'BDO' Update Brings Shadow Arena Battle Royale Mode (2024)

By Cammy Harbison

Writer

A new Black Desert Online update has arrived with Early Access Shadow Arena game mode, Golden Drop event and more. Find out all the changes outlined in the BDO patch notes, here.

On Wednesday, Black Desert Online (BDO) received a new update that implements a number of balance changes and bug fixes, and also introduces the Early Access version of Shadow Arena — the game's upcoming battle royale mode. Below we've put together a complete rundown of the BDO update patch notes, including details about the Shadow Arena, new hunting content, Golden Drop event and more.

'BDO' Patch Notes: Event and System Updates

New Golden Drop Event

• Event Period: January 16 After Maintenance - January 30 Before Maintenance
• During the event period, defeat monster, gather, and fish to get Golden Dagger, Golden Backpack, and Golden Coelacanth!
• (Ongoing Event) Moonlit Memory: January 10 00:00 UTC ~ January 23 Before Maintenance
• Ended Events - DIY Snowman, Let it Snow and Winter-themed UI/Weather
• Attendance Rewards
  • Loyal Attendance: December 20, 2018 00:00 UTC - January 23rd, 2019 23:59 UTC
  • Rookie and Returning Attendance: October 14, 2018 00:00 UTC - January 23, 2019 23:59 UTC

Content Changes

• You can now view the Enhancement chance from the Enhancement window.
• The Unknown Realm, "Marni's Secret Isle" has been added. You can move to this realm through the ESC menu during certain hours of the day.
• Marni's Secret Isle's first new content, Shadow Arena: Battle Royale will be introduced for the first time.

BDO Shadow Arena: Battle Royale

Starting Wednesday, BDO players can get their first taste of the Shadow Arena, a new Battle Royale-style mode. Shadow Arena pits up to 50 players against each other in a struggle for survival. Players will gather supplies and try to outwit their opponents to become the last person standing. Players will start the match as a 'Black Spirit,' a small flying spectre who can possess the bodies of one of the playable classes in Black Desert Online.

Anyone who has purchased Black Desert Online, or has access to the game via the seven-day free trial can participate in the Shadow Arena tests. The Shadow Arena will have a limited capacity and is only available for testing during certain times. You can see the scheduled times listed below. For the Early Access version, the Warrior, Sorceress, Berserker, Tamer, Valkyrie, Wizard, Witch, Dark Knight and Mystic will be available allowing participants to pick from nine different playstyles.

Everyone begins with characters of equal level and gear. Players must fight to become the last one standing. You will need a character which completed the tutorial to join. Once you enter Marni's Secret Isle, you can select to play solo or as a party. When you start a match, you must obtain gear and items by defeating monsters or by destroying chests and you must also survive by fighting against other adventurers.

Additional Details are as follows:

• Available Server: Select Marni's Secret Isle server under server selection.
• Capacity: Up to 50 players can enter into a match. However, a 60-second countdown will automatically begin once 40 players have joined a match. Additional players can join during the 60-second countdown. After the countdown, the match will begin regardless of whether or not 50 players have joined.
• Game Modes
  • Solo: This is a mode for players who join individually without a party.
  • Party: A party of up to three players (including the party leader). A solo adventurer can also join a party mode match alone.
• Schedule:You can play Shadow Arena daily during the times below
  • Europe - Weekdays 15:00 UTC – 24:00 UTC, Weekend 10:00 UTC – 24:00 UTC
  • North America - Weekdays 18:00 EST – 03:00 EST, Weekends 12:00 EST – 02:00 EST
• Items Rewards:Rewards for the Shadow Arena are as follows:
  • Yellow Grade Item: 400,000 Silver each
  • Blue Grade Item: 80,000 Silver each
  • Green Grade Item: 30,000 Silver each
  • White Grade Item: 10,000 Silver each
• Ranks Rewards - Different types of black rocks will be given as a reward at the end of matches. Black Rocks can be used to obtain Black Stone, Concentrated Magical Black Stone, or Memory Fragment. These rewards will be found in in-game mail at the end of a match.
  • Winner: Resplendent Black Rock
  • 2nd: Radiant Black Rock
  • 3rd - 5th: Sturdy Black Rock
  • 6th -10th: Faint Black Rock
  • 11th-20th: Rough Black Rock

Kamasylvia Griffon Hunting

• As Kamasylvia Griffon Hunting has been added, the new monsters for Hunting, King Griffon have been added to areas of Kamasylvia.
• Upon performing Butcher on the defeated King Griffon, you have a high chance of obtaining Spirit Pouch of Ferocious Beast as loot and a low chance of obtaining Griffon Leather or Intact Griffon's Beak.
• You can perform Manufacture to craft 'Griffon's Helmet' with the following materials: Intact Griffon's Beak (1) + Griffon Leather (10) + Pure Zinc Crystal (100) + Supreme Hard Hide (120) + Supreme Fancy Feather (120).
• New Knowledge for Crafting 'Griffon's Helmet' has been added - This Knowledge can be gained when performing Manufacture to craft Griffon's Helmet, or by using Energy to engage in Conversation with Puritora the Blacksmith NPC of Old Wisdom Tree.
• When you are disconnected while auto-fishing due to network instability, you will now resume auto-fishing automatically when you reconnect.

System Updates

• Olvia server 8 has been temporarily removed from the server list to accommodate for the Shadow Arena service.
  • The Shadow Arena server will not be visible on the server list.
• To improve the Hide Costume feature, some adventurers will have the Hide Costume feature activated by default. This could cause the following issues:
  • Adventurers who had the Hide Costume on prior to the maintenance will see their Pearl outfits due to the Hide Costume settings being reset.
  • Adventurers who were hiding their mount's equipment prior to the maintenance will be showing their mount equipment due to the Hide feature being reset.

Game World, NPC and Effects

• Fixed the issue where characters would appear as if they are inside the water at certain locations of Loopy Tree Forest.
• Revised the dialog and added a description for the button related to Cleansing for the Blacksmith NPC of each town.
• Fixed the issue where the 'Ask About Boatmen' button would appear in duplicates within the Amity information window of Philaberto Falasi.

Class Changes

Archer

• Fixed the issue where the Archer's Inquirer's Glasses would appear graphically broken.
• Fixed the issue where the Archer (with Awakening weapon) would move abnormally when repeatedly pressing the W key while auto-moving.
• Fixed the issue where the Archer (with Main Weapon) would show a sprinting motion when pressing the W key after pressing the T key.
• Fixed the issue where the Archer (with Main Weapon) would switch to a main weapon combat status after stopping by pressing the W key after pressing the T key.
• Fixed the issue where the Archer class could not equip Life Skill outfits which were obtained by using the Equipment Tailoring Coupon.
• Fixed the graphical awkwardness on the right part of the pants upon wearing Farmer's Clothes.
• Fixed the graphical glitch in the arm part when wearing Trainer's Clothes.

Tamer

• The standing attack for the Leaf Slash skill will now enable up to 5 hits instead of 4 hits.
• The forward attack for the Leaf Slash skill will now enable up to 7 hits instead of 5 hits.

Musa & Maehwa

• Changed the standing attack motion for the Slice skill.
• The forward attack for the Slice skill will now enable up to four hits instead of five hits.
• Musa can now use Evasion upon the final hit of the Slice V skill

Lahn

• Increased the number of hits for standing attack and forward attack for the Moondance skill.
  • Standing attack: seven → nine hits
  • Forward attack: three → four hits
• Fixed the issue where the character would recover MP only one time after hitting two times with the forward attack for the Moondance skill.

Striker

• Increased the number of hits for the standing attack and forward attack for the Heavy Fist skill.

Mystic

• Changed the attacking motion for the fourth hit for the Heavy Fist skill.
• Increased the number of hits for the forward attack for the Heavy Fist skill.
• Fixed the graphical glitch on the chest area with the New Year Hanbok clothes on during a specific customizing.

Dark Knight

• Added a finishing blow to the standing attack and forward attack for the Kriegsmesser Training.

Berserker

• Added a motion of swinging down the axe downwards with both hands for the fourth hit for the Elastic Force skill.
• Three hits will be applied for the swinging downwards attack.
• When swinging down the axe with both hands, 30 WP will be instantly restored, and each successful hit will add 35 WP.
• When switching from Awakening to normal mode while moving to the right, the direction of the effects and the direction of the attack will now be the same.
• Added more accurate description for the number of hits for the Elastic Force skill in its skill description.
• Fixed the issue where the right arm would look awkward during Awakening status when equipped with Cavaro Gloves and Kibelius Iron Buster.

Kunoichi

• Changed the fifth hit for the forward attack for the Wind Slash skill, and added a sixth attack.
• Changed the third and fourth attack motions for the standing attack for the Wind Slash skill.
• Fixed the graphical issue where the area beneath the chest would look unnatural when equipped with the Envi bikini.
• Added the missing description about effects applied when using the Wind Slash skill while mounted to its skill description.

Ninja

• Changed the fourth attack motion for the standing attack for the Wind Slash skill, and added a fifth attack.
• Changed the fourth and fifth attack motions for the forward attack for the Wind Slash skill.
• Added the missing description about effects applied when using the Wind Slash skill while mounted to its skill description.

Ranger

• Added a finishing hit to the Bow Skill.
• Fixed the graphical glitch in the abdomen area when wearing [Ranger] Stella Armor.
• Reduced the number of hits for the Bow Skill from six to three hits.

Sorceress

• The 4th hit for the standing attack and forward attack for the Dark Split skill will now be a finishing hit, therefore the number of hits have been increased.

Valkyrie

• The fourth hit for the Slash skill will now be a finishing hit that has three hits, therefore the number of total hits has been increased.
• Added a description in the Valkyrie Slash's tooltip which specifies the number of maximum targets hit when used while mounted.

Warrior

• All Slash skills will now deal four hits, and now have finishing hits.

Witch and Wizard

• Added a finishing hit to the Staff attack skill.
• Fixed the graphical awkwardness that appeared on the hair when equipping Canape Hat in certain customization.

Item Changes

• When you use the Character Name Transfer Coupon, you can no longer delete the characters involved with the name transfer.
• Silver Price of Cron Stone available for purchase from NPC shop has been increased.
  • 1,000,000 → 2,000,000
• "Cron Stone Bundle: 10" has been added to the selling list of Patrigio's Secret Shop.
• Fixed the issue where certain craftable boxes displayed wrong prices.
• For details on newly added Pearl Shop Update, please click < Here > !

Monster Changes

• The DP for Giath when it changes its phase (by sitting down) has been greatly increased.
• Certain attack motions for Vedir during the Archer Ascension quest has been fixed to be more natural.
• Minimized the screen's shaking movement caused by the cannons and Troll Catapults in the Anti-Troll Fortification.
• The attack speed for the following monsters at the Karanda Ridge area has been decreased by 30 percent.
  • Young Harpy
  • Harpy
  • Harpy Warrior
• The HP and AP for Khuruto monsters have been adjusted.
  • Khuruto Elite Soldier: AP +5 percent
  • Khuruto Soldier: AP +5 percent
  • Young Khuruto: AP +12 percent
  • Khuruto Fighter: AP +5 percent
  • Khuruto Shaman: AP +7 percent
  • Khuruto Fighter: HP +30 percent
• Fixed the issue for the Khuruto monsters which were marked with warning messages about difficulty level despite the character being at the appropriate level range.
  • Khuruto Amulet
  • Khuruto Wooden Totem
• The HP for the following monsters at Central Serendia have been increased.
  • Grassback Crab: +30 percent
  • Moss Stoneback Crab: +33 percent
• The optimal AP for the Omar Lava Cave Monster Zone has been adjusted from 100 to 70.
• The Black Shadow flying in the skies of Trina Fort at Calpheon will now be invincible to attacks.
• Damage inflicted to the following world bosses has increased by 25 percent:
  • Kzarka
  • Nouver
  • Karanda
  • Ancient Kutum
  • Quint
  • Muraka
  • Mirumok Destroyer Offin
  • Garmoth
  • Vell

Quest and Knowledge Changes

• The dialog for accepting 'The Confession' quest has been revised to sound more natural.
• Added quests to welcome returning users. The people of Velia are giving out various gifts to welcome the returning adventurers.
• (The quests below can be accepted through the guidance of the Black Spirit which appears when you first log into the game with a returning adventurer character.)
  • [Returning] Do you want to go to Velia?
  • [Returning] Find Someone Helpful
  • [Returning] Familiar Face
  • [Returning] Eileen's Welcome
  • [Returning] Shiel's Welcome
  • [Returning] Preparing for the Next Adventure
  • [Returning] Ready for Departure
  • [Returning] A Fresh Adventure
  • [Returning] Trying to Fish
  • [Returning] Crio's Welcome
  • [Returning] Extraordinary Fish I
  • [Returning] Extraordinary Fish II
  • [Returning] Extraordinary Fish III
  • [Returning] How to Cook Dried Fish
  • [Returning] Removing the Fishy Smell
  • [Returning] Making Juice
  • [Returning] The Power of Tools I
  • [Returning] The Power of Tools II
  • [Returning] Loud Noise
  • [Returning] Enjoy Various Life Skill Activities
• Even when you lose the Dim Magical Sub-weapon, you can now receive the weapon again through an exchange after completing the new 'Looking for Adventurers' main quest.
• You can now obtain the Targak Steel Shard by completing the new Looking for Adventurers quest.

Interface Changes

• Added a feature in which you can view the enhancement chance from the enhancement window when you put up an item. The enhancement chance will show up to two decimal points.
• Button banner that leads to Marni's Secret Isle to participate in Shadow Arena will now pop up on the bottom right corner of the screen upon logging into game.
• A sound effect has now been added to when you open and close World Map (M).
• The location for the subheading and button for the Guild Alliance creation window has been changed.
• The design for the Transfusion window has been changed.
• Class icons have been added to the left side of the level display seen on the End Game window.
• Fixed the issue where the Dream Horse was being displayed as Tier 9 from the Mount info connected to the Wagon.
• Added a feature in which you can view the enhancement chance from the enhancement window when you put up an item. The enhancement chance will show up to two decimal points.
• Fixed an issue where the pet's special skill text would overlap with other icons.
• When you complete a Black Spirit quest, the quest completion text for the quest widget will now say "Right-click to summon the Black Spirit and complete the quest."
• Added a message in the UI Edit window which says that the settings for all the characters in the account have been saved.
• Improved the locations of the Atanis Firefly text and the text which appears when you press Q to sit down so that they do not overlap.
• The Alchemy Stone durability will no longer be included in the equipment durability warning message.
• When repairing a ship at the Wharf, you can now select either the Inventory or Storage for the fees.
• Fixed the issue where the alignment for the Voice-Over Language buttons were awkward in the Settings.
• When you close or move to other tabs while writing text in the Guild Alliance window, the input will now reset.
• Fixed the issue where the View Underwear and Hide Costume buttons were not set to their proper default state in the Dye (J) window.
• Fixed the issue where the combat and awakening weapon status would automatically be deactivated when selecting the underwear from the Dye (J) window.
• Fixed the issue where the Hide Costume button would be deactivated when selecting normal equipment and Pearl equipment from the Dye (J) window.
• Fixed the issue where a durability of 0 would not be applied to underwear while in the Dye (J) window.
• The View Underwear button will now be deactivated when you select the Hide Costume button while the View Underwear button has been activated in the Dye (J) window.
• The following text will now appear only to characters at Lv. 16 or higher.
  • Use an Atanis Firefly to illuminate the darkness.
• Fixed the issue where the Black Spirit Emojis would not appear properly across different languages.
• Fixed the issue where emojis whispered from other servers would not be displayed.
• When you complete a Black Spirit quest, the quest completion text for the quest widget will now say "Right-click to summon the Black Spirit and complete the quest."
• Fixed the issue where the quest widget for characters who have not yet completed certain main quests would disappear due to another character within the same account having completed the main quests.
• When you open the equipment Cleanse window, either the Inventory or the Storage will be selected by default depending on whichever has more than 100,000 silver.
• Fixed the issue where Cleanse Gear function would not correctly display the Inventory slot information.
• Certain text (World benefits) which were overlapping with the World Name within the server selection screen have been fixed.
• Fixed the issue where the length of the system message would constantly stretch out if the same message would be repeatedly shown.
• Fixed the issue where the ESC key would not close the World Map (M) when the World Map was activated after using Marketplace through a Transaction Maid

Resolved Issues

• Fixed the issue where a line of light would be seen in the background when going into screenshot mode by pressing Ctrl+U while using Remastered Mode or Ultra Mode resolution settings.
• Fixed the issue where Node benefits would not be applied when the characters were at the underground area of the Gyfin Rhasia Temple.
• Fixed the issue where items from the Inventory could not be dyed from the Dye (J) window.