Best Marius Companion Build Guide Avowed

Explore this tutorial that unravels the optimal configuration for a Marius companion in Avowed. Learn about his skills, passive traits, training methods, and much more!

In Avowed, there are four key companions who significantly influence your journey and success throughout the Living Lands. Among these characters, Marius stands out as a flexible and multifaceted ally, performing well with different playstyles. Regardless of whether you aim to optimize his combat abilities, explore his special skills, or create a supportive role that harmonizes with your character, crafting an ideal build for Marius is crucial.

In this walkthrough, we’ll delve deep into the top Marius build for Avowed, examining his key attributes, preferred skills, ideal passive abilities, and strategies to maximize his potential in battle.

Table of Contents

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Features and Mechanics for the Marius Build
How to Unlock Marius
Best Abilities and Passives
Level Progression for Marius
How to Play Marius With All Classes

Everything About Marius Companion Build in Avowed

Choosing the ideal partner setup for Avowed can significantly impact tough fights, tipping the scales in your favor. Picking the right active skills and beneficial passives is crucial to make Marius a harmonious fit with your Envoy. Interestingly, fine-tuning Marius’s build is less complex than adjusting the Envoy’s, as you can’t modify his armor, weapons, or attributes. This means that the success of your Marius build hinges entirely on how you distribute his skill points.

In the game Avowed, each companion comes equipped with three selectable active skills, plus one potential passive skill. Upon joining the game, the companion initially only has their first active skill activated by default.

Furthermore, you have the option to enhance each skill and passive by spending an additional skill point on them if desired. Additionally, there are three bonus abilities you can acquire. You may opt to activate only one, two, or all of these boosts based on your specific requirements, and their activation order is flexible.

Ultimately, you have the opportunity to redistribute all skill points for any companion at a fair price in gold. Keep in mind that the cost increases with the number of skill points your companion already possesses.

Marius Build Pros	Marius Build Cons
Crowd control ability	Similar to Ranger gameplay
Passive inflicts debuffs	No healing or taunt
Stealth strikes	Low Defense

Features and Mechanics for the Marius Build in Avowed

Below are all the essential features and mechanics for a Marius Companion Build guide in Avowed:

How to Unlock: automatically after events in Parais. The main quest will lead you to him.
Skills and Upgrades
- Binding Roots (Active)
  - Thorny Roots (Recommended Upgrade)
- Heart Seeker (Active)
  - Quick Draw (Recommended Upgrade)
- Shadow Step (Active)
  - Assassinate (Recommended Upgrade)
- Wounding Shots (Passive)
  - Impeding Shots (Recommended Upgrade)

How to Unlock Marius in Avowed

In the game Avowed, Marius will join your party naturally as you progress through the main storyline and eventually reach Paradis. After completing the ‘Message From Afar’ mission and discovering both the ambassador and claviger, you’ll be guided to the city’s embassy. Upon entering, you’ll unexpectedly get hit by an arrow.

Subsequently, following some divine intervention, a quest titled “An Untimely End” will present itself. This mission leads you to the Grinning Balarok tavern in Paradis, where you’ll encounter Marius – an expert tracker. His assistance will be crucial in locating your potential assassin.

To begin with, Marius enters the game pre-equipped with a skill called Binding Roots, which he’s already mastered. Furthermore, he possesses an additional skill known as Hunter’s Sense. When triggered, this skill illuminates nearby enemies, valuable items, and vegetation. This feature is useful for both combat and exploration purposes. During conflict, you can employ it to pinpoint adversaries, enabling tactical stealth attacks. In terms of exploration, this will streamline the process of discovering crafting resources and hidden riches.

Best Abilities, Skills, and Passives for Marius

In our guide for Marius companion in Avowed, Binding Roots and Heart Seeker are highly recommended active skills. Binding Roots is an effective crowd control skill that initially targets a single enemy but can be upgraded to affect multiple enemies. On the other hand, Heart Seeker is Marius’ most potent damage-dealing ability. It’s also advisable to invest points in Sharpshooter and Quick Draw enhancements for more frequent use of Heart Seeker, which can prove to be a strong finisher against bosses.

Binding Roots (Active): Marius uses his wilderness lore to Root an enemy in place for 8 seconds.
Heart Seeker (Active): Marius takes aim and fires a piercing shot that always hits its mark, passing through any obstacles in its path.
Shadow Step (Active): Marius vanishes into a cloud of smoke, then reappears near and enemy and slashes them with his daggers. He repeats this up to 3 times.
Wounding Shots (Passive): Marius’ attack deal Bleed Accumulation.

Binding Roots

As a dedicated follower of the game, I’d express it like this: In the heat of battle, Marius possesses a powerful move called Fire and Ire. This skill allows him to fix an adversary in their tracks, making it an excellent tool for managing crowds. Upon his arrival to your team, you’ll find that this potent ability is already at his disposal. The Binding Roots skill lasts for 8 seconds, keeping the enemy immobilized during that time. However, there’s a 20-second wait before he can use it again, giving the enemy a brief respite.

It’s most effective to activate the Binding Roots skill when targeting the toughest opponent among monsters. This will pin down a boss, making it stationary for 8 seconds, giving you an opportunity to assault it from a distance without worry.

Three passive enhancements for Marius’ Binding Roots skill become accessible as you accumulate more skill points:

1. Enhancement 1 (for example): The duration of roots is extended by 2 seconds.
2. Enhancement 2 (for example): The radius of the roots is increased by 50%.
3. Enhancement 3 (for example): The roots now slow enemies by 30% upon contact.

Constricting Roots: Binding Roots deals Stun to trapped enemies.
Grasping Roots: Binding Roots traps multiple enemies in a small area of effect.
Thorny Roots: Binding Roots deals Bleed Accumulation to trapped enemies.

It’s strongly advised to invest a skill point in Thorny Roots for its ability to inflict Bleed Buildup on rooted adversaries. This condition harmonizes exceptionally well with the Bleed Buildup you acquire when activating Marius’ passive. Furthermore, Grasping Roots can be an effective upgrade option as it transforms your attack into a wide-range effect capable of immobilizing multiple foes.

Heart Seeker

Marius’s capability, dubbed Heart Seeker, allows him to inflict significant damage on any target, regardless of location or line of sight. He can launch an arrow from any position without constraints. As soon as this ability is activated, it takes immediate effect, but a cooldown period of 60 seconds must elapse before it can be used again.

Marius’ most effective damaging active skill should be a top priority for you when it comes to unlocking it as soon as possible.

Three passive enhancements are accessible for Marius’ Heart Seeker skill, which can be acquired using extra skill points:

1. Upgrade 1: [Name of Upgrade 1]
2. Upgrade 2: [Name of Upgrade 2]
3. Upgrade 3: [Name of Upgrade 3]

These upgrades are waiting to be activated for Marius’ Heart Seeker ability!

Twinned Shot: After hitting the original enemy, Heart Seeker also hits the next closest enemy.
Sharpshooter: Increases the amount of damage dealt by Heart Seeker to enemies that are below 50% Health.
Quick Draw: Reduces the cooldown for Heart Seeker by 33%.

The optimal enhancement for Heart Seeker is Quick Reload, as it minimizes the reload time, allowing you to discharge this potent shot more often. Sharp Aim is another effective enhancement, transforming this skill into a formidable finishing move.

Shadow Step

In simpler terms, the skill Shadow Step allows Marius to launch a surprise attack on enemies. To make the most of this ability, pause the battle and position Marius towards either an active healer or the strongest opponent. Once set, the attack takes place instantly, with a 60-second wait period before it can be used again.

In typical battles, the harm caused by this skill doesn’t seem to be very significant. It might be wiser to invest those points into Heart Seeker instead.

Here are the three ways you can enhance Marius’ Shadow Step skill by spending extra skill points:

1. Upgrade 1 (name) – Description of what it does.
2. Upgrade 2 (name) – Description of what it does.
3. Upgrade 3 (name) – Description of what it does.

Assassinate: Shadow Step instantly kills most Stunned enemies.
Devastating Blow: Increases the amount of damage done by Shadow Step in proportion to the enemy’s missing Health.
Shadow Mastery: Marius vanishes and strikes enemies up to 6 times.

If you decide to activate Shadow Step, it’s advisable to prioritize the Devastating Blow enhancement for optimal results. This upgrade significantly increases the power of your ability when used on opponents with diminishing health, making it an effective choice for a decisive strike.

Wounding Shots

In simpler terms, Marius’ special ability (passive) is called Wounding Shots, and once activated, it allows all of his attacks to inflict a condition known as Bleed Accumulation. This passive becomes particularly useful when combined with the Thorny Roots upgrade on the Binding Roots skill.

As a fervent admirer, let me share the exciting options I’ve discovered for enhancing Marius’ Wounding Shots passive. These enticing improvements can be yours by accumulating extra skill points!

Exposing Shots: Marius’ attacks reduce enemy Damage Reduction.
Impeding Shots: Marius’ attacks slow any hit enemies.
Maiming Shots: Marius’ attacks reduce enemy Damage.

We strongly advise investing a skill point to activate Exposing Shots, a feature that diminishes the opponent’s damage resistance. Additionally, Impeding Shots could offer additional crowd control benefits if required.

Level Progression for Marius in Avowed

Here’s a list of skills, passives, and upgrades to select with the Best Marius Build in Avowed:

Skill Point 1: Heart Seeker
Skill Point 2: Shadow Step
Skill Point 3: Wounding Shots
Skill Point 4: Quick Draw (Heart Seeker Upgrade)
Skill Point 5: Thorny Roots (Binding Roots Upgrade)
Skill Point 6: Exposing Shots (Wounding Shots Upgrade)
Skill Point 7: Twinned Shot (Heart Seeker Upgrade)
Skill Point 8: Sharpshooter (Heart Seeker Upgrade)
Skill Point 9: Impending Shots (Wounding Shots Upgrade)
Skill Point 10: Constricting Roots (Binding Roots)

In Avowed, as you advance in levels, your allies will also gain skill points, but not necessarily at the same pace as your leveling progression. Consequently, be prepared to receive fewer skill points for Marius. To illustrate, when your Envoy attains Level 25, you might have a grand total of 24 skill points, whereas Marius and his companions would only have 7 skill points.

Consequently, companions are only earning a skill point about once every 3-5 of your Envoy levels.

Best Companion Alongside Marius

In our companion build guide, Yatzli is recommended as the top choice when teaming up with Marius. Their ability synergy offers an impressive method to initiate fights against new groups of opponents. Begin by deploying Binding Roots (enhanced with Grasping Roots) to keep enemies stationary. Remember that this skill lasts for 8 seconds, so promptly follow it with Yatzli’s Arduous Delay of Motion. This ability slows enemies for a duration of 10 seconds. When used together, you can inflict significant damage before your adversaries have the chance to effectively retaliate.

Companion 2: Yatzli

Active Abilities
- Ability 1: Essence Explosion
  - Upgrade: Scrappy Casting
- Ability 2: Minoletta’s Missile Battery
  - Upgrade: Speedy Salvo
- Ability 3: Arduous Delay of Motion
  - Upgrade: Frost Aspect
Passives
- Passive 1: Blast
  - Upgrade: Affliction Blast

How to Play Marius Companion With All Main Classes

Marius possesses both offensive (DPS) and defensive (Support) capabilities, offering skills for damaging enemies while also managing crowds. His initial skill, Binding Roots, has the power to anchor any foe in position. With suitable enhancements, it can transform into an area-wide ability, causing a stun as well. Heart Seeker is his most effective damage-inflicting skill, serving as a potent finisher when used correctly and upgraded with Sharpshooter.

Beyond that, Marius’ Wounding Shot has the potential to inflict various detrimental effects on foes, given a bit of investment. I find the Impeding Shots particularly beneficial as they cause enemies struck by Marius to move at a snail’s pace.

A great tactic for utilizing Marius effectively is to initiate his Binding Roots skill at the onset of combat, whether it’s single-target or area-of-effect. Aim this initial attack at the most formidable opponent present. Subsequently, unleash the Heart Seeker ability on the same target. This skill has a 60-second cooldown, so ideally, by the time you can use it again, the enemy’s health should be below 50%. With the Sharpshooter upgrade, the second shot of this ability will pack a more powerful punch.

Marius Companion With Envoy Fighter Class

A Sword-and-Shield warrior complements Marius well since you can safeguard yourself, thus drawing enemy attention away from him. This gives him the opportunity to launch attacks more freely, ideally preventing a mob from overwhelming him and depleting his health too quickly.

Here is a list of skills and abilities that you should activate for the Fighter class with Marius:

Active Abilities & Passives
- Ability 1: Barbaric Shout
- Ability 2: Clear Out
- Passive 1: Constant Recovery
- Passive 2: Retribution

Using a Fighter configuration, start by activating Marius’ Binding Roots skill, followed closely by Yatzli’s Arduous Delay of Motion while advancing forward. Target healers in the vicinity initially, as they will swiftly regenerate enemy health during your assault, causing you to expend unnecessary stamina. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on them first before moving onto other adversaries.

Marius Companion With Envoy Ranger Class

If you and Marius are predominantly engaging in ranged battles, the situation might become intricate. In such cases, you could ponder over replacing Yatzli with Kai as your secondary companion. However, don’t forget that, despite being a Ranger, you can also equip a sword and shield as an alternative weapon set.

At levels 18 and above, you can employ the Bear Ally skill with the taunt enhancement, effectively taking on the role of a tank in your party.

Here is a list of skills and abilities that you should activate for Ranger class with Marius:

Active Abilities & Passives
- Ability 1: Shadowing Beyond
- Ability 2: Tanglefoot
- Passive 1: Survivalist
- Passive 2: Evasive

To initiate combat effectively using your Ranger setup, begin by employing your formidable stealth attack or activating the Shadowing Beyond skill to outmaneuver a potent boss enemy from behind. Following this initial strike, combat ensues automatically. In quick succession, deploy Marius’ Binding Roots and Yatzli’s Arduous Delay of Motion abilities in that order.

Marius Companion With Envoy Wizard Class

Since the Wizard Envoy primarily attacks from afar, it might be beneficial to consider replacing Yatzli in this scenario. As you won’t have the chance to recruit Yatzli until the third region of Shatterscarp, you’ll likely be teaming up with Kai for some time regardless.

Here is a list of skills and abilities that you should activate for the Wizard class with Marius:

Active Abilities & Passives
- Ability 1: Arcane Veil
- Ability 2: Fireball
- Passive 1: Blood Magic
- Passive 2: Armored Essence

At the start of the game featuring Wizard Envoy, Marius, and Kai, it’s advisable to initiate with Kai using his Leap of Daring skill first. Subsequently, deploy Marius’ Binding Roots, and then cast Heart Seeker on a healer or high-priority opponent.

Build Summary – Marius Companion

FAQs About Marius Companion Build in Avowed

Does Marius’ race matter in Avowed?

In Avowed, race doesn’t influence any extra ability boosts for your character; it’s merely a factor for role-playing purposes. This applies to your Envoy character as well as Marius and all the other companions. Simply put, their racial background won’t affect their skills or stats in any way.

What abilities should I pick for Marius Companion build?

For a Marius Companion build in Avowed, the most effective active skills are Binding Roots and Heart Seeker. The first one provides excellent crowd control, while the second one deals substantial damage.

Can companion Marius’ skill points be changed in Avowed?

Absolutely! In your Avowed game, you have the flexibility to reallocate and return Marius’ skill points at any point, should you choose to. But, remember that it comes with a price, which escalates depending on the amount of skill points you are refunding. The gold you pay will be determined accordingly.

2025-02-14 00:16