Bow and Spear PvE Build for New World
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.
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.
Bow Build
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 — 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 — 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.
Spear PvE Build
Sweep — This provides an AoE crowd-control ability that knocks a enemies down, allowing them to be clumped together and killed quickly.
Perforate — This is a major source of damage that aplies the highest amount of Rend. It is important to use this on cooldown.
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 or
Vault Kick. Having
the AoE crowd-control for trash packs with a
Sweep is typically better than single-target stuns.
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.
Gearing
Slot | Perks | Gem | Weight | Attribute | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bow |
|
![]() |
- | Dexterity | Crafted/BoE |
Spear |
|
![]() |
- | Dexterity | Crafted/BoE |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Chest |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Medium | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Gloves |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Pants |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Boots |
|
||||
|
![]() |
Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE | |
Amulet | ![]() |
- | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE | |
Ring*** | ![]() |
- | Strength | Named Drop*** | |
Earring | ![]() |
- | 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 and
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,
Refreshing Penetrating Shot, and
Enfeebling Skewer.
***: Heart of Anhurawak is a
Thrust Damage drop that also has
Keen Awareness, this
perk combination cannot be rolled, so this is very strong.
Gem Optimization
For more specific information on optimizing your gems in PvP and PvE please refer to our dedicated guides.
Heartrune
In PvE you can use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate for burst damage, or you
can use
Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help CC and apply Rend to trash packs.
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.
Rotation and Priority List
Single Target Boss Rotation
- Use
Perforate and then
Skewer. Maintain these debuffs on the target.
- Dodge and hit a target with a heavy shot into a
Penetrating Shot immediately while aiming at the head.
- Use
Rapid Shot for quick damage.
- Continue using heavy shots and maintain your dodge empower buff.
- Use
Rapid Shot as soon as it is off cooldown.
- Do not use
Rain of Arrows unless there are additional targets.
AoE Trash Rotation
- Use
Sweep when targets are stacked together.
- Dodge and use
Rain of Arrows on clumps of enemies.
- Follow-up with
Penetrating Shot. If this resets, use it again.
- Use available Spear abilities and theb continue alternating between priority weapon abilities.
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.
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!
Changelog
- 28 Mar. 2023: Updated gear.
- 23 Feb. 2023: Guide added.
Lemoni is a New World content creator with thousands of hours of gameplay. He specializes in theory crafting builds and various gameplay mechanics to improve player performance. He also enjoys long walks on the beach.
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