Avowed update revamps fighters and rangers with new weapons and improved Steam Deck support

Featured Image

Major Update for Avowed Addresses Class Imbalances

Avowed has just received a significant update that tackles one of the most glaring issues in its initial release: the limited specialization options available to pure ranger and fighter builds compared to wizards. Wizards have long enjoyed a wide array of elemental attacks through spellbooks, along with powerful active and passive abilities, giving them a level of versatility that other classes lacked. While many players prefer a balanced approach, this update aims to bring more excitement and depth to rangers and fighters.

Obsidian has introduced a range of new active and passive skills for both classes, some of which are quite innovative. For example, the ranger's Shadow Step ability allows players to teleport behind an enemy, enabling stealthy strikes. This move is reminiscent of Pillars of Eternity and can be upgraded so that a killing blow resets the ability’s cooldown. It’s a game-changer for navigating tough encounters.

Beyond Shadow Step, several other abilities add variety and depth to gameplay. The fighter upgrade tree now includes Reviving Exhortation, which can revive allies from a distance, while the ranger’s Fan of Daggers throws a set of poisoned daggers, hitting multiple enemies and causing poison accumulation. Upgrades enhance the range and effectiveness of these abilities, making them more impactful in combat.

New Unique Items and Gameplay Adjustments

In addition to the new abilities, Obsidian has added a variety of unique items to accommodate different playstyles. These items are spread across the game’s four regions and cover most weapon types—though daggers are notably absent, as highlighted by a Reddit user. The inclusion of these items addresses player feedback about being unable to pursue specific builds early in the game.

The update also introduces changes to enemy abilities, ensuring that some foes now possess powers previously exclusive to the player. For instance, Tanglefoot, a slowing effect, can make movement feel sluggish during intense battles. This adjustment adds a layer of challenge and keeps the game from becoming too easy.

Additional Improvements and Features

Several other enhancements have been included in the patch. Avowed is now Steam Deck Verified, although personal testing on the handheld is yet to be done. A new 40fps mode has been added, along with tweaks to FSR settings and the introduction of custom map markers. These updates improve the overall gaming experience, especially for players who prioritize performance and visual quality.

Detailed Patch Notes

The patch notes are extensive, covering a wide range of improvements. Below are some key highlights:

New Ranger and Fighter Abilities

Ranger Abilities: - Shadow Step: Teleport behind an enemy, with upgrades marking the target and resetting the cooldown after a killing blow. - Fan of Daggers: Throw poisoned daggers that hit multiple enemies and cause poison accumulation. Upgrades increase range and apply slow effects. - Smoke Bomb: Create a cloud to interrupt enemies while dodging back. Upgrades increase damage and apply elemental accumulation. - Chilling Surprise: Set traps that deal frost accumulation upon detonation. Upgrades increase trap count and reduce essence cost.

Ranger Passives: - Concussive Shot: Stun enemies for a few seconds after hitting their weak point. - Sharpshooter: Increase weak point damage based on consecutive hits. - Deadly Poison: Boost poison damage and accumulation.

Fighter Abilities: - Driving Kick: Break through enemy blocks and launch them into the air. Upgrades add explosive damage and area effects. - Barbaric Smash: Deal massive damage and absorb stun from killed enemies. - Deep Breath: Recover stamina and reduce its cost. Upgrades decrease cooldown and allow breath refills underwater. - Reviving Exhortation: Revive allies from a distance and grant temporary health. Upgrades reduce essence cost and heal nearby allies.

Fighter Passives: - Dual Wield Mastery: Unlock powerful special attacks when dual-wielding. - Adrenaline: Increase attack damage at low health and provide invulnerability after a lethal blow. - Bloodlust: Boost bleeding damage and accumulation. - Vanguard: Gain a chance to negate incoming damage, scaling with the number of enemies targeting you.

New Unique Items

Each region now features new unique weapons: - Dawnshore: Mace, Spear, Two-Handed Hammer, Wand, Arquebus, and Robe. - Emerald Stair: Two-Handed Axe, Pistol, Two-Handed Hammer, Bow, and Robe. - Shatterscarp: Two-Handed Axe, One-Handed Axe, and Robe. - Galawain's Tusks: Spear, Two-Handed Sword, and Robe.

Community Highlights

Several gameplay adjustments have been made: - Graphics Upscaling OFF now properly disables TAA. - A new 40fps option has been added to the FPS Limit setting. - FSR Quality settings now display "Native AA" before the "Quality" option. - Map information now fills a larger area around the player. - Hands no longer clip when opening chests. - Fixed an issue where players couldn't swap drinks during the "One Last Drink" quest. - The "Shadows of the Past" quest now updates correctly in the journal. - Piercing Thrusts description now reflects affected weapons. - Fixed an issue where shooting a bow blocked Spirit Lance. - Updated enchantment visuals to show upgrades replacing the base one. - Fixed input registration issues on menu screens and widgets. - Improved Thalla's ground stomp attack to match the area of effect indicator. - Doubled the cap on Ring of Fortune crit chance bonus from 5% to 10%.

For the complete list of patch notes, visit Obsidian's forums.

Post a Comment for "Avowed update revamps fighters and rangers with new weapons and improved Steam Deck support"