Ubisoft has released a new Skull and Bones update 1.000.029 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S. According to the official Skull and Bones 1.000.029 patch notes, the latest update Introduces Item Ascension (unlock at Infamy Tier 9) for weapon upgrades via Blacksmith. World Tier 2: Cutthroat Seas offers tougher enemies and Ascended loot. New Schooner ship (Smuggler Pass), Shell-Shocked status, and Lightning Storms. Apart from this, Skull and Bones version 1.000.029 also includes stability fixes.
Skull and Bones Update 1.000.029 Patch Notes – April 15, 2025
Item Ascension
Unlock:
- Reach Infamy Tier 9 to receive the quest “Ascension and Modification” via mail.
- Complete the quest at the Blacksmith.
Modification Grades:
- Basic: Small stat boosts.
- Advanced: Stronger upgrades.
- Special: Unique effects (e.g., elemental damage).
Slots by Rarity:
- Common: 2 Basic, 1 Advanced, 1 Special
- Uncommon: 1 Basic, 1 Advanced, 1 Special
- Rare: 2 Basic, 1 Special
- Epic: 1 Basic, 1 Advanced
Costs:
- Higher rarity weapons use Ascension Pieces (e.g., Epic: 4-6 pieces per slot).
How to Ascend:
- Use Ascension Modules (from high-tier chests, bosses, vendors) + materials/Silver.
- Unlock slots for random modifications.
Reforging (Reroll Mods):
- Spend Upgrade Parts to replace mods (max 60 attempts per weapon).
- Final slot requires a Masterwork Kit (from forts, cargo, or Sea Lord chests).
Key Rules:
- Ascended weapons are bound (no trading/PvP looting).
- Salvage for materials or sell for Silver.
- Looted Ascended gear has stronger mods than crafted.
World Tier 2: Cutthroat Seas
Unlock:
- Reach Kingpin Infamy and complete the “World Ascension” quest.
Features:
- Increased loot (including Ascended weapons).
- Enemies have Major/Minor affixes (check via spyglass or map).
- Tougher enemies: More health, resistances, and secondary damage.
- Mythic Vikram Rajan (Ship Rank 20) now appears here.
Access:
- Switch tiers via menu or faction dens. Group leader must vote.
New Ship: Schooner
Unlock: Smuggler Pass (45 tiers).
Perks:
- Fury: 30% chance to boost broadside damage + explosions.
- Volatile (Rank 6): +20% explosive damage, faster reload.
New Status: Shell-Shocked
- Applied by explosive weapons.
- Disarms targets + deals AoE damage for 5 seconds.
Smuggler Pass Highlights
Epic Explosive Long Gun – Lange Kartouwe:
- Impending Boom: 15% chance (100% on weakpoint) for delayed explosion (7500 damage, 65m radius after 4s).
- Siege: +50% damage to structures.
- Explosive II: +20% explosive damage (35m radius).
- Piercing I: +10% piercing damage, +50% weakpoint damage.
Epic Major Furniture – Wyrm’s Breath Churner:
- +25% reload time on Shell-Shocked enemies (20s).
- +25% secondary explosive damage.
- +5% explosive weapon damage.
Epic Major Furniture – Emergency Locker:
- Reduces damaging status duration by 50% but increases damage by 15%.
- -10% incoming secondary damage.
- +6% max hull health.
Epic Armour – Silver Sentinel:
- Timed Block: 3000 damage reduction during first 2s of bracing.
- -15% explosive damage taken.
- +200 damage reduction while bracing (outside Timed Block).
- +200% crew stamina consumption while bracing.
Rare Armour – Titan’s Cuirass:
- -25% Shell-Shocked damage, -50% duration.
Seasonal Currency: Kupfer Bars
- Earn from seasonal activities.
- Spend at Blackwood for new equipment/vanity.
New Equipment at Blackwood
Epic Ballista – Alecto:
- Triple Threat: Fires 3 shots (+400 fire damage if all hit).
- Draw: Charge for 300% damage/900m range.
- Burning II: +20% burning damage.
- Piercing I: +10% piercing damage, +50% weakpoint damage.
Epic Demi-Cannon – Urban’s Great Gun:
- Unison: Fire all quadrant weapons at once.
- Tearing III: +75% sail damage.
Epic Armour – Nocturne Heart:
- +15% weapon damage when hull health >75%.
Epic Armour – Heyden’s Guard:
- Negates Ablaze while bracing.
- -25% burning damage (-50% while bracing).
Time-Limited Event: The Honorless (May 6 – June 10)
- Defeat pirates for hallucinogens and rewards.
Rewards: - Epic Bombard – Divine Wind: Lightning strike (2000 damage after 2s).
- Epic Demi-Cannon – Kleine Kartouwe: 3% chance for delayed explosion (7500 damage).
Lightning Storms
- Lightning strikes during storms.
- Water crackles before strike.
Hide Armour
- Toggle armour visuals off in Ship Cosmetics.
- Disable others’ armour skins in gameplay settings.
Gameplay Updates
Ship Gear Score Rebalance:
- Gear score from ships/upgrades increased.
- Gear score from weapons/armour reduced.
Ship Upgrades:
- Max ship rank raised to 15.
- Upgrade 7: Requires Masterwork Kit, boosts defense stats.
- Reduced upgrade costs for levels 1-3.
- Snow ship buffs:
- Upgrade 6: 66,000 hull health, 33,000 brace strength.
- Upgrade 7: 79,200 hull health, 39,600 brace strength.
Manufactory Production:
- Now produce Refined, Specialized, and Exotic materials.
Leaderboard Revamp
- Rankings based on Infamy earned per season.
- Weekly/seasonal resets. Rewards in seasonal currency.
Rebalance of Enhanced Repair Kits
| Repair Kit | Repair Amount | Cooldown |
|---|---|---|
| Repair Kit I | 6,000 | 30s |
| Repair Kit II | 16,000 | 60s |
| Repair Kit III | 27,000 | 90s |
| Enhanced Repair Kit I | 20% | 30s |
| Enhanced Repair Kit II | 50% | 60s |
| Enhanced Repair Kit III | 80% | 90s |
Combat & Equipment Rebalancing
- Punctured: Now 30% armor reduction (was 50%).
- AI ships take +50% ramming damage.
- Long Guns: -15% DPS.
- Torpedoes: Max range increased to 675m.
Armour Changes:
- Immortal Vessel: Immunity reduced to 5s (was 10s).
- Wrathful Ward: 140m radius, 45 stamina drain.
Furniture Changes:
- Gunner’s Quadrant: -15% reload after hitting weakpoints.
- Chained Links: -60% weakpoint damage while trimming sails.
New Rare/Uncommon Weapons
- Rare: Farscourge (Raider I), Brickbreaker (Siege).
- Uncommon: Flooding Bombard, Piercing Demi-Cannon, Burning Culverin.
World Event Rules
- Players inactive for 80-140s (varies by event) are disqualified.
- Loot drops regardless of player state.
Enemy Archetype Changes
- New archetypes: Generalist, Bombardier, Torpedoer, Lancers.
- Snipers now have crow’s nest weakpoints.
UI/UX Updates
- Added mini-map.
- Revamped Journal categories (Infamy/Seasonal Quests, Contracts).
Improvements & Bug Fixes
Addressed Bugs:
- Contracts: Fixed submission issues for “Chorus of Havoc.”
- World Events: Loot now drops even if player dies.
- Navigation: Obstruction near Moyenne Crique outpost.
- Graphics: Healing buoy animation, missing structures.
- Localization: Text errors in German/Russian.
Optimizations:
- Reduced crashes and UI misalignments.
Previously, a minor Skull and Bones version 1.000.004 released with tweaks and changes. Unfortunately, since the release, players are experiencing several issues. The upcoming Skull and Bones update 1.000.029 will address the remaining issues and bugs.
Download free SAB update 1.000.029 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
