Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming RPG, Avowed, promises a deep and versatile combat system where elemental magic plays a central role. In a recent interview, Gabe Paramo, Avowed’s Gameplay Director, shed light on the intricate web of possibilities players can expect to weave with fire, ice, and shock.
As shown in the extended gameplay video below and stated on Xbox Wire, Paramo emphasized the system’s integration with both combat and environmental interaction. Players can imbue weapons with elemental damage and manipulate objects in the world, potentially setting enemies ablaze or freezing them solid. This opens up many combat strategies, like luring enemies into pre-set environmental hazards or triggering chain reactions with well-placed spells.
“you can light guys on fire, you can freeze them, you can shock them, you have objects in the environment you can interact with. They’re not just on weapons, on wands – you might find it on swords, certain abilities might cause elemental damage. And your companions [can] as well.”
Gabe Paramo
Elemental effects extend beyond direct damage, offering crowd control options and tactical advantages. Paramo cited an example of using a fireball to create an area-of-effect zone and then drawing enemies into its fiery embrace. Furthermore, companions can also harness elemental powers, adding another layer of tactical depth to party encounters.
The system’s flexibility extends beyond combat scenarios. Players will encounter environmental puzzles and hidden areas gated by specific elemental interactions. For instance, melting frozen pathways with fire blasts or shattering ice barriers with shock spells could unlock hidden treasures or lore.
Paramo stressed the intentionality behind the element system’s design. “It’s not just about flashy visuals,” he stated. “We wanted to create a system that encourages experimentation, strategic thinking, and a sense of player agency in manipulating the world around them.”
There’s been a lot of work put into Avowed, and you can see that in the Gameplay breakdown above. It looks like it could be a great game.
