Introduction

This build is intended to be used as a New World leveling build. As a new player it is highly recommended that you try out multiple weapons during the leveling process to see what fits your playstyle. There are several different build options you could choose from that are all viable during the leveling process. This guide is going to focus on the hatchet and great axe combination.

The hatchet is a great weapon while leveling due to it’s self sustain and defy death ability. The great axe is a great pairing due to it’s ability to deal good amounts of area of effect (AoE) damage.

The pairing of these weapons will help reduce the need of burning through potions during the leveling process. It will also help you clear large groups of enemies quickly. However, the downside to this build is that it is all mostly melee and all one damage type, slashing.

Every enemy type has a different weakness to different damage types. You can reference our “Damage Type vs Mob Type” guide for more information on that topic. This is very useful when running expeditions and trying to optimize damage for a particular enemy type.

Mastery Points

For this build you will be focusing on the hatchet and the great axe. As you level up these weapons you will need to assign mastery points to gain active and passive abilities. Below is are the recommended abilities to take, and the order to take them for each weapon.

Weapon LevelHatchet MasteryGreat Axe
2BerserkMaelstrom
3Feral RushEnduing Stikes
4Rending ThrowGravity Well
5On the HuntGreed
6Berserking RefreshCharge
7Berserking PurgeCrowded Well
8Uninterruptible BerserkStorm’s Reach
9Accumulated PowerAbsorb
10Fortifying StrikesNo Reprieve
11Against All OddsCenter of Attention
12Enraged StrikesCrowded Protection
13Defy Death Gravity
14Frenzied PurgeMauler’s Fury
15DispatchCritical Gains
16Aimed ThrowDeath’s Embrace
17Critical ThrowKeen Edge
18Crippling StrikesCritical Condition
19Targeted ImpactFeed
20OpportunisticMauler’s Resolve

Attributes

As you gain character levels you will gain attribute points that you can utilize. For this build, you are going to be spending those points in the constitution and strength categories. You will want to make sure you keep and use gear with the strength and constitution attribute points associated with them.

NOTE – Each attribute has a base of 5 which is considered in the total # of attributes category as well as attributes you obtain from armor

Total AttributesStrengthDexterityConstitution
251555
504055
7550520
10075520
125100520
150125520
200150545
2251503045
2501505050
2751755050
3002005050
3252007550
35020010050
37520012550
40020015050
42522515050
45025015050
47525017550
50025020050
52527520050
55030020050
57532520050
60035020050

Equipment

During the leveling process, you shouldn’t focus too much on the gear you are obtaining. You will be rotating gear out quite a lot until you reach end-game. A good rule of thumb is to ensure you have either strength of constitution on your gear and ultimately utilize the highest level of gear you have obtained.

It is recommended that you utilize the light equip load category of gear for maximum damage as you level. However, if you are having hard time surviving or can’t find good pieces that drop that get you into that weight category then simply utilize the best gear you have available.