Unlike other MMORPGs, New World doesn't require players to choose a class or certain professions when they create a character. Weapon proficiencies and trade skills depend entirely on the individual player's choices and there are no restrictions when it comes to what weapons or armor can be equipped. A character in New World can be a Mage one day and a Fighter the next. Players can also create and build unique classes like Privateers, Trappers, or Arcanists when exploring the mysterious land of Aeternum.
When it comes to weapons, a character's build and role depend on how they use their Attribute points. A New World Dexterity build is used with almost every weapon available, but there's only one option that uses this Attribute and no other. Every other choice combines Dexterity with either Strength or Intelligence, and these weapons deal physical damage as opposed to magical power.
Updated on November 16, 2022, by Kristy Ambrose: There have been a lot of changes in New World this past year, including some major fixes, patches, and the recent new expansion, Brimstone Sands. New and returning players, along with those that have stayed throughout Aeternum's trials, are excited to see and experience the new content. That includes every kind of gear, armor, quest, and expedition. Players that are using the Dexterity Attribute for their character build have even more to choose from when it comes to New World dex weapons.
Weapons And Attributes
It's easier to level a character if they are using a weapon that requires only one or two Attribute points. A player can be more efficient with fewer weapon skills, plus they'll have ample extra points for their Constitution score, which determines hit points as opposed to weapon-related abilities.
There are a total of five Attributes in the New World. Four of them determine how skilled a character is with each weapon; these are Dexterity, Strength, Intelligence, and Focus. It's free to respec Attribute points until level 20, and after that point, the player has to pay a fee using in-game gold for a new Weapon Mastery tree.
There are a few weapons that only scale with one Attribute. Weapon combinations, like the New World spear and hatchet build, combine two weapons that both share the Dexterity Attribute. However, most weapons require points in two Attributes for optimum efficiency, and since characters get a new Attribute point with every level, it's easier to equip more complex weapons later in the game.
Dexterity Only
- Bow. The only weapon that scales with Dexterity and no other Attribute, the bow is a popular choice for those interested in ranged physical damage. The Mastery Tree has one build that's better for PvP, the Skirmisher, while the Hunter talents are better for wilderness survival.
Dexterity As The Primary Attribute
- Spear. Choose between Zoner and Impaler in the Mastery Tree for the spear, a unique weapon that can be used for both ranged and melee damage. The talents are divided according to those two distinctions and scale with Dexterity and Strength.
- Musket. A weapon that scales with Dexterity and Intelligence, Musketeers choose between the Sharpshooter and Trapper talent trees. The former is better for PvP and the latter is preferable for hunters and survivalists.
- Rapier. Also relies on Dexterity and Intelligence to determine skill level, but unlike the musket has no ranged capabilities. The rapier Mastery Tree is divided into either Blood or Grace. The names imply their build; Blood is about doing damage and Grace uses more defensive talents.
Dexterity As The Secondary Attribute
- Greatsword. Strength is the most important attribute for the Greatsword, with Dexterity as its second most important. This is a two-handed weapon, so players can't equip it with a shield, but depending on the talent tree build this is still a popular defender's weapon.
- Hatchet. A weapon that relies on Strength and Dexterity, players can also throw their hatchet and make it a ranged weapon. This is reflected in the way the two different branches of the Mastery Tree are organized, Berserker or Throwing.
- Sword. Players can use a sword on its own for a melee damage build or pair it with a shield for a defender. The Mastery tree is divided accordingly into Swordmaster or Defender. This weapon scales with Strength and Dexterity.
The Best Weapons That Scale With Dexterity
- Coral Lash (Tier V). An epic sword with a gem socket and a buff that reduces cooldown time. This sword has a chance to drop from The Siren's Fist, a level 68 boss in Reekwater, and is one of the best New World dex weapons.
- Isabella's Rapier (Tier V). Named after one of the game's most notorious bosses, Isabella's Rapier drops from its namesake, a level 66 Corrupted in an Expedition called the Dynasty Shipyard. It's of Epic quality, has one gem socket, and gives the wearer a +30 Dexterity buff.
- Bow of the Enchantress (Tier IV). This Epic quality bow drops from random enemies in the Dynasty Shipyard Expedition, where players can also find Isabella and her rapier. It has one gem socket and buff's the user's Dexterity by 24.
- Adventurer's Rapier of the Trickster (Tier III). This is an uncommon item, so it's not exactly an endgame weapon but it's great quality for the level. This is a reward from a quest called "High Tide" which is part of a chain that starts with an NPC named Wistful Billiam Rowen in Cutlass Keys.
- Amrine Temple Longsword (Tier III). Use a Tier 3 Forge and a Weaponsmithing skill of 60 to craft this sword of Uncommon quality. Some of the materials required can only be acquired in Expeditions.
- Musket of the Wooded Frontier (Tier IV). Find this Epic musket in Elite Ancient Chests or Supply Stockpiles in zones between levels 40-59. It's also a rare drop from Black Alligators.
- Primordial Hatchet (Tier V). An Uncommon Tier V item, this drops from Myrkgard Spearman or Myrkgard Alcolytes located in the Opulence Expedition. It has one gem socket and three spaces for extra Perks.
- Spear of Haunted Memories (Tier III). A Rare item that gives the player an extra +19 to Dexterity and an extra gem slot, this spear drops from Alligators and Black Alligators in Expeditions between levels 20-39. It can also be looted from Elite Ancient Chests and Supply Stockpiles.
- The Discerning Eye (Tier V). A bow of Legendary quality, perks include an empty gem socket and buffs to improve headshot damage and poison the target. This item is the reward for finishing an extensive quest chain that starts in New Corsica, a region that's part of the new expansion, Brimstone Sands.
New World is available on PC.