Avowed Steam Deck Playthrough: Prep Guide

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Post on Feb 14, 2025

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Avowed Steam Deck Playthrough: The Ultimate Prep Guide

Obsidian's Avowed is generating immense hype, and many players are eager to experience this first-person RPG on the go with their Steam Decks. However, successfully navigating the world of Aethel is more than just hitting the "play" button. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare your Steam Deck for a smooth and enjoyable Avowed playthrough. We'll cover optimization, potential issues, and essential tips for maximizing your handheld RPG adventure.

Part 1: Steam Deck Hardware & Software Preparations

Before you even think about launching Avowed, ensuring your Steam Deck is properly configured is crucial. This section covers essential hardware and software checks and tweaks.

1.1 Firmware Updates:

• Critical: Always ensure your Steam Deck is running the latest firmware. Outdated firmware can lead to compatibility issues, performance problems, and even crashes. Check for updates regularly through the Steam Deck's system settings.

1.2 Performance Optimization Settings:

• Power Management: Avowed is a graphically demanding game. While the Steam Deck is surprisingly powerful, you'll likely need to adjust power settings for optimal performance. Experiment with different power profiles (e.g., "Performance," "Balanced," "Battery Saver") to find the best balance between visuals and battery life. Remember that higher performance settings will drastically reduce playtime on a single charge.

• Fidelity: Consider lowering graphical settings in-game. Tweaking settings like shadows, textures, and anti-aliasing can significantly impact performance without dramatically impacting the overall visual experience. The goal is to find the highest visual quality that still provides a smooth frame rate.

• Refresh Rate: You might want to lower the refresh rate to 30Hz to improve battery life. While 40Hz or 60Hz looks smoother, the added strain on the battery may not be worth it during longer gaming sessions.

• Game Mode: Enable Steam Deck's game mode. This feature prioritizes game performance and minimizes background processes, resulting in smoother gameplay.

1.3 Storage Space:

• Check Capacity: Avowed is a large game. Ensure you have sufficient free space on your Steam Deck's internal SSD or microSD card. You might need to delete some games or move files to create enough space before installing Avowed.

• External Storage: If your internal storage is limited, consider using a fast microSD card for additional storage. Ensure it's a high-quality card with adequate read/write speeds to avoid lag and stuttering during gameplay.

Part 2: Avowed Game-Specific Preparations

Once your Steam Deck is ready, let's focus on optimizing the game itself for optimal performance.

2.1 Installation and Updates:

• Install Via Steam: Install Avowed through the Steam client on your Steam Deck. This ensures you get any necessary updates and patches automatically.

• Check for Updates: Before launching the game, check for any updates within the Steam client. Developers frequently release patches to fix bugs and improve performance.

2.2 Controller Settings:

• Customize Controls: Familiarize yourself with the Steam Deck's controller layout and customize it to your preferences. Avowed will likely use a standard controller configuration, but you can always remap buttons and adjust sensitivity settings to optimize control. Consider using a controller profile specifically designed for RPGs.

• Gyro Controls: Experiment with gyro aiming. The Steam Deck's gyroscope can add a level of precision to aiming, especially beneficial in combat encounters.

2.3 Graphics Settings:

• In-Game Optimization: As mentioned earlier, meticulously adjust the in-game graphical settings to find the sweet spot between visual fidelity and performance. Pay close attention to texture quality, shadow detail, and draw distance.

• V-Sync: Experiment with V-Sync. While it can reduce screen tearing, it might also introduce input lag. Disable it if you experience significant input lag and accept a small amount of screen tearing for smoother gameplay.

Part 3: Troubleshooting Potential Issues

Despite careful preparation, you might still encounter some challenges. Here are some potential issues and their solutions.

3.1 Performance Issues (Low FPS, Stuttering):

• Lower Settings: The most common solution is reducing graphical settings. Begin by lowering less visually impactful settings like shadows and anti-aliasing before reducing the resolution or texture quality.

• Background Processes: Close any unnecessary background applications or processes running on your Steam Deck.

• Game Cache: Verify the integrity of the game files within Steam. Corrupted files can significantly impact performance.

• Overheating: If your Steam Deck overheats, it might throttle the CPU and GPU, resulting in lower performance. Ensure proper ventilation and consider using a cooling solution.

3.2 Controller Issues:

• Recalibrate: If you experience unresponsive buttons or inaccurate stick input, recalibrate your Steam Deck's controllers in the system settings.

• Driver Issues: Rarely, driver issues might cause controller problems. Ensure you're running the latest drivers for your Steam Deck.

3.3 Game Crashes:

• Verify Game Files: Again, verifying the integrity of game files is important. Corrupted game files can cause crashes.

• Drivers & Firmware: Ensure your Steam Deck's drivers and firmware are up-to-date.

• Game-Specific Issues: Check online forums and communities for reports of similar issues related to Avowed. There might be a known bug or solution available.

Part 4: Maximizing Your Avowed Experience

Beyond technical preparation, here are tips to enhance your Avowed playthrough on the Steam Deck.

4.1 Battery Management:

• Power Saving Mode: Utilize different power modes based on your needs. For longer play sessions, stick to the "Balanced" or "Battery Saver" mode. For short bursts, switch to "Performance" for the best visuals.

• External Battery: Consider investing in an external battery pack to extend your playtime.

4.2 Using Steam Deck Features:

• Quick Resume: Utilize Steam Deck's Quick Resume feature to seamlessly switch between games or take quick breaks without losing your progress.

• Screenshots & Videos: Capture your epic moments with the Steam Deck's built-in screenshot and video recording capabilities.

4.3 Community Engagement:

• Online Forums & Communities: Join online communities and forums dedicated to Avowed and Steam Deck. This is an excellent resource for finding solutions to problems, discovering hidden tips and tricks, and connecting with other players.

By following this comprehensive guide, you'll be well-prepared for an immersive and enjoyable Avowed experience on your Steam Deck. Remember that patience and experimentation are key to finding the optimal settings for your specific hardware and play style. Happy adventuring in Aethel!