Avowed: Best Pistols, Ranked

Obsidian’s rich ARPG Avowed is rife with cool weapons and spells to utilize in battle. As one might expect, this high-fantasy game stresses things like bows, magic, and wands for the bulk of its ranged combat. But like Pillars of Eternity before it, this spinoff also features a handful of powerful guns, which can change the dynamic of battle and add to the vast list of customizations and loadouts.

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Unlike their bulkier Arquebus counterparts, however, pistols prove a bit sharper, quicker, and more reliable in a heated battle, while still boasting at least some of the potency of larger weapons. Among the handful of pistols offered, there are a few that are truly worth seeking out.

4

(Superb) Pistol

The Standard Option — But It Holds A Lot Of Potential

• Upgrade requirements: Blackwood Branch, Cave Coral

The standard pistol has its uses, though it can be fairly limited in terms of perks (or lack thereof), and it’s not too powerful in the early goings. Enchantments are off-limits for this weapon, reserved only for Uniques, and it can’t even be upgraded to Legendary quality. Still, assuming one can gather enough resources fairly quickly (Petrified Wood Branch, Admeth’s Wyrt, Hardwood Branch, Hylea’s Talon, in addition to materials listed above), players can invest in the Superb version of this weapon, which is truly a powerhouse.

It makes for a good option for pure DPS in battle, while the off-hand can be used for spell-casting or melee weapons to round out a great damage-dealing build. The fact that these pistols are somewhat common is useful, as they can be broken down and their materials put towards building up other weapons.

3

Caeroc’s Pride

Starting Quality: Common (Tier 1)

• Distant Thunder: Power Attacks deal high Shock accumulation
  • Thunder’s Fall: Power Attacks deal high Shock accumulation to nearby enemies.
  • Wrath of the Storm: Killing an enemy has a 25% chance to cast Crackling Bolt.
• Shocking Lash: Hits deal +10% bonus Shock damage.

Named after the sharp-shooting pirate Captain Caeroc — whose life was swiftly ended at sea via lightning strike — players can channel their inner plunderer with this sleek pistol. Of course, they’ll ideally want better luck than the ill-fated pirate, but with an upgraded version of this gun, good fortune will surely come in spades.

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There are better options when it comes to Uniques, but Caeroc’s Pride is a great early-game option for ranged and melee-focused players alike. In keeping with the theme of its former owner, the pistol inflicts Shock when blasting Power Attacks, which are quite easy to pull off at a medium distance.

How To Get Caeroc’s Pride

Players can find this weapon on the body of the smuggler Tempestuous Lunadi, at the ship graveyard in Ondra’s Reach, which is just east of Shantytown outside Paradis.

2

Fair Play

Starting Quality: Exceptional (Tier 3)

• Recompense: Killing an enemy restores 5% maximum health and 25% maximum stamina.
  • Turnabout: Killing an enemy restores 10% maximum health and 50% maximum stamina.
  • Equal Footing: A Power Attack pulls the hit enemy into melee range.
• Vengeful Shot: Taunt and gain +100% critical hit chance against enemies that Incapacitate a companion.

The name of this pistol is in reference to a Goldpact Knight paladin, who was ambushed by outlaws while traveling on the road. She bargained for her life by agreeing to fight each outlaw one by one — or else more harshly blast them all (and herself) at once with her grenade. Thanks to this potent, magic-laced weapon, she lived to fight another day.

Fittingly, the weapon shifts momentum in favor of its wielder the more it’s used, with its handy ability to restore a bit of HP and a sizable chunk of stamina when slaying a foe. The aptly-named Vengeful Shot can really help turn the tide when things are going south, turning the setback of a downed companion into an offensive edge.

How To Get Fair Play

After getting to the third major region in Avowed, Shatterscarp, players must venture to the town of Thirdborn and seek out a store named Fish in a Barrel, on the west side of town. Purchase the weapon (8,424 gold) from the merchant Kampeki.

1

Magic Mistol

Starting Quality: Superb (Tier 4)

• Infused Shot: Power Attacks deal very high Stun.
  • Unstable Shot: Power Attacks deal moderate Stun to nearby enemies.
  • Pistoleer’s Grace: Killing an enemy gives you +50% reload speed for 10 seconds.
• Foe Seeker: Bullets seek and target enemies.

This Adra-infused pistol is almost undeniably the best Avowed currently has to offer, with its high damage and highly useful perks. These include a handy heat-seeking enchantment and an utterly disruptive Stun, which enables players to hobble and finish foes quickly in combat.

With this solid set of perks, players can essentially spam the Magic Mistol at a reasonably far distance without the worry of steady aiming or precision.

How To Get The Magic Mistol

Find a hidden room within Ekidan Workshop within the Galawain’s Tusks region, northwest of the Slumbering Fields. Players will need to find a breakable wall and destroy it with a melee weapon to gain access to the hidden room. The pistol lies in a chest there. The location resides on a small jutting peninsula in the southeast portion of the region.

Systems

Released

February 18, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence

Publisher(s)

Xbox Game Studios