Blunderbuss Hammer Assassin PvP Build for New World

This is a unique backline dive build that can easily full kill enemies, deal incredibly high damage, and is very easy to pull off as long as you can land one ability. It does lack mobility and defensiveness at times, but its crowd-control makes up for that. To play this properly it will require great positioning and movement. When used correctly you will learn how to pick single targets and take advantage of a very easy to learn one-shot combo that will be enjoyable to perform time and time again.

This variation of the Blunderbuss can be used with a War Hammer or an Ice Gauntlet in either light or medium armor. The attributes and Blunderbuss build will always be the same no matter what weapon you choose. You will only need change gear sets depending on your second weapon perks.

• Net Shot — When combined with Exhaustive Net Shot this is a powerful CC ability that will slow a target and make them vulnerable to exhausting themselves and being easily taken down. It will deal a moderate amount of damage but allow you to quickly close gaps. It can also be a fantastic source of mobility if you use this while walking backwards so that you can escape enemies.
• Azoth Shrapnel Blast — This is the Blunderbuss's highest damaging ability. This should always be used immediately after firing off a basic attack so that you can deal a potent burst of damage. It has incredible range, AoE potential, and when used in combination with a regular shot it can take away a significant amount of health. It should also be used on clumps of enemies to take advantage of the bomb it leaves on the ground after being used.
• Splitting Grenade — Aim to use this on Gravity Well or other clumps of enemies. It will deal a great amount of initial burst damage, but it can also leave a devastating damage over time effect that lasts 10 seconds and can stack up to 3 times depending on how many of the bombs hit the target. This is the greatest source of AoE damage on the Blunderbuss.

This is the optimal build for maximizing cooldown usage and being able to get more abilities out for burst damage.

Claw Shot — This can be used to root enemies in place for a moment and offer a free window of damage. It has a decent range that will allow you to close gaps, and can be canceled as long as you fire your weapon. This can be strong to root enemies who are trying to run away, pull yourself to them, and attempt a kill combo. It can also be great to support allies, if they are fighting a target you use this ability and cancel it to root the enemy from a range to help your team. In a pinch, this can rarely be used survival.

This build is best used in single-target backline dive builds that want to quickly deal as much damage as possible and escape. It does have more mobility, but you are missing out on Splitting Grenade which is a major debuff tool and damage option.

• 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 — In most cases, this should be used as soon as a target is knocked down by Wrecking Ball. Not only with it provide a massive AoE stun. Every target will be debuffed and rended as long as you use its perk. This makes all targets extremely vulnerable.
• Path Of Destiny — This is perfect for free AoE damage and it does stagger, so you can use it to interrupt healers or other players. It is primarily used to catch targets who are running away because of its stagger and its slowing debuff. It can also be used defensively with its perk to provide quick healing.

It would be most optimal to play at 100 Constitution, but this can be difficult. With proper positioning, defensive perks, and knowledge you can be very successful. If you want more defensiveness, you can generally play with higher Constitution because you will be using Mortal Empowerment to increase damage. If you would prefer, you can play with 150 Constitution.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Blunderbuss	Enchanted Flame Attunement Plagued Splitting Grenade	Runeglass of Ignited Opal	-	Intelligence	Crafted/BoE*
War Hammer	Sundering Shockwave Thwarting Counter Flame Attunement***	Runeglass of Ignited Ruby or Runeglass of Ignited Opal	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ability Perk* or Refreshing** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion**	Runeglass of Ignited Onyx	Light	Intelligence or Strength	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ability Perk* or Refreshing** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion**	Runeglass of Ignited Onyx	Light	Intelligence or Strength	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ability Perk* or Refreshing** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion**	Runeglass of Ignited Onyx	Medium	Intelligence or Strength	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Refreshing or Freedom** Resilient Shirking Energy	Runeglass of Ignited Onyx	Light	Intelligence or Strength	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ability Perk* or Refreshing** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion**	Runeglass of Ignited Onyx	Light	Intelligence or Strength	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Stamina Recovery Slash Protection	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Constitution, Strength, or Intelligence	Crafted/BoE
Ring	Invigorated Punishment or Mortal Empowerment Fire Damage Hearty	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Constitution, Strength, or Intelligence	Crafted/BoE
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast Refreshing	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Constitution, Strength, or Intelligence	Crafted/BoE

*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Plagued Splitting Grenade, Leeching Shrapnel Blast, Exhaustive Net Shot, Sundering Shockwave, and Leeching Path Of Destiny.

**: Freedom, Elemental Aversion, and Refreshing, are all viable options. When using Freedom you should stack 3 or 5 times. Any combination of these perks is viable.

***: Any Attunement perk can be used. If you go with Fire it will scale with Fire Damage.

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 Blunderbuss or War Hammer 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 guide for Blunderbuss or War Hammer.

When focusing on burst damage Brutal Heartrune of Detonate will always be one of the top picks, and it should be used in this build. You just need to play safely after activating it.

For a safer alternative to allow more survivability you should use Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform.

In medium builds that focus on point presence you can use Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to clump enemies.

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

With a build like this it can be difficult when trying to decide what abilities to use and when. You can reference the priority list below to understand how each individual ability can be used. The main priority is successfully completing the one-shot combo to secure kills.

• Begin combat by using Net Shot for its slowing effect.
• Use Shockwave to stun.
• Use Wrecking Ball to knock down the target.
• While the target is on the ground aim at them and fire a basic shot.
• Immediately follow basic shot with Azoth Shrapnel Blast.
• If the target does not die, finish them with a basic attack.

• Begin combat by using Net Shot for its slowing effect.
• Use Wrecking Ball to knock down the target.
• Use Shockwave immediately to stun and set up.
• Aim down sight and fire a basic shot
• Immediately after shooting use Azoth Shrapnel Blast
• If the target does not die, fire a basic attack at them

If you do not have Azoth Shrapnel Blast available, or if you want to kill a more defensive target, you can use Splitting Grenade and detonate it without it hitting the stunned target. If you hit them with the grenade the stun will break. The grenades will drop at their feet and right as they explode you can hit an aimed shot on their head.

• Begin combat by using Net Shot for its slowing effect.
• Use Wrecking Ball to knock down the target.
• Use Shockwave immediately to stun and set up.
• Use Splitting Grenade and immediately re-activate to split the grenades.
• Aim down sight and fire a basic shot
• Immediately after shooting use Azoth Shrapnel Blast
• If the target does not die, finish them with a basic attack.

• Perform one-shot combo (Top priority if a single target is being focused)
• Use Wrecking Ball if targets are stacked together or a priority target is alone
• Use Shockwave if targets are stacked together or a priority target is alone
• Use Net Shot to initiate combat or close gaps by slowing priority targets.
• When targets are low health or clustered, prioritize shooting a basic shot from your Blunderbuss and following it up with an immediate Azoth Shrapnel Blast. (This ability can be used by itself to quickly execute enemies).
• Use Splitting Grenade on AoE clumps or a priority target. This can be reactivated to split earlier and control the location where it drops.
• Use Path Of Destiny for AoE damage, interrupting casts, or to apply a slow and catch players. It can also be used when outnumbered for a burst heal with Leeching Path Of Destiny
• Use aimed shots from your Blunderbuss as a filler until abilities are off cooldown, or for quick bursts of damage.

When using the Blunderbuss or War Hammer 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 Blunderbuss page or War Hammer page.

For more information on the most frequently asked Blunderbuss or Ice Gauntlet questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Blunderbuss guide, or War Hammer, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!