Traversing the perilous yet vibrant Living Lands of Avowed is rarely a straightforward affair. The game delights in placing mysterious blockades between players and their next discovery — a locked door here, a crumbling wall there. At first glance these obstacles seem to whisper, “Not today, adventurer.” But behind every sealed passage hides a secret waiting to be uncovered, and the trick is knowing exactly which tool or companion ability removes the threat. Six distinct barrier types exist in Avowed, each marked by its own icon and vulnerability. Five of them can be shattered solo, while the sixth absolutely requires a trusted squamate. By 2026, the community has thoroughly dissected every last brick and gate, and the guide below distills that wisdom into a clean, actionable roadmap.

Wooden Barriers — Swords Icons

The simplest of the bunch is the wooden barricade, usually a patch of flimsy planks or crates branded with crossed swords. Many explorers stroll past thinking there must be a hidden lever, but the solution is blissfully primitive: a quick swing of any weapon. No fancy skills, no elemental reserves. The developers clearly wanted to give wanderers an early win — and let’s face it, after a long trek through Thornwatch, hacking a few boards to splinters feels surprisingly therapeutic.

Breakable Walls — Explosion Icons

Things get serious when the path is blocked by a brick wall missing a few stones and marked with a vivid explosion symbol. This isn’t a job for polite taps. A fully charged power attack with any melee weapon is the only thing that will bring it down — and even then, the option only appears once the “Built to Destroy” upgrade is unlocked from the Fighter skill tree. Without that passive, a character will merely smack the masonry with a sad clink. Many a fresh-faced envoy has stood there scratching their head, wondering why the wall refuses to budge. Once properly trained, however, the same wall explodes outward in a satisfying cloud of dust, turning a dead end into a hidden antechamber. A companion can also lend a hand here, though taking matters into one’s own hands tends to be quicker.

Webbing and Brambles — Flame Icons

Organic blockages like sticky webbing or twisted brambles light up with a flame symbol, practically begging for a spark. Three ignition methods exist: calling on Kai’s Firestarter ability, casting any fire spell directly, or lobbing a flaming projectile such as Magran’s Fury. The sound of crackling thorns clearing a passage is one of the game’s small but constant delights — especially when a player happens to have a handful of those volatile seeds clinking around their inventory. There is no need to overcomplicate things; just bring fire, and the obstacle melts away.

Iron Gates — Snowflake Icons

A frosty challenge awaits when an iron gate displays a snowflake indicator. The cold truth? Metal must be frozen until it shatters. Adventurers have two reliable options: hurl an icy projectile like Eye of Rymrgand or channel a Frost spell personally. Unlike many other barriers, no companion currently offers a quick freeze — so stocking up on chill-infused items before venturing into deep ruins is a wise move. Seeing a solid gate crack like thin glass and crumble under a well-timed flurry of ice is a testament to Avowed’s rich elemental interplay.

Power Switches — Lightning Bolt Icons

Some locked doors bear the simple text “Door with a lock,” but a closer look reveals an orange shield above them or metal wiring snaking across nearby walls. This signals a hidden power switch. Following the conduits — occasionally peering through narrow wall cracks — leads to a golden button that must be hit with electricity. Giatta’s Spectral Jolt ability provides a companion-driven solution, while a self-cast Shock spell or a thrown Electric Lily Seed works just as well. The moment that button lights up and the door groans open delivers a genuine \u201ca-ha!\u201d rush, especially when the wiring had been leading explorers in dizzying circles for minutes.

Pink Barriers — Swirl Icons

The final obstacle is the most stubborn. A barrier bathed in eerie pink light, be it a floating panel over an entrance or a cluster of stones pulsing with unnatural essence, cannot be touched by any spell the envoy learns. This is where Yatzli, recruited during the Shatterscarp chapter, becomes indispensable. Her Dispel Illusion ability is the sole key that unravels these arcane locks. Without her company, players are left staring at the swirling pink magic — imagining the treasure or lore hidden just inches away — until they reluctantly turn back. It’s a clever design choice that reinforces the value of the party, and a firm nudge to explore Shatterscarp thoroughly before pushing deeper into the Living Lands.

Barrier Type	Visual Icon	Key Requirement	Companion Aid
Wooden Planks	Swords	Any melee attack	None needed
Brick Wall	Explosion	Power attack + Built to Destroy skill	Possible
Webbing/Brambles	Flame	Fire spell or projectile	Kai (Firestarter)
Iron Gate	Snowflake	Frost spell or icy projectile	None
Locked Door (switch)	Lightning Bolt	Electrical shot on hidden button	Giatta (Spectral Jolt)
Pink Glow	Swirl	Yatzli’s Dispel Illusion ability	Required

With these six barriers properly catalogued, exploring the Living Lands turns from a puzzle-filled headache into a masterclass of preparation. A well-stocked envoy carrying fiery seeds, an icy grenade or two, and the right companions will breeze through vaults that stop unprepared travelers cold. Avowed rewards players who pay attention to the small symbols — and the deeper message is clear: there is always a way through, as long as you brought the right friend or the right flame.