⚓ Module 30 Overview — As Above, So Below
As Above, So Below – Return to Pirates’ Skyhold released on November 19, 2024 as Neverwinter’s 30th module. The update returned players to a completely revamped Pirates’ Skyhold, introduced a new campaign, six Heroic Encounters, ten Named Encounters, four updated instances, and transformed the former Dread Vault into the fully reworked Dread Sanctum dungeon.
The Return to Pirates’ Skyhold campaign requires 80,000 Total Item Level to begin. Module 30 also introduced major character-system changes including expanded stat caps, Celestial companion quality, and the ability to save and quickly switch between two Power Sets.
⚔️ MODULE 30 AT A GLANCE
Campaign: Return to Pirates’ Skyhold
Campaign Entry: 80,000 Item Level
Adventure Zone: Revamped Pirates’ Skyhold
Dungeon: The Dread Sanctum
New Encounters: 6 Heroic Encounters + 10 Named Encounters
Major System Updates: Expanded stat caps, Celestial companions and two swappable Power Sets
🛡️ New & Updated Gear — Module 30
Module 30 introduced new equipment across both the Pirates’ Skyhold campaign and The Dread Sanctum. Gear is spread across campaign stores, Heroic Encounters, Named Encounters, dungeon rewards and dungeon currencies. Some armor and weapon names vary by class or role, so always check the live item tooltip before replacing an existing piece solely for Item Level.
🏴☠️ Pirates’ Skyhold Gear
- Bloodbrass Weapon Set — Module 30 campaign weapon family obtained through Pirates’ Skyhold bounty and Named Encounter progression.
- Campaign Armor — role/class equipment available through Pirates’ Skyhold campaign and zone rewards.
- Zone Rings — rings including the Bloodbrass family can be obtained from Heroic Encounters and Named Encounters.
- Shirts & Trousers — new Module 30 clothing pieces can drop from Pirates’ Skyhold Heroic Encounters.
- Bloodbrass Pistol — Module 30 artifact obtainable through the Pirates’ Skyhold campaign store and Heroic Encounters.
🧠 Dread Sanctum Gear
- Advanced & Master Weapon Rewards — dungeon weapon rewards improve as difficulty increases.
- Role-Based Armor — DPS, healer and tank equipment drops throughout Advanced and Master Dread Sanctum.
- Dreadbreaker / Dreadwalker Rings — Module 30 dungeon ring families obtained through Dread Sanctum rewards and currencies.
- Shirts & Trousers — Advanced and Master versions provide additional clothing choices for endgame builds.
- Prismatic Role Gear — specialized dungeon pieces include items such as the Prismatic Luminstep Greaves for healers.
- Wrath of Kossuth — Module 30 dungeon artifact associated with the Dread Sanctum reward pool.
💎 Module 30 Artifact Equipment Sets
| Set | Artifact | Neck | Waist | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood-Gold Gear | Bloodbrass Pistol | Captain’s Pendant | Captain’s Sash | Pirates’ Skyhold Campaign / Heroic Encounters |
| Wrathful Bonds | Wrath of Kossuth | Wrathful Choker | Wrathful Belt | Advanced / Master Dread Sanctum and dungeon rewards |
🔫 Bloodbrass Pistol
The Bloodbrass Pistol is a Module 30 artifact and part of the three-piece Blood-Gold Gear set. At maximum quality it provides Accuracy, Combat Advantage and Critical Severity. Its active power attacks the selected enemy and causes that enemy to take additional damage for a short period, with an enhanced effect while inside Pirates’ Skyhold.
Where to get it: Pirates’ Skyhold Heroic Encounters or the Return to Pirates’ Skyhold campaign store.
🔥 Wrath of Kossuth
The Wrath of Kossuth is the Module 30 dungeon artifact associated with the Wrathful Bonds artifact-equipment set. It is tied to higher-difficulty Dread Sanctum rewards and provides another endgame artifact option for players building around the stats and set bonus supplied by its matching neck and waist pieces.
📊 Module 30 Stat Changes
Core Rule: Know Which Stats Can Reach 120%
Module 30 expanded the maximum percentage cap for several important character stats. Not every stat was raised to 120%. Building correctly means knowing which stats use the expanded cap and which still use the traditional cap.
⬆️ Can Reach 120%
- Power
- Combat Advantage
- Critical Severity
- Defense
- Deflect Severity
- Forte
- Incoming Healing
- Outgoing Healing
⚖️ Still Cap at 90%
- Accuracy
- Critical Strike
- Awareness
- Critical Avoidance
- Deflect
🧠 The Dread Sanctum
The Dread Vault Reborn
Module 30 completely rebuilt the former Dread Vault as The Dread Sanctum. Monsters, bosses and encounter mechanics were reworked, and the dungeon now has separate Normal, Advanced and Master difficulty tiers.
Difficulty Matters
The three versions are not simply Item Level gates. Higher difficulties require stronger coordination and provide access to better reward pools. Master is intended for organized groups prepared for the dungeon’s full mechanics rather than players chasing Item Level alone.
Final Encounter
The Dread Sanctum culminates in the transformed threat of Yshiggol, connected to the Elder Brain Dragon storyline introduced with the revamped dungeon. Coordination and correctly executing mechanics become increasingly important in Advanced and Master difficulty.
📅 LIVE MODULE 30 CONTENT
- Campaign Entry: 80,000 Item Level.
- Pirates’ Skyhold: Six Heroic Encounters.
- Named Encounters: Ten new Named Encounters.
- Instances: Four updated instances.
- Dread Sanctum: Normal, Advanced and Master difficulties.
- Companions: Celestial companion quality became available.
- Power Sets: Two saved Power Sets can be swapped from the Powers page.
⚔️ Current Dread Sanctum Requirements
| Difficulty | Current Item Level Requirement | Group | Reward Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 30,000 | 1 Tank / 1 Healer / 3 DPS | Entry version and standard dungeon rewards. |
| Advanced | 70,000 | 1 Tank / 1 Healer / 3 DPS | Advanced equipment, rings, clothing and dungeon currencies. |
| Master | 105,000 | 1 Tank / 1 Healer / 3 DPS | Highest-tier Module 30 dungeon reward pool and chase equipment. |
🏴☠️ Return to Pirates’ Skyhold Campaign Rewards
Campaign progression also provides milestone rewards in addition to the equipment available through campaign stores and zone activities.
| Campaign Progress | Reward |
|---|---|
| 100 | Pirate Captain Fashion Bundle |
| 200 | 2 Enhanced Motes |
| 300 | 50 Mount Upgrade Tokens |
| 400 | Sareena’s Wish |
| 600 | 100 Preservation Wards |
| 800 | 500 Tarmalune Trade Bars |
| 1,000 | 100,000 Astral Diamonds |
❓ FAQ
Q: What Item Level do I need to begin Return to Pirates’ Skyhold?
- A: The campaign requires 80,000 Total Item Level.
Q: Where do I get the Bloodbrass weapons?
- A: Bloodbrass weapons are tied to Pirates’ Skyhold bounty and Named Encounter progression. Farm the zone’s Named Encounters and related bounty currency, then check the appropriate Pirates’ Skyhold vendor.
Q: Where does the Bloodbrass Pistol come from?
- A: It can be obtained from Pirates’ Skyhold Heroic Encounters or purchased through the Return to Pirates’ Skyhold campaign store. It is part of the Blood-Gold Gear artifact set.
Q: Where do Module 30 rings, shirts and trousers come from?
- A: Pirates’ Skyhold Heroic and Named Encounters provide zone equipment, while Advanced and Master Dread Sanctum provide additional dungeon-specific rings, clothing and higher-tier rewards.
Q: Do all combat stats now cap at 120%?
- A: No. Module 30 raised selected stats to a 120% total cap. Accuracy, Critical Strike, Awareness, Critical Avoidance and Deflect remain 90% total-cap stats.
Q: Which version of Dread Sanctum should I run for the best Module 30 equipment?
- A: Reward quality increases with difficulty. Normal provides the accessible version of the dungeon, Advanced introduces stronger equipment opportunities, and Master contains the highest-tier Module 30 dungeon reward pool.
🎥 Dread Sanctum Mechanics Guide
For a visual walkthrough of the released dungeon mechanics, the guide below covers the basics players should know before entering The Dread Sanctum.
💡 Pro-Tip: Build for the Effect, Not Just Item Level
Module 30’s higher Item Level equipment can be tempting, but an equip bonus that does not support your role can make your build worse. Check your percentage stats, equip powers and group role before replacing a lower Item Level piece. For Advanced and Master Dread Sanctum, a properly balanced build is more valuable than inflated Item Level alone.