Sword and Shield Bruiser PvP Build for New World

This build will use a Great Axe as a means of crowd-control and AoE damage, but also for a quick mobility option. It is unlike the typical Great Axe PvP builds because it will take advantage of the engage potential of the Sword and Shield. You can quickly leap into combat, stun a priority target, and unleash an aresenal of Great Axe abilities to completely lockdown and burst a clump of enemies. The Sword and Shield can also be a way to secure a one on one kill with its ability to chain crowd-control abilities together.

• Leaping Strike — This will be used to initiate a CC combo, or to just get yourself into combat. It will deal a large amount of damage if you hit an enemy from behind, and add a slowing effect. This can also be used for a quick escape.
• Shield Bash — This is needed for any chain CC combos. It is powerful ability for locking down a priority target, or interrupting abilities due to its quick casting speed.
• Shield Rush — This will provide a stagger that initiates a CC chain and quick damage. It also will add an AoE slowing effect. So when used on a clump, it can result in great utlity to secure several kills.

When it comes to Great Axe builds there are several variations. For the purposes of a Greatsword setup, it is best to use the Blood Lust version with Reap to chase down targets and keep them close.

• Charge — This is an extremely fast option for mobility to escape a fight or chase down a target. It does have collision, even with allies, so it has to be used with no obstacles in your way. This can also be a way to provide a quick burst of damage if used at close range immediately after finishing a light or heavy attack.
• Reap — This will pull your target from a very far distance away. It is great for enemies who are escaping or to keep several targets in a clump and keep them close. It also offers some quick healing potential through its own passive in combinattion with the various other healing passives. Its perk will also add a slowing effect that makes it difficult to get away after being pulled in.
• Gravity Well — This is the best crowd-control ability in New World. Much of the PvP META revolves around gathering up targets with this ability and pairing up crowd-control combos. This will pull targets, do great damage, and heal you with its perk. Avoid using it on a single target unless they are prioritized and the cooldown would otherwise be unused for a significant duration.

Traditional Strength builds playing on points with medium armor will use this split. Typically, light armor builds will play with less. You can play with this for more survivability, or you can choose to go down to 150 Constitution.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Great Axe	Refreshing Move Thwarting Strikes Attunement Perk or Chain Damage Perk	Runeglass of Ignited Opal**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Sword	Attunement Perk Keenly Empowered Empowering Leaping Strike	Runeglass of Ignited Opal**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Shield	Keen Vicious Keenly Jagged	-	Round Shield	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ability Perk* or Refreshing*** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ability Perk* or Refreshing*** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ability Perk* or Refreshing*** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Ability Perk* or Refreshing*** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ability Perk* or Refreshing*** Resilient Freedom or Elemental Aversion***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Stamina Recovery Slash Protection	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring	Mortal Empowerment Slash Damage Hearty	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast Refreshing**	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE

*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Insatiable Gravity Well and Empowering Leaping Strike. Both Fortifying Shield Rush and Crippling Reap are optional and not necessary.

**: Your Opal Runeglass on your weapons can be any variation of elemental damage, the same goes for your Attunement and Chain Damage perks. It is best practice to match your Attunement or Chain with the type of DoT damage your Opal does.

***: 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.

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

This will increase physical damage dealt by a flat percent, but it has an internal cooldown attached to it. This means that if you swing two light attacks with a Great Axe, only every other swing will have the damage increase. This drastically reduces its effectiveness over time, whereas you could just take normal defensive gems to increase survivability. It can be worth it to put 1-3 of this Runeglass in your gear, but never use a complete set of 5 Punishing Runeglass

Bruisers looking to have higher damage output and burst down multiple targets within a clump should use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate. You just need to play safely after activating it.

For a safer alternative that can make you more effective in combat, Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform is great to have some independent burst healing. Otherwise, for max defensiveness, Cunning Heartrune of Stoneform is the better option.

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

• Use Leaping Strike to initiate combat, preferably hit the target in the back.
• Use Shield Rush to stagger the target and slow them.
• Use Shield Bash to stun the target and set them up for your Great Axe.
• Swap to Great Axe and use Gravity Well.
• Use Reap to keep them close if they try to escape.
• Light attack with Great Axe.

• Use Leaping Strike to initiate combat or for an escape to reposition.
• Use Gravity Well on clumps of enemies, or on a priority target.
• Use the CC chain in the damage combo listed above.
• Use Shield Rush to stagger or for an escape.
• Use Shield Bash to setup combos and lock down priority targets.
• Use Reap to pull enemies toward you and prevent escapes.
• Use Charge to escape or to secure a kill and chase targets.

When using the Great Axe or Sword 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 Great Axe page or Sword page.

For more information on the most frequently asked Great Axe or Sword questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Great Axe, or Sword, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!