In New World Aeternum, crafting the right build is crucial for success in PvE content, whether you're exploring the vast open world, tackling challenging dungeons, or facing formidable world bosses. Here, we'll explore some of the most effective PvE builds, focusing on their weapon combinations, attribute allocations, and playstyles.

1. Strength Build: Great Axe and Greatsword

Best Archetype: Swordbearer or Destroyer
Alternate Weapons: War Hammer, Sword and Shield
Attribute Goals:

  • Strength: 250

  • Dexterity: None

  • Intelligence: 50

  • Focus: 50

  • Constitution: 150

Key Skills:

  • Great Axe: Whirlwind, Maelstrom, Gravity Well

  • Greatsword: Crosscut, Skyward Slash, Steadfast Strike

Key Passives:

  • Great Axe: Surrounded, Gravity, Mauler’s Fury

  • Greatsword: Path of Onslaught, Unflinching Blade, Unrelenting Onslaught

This build excels at dealing massive melee damage and controlling crowds with its area-of-effect abilities. It's ideal for players who enjoy aggressive playstyles and can manage their positioning effectively.

As you explore the vast world of New World Aeternum, optimizing your build is crucial not only for combat success but also for efficient resource management, such as managing new world coins. These coins enable you to purchase essential items from other players or vendors, helping you gear up your character with the best equipment and consumables for each PvE build. By combining effective build strategies with smart resource management, you enhance both your combat capabilities and your overall gaming experience.

2. Intelligence Build: Fire Staff and Ice Gauntlet

Best Archetype: Occultist
Alternate Weapons: Void Gauntlet, Life Staff
Attribute Goals:

  • Strength: 0

  • Dexterity: 0

  • Intelligence: 250

  • Focus: 150

  • Constitution: 100

Key Skills:

  • Fire Staff: Fireball, Incinerate, Flamethrower

  • Ice Gauntlet: Ice Storm, Ice Pylon, Entombed

Key Passives:

  • Fire Staff: Runes of Helios, Catch, Trial by Fire

  • Ice Gauntlet: Defiant Freeze, Ultimate Frost, Empowered Frost

This build is perfect for players who prefer ranged combat and can adapt to different situations by switching between fire and ice abilities. It offers both high damage output and crowd control.

3. Tank Build: Sword and Shield

Best Archetype: Tank
Alternate Weapons: None
Attribute Goals:

  • Strength: 150

  • Dexterity: 50

  • Intelligence: 0

  • Focus: 50

  • Constitution: 250

Key Skills:

  • Sword: Light and heavy attacks for consistent damage

  • Shield: Defensive Stance, Shield Bash

Key Passives:

  • Shield: Shield Rush, Shield Bash, Defensive Stance

The Sword and Shield build is a staple for PvE tanking, offering excellent survivability and crowd control. It's ideal for players who want to protect their allies while dealing moderate damage.

4. Ranged Build: Bow and Musket

Best Archetype: Ranger
Alternate Weapons: None
Attribute Goals:

  • Strength: 0

  • Dexterity: 250

  • Intelligence: 50

  • Focus: 150

  • Constitution: 100

Key Skills:

  • Bow: Rapid Shot, Penetrating Shot, Rain of Arrows

  • Musket: Powder Burn, Stopping Power

Key Passives:

  • Bow: Rapid Accuracy, Quick Recovery

  • Musket: Stopping Power, Powder Burn

This build excels at ranged combat, providing both area-of-effect damage with the bow and precise single-target damage with the musket. It's suitable for players who prefer to keep enemies at a distance.

Tips for PvE Success

  • Attribute Allocation: Focus on attributes that enhance your build's primary abilities.

  • Gear Choice: Opt for gear with perks that complement your build's strengths.

  • Consumables: Use food and potions to boost your damage or survivability during long fights.

  • Skill Rotation: Master your skill rotation to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime.

By choosing the right build and optimizing your gear and skills, you can conquer even the toughest PvE challenges in New World Aeternum. Whether you prefer melee, ranged, or support roles, there's a build tailored to your playstyle.