Musket and Rapier PvP Build for New World

The Musket is a long-range assassin weapon that can easily pick off targets at any distance. The Rapier will act as your support secondary allowing you to reposition quickly, and have a way to escape danger.

• Powder Burn — High damage over time effect and its perk will put a devasting slow on the target. This makes an enemy very vulnerable and easy to kill.
• Shooter's Stance — When you are safe, this can be used to shoot multiple shots in a row to pressure a single target and kill them, or pick up multiple kills. It will apply a large empower effect with its perk.
• Stopping Power — This will stagger a target and is used in combination with a basic shot. When used immediately after firing this will instantly fire and result in two bullets hitting a target almost simultaneously. This combination will open a window to fire a quick third shot to secure a kill.

Some players prefer using Sticky Bomb for its high damage and AoE potential.

Use this if you prefer to have a burst damage option. At times, this can be significantly better for players using Dexterity builds. It acts similarly to Riposte by staggering the target, and it has a follow up ability that can deal damage or be quick mobility. This can be a great way to pick up quick kills on low health targets.

Use this if you prefer to have a survivability option with Riposte. This ability can be easily at times if used incorrectly. Nonetheless, it will give you a moment of invulnerability and will certainly save your life at times.

You must have 150 Intelligence so that you can get the increased elemental damage. This is the most effective damage split.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Musket	Enchanted Attunement Perk Keenly Jagged	Elemental Damage Gem***	-	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Rapier	Refreshing Refreshing Move Omnidirectional Evade	Runeglass of Ignited Opal***	-	Dexterity	Named Drop****
Helmet	Ability Perk* or Elemental Aversion** Resilient Refreshing** or Freedom**	Sighted Runeglass (Moonstone or Onyx)	Light	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ability Perk* or Elemental Aversion** Resilient Refreshing** or Freedom**	Sighted Runeglass (Moonstone or Onyx)	Medium	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ability Perk* or Elemental Aversion** Resilient Refreshing** or Freedom**	Sighted Runeglass (Moonstone or Onyx)	Light	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Refreshing Resilient Shirking Energy	Sighted Runeglass (Moonstone or Onyx)	Light	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ability Perk* or Elemental Aversion** Resilient Refreshing** or Freedom**	Sighted Runeglass** (Moonstone or Onyx)	Light	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Stamina Recovery Thrust Protection	Cut Pristine Emerald	-	Dexterity or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring	Mortal Empowerment Thrust Damage or Elemental Damage*** Hearty	Cut Pristine Emerald	-	Dexterity or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast Refreshing	Cut Pristine Emerald	-	Dexterity or Constitution	Crafted/BoE

*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Crippling Powder Burn and Empowering Shooter's Stance.

You may use Rapier perks for more utility, but these are often overshadowed by defensive armor perks.

**: Elemental Aversion or Freedom, are viable third perk options. You can interchange any of these perks along with Refreshing.

***: Dex players will often use an elemental damage gem that matches the Attunement perk on their weapon. This will still deal significant damage because of the primary scaling with base weapon damage. The gem will then split that value by 40% and scale with Intelligence or Focus (Nature). Since you then use an elemental damage Runeglass and perk on your Ring, this will increase the elemental damage dealt by the weapon, its Attunement, and its DoT effect. This also avoids some players increased resistances to Thrust and Physical damage sources.

****: With a Musket you can use any Rapier you like. For additional utility it can be best to have something with a stack of Refreshing. A great option is Sacred Woodsabre that drops out of Garden of Genesis from any boss or trash mob.

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

When playing with a Musket you have great damage output, as such, use a defensive Heartrune. Either Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform or Cunning Heartrune of Stoneform are great options that will keep you alive through defensive buffs and crowd-control immunity.

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

• Open on a target with a heavy shot into a Explosive Arrow immediately after.
• Use Rapid Shot to do damage quickly or potentially stagger a target.
• Weave a heavy shot into a Penetrating Shot when trying to finish a target.
• Shoot heavy or light Bow shots at low health targets to secure kills, or to apply damage pressure.
• Use Flourish and Finish to secure kills on targets who are pushing you.
• Use Evade, Fleche, and Riposte as ways to escape danger and reposition.

When using the Musket or Rapier 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 Musket page or Rapier page.

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