
How Many Companions Can You Have in Avowed?
Avowed, the first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, has captured the attention of RPG fans with its dynamic combat, deep lore, and rich storytelling. Set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, the game blends immersive world-building with character-driven choices that define your journey through the mystical region known as the Living Lands.
One of the most compelling aspects of Avowed is its companion system. In the grand tradition of Obsidian RPGs, companions aren’t just side characters — they’re integral to how the world responds to your choices, how combat unfolds, and how stories are told.
Companions in Avowed: The Core System
In Avowed, you can recruit a total of at least six unique companions over the course of the game. Each of them comes with their own:
- Personality and backstory
- Combat style and abilities
- Factional ties and worldview
- Optional side quests and character arcs
However, the party size you can actively bring with you into the world is limited to two companions at a time. This design offers a balance between tactical variety and narrative intimacy — giving space for companion banter, commentary, and choice-reactive dialogue to flourish.
Why Only Two Active Companions?
While it might seem restrictive compared to traditional CRPGs, limiting the active party to two companions serves several purposes, especially considering Avowed’s first-person perspective and real-time combat.
1. Better Combat Readability
With only two AI-controlled allies in real-time combat, players can better track enemy behavior, battlefield control, and team synergy. You don’t need to micromanage a large party — just focus on yourself and the tactical support of your chosen duo.
2. Enhanced Narrative Focus
Companions often comment on your choices, the environment, and even each other. A smaller party allows the developers to script more meaningful, situation-specific dialogue and relationship-building moments — something that would be diluted with four or more characters in tow.
3. Classic Obsidian Flexibility
This model echoes The Outer Worlds, where players could take two companions at a time, despite having more to choose from overall. Avowed follows the same formula, allowing you to swap companions freely depending on your combat needs or narrative goals.
The Full Companion Roster
While Obsidian has not officially published a complete companion list within the game’s codex, based on gameplay experience and progression, players can expect to meet at least six major companions during the main story and side quests.
Here’s what we currently know about some of the key companions:
1. Kai
A noble and stoic warrior from the Living Lands, Kai is known for his strength, sense of duty, and personal connection to the region’s ancient struggles. His combat abilities are focused on tank-style melee, making him ideal for close-quarters fights.
2. Giatta
A scholarly spellcaster with ties to religious factions, Giatta brings both arcane knowledge and magical firepower. She often weighs moral choices from a philosophical or theological angle, offering contrasting perspectives on quests involving the soul or magic.
3. Tanak (rumored or late-game)
An Animancer with deep knowledge of soul manipulation, Tanak challenges the player’s ethical views. He’s a wildcard in combat, with abilities that blur the lines between necromancy, healing, and summoning.
4. Edrin
A rogue-like archer with a shady past, Edrin excels in ranged DPS and stealth tactics. He’s known for his sarcasm, sharp wit, and tendency to suggest less lawful approaches to problem-solving.
These companions each bring more than just stats — they offer worldview friction, quest-specific insight, and unique interactions that evolve depending on your choices.
How Companion Dynamics Work in Avowed
Avowed’s companions influence gameplay in three major areas:
1. Combat Roles
Each companion has a specialized skill set that complements different playstyles. Some are melee-focused, others support magic, while some excel at ranged or elemental attacks. You can combine synergies between your main character’s abilities and their strengths — e.g., pairing a fire mage with a frontline tank for battlefield control.
2. Dialogue and Quest Impact
Just like in The Outer Worlds, your companions will speak up during quests, offer advice, or even argue with your decisions. Certain companions may:
- Unlock new dialogue options
- Influence the outcome of quests
- Challenge or support you based on alignment
This creates a dynamic narrative tension — do you bring the companion who agrees with you morally, or the one who unlocks a faction route?
3. Personal Quests and Loyalty Arcs
Companions each have their own storylines that unfold over time. These personal arcs delve into their past, ethics, and future goals. Completing them often grants:
- Special perks
- Advanced gear or abilities
- Loyalty changes that affect the game’s ending
Some companions may even leave or betray you depending on how you handle their personal quest — adding weight to every choice.
Can You Lose Companions?
Yes. Based on player decisions and moral alignment, it’s possible to:
- Lose companions due to irreconcilable values
- Lock yourself out of their quests by ignoring triggers
- Even push them to turn against you in critical story moments
Obsidian has a long tradition of reactive companions, and Avowed continues that lineage by ensuring they are not static NPCs, but responsive agents with their own convictions.
Can You Romance Companions?
As of now, romance systems are limited or more subtle than in games like Mass Effect or Dragon Age. While Avowed includes deep emotional bonding and relationship arcs, it doesn’t feature widespread or mandatory romance plots. However, certain companions may develop strong personal attachments, including:
- Emotional loyalty
- Mutual respect or rivalry
- Unique interactions based on shared beliefs or experiences
Players hoping for romance will likely find one or two opportunities, but the emphasis remains on narrative integrity over fan service.
Final Thoughts: Building Your Ideal Party in Avowed
So, how many companions can you have in Avowed?
- You can recruit at least six companions during your adventure.
- You can travel with two companions at a time, chosen based on your goals, combat strategy, or narrative preference.
This structure allows for:
- Deep tactical customization
- Evolving character relationships
- Rich, reactive storytelling that changes with every playthrough
Whether you’re forming a balanced battle team, following your moral compass, or seeking to uncover every secret of the Living Lands, Avowed’s companion system offers the depth and flexibility RPG fans crave — without overwhelming you with micromanagement.
Choose wisely, and your party will not only fight beside you — they’ll shape the world around you.