Bow and Spear PvE Build for New World

Last updated on Feb 23, 2023 at 12:00 by Lemoni 5 comments

The Bow and Spear in PvE is the perfect combo to have great damage output and still maintain options for crowd-control to help clear trash packs between boss fights. The Spear also provides an array of important debuffs to help increase damage.

1.

Bow Spear - PvE DPS

The Bow has great single-target damage output, and impactful AoE cooldowns. The Spear will support it by offering AoE crowd-control and debuffs.

2.

Bow Build

  • Rain of Arrows Rain of Arrows — This will decimate AoE clumps when used with empower effects and it being a guaranteed critical strike after rolling. Use this on cooldown to clear trash between boss fights.
  • Rapid Shot Rapid Shot — High damage cooldown that launches three quick shots and staggers targets which opens up a vulernability window to secure kills or interrupt casts.
  • Penetrating Shot Penetrating Shot — High damage ability that can be weaved into another heavy shot. This will go through multiple targets. Try to finish off kills with this ability.
3.

Spear PvE Build

  • Sweep Sweep — This provides an AoE crowd-control ability that knocks a enemies down, allowing them to be clumped together and killed quickly.
  • Perforate Perforate — This is a major source of damage that aplies the highest amount of Rend. It is important to use this on cooldown.
  • Skewer Skewer — This is a high damage ability that also applies a bleed to increase critical hit chance and apply extra damage pressure.

It is commonly debated as to whether or not you should take Sweep Sweep or Vault Kick Vault Kick. Having the AoE crowd-control for trash packs with a Sweep Sweep is typically better than single-target stuns.

4.

Attributes

In PvE it is advantageous to lower your Constitution as low as possible and this will be compensated for by having Ward perks. It is recommended to play around 100, but you can go to 50 or lower. The decision is up to you!

The rest of your points should be put into Dexterity.

5.

Gearing

Slot Perks Gem Weight Attribute Source
Bow Cut Pristine Diamond Cut Pristine Diamond - Dexterity Crafted/BoE
Spear Cut Pristine Diamond Cut Pristine Diamond - Dexterity Crafted/BoE
Helmet
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Chest
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Medium Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Gloves
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Pants
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Boots
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
  • Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)
Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal Light Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Amulet Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal - Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Ring*** Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal - Strength Named Drop***
Earring Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal - Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE

*: The type of Bane and Ward that you slot into your gear will be dependent on the expedition you are in and the type of enemy that you are facing. For example, if you are fighting Angry Earth enemies in Genesis you will want Angry Earth Bane Angry Earth Bane and Angry Earth Ward Angry Earth Ward. Your amulet protection perk will be similar. Depending on the elemental type of the Mutator you are in, you can wear an elemental protection amulet for more defensiveness instead of completely switching your gems.

**: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Penetrating Rapid Shot Penetrating Rapid Shot, Refreshing Penetrating Shot Refreshing Penetrating Shot, and Enfeebling Skewer Enfeebling Skewer.

***: Heart of Anhurawak Heart of Anhurawak is a Thrust Damage Thrust Damage drop that also has Keen Awareness Keen Awareness, this perk combination cannot be rolled, so this is very strong.

6.

Gem Optimization

For more specific information on optimizing your gems in PvP and PvE please refer to our dedicated guides.

7.

Heartrune

In PvE you can use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate Brutal Heartrune of Detonate for burst damage, or you can use Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help CC and apply Rend to trash packs.

7.1.

Heartrune Usage

Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such, please refer to our Bow guide or Spear guide for tips on how it can be used most effectively.

8.

Rotation and Priority List

8.1.

Single Target Boss Rotation

  • Use Perforate Perforate and then Skewer Skewer. Maintain these debuffs on the target.
  • Dodge and hit a target with a heavy shot into a Penetrating Shot Penetrating Shot immediately while aiming at the head.
  • Use Rapid Shot Rapid Shot for quick damage.
  • Continue using heavy shots and maintain your dodge empower buff.
  • Use Rapid Shot Rapid Shot as soon as it is off cooldown.
  • Do not use Rain of Arrows Rain of Arrows unless there are additional targets.
8.2.

AoE Trash Rotation

  • Use Sweep Sweep when targets are stacked together.
  • Dodge and use Rain of Arrows Rain of Arrows on clumps of enemies.
  • Follow-up with Penetrating Shot Penetrating Shot. If this resets, use it again.
  • Use available Spear abilities and theb continue alternating between priority weapon abilities.
9.

Gameplay Tips

When using the Bow or Spear in PvP and PvE there are many similar aspects that go into gameplay decisions and rotations. To learn more about how you can improve your gameplay, use certain secondary weapons, or additional information on specific abilities, please refer to the Gameplay section of the Bow page or Spear page.

10.

FAQ

For more information on the most frequently asked Bow or Spear questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Bow, or Spear, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!

11.

Changelog

  • 22 Oct. 2023: Guide updated for expansion.
  • 28 Mar. 2023: Updated gear.
  • 23 Feb. 2023: Guide added.
Show more
Show less