Choosing the best starting class in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is crucial as it will determine how easy your progress will be when starting out. This beginner-friendly guide breaks down all available Archetypes, explains their attribute bonuses, and shows how to build around early game gear like weapons, armor, and spells. Whether you want to go full melee, stealth archer, or magic hybrid, here’s how to make the right decision from the start.
1. How Archetypes Work in Tainted Grail
At the start of the game, you’re asked a question in the prison: “What were you doing in the forest?” Your answer determines your Archetype, which immediately grants attribute bonuses and unlocks specific early skills or spells. A second question refines your build further with subclass traits. This decision heavily influences your early game stats, gear usage, and combat style.
2. Best Warrior Starting Class and Attribute Build
Warrior Response
Choose “I was on my way to enlist in the army” to start as a Warrior. You receive:
- +3 One-Handed
- +3 Two-Handed
- +3 Blocking
- +3 Heavy Armor
- +3 Athletics
If you then select the “Infantry” follow-up, you’ll get an additional:
- +6 One-Handed
- +3 Blocking
- +3 Heavy Armor
This setup is ideal for players who want to use two-handed weapons, tanky armor, and dominate melee combat early on. Invest in Strength and Endurance to meet armor requirements and unlock skills like Godly Physique and Last Stand.
3. Best Mage Starting Class and Attribute Build
Mage Response
To start as a spellcaster, pick “I was seeking an ancient site of worship.” You’ll get:
- +6 Magic
- +3 Light Armor
- +3 Alchemy
- +3 One-Handed
Then choose “No. I’d rather burn that tree down” for:
- +3 Magic
- +6 Light Armor
- +3 Athletics
- Spell: Burning Ember
This setup turns you into a Battlemage capable of mixing magic with melee. Focus on Spirituality to scale your mana, spell power, and regeneration. Equip Blood Transfusion early for lifesteal and pair it with Oldtree staff, which gives you a 50% chance of restoring half of the spent mana.
4. Best Stealth Archer Starting Class and Perks
Stealth Archer Response
Pick “I was avoiding the city guards. Trying to sell some… goods” to start as a Rogue with:
- +3 One-Handed
- +3 Archery
- +3 Agility
- +3 Sneak
- +3 Light Armor
Then select “Give me a bow, and you’ll see for yourself” to gain:
- +6 Archery
- +6 Evasion
This is the best setup for a Stealth Archer build. Prioritize Dexterity and Perception to use top bows like Spiteful Arch and equip skills such as Quickened Strikes and Respite in Cruelty. The Assassin Set and Cheater’s Gambit skill further boost sneak attack and critical hit synergy.
5. Recommended Starting Weapons and Where to Find Them
- Spiteful Arch Bow – Found in a crate within a small ruined gatehouse in Smuggler’s Bay; blinds enemies on sneak attack. Synergizes with stealth builds and Cheater’s Gambit.
- Cursed Bloodblade – Drops when you defeat a dungeon boss in Blood Lake; gives +2% Lifesteal.
- Skull Staff – There are two locations where you can find the Skull Staff, one is the ground next to a chest in Mistbearer’s Den, while the other is on Yoarth in the Forgotten Cemetery Crypt; restores 10% of damage.
- Lightning Hammer – Found on the ground in a side tunnel of the crypt in the Forgotten Cemetery Crypt; delivers magical shock damage.
- Doombringer Hammer — Found on a shipwreck in Wreck of Andraste; high damage two-handed weapon for warrior builds.
- Wand of Lingering Ash — Found in a chest behind the altar in Dál Riata Camp; casts spectral projectiles with arc damage.
- Thunderous Great Bow — Hidden on a body lying on an elevated platform in the Sunken Village; applies magic and physical damage.
All of these weapons are usable in early to mid game if you meet the stat requirements. Plan your attributes around the gear you want to equip.
6. Best Starting Armor Sets for Each Build
Armor Set
- Assassin Set – Increases Sneak Attack Damage. This set can be looted from Silent Silia, and she can be found in the upper part of the Northwest Tower in the Abandoned Stronghold. This Assassins set comprises cuirass, greaves, boots, gloves, helmet, and a Wolf’s fang blade. Great for stealth/dagger users.
- Waning Moon Set – Light armor that enhances mana efficiency. This set is obtained through interacting with the Druidic Shrines in the Horns Of The South region, and they’re obtained in a specific order. First shoe, wraps, breeches, amulet, cowl, and then robes.
- Battle Mage Set – Found in a chest in the Tomb Of The Good Druid. Offers high spell damage and mana regen, but requires 11 Spirituality.
- Duel Knight Armor – Can be gotten after defeating Abigor in the Horns of the South. This Heavy armor requires 6 Strength and 6 Endurance. Best used with full warrior builds.
Match your armor weight with your build type to stay within your movement category. Light builds get 3 dashes and movement bonuses, while heavy builds sacrifice mobility for protection.
7. How to Meet Attribute Requirements for Gear
Many weapons and armor pieces require minimum attributes to use effectively. Examples:
- Battle Mage Set – Needs 11 Spirituality
- Cursed Blood Blade – Needs 3 Dexterity and 5 Spirituality
- Duel Knight Armor – Needs 6 Strength and 6 Endurance
Plan your stat investments carefully. Don’t overspend in categories you won’t use. Use Origin Potions found in early chests to respec if needed.
8. How to Use Armor Weight for Movement and Combat Bonuses
Armor doesn’t have fixed weight types. Your total gear weight determines if you fall into Light, Medium, or Heavy class:
- Light: +20% stamina, mana regen, move speed. 3 dashes.
- Medium: No bonus or penalty. 2 dashes.
- Heavy: -10% to most stats. 1 dash.
Stay in Light if you’re a mage or rogue. Only use Heavy if you’re building for tankiness and have high Strength and Endurance.
9. Best Beginner Skills for Each Class
Dexterity Skill Tree
- Warrior: Godly Physique, Last Stand, Weapons of Great Heft
- Mage: Mana Battery, Arcane Teachings, Elemental Shock
- Rogue: Respite in Cruelty, Quickened Strikes, Cheater’s Gambit
Each skill tree is tied to a primary attribute. Skills unlock passives, damage boosts, and status synergies. For hybrid builds, split points between Spirituality and Strength or Dexterity. You can find more details about what skills to get early in the Tainted Grail skills guide.
10. Understanding Passive vs Active Skill Progression
Passive skills like Archery, One-Handed, Alchemy, or Sneak level up automatically as you use them. This increases base power and unlocks new crafting options or damage scaling.
Active skill trees are accessed at bonfires when leveling up. You spend skill points on upgrades like Godly Physique or Mana Battery. Each tree is tied to a core attribute: Strength, Dexterity, and Perception.
11. Top 3 Best Beginner Builds to Start With
11.1 Build 1: Mage Lifestealer
- Archetype: Mage → Pyromancer
- Key Stats: Spirituality, Endurance
- Weapons: Skull Staff + Blood Transfusion
- Armor: Priestess Cape + Waning Moon
11.2 Build 2: Stealth Archer Assassin
- Archetype: Rogue → Archer
- Key Stats: Dexterity, Perception
- Weapons: Spiteful Arch + Daggers
- Armor: Assassin’s Set
11.3 Build 3: Heavy Warrior Bruiser
- Archetype: Warrior → Infantry
- Key Stats: Strength, Endurance
- Weapons: Doombringer Hammer
- Armor: Dual Knight Armor
12. Where and How to Upgrade Gear at Blacksmiths
Blacksmith
Early in the game, you’ll unlock a blacksmith in Horns of the South. At his Grindstone, you can:
- Craft new gear – be sure to save the game before crafting, there is a high chance of creating a garbage. You must increase handcrafting to have a higher chance of better items.
- Upgrade armor and weapons – using Sharpening Stones and Iron Ore.
- Add Relic Slots to weapons (500–1000 gold each).
- Reduce armor weight with Meteorite Ore to decrease the armor weight by 0.5. For some armors, it is not possible because they are already light.
For example, add the Starborn Egg relic to increase damage by 10%.
13. Strongest Early Game Synergies for Each Build
13.1 Stealth Archer Synergy
- Spiteful Arch applies Blind on sneak attack
- Cheater’s Gambit: +100% crit chance vs blinded enemies
13.2 Mage Synergy
- Blood Transfusion + Skull Staff: Heal and restore mana simultaneously
- Priestess Cape: +1% mana per second = infinite sustain (you must go to the north, cross the western bridge over the river, and there is a body at the shrine with the cape)
Priestess’ cape location
13.3 Two-Handed Warrior
- Godly Physique + Last Stand: Boosts physical damage, especially at low HP
- Doombringer Hammer: High base damage with relic synergy
14. How to Unlock Early Lifesteal and Mana Sustain Builds
To play a self-sustaining caster-melee hybrid, focus on:
- Blood Transfusion – Lifesteal spell, available from the statue at Blood Lake.
- Priestess Cape – Regenerates 1% max mana per second.
- Skull Staff – Restores 10% of damage dealt as mana.
Pair these with light armor and high Spirituality to keep casting and healing while slashing. Use Life Transfusion (in a chest after you kill the Blood Lake boss) later for stronger sustain once you unlock it.
15. Common Mistakes New Players Should Avoid
- Don’t ignore stat requirements: Underpowered armor and weapons perform poorly if you lack Strength or Spirituality
- Don’t wear heavy armor as a mage or archer: It slows casting and removes critical mobility
- Don’t sell relics or rare amulets too early: Some items like the Starborn Egg give 10% weapon damage when slotted
- Don’t invest in unused skill trees: Choose trees that match your weapon and playstyle
