Bow and Greatsword PvE Build for New World

Last updated on Oct 14, 2024 at 12:00 by Savvvo 6 comments

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.

1.

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.

2.

Bow Build

  • Rain of Arrows 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 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 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.
3.

Greatsword Build

  • Relentless Rush Relentless Rush — This will deal AoE damage primarily, but it is also important to use on cooldown to get its empower effect.
  • Crosscut Crosscut — This is a high damage ability that can be used for single-target or AoE once enemies are grouped together.
  • Skyward Slash Skyward Slash — This is your primary Rend tool. It also has great single-target and AoE damage.
4.

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 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.

5.

Gearing

Slot Perks Gem Weight Attribute Source
Bow Cut Pristine Diamond Cut Pristine Diamond - Dexterity Crafted/BoE
Greatsword Cut Pristine Diamond 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 Cut Pristine Opal - Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Ring*** Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal - Strength Named Drop***
Earring Cut Pristine Opal Cut Pristine Opal - Dexterity or Constitution Crafted/BoE

*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Penetrating Rapid Shot Penetrating Rapid Shot and Refreshing Penetrating Shot Refreshing Penetrating Shot. Leeching Crosscut Leeching Crosscut can be used for self-healing.

**: 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. Since you do not need Hearty Hearty, this is best. Heart of Anhurawak Heart of Anhurawak is a Thrust Damage Thrust Damage drop that also has Keen Awareness Keen Awareness, this perk combination cannot be rolled, so this is very strong.

6.

Gem Optimization

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

7.

Heartrune

In PvE you can use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate Brutal Heartrune of Detonate for burst damage, or you can use Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help CC and apply Rend to trash packs.

7.1.

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.

8.

Rotation and Priority List

8.1.

Single Target Boss Rotation (Bow)

  • Dodge and hit a target with a heavy shot into a Penetrating Shot Penetrating Shot immediately while aiming at the head.
  • Use Rapid Shot Rapid Shot for quick damage.
  • Continue using heavy shots and maintain your dodge empower buff.
  • Use Rapid Shot Rapid Shot as soon as it is off cooldown.
  • Do not use Rain of Arrows Rain of Arrows unless there are additional targets.
8.2.

Single Target Boss Rotation (Greatsword)

  • Use Relentless Rush Relentless Rush for its empower.
  • Use Skyward Slash Skyward Slash to apply rend.
  • Use Crosscut Crosscut for its damage.
  • Dodge to receive an empower for 3 hits.
  • Heavy attack 3 times.
  • Dodge for empower.
  • Repeat
8.3.

AoE Trash Rotation

9.

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.

10.

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!

11.

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.
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