From Press Release:
Today marks the launch of the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh content update for Dungeons & Dragons Online, the iconic MMO from Standing Stone Games.
The new update is a classic D&D adventure for low and high level players based around saving a seacoast town on the edge of civilization under threat from mysterious forces. Desolate and abandoned, the evil alchemist’s mansion stands alone on the cliff, looking out towards the sea. Mysterious lights and ghostly hauntings have kept away the people of Saltmarsh, despite rumors of fabulous forgotten treasure. What is its sinister secret?
Saltmarsh is an adaptation of the classic first edition U series of modules: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, Danger at Dunwater, and The Final Enemy. In addition to the main story arc, there are five bonus side quest dungeons located in the Saltmarsh landscape. These are loosely based on the lore about the Saltmarsh area contained in the original modules, as well as the 5E Ghosts of Saltmarsh book.
Key features include:
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New monsters
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Bullywugs: Frog-like humanoid creatures that live in marshes and swamps.
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Giant Crocodiles
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Water Weirds: Water Elementals bound to a specific water filled location. When above the plain of the water they typically take the form of a watery serpent.
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Nightmare: Fiendish horses that are constantly on fire.
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New systems
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Monster Manual 8 – The latest installment of DDO’s system that rewards players for slaying specific varieties of monsters. It adds creature categories such as Griffon, Satyr, Goblin, and more.
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A revamp of the Scroll/Seals/Shards crafting system – streamlined upgrade mechanics, fewer ingredient types, updated heroic and epic versions to match modern loot standards, and new level 30 versions of the items (to upgrade, players will need to use a new ingredient called Star Fragments that, at time of U50’s launch, will only be available in Saltmarsh)
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New areas
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The small fishing village of Saltmarsh, a wide swath of the surrounding marshlands to be explored to your heart’s content.
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The haunted house at the edge of the village, a smugglers ship called the Sea Ghost
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A sprawling underground Lizardfolk lair
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A ruined wizards tower
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A massive Sahuagin fortress
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New items
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15 New Filigree Sets for sentient weapons and minor artifacts
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New Heroic and Epic Augments
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At least 1 of every weapon type in both heroic and epic
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New heroic and epic equipment gear sets (Epic gear sets are competitive with all of Ravenloft, Sharn, and Feywild sets)
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All new music
There are three versions available for purchase:
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Standard Edition: $19.99
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Collectors Edition: $59.99
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Ultimate Edition: $99.99
VIPs will receive 10% off any package. There is also a Special Gift for VIPs who buy Saltmarsh and log in during the launch month. All three bundles will feature Monster Manual Volume 8, which covers monsters like Satyrs, Wights, Animated Objects, and more. The Collector and Ultimate editions also have two new exciting features for players:
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Horizon Walker – a new universal enhancement tree/bow wielding hunter that traverses planes to track down enemies they’ve marked as their prey.
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Rogue Hireling – a permanent Rogue hireling for all your characters! The Collectors edition has a heroic level one, and Ultimate has both the Heroic level one and the Epic level one.
For more information on Saltmarsh, visit DDO.com.
