This is a guide to the best Unarmed monk build in Avowed. Read on to learn how to create an Unarmed monk build, including the best stat priority, abilities, armor, clothing, and accessories to get from early game to mid-game.

Best Unarmed Build

Stat Priority for Unarmed Builds

= > > > > Might and Constitution > Perception > Resolve > Dexterity > Intellect

Might is our primary stat so that our fist damage scales across each region. Since we won't have "weapons" to rely on, Might will be a priority for damage. Constitution is also important since you'll want as much HP as you can get early game without having to get Toughness.

Perception and Resolve follow given that the build's secondary damage will be proc'ed via Crits (using God Totem bonuses), and Stamina will be key for dodges and attack spam since we can't block with both fists out.

Dexterity and Intellect are both low priority. More attack speed won't really matter (as you'll want to manage your Stamina economy for dodges in melee range), and we won't be spamming a lot of abilities during early game.

Is Low Attack Speed Okay for Unarmed Builds?

Dexterity and its bonus attack speed is lower in the stat priority scale since there isn't that big of a difference when it comes to swinging your fists at high versus low DEX investment (plus you'll also be getting Flurry of Blows anyway).

While an argument can be made for more attack speed equalling more Stun, it won't really matter in an unarmed monk build since you'll still want to manage your Stamina for dodges anyway since you can't block.

Best Abilities for Unarmed Builds

For abilities, we'll want to max out passives that offer survivability and better unarmed damage. The most important ability to max out will be Iron Fists since this is what will allow your fists damage to scale across all regions.

Unarmed Monk Ability Progression
Lvl. 2	Lvl. 3	Lvl. 4
Charge	Constant Recovery	Armored Grace
Lvl. 5	Lvl. 6	Lvl. 7
Finesse	Iron Fists	Constant Recovery
Lvl. 8	Lvl. 9	Lvl. 10
Constant Recovery	Armored Grace	Finesse
Lvl. 11	Lvl. 12	Lvl. 13
Iron Fists	Armored Grace	Charge
Lvl. 14	Lvl. 15	Lvl. 16
Charge	Finesse	Iron Fists
Lvl. 17	Lvl. 18	Lvl. 19
Critical Strike	Critical Strike	Retribution
Lvl. 20	Lvl. 21	Lvl. 22
Flurry of Blows	Iron Fists	Flurry of Blows
Lvl. 23	Lvl. 24	Lvl. 25
Flurry of Blows	Critical Strike	Harvest Essence
Lvl. 26	Lvl. 27	Lvl. 28
Harvest Essence	Retribution	Retribution

Note: Flurry of Blows will put a strain on your Essence economy once you learn it. Consider investing in Intellect or dropping points into Harvest Essence to keep up with the demand.

Best Abilities Tier List

Best Weapons for Unarmed Builds

For a true unarmed monk build, the only weapons you'll be using will be your fists. However, for more damage, make sure to equip the Xaurip Paws gloves that can be obtained in Shatterscarp.

Note: This build won't use Shields or ranged weapons since they defeat the identity of going unarmed. This means no access to blocking or ranged attacks for the entire playthrough.

How to Get Xaurip Paws

Get the Xaurip Paws to Maximize Unarmed Damage

For gloves, you'll want anything that increases your stats or damage output. The endgame option will be the Xaurip Paws you get in Shatterscarp. However, these can be replaced if you want crit boosters like Trickster's Gloves or the Wildwalker Gloves.

1	Dawnshore (Early Game)	Blackwing Gloves
2	Emerald Stair (Early Game)	Wolf Gloves	Tranton Family Gauntlets
3	Shatterscarp (Mid-Game)	Xaurip Paws	Trickster's Gloves
4	The Garden (Point of No Return)	Wildwalker Gloves

Best Armor for Unarmed Builds

Your endgame armor choices for an unarmed monk build will either be the Vailian Breastplate or Faith and Conviction. The latter will be the best choice to help with any Essence issues the build gets once Flurry of Blows is unlocked.

If you have the Premium Edition of Avowed, upgrading the Engwithan Cuirass to Legendary will also be a viable option for an endgame armor piece.

1	Dawnshore (Early Game)	Stelgaer’s Pride	Steel Garrote Plate
		Engwithan Cuirass	Wayfarer’s Armor
2	Emerald Stair (Early Game)	Stelgaer’s Pride	Pauper’s Plate
		Engwithan Cuirass	Wayfarer’s Armor
3	Shatterscarp (Mid-Game)	Vailian Breastplate
		Engwithan Cuirass	Wayfarer’s Armor
4	Galawain's Tusks and The Garden (Endgame)	Vailian Breastplate	Sentinel Mail
		Lava-Forged Plate	Wayfarer’s Armor
		Sky Mother’s Embrace	Faith and Conviction

List of Unique Armor

Best Clothing for Unarmed Builds

Best Clothing for Dual Wielding
Boots	Gloves

Get Boots that Give Max Stamina, Dexterity, Dodge Distance, or Essence Bonuses

For boots, you'll want to use ones that grant either Max Stamina, bonus Dexterity, more Dodge Distance, or increased Essence. All of these will address the weaknesses of the build which should help you once you hit endgame.

1	Dawnshore (Early Game)	Steel Garrote Boots
		Obsidian Order Sabatons	Engwithan Greaves
2	Emerald Stair (Early Game)	Tranton Family Greaves
		Wolf Boots	Eothasian Boots
		Warmage's Boots	Vailian Boots
3	Shatterscarp (Mid-Game)	Shadowdancer's Boots
4	Galawain's Tusks and The Garden (Endgame)	Imp Catchers
		Berserker Boots	Wildwalker Boots

Best Accessories for Unarmed Builds

Best Accessories for Dual Wielding
Rings	Amulets and Trinkets

Get Rings that Boost Stats, Critical Hits, or Damage Resistance

For rings, you can target stat boosting rings that help with stats you had at low priority (like Intellect and Constitution). However, you can also go for Damage Resistance or better Crits if you feel like you don't need more stats.

1	Dawnshore (Early Game)	Ring of Pain Amplification	Delver's Caution
2	Emerald Stair and Shatterscarp (Mid-Game)	Ring of Pain Amplification
		The Ranga's Clarity	Sands' Shroud
3	Galawain's Tusks (Endgame)	Ring of Major Deflection	Berserker Ring

Stick to Amulets or Trinkets that Give Stat Bonuses

For amulets and trinkets, make sure to stick to stat-boosting ones only. Since these get the biggest stat boots once you hit Superb quality accessories, they'll be your best option for redistributing spent attribute points once you finalize the build for the endgame missions.

1	Dawnshore (Early Game)	Enchanted Suolenet	Steel Garrote Medallion
2	Emerald Stair (Early Game)	Painter's Brush	Tranton Family Talisman
		Torc of the Warrior King
3	Shatterscarp (Mid-Game)	Thirdborn Tira Nui Badge
4	Galawain's Tusks (Endgame)	Scout's Reach	Pearlescent Icosahedral Helstone
		Cartographer's Companion

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