Hatchet and Spear PvE Build for New World

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

The following is a PvE physical damage melee build that will use either the Hatchet or Spear for single-target damage depending on whether or not Slash or Thrust damage need to be prioritized. Both weapons are single-target focused, but do have AoE viability. The Spear is great for applying Rends and other debuffs. The Hatchet adds not only damage, but its amazing survivability.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.

Hatchet Spear - PvE

In PvE combat a player can take advantage of the crowd-control, Rends, and damage over time effects of the Spear and combine it with the single-target damage and of the Hatchet. This build is top-tier for speed clearing expeditions quickly. Each weapon can be used as a primary weapon depending on the expedition you are running.

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.

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 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. If you are maining your Hatchet, you will maximize Strength and scale Dexterity as your secondary, and the opposite is true if you are needing your spear as your primary weapon.

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
Spear Cut Pristine Diamond Cut Pristine Diamond - Dexterity 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, 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 Strength, 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 Strength, 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 Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Boots
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Refreshing Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Amulet Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal - Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Ring*** (Hatchet) Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength Named Drop***
Ring*** (Spear) Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Dexterity 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 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 perks that you need are Enfeebling Skewer Enfeebling Skewer and Refreshing Torrent Refreshing Torrent. If you take Vault Kick Vault Kick you will need Keen Vault Kick Keen Vault Kick. The optional perks you can take are Keen Berserk Keen Berserk, Bleeding Sweep Bleeding Sweep, and Fortifying Perforate Fortifying Perforate.

***: 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. If you are using a Spear as your primary, this same perk exception applies to Heart of Anhurawak Heart of Anhurawak for Thrust Damage Thrust Damage. 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 Spear Perks guide or Spear 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 Spear 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 (Spear)

8.3.

AoE Trash Rotation

  • Use Sweep Sweep when enemies are stacked together.
  • Use Perforate Perforate on clumps.
  • Use Berserk Berserk and Raging Torrent Raging Torrent on clumps of enemies.
  • Light attack until abilities are active again.
  • Repeat
9.

Gameplay Tips

When using the Spear 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 Spear page or Hatchet page.

10.

FAQ

For more information on the most frequently asked Spear or Hatchet questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Hatchet, 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.
Show more
Show less