Great Sword and Sword & Shield (SNS) Build in New World: Aeternum

Are you ready to dominate the battlefield in New World: Aeternum? If you seek insane burst damage, dazzling mobility, and the raw power to melt anyone in your path, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll break down the Great Sword and Sword & Shield (SNS) build, also known as the Crescent Wave Build. And for those looking to enhance their gameplay experience even further, consider ways to buy New World Coins to gear up and maximize your potential. Buckle up, and let’s dive into the specifics that will turn you into an unstoppable force!

Weapon Overview

The Crescent Wave

First up is our game-changing artifact: the Crescent Wave. Despite attempts to nerf it in the last patch, this weapon remains a monster on the battlefield. When activated, it sends out a massive wave across the land—imagine Harry Potter after a few steroid injections! The damage it deals is immense and pairs perfectly with our mobility-focused build.

Sword Selection

Next, let’s talk about the sword. The one I’m using? It’s a random sword I confiscated from a comrade. The perks you want to aim for here are:

· Atunement: Boosts your damage output immensely.

· Vicious: Increases critical damage, making each blow more devastating.

· Leaping Strike: While debatable, it’s a great engaging tool. Alternatively, you could pick Upheaval, which also provides benefits.

Gem Loadout: For gems, I recommend equipping double Opal to maximize damage output.

Jewelry Choices

Jewelry is vital for enhancing your build’s effectiveness.

1. Amulet: Life Ring Amulet is my top choice, offering Divine protection and Health. For an offensive boost, opt for Empowering over Protection. The extra empowerment can be a game changer.

2. Artifact: Bloodrinker is my one true love in this game. It can deal impressive damage type (preferably Slash, but Arcane can also work due to Crescent Wave damage).

3. Earring: The Wood Grain Earring is ideal, combining Refreshing and Regenerating perks. Instead of Fortifying Toast, I suggest going for either Empowering Toast or Mana Toast for better effectiveness.

Armor Selection

For armor, we’re going with Light Armor. This choice enhances our damage and mobility, allowing us to dodge and weave through enemy attacks. You'll need to equip all light pieces to maintain this setup, or else risk becoming a medium armor "rat."

Armor Perks

Focus on the following vital perks:

1. Enchanted Ward: Reduces damage from both light and heavy attacks—a mini-shield in its own right.

2. Sherking Heals: Any dodge you successfully perform will heal you, giving you a substantial health boost.

3. Health: A must-have perk to bolster your survivability.

Weapon Perks

Ensure you have the necessary SNS weapon perks, primarily focusing on Relentless Freedom, which helps remove crowd control effects when you mess up (and trust me, you will). Combine this with Vital Synergy to enhance healing and stamina management.

Artifact and Shield

For your artifact choice, Creed Boots will transform you into a damage-melting machine:

· Backstabs against targets deal increased damage and provide additional empowerment and crit chance.

Choose a Round Shield (like a Buckler) for its mobility. Perks should include:

1. Vicious

2. Shield Aggression

3. Keenly Empowered for damage output.

4. Ideally, choose Fortifying Shield Rush for the fourth perk.

Gems and Consumables

Gems can make a difference, and right now, a combination of three Onyx and five Opals works wonders. If you have the resources, Rune Glass adds to your melee damage.

Consumables:

1. Always carry a Holding Stone for a damage boost.

2. Use Burst Regens when you're in desperate need of health.

3. Serums activate before jumping into a fight to recover health, mana, and stamina.

4. Flame Pots to counter fire staff users.

5. Don’t forget your party meal for mana regeneration and food like Desert Sunrise to reduce the duration of damage-over-time effects on you.

Skill Trees

Your skill tree is vital for enhancing your abilities and survivability:

1. Great Sword Abilities should include:

· Steadfast Strike: Heals you while providing stamina back.

· Rush: For mobility and healing.

Roaring Rupture: This ability is a game-changer! It cleanses two debuffs, allowing you to escape those nasty healing reductions and improves your survivability. Plus, while using this ability, you won’t be subject to crowd control for five seconds—this means you can effectively re-enter a fight without fear of being locked down.

Incorporate the following sword and shield abilities for a balanced offensive and defensive strategy:

· Shield Rush: A fantastic engage tool that staggers under opponents, setting them up for a follow-up.

· Leaping Strike: Use this to initiate combat by jumping and striking from a distance, applying a slow effect to the target.

· Upheaval: Following a Shield Rush, Upheaval is a powerful finishing move that guarantees hits on enemies who cannot move. This is your nuke ability that significantly damages foes.

Combat Strategy

Now that we have our skills and abilities set, let’s talk about how to effectively use them in combat.

1. Engaging the Enemy: Close the gap on your enemy by running, if possible. Start with a Leaping Strike to close distance and apply a slow. Look to land a heavy attack as a follow-up to keep the pressure on.

2. Dodge and Weave: Utilize your mobility. If you see an attack coming, dodge to maintain distance until your cooldowns are ready.

3. Activate Abilities: Once you have engaged, use Steadfast Strike to regain health and return to the fight. This ability combined with your mobility will keep you in the battle longer than your opponents.

4. Combo the Skills: A classic combo involves using Shield Rush followed by Upheaval. Activate Shield Rush to stagger your opponent and then immediately follow with Upheaval while they are still recovering. This twin attack guarantees high damage.

5. Weapon Switching: Remember to switch between your Great Sword and Sword & Shield as necessary. Use your shield for defense when under heavy fire, and transition back to your Great Sword for mobility and damage when the coast is clear.

Attributes

In terms of attribute distribution for this build, we’re aiming for:

· Strength: 350 – This allows you to unlock powerful passives that enhance your light attacks and critical strikes, massively boosting your damage output.

· Constitution: 100 – Investing in Constitution grants you survivability, ensuring you can outlast opponents in a battle. With around 14,000 HP, you’ll be tanky enough to survive encounters.

· Dexterity: You have the option to invest points here, but ideally, you’ll focus on Str and Con.

Fighting Tips

· Avoid Onslaught Stance: This stance makes you extremely vulnerable, so steer clear unless you're sure you can execute a kill.

· Use Environment: Leverage terrain and objects to break line-of-sight, allowing you to disengage when necessary.

· Stay Aware of Cooldowns: Always be mindful of your ability cooldowns and the positioning of your enemies. Time your attacks for maximum impact.

Final Thoughts

Once you have mastered this build, you’ll be tearing through opponents like a freight train. Practice makes perfect, and don’t hesitate to refine your strategies based on your playstyle and the composition of your opponents. To further enhance your experience, consider acquiring cheap New World Gold from reliable sources like MMOEXP, which can help you acquire better gear and resources. Remember, engaging with the community can vastly improve your skills!

Now go out there and make those enemies regret ever crossing your path. Happy hunting, warrior!