Greatsword Bruiser PvE Build for New World
The following is a PvE physical damage melee build that will use the high single-target burst damage of the Greatsword for boss fights, and then combine that with the great AoE damage and crowd-control of the Great Axe. This weapon combination allows for a DPS to shine in all phases of an expedition and have many abilities to support their group so they can progress quickly.
Greatsword Bruiser - PvE
In PvE combat a Bruiser will play in light armor to maximize damage. The Greatsword has the highest damage potential in the game, but can be very squishy. With this build, the Great Axe is primarily used for AoE output and its ability to group enemies together. The Greatsword will be for primary damage.
Greatsword PvE Build
Relentless Rush — This will deal AoE damage primarily, but it is also important to use on cooldown to get its empower effect.
Crosscut — This is a high damage ability that can be used for single-target or AoE once enemies are grouped together.
Skyward Slash — This is your primary Rend tool. It also has great single-target and AoE damage.
Great Axe Build
CC Damage Secondary
Reap — This can be used to pull enemies into
Gravity Well, or be used to start off a CC combo so that enemies are closer together.
Maelstrom — This ability offers single-target and AoE burst. It then deflects all incoming projectiles, and it pulls enemies within its range. It will also apply a weaken with its perk.
Gravity Well — This is the best crowd-control ability in New World. It is mostly used on trash packs so that your group can quickly kill enemies with AoE abilities.
This is the best pairing with a high damage weapon like the Greatsword or Hatchet. It is used for trash packs, and non-boss enemies. It is fantastic for AoE damage and great crowd-control to group up enemies.
Attributes
In PvE you want to play with as little Constitution as possible. As such, it is best to play around 100-150 Constitution.
The Greatsword will be your primary damage weapon, so be sure to also scale some points into Dexterity for maximum damage.
The Greatsword is a very squishy weapon due to it receiving more damage when in Onslaught stance, so be careful!
Gearing
Slot | Perks | Gem | Weight | Attribute | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Great Axe |
|
![]() |
- | Strength | Crafted/BoE | ||
Greatsword |
|
![]() |
- | Strength | Crafted/BoE | ||
Helmet |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) |
Light |
Strength or Constitution |
Crafted/BoE |
|
Chest |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) |
Medium |
Strength or Constitution |
Crafted/BoE |
|
Gloves |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) |
Light |
Strength or Constitution |
Crafted/BoE |
|
Pants |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) |
Light |
Strength or Constitution |
Crafted/BoE |
|
Boots |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) |
Light |
Strength or Constitution |
Crafted/BoE |
|
Amulet | Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | - | Strength or Constitution | Crafted/BoE | |||
Ring*** | Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | - | Strength | Named Drop*** | |||
Earring | Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | - | Strength 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 only ability perk that is needed is Insatiable Gravity Well.
The optional perks depend on your preferences are,
Enfeebling Maelstrom to reduce enemy damage or
Leeching Crosscut can be used for self-healing.
***: Legate's Ring is a best in slot drop from Grave Offerings in Brimstone Sands. You can
pick this up during a chest run, or focus specific locations. It is best because
Slash Damage
and
Keen Awareness cannot normally be on an item together. Since you do not need
Hearty,
this is best.
Overall with gearing, this is the ideal loadout of perks for a best in slot build. With that being said, be sure to refer to the Great Axe Perks guide or War Hammer Perks guide to have a better understanding of other flexible perk options to fit into your build. You can decide what you are most comfortable with.
Gem Optimization
For more specific information on optimizing your gems in PvP and PvE please refer to our dedicated guides.
Punishing Runeglass
This will increase physical damage dealt by a flat percent, but it has an internal cooldown attached to
it. This means that if you swing two light attacks with a Great Axe, only every other swing will have the
damage increase. This drastically reduces its effectiveness over time. In PvE it is crucial to play with
all Cut Pristine Opal so that you can play with lower Constitution.
Heartrune
Use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate in PvE for maximum damage output.
Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines and
Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform are secondary utility
options.
Heartrune Usage
Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such, please refer to our Great Axe guide or Greatsword guide for tips on how it can be used most effectively.
Rotation and Priority List
Single Target Boss Rotation
- Use
Relentless Rush for its empower.
- Use
Skyward Slash to apply rend.
- Use
Crosscut for its damage.
- Dodge to receive an empower for 3 hits.
- Heavy attack 3 times.
- Dodge for empower.
- Repeat
AoE Trash Rotation
- Use
Gravity Well on clumps of enemies.
- Use
Reap to pull enemies together before
Gravity Well or to pull ranged ones into it.
- Use
Maelstrom when targets are fully stacked together for AoE burst.
- Light attack until abilities are active again.
- Repeat
Gameplay Tips
When using the Great Axe or Greatsword 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 Great Axe page or Greatsword page.
FAQ
For more information on the most frequently asked Great Axe or Greatsword questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Great Axe, or Greatsword, 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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