11 Insider Tips to Avoid a Noob's Demise in Avowed

Obsidian's Avowed throws you headfirst into the enchanting, yet perilous Living Lands on February 18th. Think you're ready to carve your name into legend? Hold your horses, adventurer! Before you embark on this epic RPG journey (especially if you're diving in via Game Pass), heed these spoiler-free tips. They'll save you from an early grave and pave your path to glory.

Looting and Levelling Like a Pro

1. Loot Like a Goblin on Payday: The Living Lands are a treasure trove of hidden goodies, from forgotten lockboxes overflowing with riches to potent relics tucked away in dusty corners. Leave no stone unturned (literally – smash those cracked walls!). And don't worry about sticky fingers; stealing has no consequences in this land.

2. The Packrat's Paradise: Rejoice, hoarders! Unlike your cramped apartment, your Avowed inventory has infinite space for crafting materials, food, and miscellaneous trinkets. Only armor and weapons take up precious carrying capacity. Stock up on those consumables; food is a far more reliable lifeline than chugging potions mid-fight.

3. Weapon Recycling 101: Don't let discarded weapons gather dust in your inventory. Dismantle them! Breaking down unwanted gear provides valuable crafting components and keeps your loadout lean and mean.

4. Master the Market (and the Dismantling Table): As you progress, consider selling some weapons instead of instantly scrapping them. Adra, a crucial upgrade material, becomes a rare commodity later in the game, but savvy merchants are happy to part with it for the right price.

5. Flora and Fauna, Friend or Food?: Consumables and crafting materials share deceptively similar icons. Train your eye to distinguish between them. Food items bear a telltale two-leaf symbol, while fern-like icons mark those precious crafting resources.

Secrets of the Lands: Exploration and Environment

6. Think Like a Thief, Explore Like an Archaeologist: Stumble upon a locked door? Resist the urge to brute-force your way through. The Living Lands reward cleverness. Explore the surrounding area for alternative entrances – hidden passages, climbable ledges, or even conveniently placed explosive barrels.

7. Embrace the Elements: Some barriers require a specific elemental touch (fire, ice, or lightning) to shatter. Keep a lightweight, elementally-imbued weapon at the ready to avoid squandering precious throwable resources.

8. Campfire Chit-Chat: Your Party Camp is more than just a place to pitch a tent. It's your strategic hub. Engage in regular conversations with your companions. They'll offer valuable gameplay advice, and building strong relationships unlocks deeper narrative threads.

9. Strategic Retreats are a Warrior's Wisdom: Enemies adorned with skulls or Roman numerals signal a challenging encounter. Don't let pride lead to your downfall. A tactical retreat is not a defeat; it's a chance to regroup and return stronger.

10. Target Practice, Advanced Class: In the heat of battle, prioritize eliminating support enemies. Priests can quickly mend their allies' wounds, while Summoners and wraiths can flood the battlefield with reinforcements. Neutralize these threats swiftly and efficiently.

11. Totem Time, All the Time: Scattered throughout the Living Lands are totem bases that grant powerful buffs. No need to complete a totem to reap its rewards. Simply place it on the stump in your Party Camp for an immediate boost.

Armed with these insider tips, you're well-equipped to conquer the Living Lands. Avowed celebrates player agency, so experiment with different builds, explore every hidden path, and forge your own unique legend. The fate of the Living Lands rests on your shoulders. No pressure.