Leaping Greatsword Assassin PvP Build for New World

This weapon combo makes for a strong backline dive build. It can quickly dive in and out of combat and has an abundance of mobility options to chase targets or escape from a fight. While it excels against one target at a time, it does have AoE damage potential because of the Greatword. This build can quickly close gaps, initiate engagements, and secure kills.

• Relentless Rush — This will deal AoE damage primarily, but it is also important to use on cooldown to get its empower effect. Additionally, in PvP this can be used while in Onslaught stance to root a target or it can be used to get out of CC because of its perk effect.
• Skyward Slash — This is your primary Rend tool. It also has great single-target and AoE damage.
• Steadfast Strike — This is your pull and lockdown tool. It will lunge a far distance, hit the target, stagger them, and pull them back with the second hit. This is great for securing kills and survivability. It will heal you, and provide cooldown reduction. and heal you.

• 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.

Due to the strength of the Greatsword it does not require you to have to play with extremely low Constitution. You can play 150 Constitution with this split for the most damage output and have fantastic passives at 200 Strength and 150 Dexterity. You can play at 200 Constitution if you wish.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Greatsword	Trenchant Strikes Plagued Strikes Attunement Perk or Chain Damage Perk	Runeglass of Ignited Opal**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Sword	Empowering Leaping Strike Keenly Empowered Attunement Perk	Runeglass of Ignited Opal**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Shield	Keen Vicious Fortifying Shield Rush	-	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	Shirking Energy 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 or Invigorated Punishment 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 Empowering Leaping Strike and Relentless Freedom. You can use Fortifying Shield Rush for more defensiveness if you wish. If you do not use a perk, fill that slot with a viable defensive passive.

**: 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.

***: Refreshing is great for cooldown reduction and Shirking Fortification is a significant source of defensiveness when playing in melee range. You can substitue some of these perks with Freedom or Elemental Aversion depending on your preferences.

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, 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

When you are 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.

If you are wanting to push through choke points, doorways, or want a more defensive option, Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform is great to have some independent burst healing if you do not have a healer. 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 Greatsword guide or Sword guide for tips on how it can be used most effectively.

• Open on a target with Leaping Strike and attempt to hit them in the back.
• Use Shield Rush to do damage, slow, and stagger the target.
• Use Shield Bash to do damage and stun the target.
• Swap to Greatsword and use Skyward Slash (or heavy attack), to get into Onslaught, and apply Rend.
• Use Relentless Rush to do damage and root the target.
• Charge a heavy Greatsword attack and hit the target from behind if possible.
• Use Steadfast Strike if the target starts to escape to pull them back. This can also be used for quick bursts of healing or potential cooldown reduction.
• Use Leaping Strike or Shield Rush as an escape if it is available.
• Use Relentless Rush to escape roots and slows with Relentless Freedom if needed.

When using the Greatsword 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 Greatsword page or Sword page.

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