Character Progression

Mastering Eivor's growth is crucial for conquering the challenges of ninth-century England. This detailed guide will walk you through optimizing your character progression, from early game power spikes to late-game specialization.

Skill Tree & Power Level

Eivor's progression is primarily driven by the Skill Tree, which directly impacts your Power Level. Every time you gain a Power Level, you earn two Skill Points. These points are spent on the expansive Skill Tree, unlocking new abilities and passive bonuses.

Early Game Focus (Power Level 1-50): Prioritize skills that enhance your combat effectiveness and survivability.
- Raven Skill Tree: Focus on stealth and ranged combat. Key early skills include Advanced Assassination (for instantly killing higher-tier enemies with a well-timed QTE) and Light Bow Combo (for increased damage with light bows).
- Bear Skill Tree: For a more direct, melee-focused approach. Grab Dual Wield Heavy Weapons early to unlock powerful weapon combinations. Stomp is also excellent for finishing off downed enemies.
- Wolf Skill Tree: Offers a balance of ranged and melee. Look for Grit (recovers health on successful melee hits) for improved sustain in longer fights.
Mid Game Specialization (Power Level 51-200): Begin to specialize based on your preferred playstyle. Don't be afraid to respec if you feel your build isn't working – it's free!
- Unlocking Core Abilities: Make a beeline for powerful abilities. For stealth players, Chain Assassination is a game-changer. Melee enthusiasts should aim for Battle Cry for its area-of-effect stun and damage boost.
- Stat Nodes: Fill out the smaller stat nodes (e.g., +2.0 Melee Damage, +1.0 Ranged Resistance) around your chosen major skills to further boost your effectiveness.
Late Game Mastery (Power Level 201+): By this point, you'll have access to most of the skill tree. Focus on maximizing your chosen build and unlocking the final, powerful skills.
- Way of the Raven: Consider Man's Best Friend for a loyal companion, or Counter Roll for advanced evasion.
- Way of the Bear: Brush with Death is invaluable for slowing time during dodges, allowing for critical counterattacks.
- Way of the Wolf: Arrow Volley can clear groups of enemies quickly, while Last Chance provides a crucial second wind.

Gear & Upgrades

Your equipment plays a vital role in Eivor's strength. Always be on the lookout for better gear and prioritize upgrades.

Finding Gear: Gear pieces are primarily found in wealth chests marked by gold ingots on your map. These are often located in restricted areas or guarded by powerful enemies.
- Early Game Armor: The Raven Clan Armor Set is your starting gear and is surprisingly effective when upgraded. You can also find pieces of the Huntsman Armor Set early on in Ledecestrescire and Grantebridgescire, which is excellent for ranged builds.
- Early Game Weapons: The Fafnir's Fang spear (found in a chest in the bandit camp north of Stavanger, Rygjafylke) is a fantastic early-game weapon due to its reach and speed. For a heavy-hitting axe, look for the Varin's Axe (your father's axe, obtained early in the story).
Upgrading Gear: Gear can be upgraded at the Blacksmith in your settlement, Ravensthorpe.
- Materials: You'll need various materials:
  - Leather & Iron Ore: Common materials found throughout the world, often from animals, small resource nodes, and enemy drops.
  - Titanium: Rarer, found in specific wealth chests and from higher-tier enemies.
  - Carbon Ingots, Nickel Ingots, Tungsten Ingots: These are crucial for increasing the rarity of your gear (Fine, Superior, Flawless, Mythical). Carbon Ingots are common in early regions, Nickel in mid-game regions, and Tungsten in late-game regions. Prioritize collecting these from wealth chests.
- Rune Slots: Upgrading gear also unlocks more rune slots, allowing you to further customize your stats.
Runes: Runes are small enchantments that can be socketed into your gear to provide passive bonuses.
- Minor Runes: Provide small stat boosts (e.g., +1.0 Attack, +1.0 Stun).
- Major Runes: Offer more significant bonuses or unique effects (e.g., "Increase Melee Damage after a Dodge").
- Acquisition: Runes are found as loot from enemies, in small chests, and purchased from merchants. Always equip runes that complement your playstyle.

Abilities & Books of Knowledge

Abilities are active skills that consume Adrenaline to use. They are found as Books of Knowledge scattered across the world.

Finding Books of Knowledge: These are marked by a blue book icon on your compass and map. They are often hidden behind puzzles, in guarded areas, or require specific parkour routes to reach.
- Early Game Abilities:
  - Dive of the Valkyries (Rygjafylke): Found in the Gryttirsand bandit camp. A powerful area-of-effect attack, excellent for initiating combat or clearing groups.
  - Raid Rally (Grantebridgescire): Located in the Isle of Ely Monastery. Summons your crew to fight alongside you, invaluable during raids and tough encounters.
  - Man's Best Friend (Ledecestrescire): Found in the Templebrough Fort. Commands your wolf to attack an enemy, perfect for distracting or dealing extra damage.
- Upgrading Abilities: Finding a duplicate Book of Knowledge for an ability you already possess will upgrade it to a more powerful version. Always prioritize finding these upgrades for your most-used abilities.
Adrenaline Management: Abilities consume Adrenaline. You gain Adrenaline by performing successful attacks, dodges, and parries. Skills like Adrenaline Rush (Wolf Skill Tree) or Adrenaline Fiend (Bear Skill Tree) can help you generate Adrenaline faster.

By diligently following these steps, Eivor will transform into an unstoppable Viking warrior, ready to carve their legend into the annals of history.