Greatsword and Hatchet PvE Build for New World

Last updated Today at 12:00 by Savvvo 12 comments

The following is a PvE physical damage melee build that will use both the Hatchet and Greatsword for high single-target damage. These weapons can be used interchangeably as both will find single-target success. On AoE fights, the Greatsword is a great option for burst output. In all, this is a high damage build with great survivability.

1.

Greatsword Hatchet - PvE

In PvE combat both the Hatchet and Greatsword have incredibly high single-target damage. This results in two playstyles. You can either use your Greatsword as your primary damaging weapon and simply keep the Hatchet for survivability, or only for its Berserk Berserk burst windows. Or the alternative is to play this build with the Hatchet as a primary weapon and the Greatsword for its AoE and cooldowns.

2.

Hatchet PvE Build

  • Berserk Berserk — This is your main DPS cooldown. Try to activate this before large burst damage windows. It will also provide movement speed and self-healing.
  • Raging Torrent Raging Torrent — This will be your only real active weapon ability. It has great single target damage when used with maximum empower stacks, and does have AoE damage potential as it can hit multiple enemies.
  • Rending Throw Rending Throw — This is your main source of Rend. It is only able to hit one target at a time, but it results in increased damage and is great for boss fights.
3.

Greatsword PvE Build

  • Relentless Rush Relentless Rush — This will deal AoE damage primarily, but it is also important to use on cooldown to get its empower effect.
  • Crosscut Crosscut — This is a high damage ability that can be used for single-target or AoE once enemies are grouped together.
  • Skyward Slash Skyward Slash — This is your primary Rend tool. It also has great single-target and AoE damage.
4.

Attributes

In PvE you want to play with as little Constitution as possible. As such, it is best to play around 50-100 Constitution.

Your primary attribute distribution depends on the content you are in. You will want 300 Strength no matter what so you can have constant Grit.

The Hatchet does have Defy Death Defy Death so you are able to play a bit more risky than normal!

5.

Gearing

Slot Perks Gem Weight Attribute Source
Greatsword Cut Pristine Diamond Cut Pristine Diamond - Strength Crafted/BoE
Hatchet Cut Pristine Diamond Cut Pristine Diamond - Strength Crafted/BoE
Helmet
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Strength Crafted/BoE
Chest
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Medium Strength Crafted/BoE
Gloves
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Strength Crafted/BoE
Pants
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Strength Crafted/BoE
Boots
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Strength Crafted/BoE
Amulet Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength Crafted/BoE
Ring*** Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength Named Drop***
Earring Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength 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 only ability perk that you need is Refreshing Torrent Refreshing Torrent. Leeching Crosscut Leeching Crosscut can be used for self-healing.

***: Legate's Ring 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 Slash Damage and Keen Awareness Keen Awareness cannot normally be on an item together--you will use this in a Hatchet primary setup. Since you do not need Hearty Hearty in PvE, these are the 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 Greatsword Perks guide or Greatsword Perks guide or Hatchet Perks guide or Hatchet 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.

6.

Gem Optimization

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

7.

Heartrune

Use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate Brutal Heartrune of Detonate in PvE for maximum damage output.

Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines and Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform are secondary utility options.

7.1.

Heartrune Usage

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

8.

Rotation and Priority List

8.1.

Single Target Boss Rotation (Hatchet)

8.2.

Single Target Boss Rotation (Greatsword)

  • Use Relentless Rush Relentless Rush for its empower.
  • Use Skyward Slash Skyward Slash to apply rend.
  • Use Crosscut Crosscut for its damage.
  • Dodge to receive an empower for 3 hits.
  • Heavy attack three times.
  • Dodge for empower.
  • Repeat
8.3.

AoE Trash Rotation

9.

Gameplay Tips

When using the Greatsword or Hatchet 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 Greatsword page or Hatchet page.

10.

FAQ

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

11.

Changelog

  • 22 Oct. 2023: Guide updated for expansion.
  • 29 Mar. 2023: Updated gear.
  • 23 Feb. 2023: Guide added.
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