progression comes from three primary skill trees: Fighter, Ranger, and Wizard. Fighter and Ranger mostly whisper sweet passive nothings into my ear—toughness, weapon tricks, mobility—while Wizard hoards active spells like a dragon sitting on a pile of arcane gold. Because there are no classes, I can sprinkle points across all three like confetti at a party. And if I hate my build? I can reallocate at will. No regret, no respec fee, no crying into my controller. That freedom is huge for an action RPG, and it makes every combat encounter feel like a playground rather than a contract.

Here’s a quick look at the vibe:

• Fighter: Passives, weapons, durability. The dependable friend who holds the line.

• Ranger: Passives, mobility, ranged tricks. The friend who keeps saying, 'I meant to do that.'

• Wizard: Active spells, elemental chaos. The friend who accidentally sets the tavern on fire. 🔥

Magic Is Everywhere, and That’s Delicious

In the old Pillars of Eternity days, magic was split into Faith, Arcane, and Nature, and casters had to pick their lane. In Avowed, those distinctions get folded into the general Wizard tree, which means I can grab a little bit of everything without needing a PhD in Eoran theology. On top of that, there are Grimoires—special books found in the world that grant exclusive spells when equipped. So even if I build a pure sword-and-board bruiser, I can still pull out a grimoire and chuck a fireball. That’s not just convenient; it’s hilarious. I once watched a tanky Fighter-type summon a magical explosion and then go back to hitting things with a shield. Chef’s kiss. 🤌

Godlike Problems and Companion Chaos

Avowed also makes me a member of the Godlike race from Pillars of Eternity—those demigod-like beings with weird faces and divine baggage. That comes with its own specialized skill tree, which feels like the game saying, 'Here, have some inherent magic, you cryptic little freak.' There’s also a companion-focused tree that seems to revolve around party interactions and tactics. In the early showcases, specifics were murky, but the idea is clear: your buddies matter, and you can invest in making them deadlier or more helpful. I’ve been treating my companions like a D&D party I accidentally adopted. They’re useful, they’re dramatic, and they absolutely judge my build choices.

Multiclassing Without the Label

Here’s the funny part: Pillars of Eternity 2 had a robust set of classes and subclasses, but Avowed breaks those layers down into a smoothie. Talents and abilities that used to be separate now overlap inside a smaller number of skill trees. That means no matter what route I take, I’m technically a multiclass weirdo. I can be a Ranger who casts Wizard spells, a Fighter with a Godlike twist, or a Wizard who occasionally remembers how to swing a sword. The game doesn’t care. It just wants me to experiment. And with the ability to remake my entire build whenever I want, I’ve spent more time in menus than I care to admit. But… that’s part of the fun, right?

Why This Matters in 2026

A year after release, Avowed’s classless system still feels refreshing. It doesn’t punish me for changing my mind. It doesn’t force me into a box labeled 'Rogue' just because I liked stealth for five minutes. Instead, it hands me three trees, a pile of spells, some grimoires, and a Godlike skill tree, then says, 'Go break the game.' If you’re the kind of player who loves tinkering, respeccing, and creating bizarre hybrid builds, this is your jam. If you’re the kind of player who wants a rigid class fantasy… well, maybe go play something else. I’ll be over here, reallocating points at 2 a.m., cackling like a mad wizard who just discovered a new toy. 🧙‍♂️