Avowed's Living Lands Get Livelier: Major Update Adds Steam Deck Play, Deadly New Gear, and More


The vibrant, perilous, and often bizarre world of Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed just got a significant shot in the arm. The game's latest major update, Patch 1.5, isn't just a routine bug squasher; it delivers substantial new content and a highly anticipated feature for on-the-go adventurers: official Steam Deck verification. Alongside this portable power boost, players diving back into the Living Lands can wield deadly new weapons, harness potent fresh abilities, and benefit from a slew of quality-of-life improvements.

Taking the Living Lands Portable: Steam Deck Verified

For RPG fans who crave flexibility, this is arguably the headline act. Obsidian has confirmed that Avowed is now officially Steam Deck Verified. This coveted badge means the game has been thoroughly tested on Valve's handheld powerhouse and meets specific criteria for smooth playability. Players can expect reliable performance with clear controller glyphs, readable text, and default graphics settings optimized for the Deck's hardware. Whether exploring the verdant yet dangerous wilderness or delving into ancient ruins, the rich fantasy world of Eora is now truly pocket-sized. This opens the game up to a whole new audience and gives existing players a fantastic way to continue their journey anywhere.

Arsenal Expansion: New Weapons to Master

What's an adventurer without an ever-expanding toolkit of destruction? Patch 1.5 answers the call with several brand-new weapons added to Avowed's already diverse armory. Early player reports and Obsidian's notes hint at exciting additions:

  • The Executioner's Axe: A brutal two-handed weapon promising devastating heavy attacks, likely perfect for shattering enemy defenses or cleaving through groups. Its imposing presence is already turning heads.
  • The Storm Bolt Wand: Channel the fury of the tempest! This wand reportedly unleashes powerful chain lightning effects, ideal for crowd control and dealing shocking damage to multiple foes at once. Expect spectacular visual effects accompanying its crackling power.
  • The Frostseeker Bow: For those favoring precision and elemental control from afar, this bow delivers chilling arrows that can freeze enemies in their tracks, creating opportunities for strategic follow-ups or simply slowing down relentless attackers.

These additions provide fresh combat styles and tactical options, encouraging players to revisit their skill builds and experiment with new synergies between their chosen abilities and these deadly tools. Finding and mastering these new weapons will be a key pursuit for players returning to the Living Lands.

Unlocking New Potential: Fresh Abilities Emerge

Complementing the new weaponry, the update introduces new abilities scattered across the game's skill trees. While the full list is still being explored, community buzz highlights:

  • Enhanced Defensive Options: New skills reportedly bolster defensive capabilities, potentially including improved blocking mechanics, damage mitigation auras, or reactive counter-attacks.
  • Expanded Elemental Mastery: Deeper integration of elemental affinities (Frost, Shock, etc.) seems evident, with abilities enhancing existing elemental attacks or providing new ways to apply debilitating status effects.
  • Utility & Mobility Tweaks: Expect abilities that improve exploration fluidity or provide unique tactical advantages in combat beyond raw damage.

These new skills offer greater depth to character customization, allowing players to further refine their chosen playstyle – be it a relentless warrior, a cunning spellblade, or a precise sharpshooter.

See the Update in Action & Dive into the Details
For a glimpse of the new weapons and the game running smoothly, check out the latest clips shared by the developers:
Avowed (@AvowedtheGame) on X - New Weapon Showcase

And for the exhaustive list of every tweak, fix, and addition (including numerous bug fixes, quest progression blockers resolved, and balancing adjustments), the official patch notes are essential reading:
Obsidian Forum - Avowed Patch 1.5 Notes

More Than Just Additions: Refining the Experience

Beyond the flashy new gear and skills, Patch 1.5 delivers a substantial number of fixes and improvements addressing issues reported by the community since launch. Key areas include:

  • Quest Progression: Several pesky bugs preventing players from advancing specific quests have been squashed.
  • Performance & Stability: Optimizations across various systems aim for smoother framerates and fewer crashes, particularly benefiting a wider range of PC configurations (and, of course, the Steam Deck).
  • Combat Balancing: Tweaks to enemy behavior, damage scaling, and ability effectiveness ensure a more polished and challenging (but fair) experience.
  • UI/UX Polish: Improvements to menus, tooltips, and inventory management make navigating the game's systems more intuitive.
  • General Bug Fixes: Hundreds of smaller issues, from visual glitches to audio hiccups, have been addressed.

Is It Time to Return (or Jump In)?

This substantial update significantly enriches the Avowed experience. The addition of Steam Deck verification is a major win for portable gaming. The new weapons and abilities provide compelling reasons for existing players to revisit their saves and experiment with new builds. Coupled with the extensive list of fixes and improvements, Patch 1.5 makes the Living Lands more stable, engaging, and versatile than ever.

Whether you're a seasoned explorer of Eora looking to try out the new axe on your Steam Deck during your commute, or someone who's been waiting for a few more patches before taking the plunge, now is an excellent time to wield your will in Avowed. The adventure just got bigger, better, and far more portable.

Ready to embark? Find Avowed here:
Avowed on Amazon (Physical/Digital)
(Note: This Amazon link supports our coverage at no extra cost to you.)

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