Bow and Greatsword PvE Build for New World
The Bow and Greatsword in PvE is a great way to balance out single-target and AoE damage. This pairing will give you burst damage no matter what type of encounter it is.
Bow Greatsword - PvE DPS
The Bow has great single-target damage output, and impactful AoE cooldowns. The Greatsword will support it by offering AoE abilities while the Bow's are on cooldown.
Bow Build
- Rain of Arrows — This will decimate AoE clumps when used with empower effects and it being a guaranteed critical strike after rolling. Use this on cooldown to clear trash between boss fights.
- Rapid Shot — High damage cooldown that launches three quick shots and staggers targets which opens up a vulernability window to secure kills or interrupt casts.
- Penetrating Shot — High damage ability that can be weaved into another heavy shot. This will go through multiple targets. Try to finish off kills with this ability.
Greatsword Build
- 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.
Attributes
In PvE it is advantageous to lower your Constitution as low as possible, and maximize your damage output. It is recommended to play around 100, but you can go to 50 or lower. The decision is up to you!
If you are prioritizing Bow damage, you should put all of your points into Dexterity. If you are using the Boltcaster bow artifact, consider also adding some Intelligence to maximize your elemental damage output.
If you are wanting to mainly use your Greatsword, start putting points into Strength once you hit 300 Dexterity.
Gearing
Slot | Perks | Gem | Weight | Attribute | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bow |
|
Cut Pristine Diamond | - | Dexterity | Crafted/BoE |
Greatsword |
|
Cut Pristine Diamond | - | Dexterity | Crafted/BoE |
Helmet |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Chest |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Medium | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Gloves |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Pants |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Boots |
|
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) | Light | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
Amulet | Cut Pristine Opal | - | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE | |
Ring*** | Cut Pristine Opal | - | Strength | Named Drop*** | |
Earring | Cut Pristine Opal | - | Dexterity or Constitution | Crafted/BoE |
*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Penetrating Rapid Shot and Refreshing Penetrating Shot. 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. Since you do not need Hearty, this is best. Heart of Anhurawak is a Thrust Damage drop that also has Keen Awareness, this perk combination cannot be rolled, so this is very strong.
Gem Optimization
For more specific information on optimizing your gems in PvP and PvE please refer to our dedicated guides.
Heartrune
In PvE you can use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate for burst damage, or you can use Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help CC and apply Rend to trash packs.
Heartrune Usage
Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such, please refer to our Bow guide or Greatsword guide for tips on how it can be used most effectively.
Rotation and Priority List
Single Target Boss Rotation (Bow)
- Dodge and hit a target with a heavy shot into a Penetrating Shot immediately while aiming at the head.
- Use Rapid Shot for quick damage.
- Continue using heavy shots and maintain your dodge empower buff.
- Use Rapid Shot as soon as it is off cooldown.
- Do not use Rain of Arrows unless there are additional targets.
Single Target Boss Rotation (Greatsword)
- 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 3 times.
- Dodge for empower.
- Repeat
AoE Trash Rotation
- Dodge and use Rain of Arrows on clumps of enemies.
- Follow-up with Penetrating Shot. If this resets, use it again.
- Use Relentless Rush for its empower.
- Use Skyward Slash to apply rend.
- Use Crosscut.
- Heavy attack with Greatsword
Gameplay Tips
When using the Bow or Greatsword 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 Bow page or Greatsword page.
FAQ
For more information on the most frequently asked Bow or Greatsword questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Bow, or Greatsword, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!
Changelog
- 27 Nov. 2024: Guide updated for expansion.
- 22 Oct. 2023: Guide updated for expansion.
- 28 Mar. 2023: Updated gear.
- 23 Feb. 2023: Guide added.
Savvvo is a New World Aeternum content creator with over 5,000 hours of gameplay. He specializes in developing leveling and gold-making guides, PvP builds, and discovering fun, new ways to enhance your New World experience. If you can not find him in Aeternum, he is probably somewhere on YouTube.
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