Greatsword and Hatchet PvE Build for New World

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 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.

• 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 — 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 — 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.

• 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.

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 so you are able to play a bit more risky than normal!

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Greatsword	Trenchant Strikes Keenly Empowered Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Hatchet	Vicious Keenly Empowered Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Medium	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Divine Protection Perk (Mutator Specific)*	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Ring***	Slash Damage Keen Awareness Leeching	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength	Named Drop***
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast or Regenerating Refreshing	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 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 you need is Refreshing Torrent. 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--you will use this in a Hatchet primary setup. Since you do not need 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.

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

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.

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.

• Use Skyward Slash to apply Rend.
• Use Crosscut for damage and if AoE is needed.
• Use Berserk to increase damage.
• Use Rending Throw to increase damage output.
• (If you are NOT using Refreshing Torrent Use Raging Torrent.
• Light attack until Berserk falls off and goes on cooldown.
• (If you are ARE using Refreshing Torrent) Use Raging Torrent to reduce cooldowns.
• Light attack with Hatchet on single-target fights.
• Swap to secondary weapon on AoE fights.
• If you are about to die, swap to your Hatchet, even when stunned, to use Defy Death.

• 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 three times.
• Dodge for empower.
• Repeat

• Use Relentless Rush for its empower.
• Use Skyward Slash to apply rend.
• Use Crosscut for AoE.
• Use Berserk and Raging Torrent on clumps of enemies.
• Swap to Greatsword and dodge to receive an empower for 3 hits.
• Heavy attack three times.
• Dodge for empower.
• Repeat

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.

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!