Sword and Shield DPS PvE Build for New World

In PvE combat this is a viable PvE DPS build that can be used in expeditions when you do not have a tank, or the tank does not have Leadership.

• Reverse Stab — This is your primary cooldown reduction tool. This should be used only after your other two abilities are on cooldown. It will also do high damage to your target.
• Whirling Blade — Quick AoE damaging ability that also applies Rend.
• Defender's Resolve — Potent damage reduction tool that should be maintained as needed.

• 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.

War Hammer

• Wrecking Ball — This is a great tool for defensiveness and crowd-control. When it is used it will apply a Fortify buff that will help with survivability. Additionally, it has a unexpectedly large AoE knockdown effect that is essential for starting any kind of crowd-control combo.
• Shockwave — This will act as an AoE stun and way to apply Rend.
• Path Of Destiny — This is perfect for free AoE damage and it does stagger, so you can use it to interrupt enemies and apply a slow.

3.2.

Great Axe

• 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.

4.

Attributes

In PvE your Constitution should be as low as you are comfortable with. Typically players sit around 100 as a DPS.

You can go fully into Strength to maximize the damage of both weapons if they do not scale with Dexterity. But, if you prefer the Sword and Shield at your primary, play at 300 Strength and the rest into Dexterity.

5.

Gearing

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Sword	Thwarting Strikes Keenly Empowered Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Hatchet***	Refreshing Torrent Thwarting Strikes Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
War Hammer***	Sundering Shockwave Thwarting Strikes Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Runeglass of Arboreal Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Great Axe***	Keenly Empowered Thwarting Strikes Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Shield	Keen Vicious Keenly Jagged	-	Round	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ward Protection Perk Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Divine Protection Perk (Mutator Specific)*	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength or Constitution	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 or Constitution	Crafted/BoE or Named Drop****

*: 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 for Sword and Shield is Fortifying Shield Rush. Your secondary weapon options could result in more perks needed, please reference their respective guides. If the perk is essential, it is listed as a perk needed on the weapon.

***: Pick whatever secondary weapon your perfer depending on playstyle and the expedition you are running.

****: 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. Doom's Chance Earring is a named earring option that works in many builds.

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 Sword Perks guide Perks guide or any of the secondary weapon options below to have a better understanding of other flexible perk options to fit into your build. You can decide what you are most comfortable with.

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe

6.

Gem Optimization

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

Sword Gems Guide

7.

Heartrune

Brutal Heartrune of Detonate can be a great DPS cooldown on single-target and AoE fights.

Use Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help group enemies together, deal AoE damage, and apply Rend.

Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform can be taken as a defensive option.

7.1.

Heartrune Usage

Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such, please refer to our Sword guide or any of the secondary weapon options below for tips on how it can be used most effectively.

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe

8.

Rotation and Priority List

8.1.

Single Target Boss Rotation

• Use Whirling Blade.
• Use Reverse Stab from behind.
• Light attack and rotate between these two cooldowns.
• Swap to your secondary weapon if it has burst cooldown windows, like Berserk.
• Use Defender's Resolve if you need damage reduction.

8.2.

AoE Trash Rotation

• Use Whirling Blade.
• Swap weapons and use crowd-control or AoE damage abilities.
• Continue light attacking and using all posible AoE abilities.

9.

Gameplay Tips

When using the Sword 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 Sword page any of the secondary weapon options below.

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe

10.

FAQ

For more information on the most frequently asked Sword or Secondary Weapon questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Sword, or secondary weapons below, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe

11.

Changelog

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

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