The Living Lands just became significantly more diverse as Patch 2.0 for Avowed officially lands, bringing the long-awaited Anniversary Update to players. This massive content drop completes Obsidian’s post-launch roadmap, finally introducing three iconic species from the Pillars of Eternity universe as playable options: Dwarves, Orlans, and Aumaua.
This expansion to character creation isn't just cosmetic. Each of the three new species comes with unique stat bonuses, bringing the total number of playable races to five. Whether you want to forge a path as a sturdy Dwarf or a nimble Orlan, these additions provide a fresh layer of role-playing depth for your next journey as the Aedyr envoy. To complement these new builds, Obsidian has also introduced the Quarterstaff, a versatile new weapon type that fills a specific niche in the game's first-person combat meta.
For those who have already uncovered the secrets of the plague, the update introduces a robust New Game Plus (NG+) mode. Once you’ve completed the main story, you can carry over your hard-earned gear and abilities into a fresh run. While your level resets to maintain the progression curve, having your endgame kit from the start allows for a much more aggressive approach to the early-game challenges.
Perhaps the most impactful addition for veteran players is the suite of custom difficulty modifiers. Patch 2.0 moves beyond simple presets, allowing you to fine-tune almost every aspect of the experience. You can now independently adjust player damage, enemy health, and companion effectiveness. If you’ve found the base game too easy or wanted to create a glass-cannon survival experience, these toggles give you total control over the difficulty curve.
The update is rounded out with a dedicated Photo Mode, visual polish across the Living Lands, and various quality-of-life fixes that make this the definitive version of the RPG. Whether you're returning for NG+ or starting a new legend as an Aumaua, the Living Lands feel more complete than ever.
Soren