Avowed: Attack or Spare Captain Aelfyr?

In Avowed, the decision to attack or spare Captain Aelfyr during the mainline quest "A Path to the Garden" is a pivotal moment that can significantly impact your gameplay. This choice comes after Captain Aelfyr's involvement in the burning of Fior Mes Inverno, an act that might fuel your desire for revenge, especially given her smug attitude and Giata's anger.

Should You Attack or Spare Captain Aelfyr in Avowed?

When faced with the decision, attacking Captain Aelfyr is the recommended course of action. By choosing to attack, you unlock access to exclusive loot that you would miss out on if you spared her. The most notable item is the Death Knight Gloves, which are highly beneficial for players focusing on defense and elemental combat. These gloves provide a -10% Stamina cost while Blocking and a 15% boost to Frost Damage, making them a valuable addition to your arsenal.

Death Knight Gloves & Other Rewards for Attacking Aelfyr

Image Source: Obsidian Entertainment via The Escapist

In addition to the Death Knight Gloves, attacking and defeating Captain Aelfyr allows you to loot her corpse for the following items:

• Garnet (Gem)
• Silver Fenning coins x26
• Exceptional Scale Armor (+0/3)
• Exceptional Great Sword (+0/3)

If you haven't been focusing on gear upgrades throughout your Avowed playthrough, acquiring these Exceptional Quality items is a great chance to enhance your equipment. Furthermore, you can also loot the bodies of the Steel Garrote soldiers accompanying Aelfyr, adding to your haul.

What If You Spare Aelfyr?

Choosing to spare Captain Aelfyr does not yield any tangible rewards. The primary benefit of sparing her is avoiding a potentially challenging battle against her and her Steel Garrote soldiers, which includes aggressive melee fighters and healing mages. This choice might be appealing if your character is under-levelled, and you can adjust the game's difficulty to make the fight more manageable.

The decision to kill or spare Aelfyr also affects Giata's emotions slightly, with killing Aelfyr making her happier and sparing her causing more anxiety. However, these consequences are minimal and do not significantly alter the storyline beyond a few minor conversations.

Conclusion

Given the valuable loot and the minimal impact on the storyline, attacking Captain Aelfyr in Avowed is the best choice. This decision not only provides you with powerful gear but also aligns with the narrative satisfaction of avenging the destruction of Fior Mes Inverno.

For more on Avowed, consider exploring whether you should give Keipo the Leviathan Heart during the "Heart of Valor" side quest, which offers additional loot. Also, check out the full list of Avowed's main and side missions to plan your journey ahead.