Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build for New World

In PvE combat this is the featured role of a Sword and Shield player. You will be managing threat to maintain aggro and hold an enemy's attention while your DPS focus on doing as much damage as possible. You must properly manage cooldowns, position properly, and block, to reduce as much damage taken as possible and still deal damage to hold threat.

There are two versions of this build:

• Option 1: Light Armor - This has high burst damage and more mobility. This is preferred for speed runs.
• Option 2: Heavy Armor - This will focus on survivability and is best for players learning the tank role.

• Upheaval — This is your primary cooldown reduction tool. This should be used only after your other two abilities are on cooldown. It will also do high damage to your target.
• Shield Bash — This ability is a taunt and CC tool. You do not need its passives as its damage is not important and it will always taunt the targets it hits.
• Defender's Resolve — Potent damage reduction tool that should be maintained as needed, but it also acts as an AoE taunt. Use this to maintain aggro.

This is build embraces optimal defensive passives and an ability loadout that add even more defensiveness, as well as, damage, cooldown reduction, and threat management abilities. It can be used in PvP if you want to be a point tank, but it would be suggested to take Leaping Strike instead of Upheaval.

• Shield Rush — This ability will apply a weaken to your targets to make them deal less damage, and it will apply a fortify with its perk.

Play a build like this allows you to have a consistent way to reduce incoming damage from one or more enemies, and have a constant fortify. If you prefer having another taunt option use the Shield Bash build.

This is the preferred build in the current META.

• Berserk — This is your main DPS cooldown. Try to activate this before large burst damage windows. It will also provide movement speed and self-healing.
• Raging Torrent — This will be your only real active weapon ability. It has great single target damage when used with maximum empower stacks, and does have AoE damage potential as it can hit multiple enemies.
• Rending Throw — This is your main source of Rend. It is only able to hit one target at a time, but it results in increased damage and is great for boss fights.

• Wrecking Ball — This is a great tool for defensiveness and crowd-control. When it is used it will apply a Fortify buff that will help with survivability. Additionally, it has a unexpectedly large AoE knockdown effect that is essential for starting any kind of crowd-control combo.
• Shockwave — This will act as an AoE stun and taunting option. Use it to maintain threat and apply Rend.
• Path Of Destiny — This is perfect for free AoE damage and it does stagger, so you can use it to interrupt enemies and apply a slow.

• Reap — This can be used to pull enemies into Gravity Well, or be used to start off a CC combo so that enemies are closer together.
• Maelstrom — This ability offers single-target and AoE burst. It then deflects all incoming projectiles, and it pulls enemies within its range. It will also apply a weaken with its perk.
• Gravity Well — This is the best crowd-control ability in New World. It is mostly used on trash packs so that your group can quickly kill enemies with AoE abilities.

• Steadfast Strike — Use this when you need a quick taunt or way to stagger and pull enemies. It will also heal and provide cooldown reduction. Try to use this ability when your others are on cooldown.
• Calamity Counter — This can be used to completely block mechanics, provide burst healing in a pinch, and will add a DoT to all targets to help with aggro.
• Roaring Rupture — This will mainly act as an AoE taunt, but should also be maintained while using the Greatsword for its defensive buffs.

In PvE your Constitution and armor weight are dictated by your personal preferences and skill level.

Typically, a tank will not go higher than 200 Constitution because it is unnecessary with defensive perks and gems. Some tanks will play as low as 50 Constitution to maximize damage output.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Sword	Thwarting Strikes Refreshing Move Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Carnelian	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Hatchet***	Refreshing Torrent Thwarting Strikes Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Carnelian	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
War Hammer***	Sundering Shockwave Thwarting Strikes Bane Perk (Expedition Specific)*	Cut Pristine Carnelian	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Great Axe**	Refreshing Move Thwarting Strikes Attunement	Cut Pristine Carnelian	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Greatsword**	Refreshing Move Thwarting Strikes Attunement	Cut Pristine Carnelian	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Round Shield (Light)	Keen Vicious Keenly Jagged or Fortifying Shield Rush	-	Round	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Tower Shield (Heavy)	Sturdy Sturdy Energy Fortifying Shield Rush or Refreshing	-	Tower	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk* or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk* or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk* or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk* or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk* or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Divine Protection Perk (Mutator Specific)*	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring	Slash Damage or Keen Awareness Hearty Leeching	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength or Constitution	Named Drop***
Earring	Refreshing Toast Regenerating Refreshing	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength or Constitution	Named Drop***

*: The only ability perk that is needed is for Sword and Shield is Fortifying Shield Rush. Your secondary weapon options could result in more perks needed, please reference their respective guides. If the perk is essential, it is listed as a perk needed on the weapon.

**: Pick whatever secondary weapon your perfer depending on playstyle and the expedition you are running.

***: Smooth Bone Ring is a named ring option--you can choose any third perk you would like for utility. Doom's Chance Earring is a named earring option that works in many builds.

Overall with gearing, this is the ideal loadout of perks for a best in slot build. With that being said, be sure to refer to the Sword Perks guide Perks guide or any of the secondary weapon options below to have a better understanding of other flexible perk options to fit into your build. You can decide what you are most comfortable with.

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe
• Greatsword

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

Use Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help group enemies together, deal AoE damage, and apply Rend.

Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform can be taken as a defensive option.

Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such, please refer to our Sword guide or any of the secondary weapon options below for tips on how it can be used most effectively.

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe
• Greatsword

• Use Shield Rush to maintain the weaken and fortify (Or use Shield Bash if selected).
• Use Defender's Resolve if you need damage reduction or to group any adds that may have spawned.
• Use Upheaval for cooldown reduction.
• Hold your shield up to block enemy abilities or basic attacks, do not dodge and waste stamina unless it is necessary.
• Light attack when there are opportunities where the boss is not attacking.

• Use Defender's Resolve or secondary weapon to taunt and get initial threat.
• Use Shield Rush to apply AoE weaken.
• Hold your block as long as you are maintaining threat.
• Light attack or swap to secondary weapon to apply damage and crowd-control

When using the 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 Sword page any of the secondary weapon options below.

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe
• Greatsword

For more information on the most frequently asked Sword or Secondary Weapon questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Sword, or secondary weapons below, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!

• Hatchet
• War Hammer
• Great Axe
• Greatsword