Alright, so you've picked up Marius in Avowed, huh? Let me tell you, as someone who's been exploring the Living Lands since the game launched last year, this guy can be an absolute beast in your party if you know how to build him right. He's one of the first companions you'll get, and honestly, I ended up using him for most of my playthrough—even after unlocking everyone else. The thing is, Avowed doesn't let you equip your buddies with gear like some other RPGs, so their effectiveness comes down entirely to how you spend those precious upgrade points. Each companion has four skills with four levels each, and with a level 30 cap... well, you can't max everything out. You gotta be smart about it.
Marius' Core Abilities Breakdown
First things first—Marius starts with Binding Roots already unlocked. You can't respec that initial point out of it, so you're stuck with it... but honestly, that's not a bad thing at all. This ability is like the Ranger's Tanglefoot on steroids. Early on, I found this to be his MVP skill, no question about it. I was playing as a Ranger myself, and having two sources of crowd control? Man, it made those melee-heavy bosses feel like a walk in the park. Swapping between my Tanglefoot and his Binding Roots could lock down a boss for what felt like forever, letting me clean up the adds or just pound away at their weak spot. Seriously, this strategy works even against the final boss—almost makes the fight too easy, if I'm being honest.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Wounding Shots might be the best bang for your buck when spending points on Marius. Why? Because it affects ALL his attacks. The Exposing Shots upgrade is something I'd recommend for any class—it just helps you dish out more pain. Since I was playing a Ranger, I also fell in love with Impeding Shots. Slowing enemies down made kiting them so much smoother. If you're playing a melee-focused character, you might lean toward Maiming Shots instead, since reducing incoming damage lets you stay in the thick of it longer.
Speaking of my Ranger build, I focused a lot on Stun effects. That's where the Assassinate upgrade for Shadow Step really shined. It let me instantly shift my attention from a stunned enemy, knowing Marius could finish the job. I barely used Heart Seeker, to be frank—it just didn't fit my playstyle. But hey, if you're running a melee build and need to reach out and touch someone from afar, it might be just what you need.
Building Your Dream Team: Who Works Best With Marius?
Since I was playing a ranged class, I pretty much always had Kai in my party alongside Marius. If you're not built like a tank, I'd suggest doing the same. Kai can soak up damage while you and Marius pepper enemies from a safe distance. Plus, Kai's Fire and Ice ability does solid Stun damage, which combos beautifully with Marius if you've got Assassinate and the Constricting Roots upgrade.
Then there's Giatta. She's primarily a support companion, and she pairs well with... well, pretty much anyone. Her Acceleration ability boosts ally attack speed, which synergizes perfectly with Marius' passive since all his attacks get buffed. Now, both Yatzli and Marius are solid choices on their own, but I never really felt the need to run them together. Maybe if I was playing a tanky melee fighter? But for a Ranger, it didn't make much sense.
Final Thoughts & Personal Experience
Look, building companions in Avowed is all about synergy—both with your own class and with each other. Marius is incredibly versatile. Whether you're controlling the battlefield with his roots or amplifying your damage output with his shots, he's got your back. The key is to focus on a couple of his skills rather than spreading your points too thin. I beat the game at level 28 and had about eight points to spend on each companion, so choose wisely!
Oh, and a little pro-tip from my 2026 playthrough: Don't sleep on the Constricting Roots upgrade if you're facing enemies that love to close the gap. It's a game-changer. Anyway, that's my two cents on making Marius the best companion he can be. Happy adventuring in the Living Lands!