Avowed 2025: My Merchant's Gold-Saving Guide - What Not to Buy!

Alright folks, buckle up! As a seasoned RPG connoisseur who's been knee-deep in the Living Lands of Avowed since release, I gotta share the inside scoop. Obsidian has absolutely knocked it out of the park, delivering a world that feels both fresh and wonderfully familiar to us Pillars of Eternity veterans. The combat is tight, the exploration is chef's kiss, and the writing? Pure Obsidian gold. But let's talk brass tacks—specifically, your hard-earned gold. I've seen too many fellow adventurers bleed their coin purses dry at merchant stalls, buying stuff they absolutely, positively do NOT need. So, consider this your friendly neighborhood guide to being a savvy, not a sorry, spender in 2025's hottest fantasy RPG.

First on my "Do Not Buy" list? Upgrade Materials. I know, I know. That merchant in the first town has a shiny pile of Softwood Branches and Paradisan Ladder plants, and you're itching to boost your starting sword. Resist the urge, my friend! Buying these is a straight-up noob trap. The upgrade system in Avowed is a marathon, not a sprint. You'll need a ton of this stuff. Instead, become a hoarder of the wilds! These materials are littered everywhere:

• Slain Beasts: Pelts, bear claws, you name it. Loot 'em all!

• The Environment: Softwood Branches are basically fancy sticks on the ground. Paradisan Ladder plants grow like... well, weeds.

• Deconstructing Common Weapons: Which, surprise surprise, you also shouldn't buy (more on that later).

Spending 100 gold per branch is a highway robbery when you can get them for free by just... playing the game. Save your cash for the truly unique stuff later on.

Next up, let's talk sustenance. The cooking system in Avowed is low-key genius and incredibly forgiving. Recipes often just ask for "a fruit" or "a vegetable," not some specific, rare mango from across the sea.

Why Buying Food is a Waste:

What You Think	The Reality
"I need this specific meal for the buff!"	Scavenged ingredients are almost always enough.
"My produce will spoil!"	Spoiled produce can make alcoholic beverages. Nothing goes to waste!
"It's more convenient!"	Cooked food is a super common loot drop from chests and corpses.

Seriously, why spend 50 gold on a Steak Platter when you just found one in a dusty crate in a bandit camp for free? The merchants selling food are usually also peddling potions, which are often a more effective use of your coin anyway.

Now, let's get to the Common Weapons. I see you, eyeing that "Fine Iron Longsword" for 250 gold. Put. Your. Wallet. Away. 🤚

These common-tier weapons are not for fighting. They are Compact Crafting Material Packages™. Their true purpose is to be fed into the deconstruction altar to fuel your actual good weapons. Enemies like brigands and those pesky early-game grave robbers drop these things like candy. Buying them is literally paying for trash you can get for free by smacking a few low-level goons. It's not worth it, full stop.

Ah, Grenades. The great equalizer in the early game when you're squishy and your skill tree is barren. They deal sweet, sweet AOE damage and are a lifesaver against mobs (looking at you, Xaurip gank squads!). Merchants sell them, but buying grenades is one of the biggest money sinks in the game.

Here's the kicker: the crafting recipe is stupid simple. One common material + any booze (even the swill you make from rotten apples) = BOOM. 💥 Plus, items like Magran's Fury (an explosive fruit, how cool is that?) are super common in starting areas. You will naturally find or can easily craft more grenades than you'll ever need. Don't let a merchant upsell you on basic explosives.

Finally, a quick note on Unique Armor Pieces. Okay, this one has an asterisk. Sometimes merchants sell unique gear that is core to a specific build. That might be worth it. But always check the wilds first. The Living Lands are littered with secrets, hidden caches, and quest rewards that often outclass the vendor fare. Exhaust your exploration options before you consider a major purchase.

So, to sum up my Avowed economic philosophy for 2025:

1. Be a Scavenger King/Queen. The world is your loot pinata.

2. Merchants are for Uniques & Emergencies. Not for your daily bread and bullets.

3. Crafting is Your Best Friend. It turns junk into jewels and saves you a fortune.

4. Your Gold is Precious. Save it for those truly game-changing, can't-find-anywhere-else items or for when you're in a genuine oh crap moment.

Stick to these rules, and you'll be swimming in gold while your friends are begging for coppers. Now get out there and explore! The best gear isn't bought; it's earned. Happy adventuring! ✨