Fire Staff Guide and Builds for New World

The Fire Staff is a magical weapon that scales with Intelligence and deals Fire Damage. This weapon excels at dealing burst damage from range and supporting your team through raw damage output. The weapon lacks in utility-focused abilities, but does have the Burnout ability that is great for overall mobility. When looking at ranged damage builds, the Fire Staff tends to fall behind, but it has some of the highest magical damage output in the game if built correctly. In PvP-related content, it can be a force to be reckoned with by harassing light armor players and bursting them down when they are not expecting it. In PvE-related content, it can be one of the most beginner-friendly weapons to use in New World: Aeternum. Nonetheless, if you are looking for the typical RPG mage feel, the Fire Staff is certainly a great option!

In general, you will typically see a Fire Staff as a primary weapon, which limits its build diversity. It will most commonly be paired with an Ice Gauntlet in PvP-related activities in order to focus on damage output, and give you some options for survivability.

The Fire Staff itself has a few options for builds, but it generally focuses upon the same three abilities (see Standard Fire Staff build below). If you wish to solely focus on your Fire Staff, you could choose to use something like a Rapier for extra mobility.

The abilities listed above are typically the standard three abilities that First Staff players utilize. With Pillar of Fire and Fireball, you will be loaded with two high-damage dealing abilities, while also have Burnout, providing you with an escape mechanism in case your opponent gets a little too close. Below are these abilities with additional information on how each are best utilized.

• Pillar of Fire — This allows you to target an area that hits all enemies within its radius. It can provide fantastic burst damage on a single target or clumped groups. This can be difficult to land at times, which makes some players choose Flamethrower.
• Fireball — This is the largest source of burst damage the Fire Staff has to offer. When using Empowering Fireball on a weapon this will deal massive damage to a single target, but will be best used when aiming at large clumps of enemies. It is important to note it leaves an AoE on the ground that will continue to hit enemies for up to 9 seconds.
• Burnout — This is a highly debated ability. While it is the Fire Staff's only mobility option, it comes with a long casting animation. Nonetheless, it can damage targets and can be used to finish off enemies who are trying to runaway, or deal AoE damage. It also applies a damage over time effect.

Although this is typically one of the most common Fire Staff builds out there, it doesn't mean it's the only one. The build below highlights a unique Fire Staff build that focuses on the Flamethrower ability.

If you feel comfortable with positioning and knowing when to use Flamethrower, this could be a great option. With this build, you will want to ensure you keep a close eye on your mana management, as your flamethrower ability can quickly use a good chunk of your mana. Additionally, your overall position is critically important, as you do not have the Burnout ability for extra mobility. Making the wrong move with this build could lead to a quick death if you're not careful. Additional information on the Flamethrower ability can be found below.

• Flamethrower — This ability can be freely activated and de-activated, it will last until your mana bar is empty. It provides fantastic damage output, it can critically hit, proc attunment effects, and leaves a stacking DoT. While some players do not think this is a serious ability, it is certainly a consistent option that will result in fantastic damage when used properly and can be better than something like Pillar of Fire

Although Meteor Shower is arguably one of the coolest looking abilities in the game, it may not be the most effective. If you do want to test out this AoE ability though, this is the build for you! This build focuses on ensuring you keep a good amount of range between yourself and your enemies. It's not as effective in 1 vs 1 situations, but if you can support your team and dish off these abilities into large clumps of enemies or players, then you'll find this build a lot of fun.

This break-down of Ice Gauntlet abilities pairs perfectly with the Fire Staff, due to its burst damage potential. With this build, players can easily execute low health enemies with Ice Spikes to secure kills, but also has great AoE damage output through Ice Storm. Since the Fire Staff's mobility can be limited and awkward, Entombed can be a very good survivability option too. In all, this secondary option is focused on maximizing kill potential.

If you are looking to primarily use your Fire Staff, and not swap weapons frequently, then this build is for you. This build will use the Ice Gauntlet for defensive peel, utility, and still maintain great AoE damage through Ice Storm. By having Ice Shower in the build, you can keep enemies at range, or use it to lock down enemies who are trying to escape and secure a kill. It also works very well when trying to buy time or block off a chokepoint. Once again, Entombed is your ultimate escape and can be used as a life-saving ability.

A build like this can be useful in PvE combat, but has plenty of PvP viability. Pylon builds are a bit more of a niche build, but it can be very strong when using it properly and placing your Pylons in a way that will take advantage of Pylon Burst. This build can also be very annoying to fight against in duels, due to its ability to deal massive damage through pylons. In all, it is build with high AoE damage output, with the ability to still take down single targets over time (while kiting). This is not the most commonly used build, but it can be used to see high overall damage numbers.

For more detailed information on Ice Gauntlet usage and other aspects of its gameplay, please refer to our Ice Gauntlet guide.

The "Double-down" build utilizes the Blunderbuss as another form of insane burst damage. Using the Blunderbuss as a secondary weapon is great for Fire Staff users, as it not only has the ability to deal very fast burst damage, but also due to the fact that it has the ability to inflict "Disease", allowing you to wquickly brun through your enemies even fast. Additionally, the Blunderbuss deals Fire damage, making it the perfect complement to the Fire Staff.

For a thorough breakdown on the Blunderbuss and how it can be used, please refer to our Blunderbuss guide.

Rapier is a great option if you want to focus on pure Fire Staff damage. This weapon is one of the top PvP secondary weapon choices for Fire Staff users, as it offers defensiveness and mobility with all of its abilities to help escape enemies and reposition. Riposte will stun targets and completely block and incoming attack. Evade allows for dodging abilities, a quick invulnerability frame, and a way to get haste and stamina back. Fleche dashes a far distance to escape and quickly reposition.

For more on how to effectively use your Rapier, please refer to our Rapier guide.

In most cases, playing 150 Constitution will give you the best damage output for PvP, and still provide a good amount of survivability. This can also flex well universally into PvE content. If you are looking to maximize damage you could play as low as 100 Constitution, or lower in PvE. What's most important is that you ensure you hit 350 Intelligence in order to secure maximum damage output with the Fire Staff. It's also recommended to try to hit at least 25 Focus in order to pick up an additional +5% ability cooldown reduction.

In general, Fire Staff ability perks are not commonly used other than Empowering Fireball. This is the absolute best perk and will almost always put on your weapon. The other weapon perks (shown below) are typically not commonly used within Fire Staff builds.

• Refreshing Pillar of Fire — (Armor/Weapon) This will drastically increase the number of Pillar of Fire casts as long as you are hitting targets.
• Empowering Meteor Shower — (Armor) This can be a powerful perk when using this ability to maximize damage output.

• Flame Attunement — This perk will apply to any ability used and add a large amount of damage to light and heavy attacks. This is a high value perk and should always be taken since it will also work with Flamethrower
• Keen — A great damage option to increase critical hit chance.
• Vicious — Use for maximum damage output if you have Keen Awareness on ring.

• Health — This provides free damage reduction against all sources and is one of the most beneficial PvP options.
• Shirking Heals — Incredible source of self-healing and allows for great survivability regardless of build.
• Shirking Fortification — Can be a great complement to Shirking Heals. Will add increased armor to improve overall defensiveness.
• Freedom — This will allow you to play more aggressively by reducing the duration of crowd-control. You should play with either 3 or 5 stacks.
• Elemental Aversion — Use this perk for elemental damage reduction from weapons like the Fire Staff.
• Refreshing — This can be an optional third perk when you want a source of cooldown reduction in your build.
• Harnessing Perks — Stack these for increased damage if you chose to forgo defensive options.

• Elemental Aversion — It provides great defense in mutated expeditions to help mitigate magical effects.
• Refreshing — This can be an optional third perk when you want a source of cooldown reduction in your build.

• Health — This is the standard pick for all builds, it is free health that will add to the defensiveness of your kit.
• Stamina Recovery — This is a backpocket save when being focused and taking heavy damage. You will receive a burst of stamina that will allow you to potentially get a quick dodge that can save your iife and continue the fight.
• Thrust Protection — This acts as a third perk option that provides more defensiveness against Bows, Muskets, Blunderbusses, Spears, and Rapiers.
• Flame Protection — This acts as a third perk slot that provides more defensiveness against Fire damage, which will be prevalent in Season One. Great Axes, Hatchets, and Swords.
• Shirking Empower — Use this if you do not care about your defenses and want maximum damage output.

• Refreshing Toast
• Healing Heart
• Nimble
• Refreshing

• Inferno

• Tumbler Feetwraps
• Featherweight

• Ankh

When using a Fire Staff, Minor Heartrune of Stoneform should be used to get the most out of your damage. This will help with survival from melee and ranged enemies.

There are two viable upgrade options:

• Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform
• Cunning Heartrune of Stoneform

Alternatively, Brutal Heartrune of Detonate makes you more vulnerable, but will result in a massive AoE burst of damage. If you want an offensive Heartrune option.

Brutal Heartrune of Cannon Blast will serve as an optimal Fire damage option that deals single target and AoE damage.

Stoneform is best used as an anti-cc button. Try your best to save this for moments where you have been stunned, rooted, or about to be knocked down, so that you can escape.

While this does provide a hefty defensive buff. The most important piece of it is being predictive. Use it proactively before abilities like Shockwave or Petrifying Scream since it prevents you from being CC'd or staggered. This is also great for pushing through doors to get into fort, or other choke points. The same logic should be applied in PvE to various mechanics that may stun or root you.

Stoneform will drop all debuffs currently active. This can be great against a ranged player that is running Crippling Powder Burn. It will remove the slow and the DoT.

Do not waste Stoneform by holding it too long. While it is a valuable cooldown, heartrunes charge extremely fast for healers. All of the healing we do charges the heartrune, so it is great if you can spread your heals to many allies to get maximum charge. Use it when you feel it can be useful. Do not waste a life by not using it.

If you are using a Fire Staff you can combine Detonate with Burnout and hit enemies with a large burst of damage because they can be hit with the Fire Staff ability and detonated almost simultaneously. This can be a clever way to catch an enemy while their guard is down. If timed properly you can essentially "deliver" the explosion to your enemies.

Try to avoid using Brutal Heartrune of Detonate while you have low health or are being focused on. The goal is to start the ability and wait a short duration and attempt to dive in right as the ability detonates so you can catch enemies off guard and not be bursted down.

You can activate your Detonate and then use Entombed. It will not deal damage unless you are out of the Tomb, but if you pop out right before it detonates, this can be a great way to stall out large groups of enemies.

In PvE do not waste free Detonates. It will charge incredibly fast. Use it on cooldown for boss fights and whenever there are large packs of enemies.

When gemming your Fire Staff it is important to understand empowerment. When using something like Runeglass of Ignited Opal this provides a Fire empowerment. In New World there is a maximum capacity for empowerment. Since the Fire Staff has a numerous amount of empowerment sources, it is important to note that you can use Runeglass of Sighted Opal to provide a flat ranged damage increase that does not count as empowerment. This is what should be done to maximize damage, but if you do not care and want to simply use Fire Runeglass that will still provide a damage increase.

For more detailed information on how to properly use Gems in your Fire Staff builds, please refer to our Fire Staff Gems and Consumables Guide.

Remember, Runeglass can only be slotted into armor pieces that are not jewelry items, and weapons.

When you are in a damage build you will use Runeglass of Ignited Opal in your weapons.

It should be noted that in PvE, when using Flamethrower builds, it can be advantageous to use Runeglass of Ignited Diamond since your stamina will quickly regenerate while Flamethrower is active and it will be DPS loss to dodge and restart the cast every time.

In PvP combat your optimal resistance distribution is dependent on the second weapon you have chosen and the focus of your build.

In most cases it will be optimal to hit a 20 (Slash)/10 (Physical)/7.5 (Elemental) defensive split. You will reach 20% Slash resist through Slash Protection. To reach this you can use:

• Runeglass of Ignited Onyx (Or Sighted Runeglass) x5 & Cut Pristine Opal x3

In PvE combat, more specifically mutators, elemental resistance is the main concern. It is also important to just use Ignited Runeglass because this will always increase Flamethrower damage. You can use the following gems in your gear:

• Elemental Resistance Gem x8 + Amulet Protection Perk (Based on mutator elemental effect)

For more information on how to manage your cooldown hotbar, what consumables to use, what foods should be eaten, or tips on how to be more effective with your consumables in PvP and PvE, please refer to our Fire Staff Gems and Consumables guide.

• Use Fireball as your highest priority ability for damage output or for finishing off targets.
• (If Taken) Use Pillar of Fire as a secondary damage ability for burst or when an AoE opportunity presents.
• (If Taken) Activate Flamethrower when targets are vulnerable or lower health. This can also be used for quick damage and to stack damage over time.
• Heavy attack with Fire Staff for cooldown reduction and as a filler while priority abilities are on cooldown.
• Use Burnout to escape, finish off enemies, or apply AoE damage pressure.
• Repeat

To learn how to use your second weapon properly, and complete rotation, please refer to our PvE and PvP build pages:

When using abilities like Fireball it is important to be "weaving" attacks. Before this is casted you should be charging up a heavy attack. Right as that attack leaves your staff weave it into Fireball to launch two projectiles and do a burst of quick damage. This same concept can be applied to something like Pillar of Fire when done correctly.

Since this ability does not have a true cooldown it can be confusing when it should be used. In most cases, this can be used as a filler between Fireball usage, or if enemies are clumped together. It can be used very quickly to simply apply a DoT to the target too. It is also important to note that it can be used on a stunned player to apply one tick before breaking the stun effect. Otherwise, this can be a great tool to pressure healers and stack up a free DoT that will help to generate your Heartrune quickly. In AoE scenarios where enemies are clumped by something like a Gravity Well it is recommended to use Fireball and then try to use Flamethrower to hit as many targets as possible and spread DoT's for Heartrune generation.

When using Burnout try your best not to use this right in front of enemies, especially those who are using weapons with crowd-control potential. Typically this will be used to preemptively escape. Or when targets are closing in on you but are still relatively far away. It can be used offensively when you outnumber enemies, targets are low health, or to "deliver" a Brutal Heartrune of Detonate.

Always Be Clicking: Always be attacking and only stop when you absolutely have to. This is easy to weave between abilities as you can. A build like this has many more abilities used that should be prioritized. But if you have a moment where you can sneak a light attack in you certainly can. Abilities take the priority always. This is also another great way to freely charge your heartrune.

Effective movement is incredibly important in a build like this, especially when playing in medium. Do not panic and use your entire stamina bar, exhaust yourself, and the die. You can take advantage of jumping, diving (going prone while moving), and changing direction by quickly moving your mouse or taking advantage of quick inputs on your movement keys.

There are many movements in New World that will stagger you in place for a moment when quickly changing direction. If you move left and right or if you jump left and right you will notice there is a moment where you will be standing still. To prevent this you will need to use a key input while your character is in the animation. For example, if you hold your left directional key and jump then right before you land you hit your right directional key and jump, you will quickly jump left and right. If you simply run left and right using your directional keys your character will respond similarly. To avoid this you can move left and then right before you pivot to go right, hit the backward directional key and instantly follow up with your right directional key. If you continue doing this back and forth you will avoid the sliding animation.

Be sure to always stand behind your target while using Flamethrower to increase damage by hitting from behind. This will not applying to any other attacks on the Fire Staff.

For maximum damage it is important to use Runeglass of Sighted Opal. This will provide a flat damage increase that will not go over the empower cap. If you are playing strictly with Flamethrower or not optimizing your empowerment, you can use Runeglass of Ignited Opal.

In almost all cases it will be better to try and get a heavy attack out for the large amount of cooldown reduction it provides. You want to use as many abilities as possible and this will allow you to do so.

Typically Meteor Shower is not worth using. It can be used for some free AoE damage, but this ability locks you in place to do extremely sub-par damage. In almost all cases it is a less optimal choice than other abilities because you will be more vulnerable.

Incinerate can provide a very potent burst of damage. But it is very easy to recognize when the ability is coming and dodge quickly. When dodging toward the caster a player can get in melee range, avoid the ability, and hit you for free due to the animation it locks you into. It is not recommended to be used in most builds.