Avowed has officially arrived on PlayStation 5 today, February 17, 2026, bringing Obsidian Entertainment’s rich fantasy RPG to a new audience alongside a massive Anniversary Update for Xbox and PC players. Whether you are stepping into the Living Lands as a newly created Aumaua explorer or returning for New Game+, the world of Eora can be unforgiving. From mastering the new melee-magic hybrid combat to locating the secret God Totem fragments in Dawnshore, our essential guide covers everything you need to know. Here are the 7 essential tips and tricks to dominate the Living Lands.

1. Master the "Freeze and Shatter" Combat Loop

Combat in Avowed thrives on elemental synergy, and the most broken early-game strategy for 2026 is the "Freeze and Shatter" combo. This is particularly effective for players testing the new PlayStation 5 DualSense features, where you can feel the crackle of ice spells through haptic feedback.

To execute this, you want to pair a frost-enchanted weapon or spell with a heavy physical attack. Early in the game, prioritize finding the unique axe "Drawn in Winter" located in the Watcher’s Mirror area of Dawnshore. Its power attack applies deep freeze status. Once an enemy is frozen, hit them with a Fighter’s Charge ability or a heavy shield bash. The resulting "Shatter" effect deals massive critical damage, often one-shotting elite mobs that would otherwise be damage sponges.

2. Locate the "Enchanted Suolenet" for Early Riches

Economy is tight in the opening hours, but you can break the curve immediately by finding a specific hidden item. The Enchanted Suolenet is a unique amulet that grants a massive 20% bonus to all looted currency.

You can find this game-changing item by completing the "Lost Suoles" quest in Shantytown, just a short parkour trip from the Claviger’s Landing starting point. Equipping this early means you will have thousands of extra gold coins by the time you reach the second region, allowing you to buy out vendor stocks of rare crafting materials without grinding.

3. The "Vendor Cycling" Crafting Hack

Finding Avowed rare crafting material locations can be a bottleneck for upgrading your gear to "Fine" or "Superb" quality. However, a discovered exploit in the game’s economy loop allows you to bypass the grind.

Instead of salvaging every common weapon you find, sell them to vendors. Early game weapons sell for roughly 30 gold, while the raw materials obtained from salvaging them (like Iron Chunks or Softwood) cost only 12 gold to buy back from the same vendor. This means you can sell one looted sword and buy enough materials to upgrade two others. To refresh a vendor's stock, simply leave town, set up camp to advance time, and return. This is the fastest way to max out your gear before hitting level 10.

4. Optimize Your Build: The "Battle Mage" Template

With the 2026 Anniversary Update adding new races like the Dwarf and Orlan, starting builds have evolved. The current meta for a smooth playthrough is the Battle Mage hybrid. rather than splitting points evenly, dump your first 5 levels purely into the Wizard tree to unlock "Fan of Flames" and "Arcane Veil."

Once you have your defensive veil, pivot immediately to the Fighter tree to grab "Charge." This specific combination allows you to close gaps instantly while protected from ranged fire, solving the biggest issue pure mages face in the open fields of the Living Lands. Don't worry about weapon specialization perks until you find a unique weapon you love; raw stats like Might and Intellect are far more valuable early on.

5. Listen for the "High-Pitched Hum" Secret

Exploration in Avowed is less about map markers and more about audiovisual cues. The game uses a subtle audio mechanic that many beginners miss: a distinct, high-pitched hum that grows louder as you approach hidden loot caches or God Totem fragments.

In the Dawnshore region specifically, this sound is your key to finding the Scales of the Oathbinder fragments. If you hear the hum but don't see a chest, look up—verticality is huge in the Living Lands. Often, the loot is hidden on a cliff ledge or behind a breakable wooden barrier that requires a heavy attack or explosive barrel to clear.

6. Secure the "Last Light of Day" Sword Early

For players struggling with the tougher enemies introduced in the new difficulty modes, the Last Light of Day unique sword is a savior. It is one of the few early weapons that heals you on every kill, providing essential sustain during long dungeon dives.

You can acquire this weapon during the "Dawntreader" quest near the Aedyran Embassy in Paradis. Whether you choose to resolve the quest peacefully or through violence, ensuring you walk away with this sword will make the transition to the Emerald Stair region significantly easier. Its fire damage also synergizes perfectly with the "Grease" spell, allowing you to set large groups of enemies on fire simultaneously.

7. Utilize PS5 and New Game+ Features

For those jumping in on PlayStation 5, the adaptive triggers add a tactical layer to combat. You will feel resistance on the L2 trigger when blocking with a shield; if that resistance snaps, your guard is broken. Pay attention to this tactile cue to time your parries perfectly.

If you are a returning player checking out the Anniversary Update, the new Photo Mode is more than just cosmetic. You can use the free-cam feature to scout ahead in dungeons, peeking around corners or over walls to spot enemy ambushes before your character physically enters the room. It’s a cheeky trick, but in the treacherous depths of the Living Lands, every advantage counts.