Best Early Game Builds
Starting out in Enshrouded can be a daunting experience. The Shroud is unforgiving, and resources are scarce. To help you survive and thrive in these early hours, we've compiled a few effective build strategies that leverage readily available gear and skills. These builds focus on survivability, efficient resource gathering, and the ability to tackle early-game threats.
1. The Resilient Warrior
This build prioritizes melee combat and defense, making you a durable frontline fighter. It's excellent for players who enjoy getting up close and personal with enemies.
Key Skills:
- Warrior Skills: Focus on skills that increase your health, stamina, and melee damage. Look for abilities like "Survivor" (increased health regeneration) and "Strength" (increased melee damage).
- Endurance Skills: Stamina is crucial for dodging and attacking. Invest in skills that boost your stamina regeneration and maximum stamina.
Gear Progression:
- Early Weapons: Start with the Bronze Sword or Bronze Axe. These can be crafted relatively early at a workbench using bronze.
- Armor: Prioritize any armor pieces that offer physical defense. The Scrap Metal Armor set, once you unlock the ability to smelt scrap metal, provides a good balance of protection and accessibility.
- Shield: A sturdy shield is your best friend. The Bronze Shield is a solid early-game option.
Strategy:
Engage enemies directly, using your shield to block incoming attacks and your weapon to dish out damage. Don't be afraid to retreat and let your health regeneration kick in if you take too much damage. Prioritize fighting enemies within the Shroud for valuable resources, but be mindful of the timer.
2. The Nimble Archer
For players who prefer to keep their distance, the archer build focuses on ranged damage and mobility. This allows you to pick off enemies before they can close the gap.
Key Skills:
- Ranger Skills: Invest heavily in skills that boost your bow damage, critical hit chance, and arrow velocity. "Hunter" (increased ranged damage) and "Sharpshooter" (increased critical hit chance) are excellent early choices.
- Agility Skills: Stamina management is still important for dodging, but also for drawing your bow.
Gear Progression:
- Early Weapons: The Crude Bow is your starting point. Upgrade to the Bronze Bow as soon as you can craft it.
- Ammunition: Crafting Bronze Arrows is essential. Keep a healthy stock.
- Armor: Lighter armor that doesn't impede your movement is ideal. Look for pieces that offer some physical defense but prioritize agility.
Strategy:
Find elevated positions or open areas where you can maintain distance. Use your bow to target weak points on enemies. Always be ready to dodge or reposition if enemies get too close. Conserve your stamina for crucial dodges and bow shots.
3. The Resourceful Survivor
This build is less about direct combat and more about efficient exploration and resource gathering. It's perfect for players who want to quickly establish a base and gather materials for crafting better gear and tools.
Key Skills:
- Survivalist Skills: Focus on skills that improve your crafting speed, gathering efficiency, and carrying capacity. "Prospector" (increased mining speed) and "Herbalist" (increased herb gathering) are great early investments.
- Endurance Skills: Stamina is still useful for carrying more loot and performing actions more quickly.
Gear Progression:
- Tools: Prioritize upgrading your Stone Axe and Stone Pickaxe to their bronze counterparts as soon as possible. This significantly speeds up resource gathering.
- Armor: Any armor that provides a slight defensive boost is fine, but don't sacrifice carrying capacity for heavy armor.
- Crafting Stations: Focus on building and upgrading your workbench and any other crafting stations you unlock to create better tools and weapons.
Strategy:
Explore the immediate surroundings of your starting area, focusing on gathering wood, stone, and any easily accessible ores like copper. Return to your base frequently to craft and upgrade. Avoid unnecessary combat and prioritize escaping dangerous situations to preserve your resources and time.
Remember, these are just starting points. As you progress and unlock more skills and better gear, you can always respec your skill points and adapt your build to your playstyle.