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Obsidian Entertainment just rolled out Patch 1.2.3 for Avowed, bringing a wave of fixes, AI improvements, and gameplay refinements that smooth out rough edges and refine core mechanics. This isn’t a game-changing overhaul, but it’s the kind of necessary patch that makes things work better, feel better, and break less—exactly what players want after sinking hours into a deep RPG world.
We took a close look at the update, and while our full review is coming soon, here’s what you need to know right now.
Crashes & Stability—The Unseen Hero of Every Good Patch
Crashes are the bane of any RPG, and Avowed has had its fair share. This patch tackles some of the more frustrating ones:
- GameThread Timeout Crash Fixed – A mysterious but critical issue that could freeze the game entirely.
- Ladder Crash Fixed – No more fearing the ESC key after climbing a ladder.
- Xbox Sign-In Stability – Losing internet while playing on a PC with an Xbox account no longer causes the game to crash.
- Rendering Crash Fixes – A rare but annoying issue when loading certain environments.
Quest Fixes—No More Broken Progression
Nothing derails an RPG like getting stuck in limbo because an NPC won’t spawn or a conversation won’t trigger. Patch 1.2.3 brings a ton of adjustments here:
- Yatzli now correctly advances “A Path to the Garden” – Even if you completed “One Last Drink” before meeting certain characters.
- “Shadows of the Past” progresses properly – No more missing steps when entering Naku Kubel.
- “Precious Light” quest marker fixed – It now appears correctly if you spoke to Adelgund early.
- Belderreno bounty now spawns reliably – No more wandering around hoping for it to show up.
- “Fires in the Mine” can’t be skipped – Players now must talk to Darle after burning the nests.
- Dream conversations now play out properly – Previously, some cut off prematurely, breaking immersion.
Gameplay, Combat & AI Tweaks—Your Allies and Enemies Just Got Smarter
Avowed’s companions and enemies both needed some fine-tuning. This patch brings:
- Companions now assist in combat more reliably – No more standing around watching you fight for your life.
- Companions no longer disappear after skipping cutscenes – They’re here to stay (for better or worse).
- Improved AI for wave-based encounters – Enemies now spawn and detect the player properly, making battles feel more natural.
- Camera shakes properly with melee weapons – Except for one-handed swords.
- Wall penetration reduced for NPC weapons – No more getting shot through solid structures unfairly.
Balance Changes—Fine-Tuning the RPG Experience
One of the more controversial changes in this patch involves the Arcane Veil ability, which just got nerfed:
- Damage Reduction: 50% → 25%
- Cooldown: 10s → 15s
This is a big deal for players relying on magic-based defense, and we’ll be testing how this impacts overall combat balance in our full review.
On top of that:
- Reworked economy tweaks – Some quests (like “A Job for the Barkeep”) had rewards that were way too generous on higher difficulties.
- Weapons & armor distribution adjusted – Early-game enemies now drop less high-tier armor, making progression more rewarding.
Visual & Audio Polish—Because Details Matter
It’s always the little things that add up. Patch 1.2.3 fixes:
- NPCs now correctly look at the player in conversations – Instead of awkwardly staring at the camera.
- Fog appearance improved in The Garden – A minor but effective touch for atmosphere.
- Lighting fixes near the Shrine to Skaen – No more weird shadows breaking immersion.
- Barbaric Shout ability now plays sound every time – Because what’s a shout without the actual shouting?
UI & Controls—A Few Quality-of-Life Fixes
- Directional damage indicators no longer display for damage-over-time effects – So you don’t get misled in combat.
- Steam & Xbox account icons now show in the main menu – No more wondering which profile you’re on.
- HUD text & shop values corrected – No more incorrect item values in loot windows.
What’s Next?
Avowed is still evolving, and while this patch cleans up a lot, it’s far from the last update. Balance changes will likely continue as players test how the Arcane Veil nerf plays out, and we’re expecting further refinements to AI and quest flow.
We’ll have a full review of Patch 1.2.3 coming soon, covering how these changes impact gameplay long-term. Stay tuned—because Avowed is shaping up to be something special, but it’s not done cooking yet.
