Core Rule: Follow the Active Zone

Monoliths of Madness is a 12-week, level-20 event that rotates through Menzoberranzan, Northdark Reaches, Narbondellyn, and Dragonbone Vale. Only one zone is featured each week, and players are downscaled while that zone is active. Follow the modified map icon instead of farming an inactive zone.

Step 1: Start the Campaign

Go to Protector’s Enclave and speak with Master Arcanist Viorel Amakiir. Travel to the currently featured zone after accepting the campaign. If that character has not unlocked the active zone, complete its required access quest through Sergeant Knox first.

Step 2: Earn Shards of Madness

Complete the new daily and weekly challenges to earn Shards of Madness. Objectives can include Heroic Encounters, enemy and Named Encounter defeats, corrupted altar purification, points, skirmishes, and a specified dungeon or trial. The campaign has four phases, with each phase lasting three weeks.

Step 3: Purify Corrupted Altars

Most enemies in the active zone can drop Lesser Abyssal Lures. Use three Lesser Lures at the first corrupted altar, then defeat its summoned nightmare. Those enemies can sometimes drop Greater Abyssal Lures; collect three Greater Lures to activate the second altar and defeat its stronger summon. Altar purification provides the largest contribution to the server-wide Nightmare Progression.

Step 4: Defeat Maxare’xek the Mad

The roaming world boss Maxare’xek the Mad appears in the active zone every few hours. Defeating it grants a temporary buff that increases your damage within that zone for one hour. Current live adjustments also reduced Named Encounter respawns to three minutes and lowered the related weekly requirement from 50 defeats to 30.

Individual and Server-Wide Progress

Individual milestones award Warden’s Caches, Insignia Powder, Trade Bars, Legendary Dragon Keys, and mount and companion upgrade tokens. Earn at least 500 Shards of Madness to qualify for Nightmare Progression rewards. The server must also fill the global bar before the phase ends or the global reward is not granted.

Featured Zone	Required Access Quest(s)	Starting NPC
Menzoberranzan	Whispers in the Dark and A New Ally	Sergeant Knox
Northdark Reaches	The Call of the King	Sergeant Knox
Narbondellyn	Whispers in the Dark and A Discreet Meeting	Sergeant Knox
Dragonbone Vale	Forging the Shield	Sergeant Knox

🎮 Current Module 33.5 Calendar

• Monoliths of Madness: This 12-week event rotates weekly through Menzoberranzan, Northdark Reaches, Narbondellyn, and Dragonbone Vale. Complete the daily and weekly challenges and contribute to Nightmare Progression.
• Of Minds and Madness Battle Pass: Free and premium tracks are available. Rewards include the Laughing Void artifact, Voidbound Necklace, Voidbound Belt, Pika the Tressym, and additional progression items.
• Wild Adventures Lockbox: Available through November 17, featuring the Mythic Star Angler mount and Mythic Encore the Virtuoso companion.
• Live Adjustments: Heroic Encounters now use one event modifier at a time. Named Encounter respawns were reduced to three minutes, the weekly requirement was reduced to 30 defeats, and altar enemies now have a chance to drop Crystallized Weave Dust. Review the September 3 patch notes for the complete update.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Module 33.5

Q: Where do I start Monoliths of Madness?

• A: Speak with Master Arcanist Viorel Amakiir in Protector’s Enclave. The active destination appears with a modified map icon.

Q: Why can’t I enter the active zone?

• A: That character must be level 20 and must complete the featured zone’s required access quest or quests through Sergeant Knox.

Q: Can I progress the older campaign at the same time?

• A: Yes. If the active zone’s original campaign is unfinished, you can progress that campaign while completing Monoliths of Madness objectives.

Q: How do I qualify for the server-wide rewards?

• A: Earn at least 500 Shards of Madness. The server must also complete the phase’s Nightmare Progression bar before time expires.

Q: How many characters can claim rewards?

• A: Up to five characters can select the regular campaign milestone rewards before most rewards change to Warden’s Caches. Global rewards can be earned by additional eligible characters.

Q: What are the major Module 33.5 system changes?

• A: Players can equip separate Strike and Guard Combat Enchantments, selected item stacks increased from 99 to 999, and the Vault of Piety now offers a weekly Coffer of Celestial Insignias for 11 Celestial Coins.