In the vast and dangerous world of Avowed, even the most seasoned adventurers can find themselves overwhelmed. The Living Lands are unforgiving, filled with hidden perils, powerful enemies, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Many players, from newcomers to veterans, have faced that frustrating moment—low on health, out of potions, and staring down a foe that seems impossible to beat. The difference between a legendary hero and a forgotten corpse often lies in the knowledge of the world's deeper mechanics. This guide compiles the most crucial, game-changing tips and secrets from experienced players, ensuring your journey is not only successful but truly epic. From maximizing your wealth to mastering combat and uncovering every hidden treasure, these insights will transform your experience in Avowed.

8. Stockpile Those Lockpicks

Players often treat lockpicks as a secondary resource, but that is a critical mistake. The Living Lands are meticulously designed with secrets behind locked barriers. Countless chests containing rare weapons, unique artifacts, and valuable crafting materials are sealed away, accessible only with a lockpick. There is no feeling worse than discovering a glowing, ornate chest deep in a dungeon, pulsating with the promise of legendary loot, only to find your lockpick pouch empty. Unlike common herbs or basic arrows, lockpicks have a limited supply. Merchants do not carry an infinite stock, and they are not guaranteed drops from every enemy. The strategy is simple yet effective: buy every lockpick you see. Whenever you visit a merchant, make purchasing their entire stock of lockpicks your top priority. By hoarding them, you guarantee access to the best gear, powerful enchantments, and even hidden narrative fragments that can alter your understanding of the world's lore. Missing out on these locked treasures means missing out on a significant portion of Avowed's content and power progression.

7. Parrying Doesn’t Work When You Dual-Wield

Combat in Avowed is dynamic and punishing, where a well-timed parry can mean the difference between victory and a quick reload. However, a common and costly misconception is that parrying is always available. It is not. The parry mechanic is completely disabled if you are dual-wielding weapons. If you have a sword in each hand, or any combination of two one-handed weapons, your character cannot perform a parry. This forces a complete shift in defensive strategy. Instead of relying on the satisfying stagger and counter-attack window a parry provides, dual-wielders must become masters of evasion. Your survival hinges on perfecting the dodge roll, managing stamina meticulously, and utilizing fast, aggressive counter-strikes to keep enemies off-balance. For those who prefer a more defensive style, equipping a shield or keeping one hand free is mandatory to access the parry. Remember the rule: two weapons in hand means parrying is out of the question. Focus on agility and relentless offense instead.

6. Selling Unused Unique Weapons is the Best Way to Make Money

Gold is the lifeblood of any adventurer in Avowed, used for everything from purchasing vital potions to upgrading essential gear. While looting common enemies and completing quests provides a steady income, the fastest route to wealth is often sitting unused in your inventory: unique weapons that don't fit your build. Avowed showers players with uniquely named weapons that have special properties or lore. However, not every "Minoletta's Conduit Wand" or "Blade of the Endless" will suit a warrior specializing in two-handed axes or a mage focusing on frost magic. The rookie mistake is to treat every unique item as a sacred collectible, clogging inventory space. The pro move is to sell them. Merchants pay a premium for these rare items. Liquidating gear you will never use provides a massive influx of gold, which can then be invested in:

• Superior armor that actually matches your playstyle.

• Rare spell scrolls or ability tomes.

• Mountains of consumables like health, stamina, and focus potions.

• High-tier lockpicks and crafting materials from vendors.

Holding onto unused unique weapons is functionally the same as leaving piles of gold on the ground. Sell smart, get rich, and empower your actual character build.

5. Unlock Ranger Abilities for Stealthy, One-Hit Kills

Charging into every battle is a valid strategy, but it is not the only—or the most efficient—one. For players who prefer precision, control, and eliminating threats before they begin, the Ranger skill tree is indispensable. Abilities like Shadowing Beyond and Marksmanship transform gameplay. Shadowing Beyond grants temporary invisibility, allowing you to reposition, bypass patrols, or set up the perfect ambush. Marksmanship significantly amplifies the damage of your ranged attacks, enabling devastating sniper shots that can eliminate standard enemies in a single hit. Furthermore, the Steady Aim ability is a game-changer for archers and wand-users, slowing time momentarily when aiming. This provides those crucial extra seconds to line up a perfect headshot or target a spell at a vulnerable point. By investing in these Ranger abilities, you shift the paradigm of combat. You control the engagement, picking off key targets from the shadows and thinning enemy ranks before any alarm is raised. It's a style that emphasizes intelligence and preparation over brute force.

4. Giatta is The Best Companion to Have by Your Side

Choosing the right companion can define your entire adventure. For most players, especially those tackling higher difficulties or exploring dangerous areas, Giatta stands out as the ultimate ally. She is not a frontline damage dealer; her value is immeasurable in sustainability. Giatta is a dedicated support companion, functioning as a healer, protector, and combat medic all in one. Players recruit her during "The Animancy Method" quest, and doing so early is highly recommended. Her core strength lies in keeping the entire party alive through direct healing and, more importantly, damage prevention. Her Barrier skill is phenomenal, applying a damage-absorbing shield to you and your other companions. This effectively turns everyone into a more resilient version of themselves, mitigating bursts of damage that would otherwise require frantic potion-chugging. With Giatta in your party, you can focus on dealing damage and executing your strategy, confident that your health bar is being managed. She trivializes many difficult encounters by ensuring your team remains standing through the toughest boss attacks and enemy swarms.

3. You Can Gain More Stamina by Increasing Your Resolve Attribute

Stamina management is central to Avowed's combat. Every dodge, power attack, and block depletes this precious resource. Running out of stamina in the middle of a duel leaves you vulnerable and unable to act. To avoid this, players must understand the primary source of stamina growth: the Resolve attribute. Investing attribute points into Resolve directly and significantly increases your maximum stamina pool. This provides a larger reservoir of energy for extended engagements. But the benefits of Resolve extend further. It also enhances the effectiveness of abilities tied to endurance and recovery, most notably the Second Wind skill. A higher Resolve makes Second Wind restore more health when you activate it in a pinch. As you level up, strategically allocating points to Resolve ensures your stamina scales with the game's increasing challenges. For an additional boost, seek out gear like the Eothasian Boots, which can provide bonuses to Resolve or a flat increase to stamina. Prioritizing this attribute is a cornerstone of any build that relies on active combat maneuvers.

2. Complete Side Quests as Soon as Possible to Gain XP Fast

Rushing the main story might seem tempting, but it is a surefire way to stunt your character's growth and potentially miss out on fantastic content. The most efficient method for gaining experience points (XP) and leveling up quickly is to aggressively pursue side quests. These quests are not mere distractions; they are substantial adventures that offer large XP rewards, unique gear, deep lore, and meaningful interactions with the world's factions. Crucially, progressing too far in the main narrative can permanently lock you out of certain side quests as the world state changes. Areas like Galawain's Tusks are filled with side content that provides massive XP hauls, often surpassing what you get from main story milestones. By consistently completing side quests as they become available, you ensure your character is always over-leveled and well-equipped for the main story challenges. The rewards are multifaceted:

• Massive XP gains for faster leveling.

• Unique rewards not found elsewhere.

• Richer world-building and story.

• Avoidance of point-of-no-return lockouts.

Adopting a completionist mindset for side quests is the key to a powerful, well-rounded character.

1. The Hunter Sense Ability Can Help You Easily Find Loot

Scouring every corner of Avowed's dense environments for loot can be time-consuming. Fortunately, there is a tool that turns this chore into a simple, efficient process: Marius and his Hunter Sense ability. Marius, the rugged crossbow expert, is more than just a ranged combat companion. His signature ability, Hunter's Sense, acts as a permanent loot radar. When activated, it highlights all interactive objects and loot containers within a large radius, even through walls and terrain. Chests, hidden stashes, ingredient nodes, and loose coins all glow with a distinctive outline, ensuring you never miss valuable resources. This ability is indispensable for:

• Maximizing resource gathering in every area.

• Finding hidden caches and secret stashes.

• Locating crucial quest clues and items that are easily overlooked.

With Marius in your party and Hunter Sense active, exploration becomes streamlined and far more rewarding. You will consistently leave no stone unturned and no chest unopened, amassing wealth and materials with minimal effort. For any player who values efficiency and comprehensive exploration, Marius is an essential companion.

Summary of Key Avowed Strategies

Tip #	Key Advice	Primary Benefit
8	Hoard Lockpicks	Unlock all secret loot & lore.
7	No Parry while Dual-Wielding	Adapt to dodge-focused defense.
6	Sell Unused Unique Weapons	Generate massive wealth quickly.
5	Invest in Ranger (Stealth) Abilities	Eliminate enemies silently & efficiently.
4	Recruit Giatta Early	Unparalleled party healing and survival.
3	Level Up Resolve Attribute	Larger stamina pool for combat actions.
2	Prioritize Side Quests	Fast XP and avoid missing content.
1	Use Marius's Hunter Sense	Never miss hidden loot or clues.

By internalizing these eight fundamental tips, any player can elevate their Avowed experience from a struggle for survival to a triumphant conquest of the Living Lands. Knowledge truly is power in this rich RPG world. 🗡️🛡️✨