There’s no better moment to dive into New World, particularly for newcomers. Aeternum is constantly transforming, introducing new elements such as mounts, updates to progression, and enhancements to open-world PvP. These updates have been shaped by player input. Those who are coming back may find the altered landscapes and systems unfamiliar, but the revitalized experience enhances the enjoyment of New World.

We collaborated with a diverse group of New World content creators to assist both new and returning players in transitioning smoothly into Rise of the Angry Earth. If you’re interested in learning more about new weapons, gameplay modes, storylines, regions, or features, here’s a comprehensive guide to prepare you for your upcoming adventure on the Eternal Isle.

Advice for New Players

New World faced a challenging beginning filled with numerous glitches,” remarked ArsheeTV. “While some issues persist, the core gameplay remains highly enjoyable. There are plenty of activities to engage in, and the combat mechanics are unparalleled. Newcomers can now enjoy New World in the way it was intended to be at its release.

Overhauled Central Narrative

ArsheeTV expressed, “What I love most about the updated Starting Experience and the main narrative is the enhancements in the story, quests, and cinematics. Initially, there was pressure to race to the endgame before others. Now, players can savor a more enjoyable progression at their own speed.”

Nearly all areas have been redesigned in response to player input. The few original zones that are left will be updated in upcoming releases. Here’s what to look forward to:

  • Embark on a journey alongside your friends: At the game’s outset, players will appear in one of multiple areas. Make your way to a friend’s position to tackle initial quests in unison.
  • Various methods exist for both solo and group players to advance: Certain quests feature distinct objectives that allow you to choose between playing alone or teaming up with others, based on your desired gameplay experience.
  • Varied goals to maintain an engaging gaming experience: Tasks include puzzles, navigation challenges, distinctive world interactions, and evolving events. There’s always a new discovery waiting to be made.
  • Embark on an extraordinary journey filled with the enigmas of Aeternum: Defeat formidable foes, navigate challenges, and explore uncharted territories to uncover the secrets of the Eternal Isle.

“I just completed the updated main story from levels 1 to 40, and it’s significantly improved compared to the game’s initial launch,” remarked LiamH.

Progression

Regardless of whether you’re adventuring alone or with companions, hitting level 60 has become faster than ever,” stated ArsheeTV. “You can achieve level 60 in under a week by focusing solely on the main storyline quests. If you’re eager to level up quickly to match your friends at level 60, they can assist you in power leveling, though I wouldn’t advise it. I believe new players should savor their initial journey in Aeternum at a leisurely pace.

Stay Calm and Collected

When you access the map, you’ll see a multitude of quests displayed,” ArsheeTV mentioned. “Don’t worry about them; concentrate on the main storyline. Keep in mind that you can always return to the side quests later if you wish to finish them. Just a heads up, many side quests won’t be necessary until you reach the maximum level in the base game. Once you hit level 60, the quests you encounter will be significantly more relevant than the earlier, lower-level ones that primarily served to help you progress to the maximum level.

Enjoy yourself and discover new things. If you encounter obstacles, don’t hesitate to check out Twitch streams and reach out to creators with your queries. You’ll receive responses faster than on any other platform. Play the game at your own speed and don’t forget to DODGE!

Armed Conflict and Armaments

A total of 15 distinct weapons are available for you to master. Discover your preferred choice with these suggestions:

Experiment with all available weapons to understand their advantages, disadvantages, and overall handling,” LiamH advised. “There are likely numerous combinations to explore, and you can equip various weapons on a single character.

In terms of combat, New World offers a balanced variety of options for both PvE and PvP encounters,” noted EternalHazard. Before engaging in battle, whether against fellow players or the numerous adversaries in Aeternum, preparation is key. Ensure you stock up on potions and keep your ‘well-fed’ buff active. Choose a weapon that you feel confident using, especially when tackling challenging content, and if you find a task too daunting to handle alone, don’t hesitate to seek assistance.

Are you waiting for the perfect moment to act? “In combat, there are fleeting opportunities that you can seize,” noted FusionThunder. “When an opponent is engaged in an animation, that’s the ideal time to execute a stun or an interrupt.”

Factions

Every one of the three Factions in the game possesses distinct characteristics and ideologies. Being a member offers several advantages, such as the option to mark yourself for PvP in the open world and the opportunity to join Companies.

“Factions play a vital role in New World, each offering distinct quests and vendors,” noted EternalHazard. “By aligning with a faction, you gain access to a variety of allies for open world PvP battles and War efforts to increase Faction Influence. However, if PvP isn’t your focus, your faction selection isn’t as significant, as players from any faction can team up for PvE and most instanced PvP activities. Feel free to choose the faction that appeals to you. If you decide to switch to a different faction later, you can do so every 60 days.”

When deciding on a Faction, the key consideration is the presence of individuals you wish to team up with. This could include friends, family, or even a beloved streamer, as they will become your allies as long as you share the same banner. Given the minimal distinctions among the three options, you shouldn’t feel overly pressured by your choice.

Companies

Companies are player-operated groups that can seize control of the Settlements in Aeternum. Here’s a guide on how to engage with them.

EternalHazard remarked that having experience in various Companies of different sizes has led him to believe that being part of a Company mainly serves to provide a label for the team you collaborate with. He noted that while larger Companies often engage in territorial Wars, these groups tend to be quite selective, demanding considerable playtime, experience, and equipment for membership. He advised new players not to anticipate being involved in many Wars. Beyond that, Companies mainly function as a social environment for players and their chosen companions.

Player versus Player Activities

Dive into these PvP modes for an opportunity to gain more than just the satisfaction of victory:

  • 3v3 Battle Arenas
    • Collaborate with your teammates to eliminate the opposing team. The final survivor claims victory.
    • Take charge of defenses and resources in this 20v20 gameplay mode designed for top-tier players.
    • Seize Influence Towers and defeat rival factions in expansive battles for control over territory.
    • Besiege an opposing fortress or protect your own from an invading force.
    • Mark your territory for PvP battles across Aeternum, but be cautious of rival factions.

    Player versus Environment (PvE) Content

    During your adventure, you will encounter the following PvE opportunities:

    • Expeditions
      • These five-player instanced quests will lead Adventurers into the shadowy depths of Aeternum. Work together with your team to confront formidable dangers, uncover the origins of Corruption, unveil the hidden agendas of the Angry Earth, discover the greater threat posed by the Lost, and explore the mysteries of the ancient Guardians.
      • Mutations present a more challenging variant of Expeditions. Tackle various modifiers, curses, and additional obstacles to earn even more substantial rewards. To engage in Mutations, you must have the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion.
      • Face some of the most formidable foes in Aeternum within the perilous regions of the Eternal Isle.
      • Numerous seasonal events, such as Nightveil Hallow, Turkey Terror, and Siege of Sulfur, offer a variety of open-world activities. Engage in battles against enemy gauntlets, defeat colossal bosses, and participate in other challenges to earn exclusive rewards tied to the events.

      Vocational Skills

      Trade Skills encompass non-combat abilities that are classified into three main types: Crafting, Gathering, and Refining. Skills such as playing Musical Instruments, Mining, and Cooking each have their own distinct levels. These abilities are essential for completing quests, earning experience, overcoming foes, and generating Coin within the economy of New World.

      Collect all the resources you come across for your Trade Skills,” LiamH advised. “Extract from every node and frequently cut down trees, as these materials are essential for initiating your Crafting.

      Hold off on selling your items too quickly,” advised DeathzHunter. “Buy orders can often be significantly lower than the actual price of the item.

      Become a part of the community.

      Based on what I’ve observed, newcomers are typically embraced in New World,” EternalHazard remarked. “When you pose a question in the global or help chat, you can expect a number of supportive replies, and many players are eager to assist with equipment, quests, and resources.

      You don’t have to face this by yourself,” Savvvo remarked. “Make use of the team chats, as it’s likely that others in your server are also working on the same quest or task.

      This game is centered around community,” Tinker_Balambao mentioned. “Prioritize assisting others; your own progress and optimization should come after. For instance, I pay attention to requests for help in the global chat and actively organize training Expeditions for newcomers.

      Game in Your Style

      EternalHazard shared a key piece of advice for newcomers: “There’s no incorrect approach to playing New World. Whether your goal is to quickly reach the endgame, engage in PvP, or focus on gathering materials to furnish your in-game home, the most important thing is to play in a way that brings you the most enjoyment.”

      Advice for Returning Players

      Reflect on the frustrations that prompted your departure from the game previously and consider your current feelings about them,” stated FCDoomsday. “Many of the issues related to crafting, equipment, team play, leveling, and endgame content have been either enhanced or substituted.

      Should I create a new character or continue my adventure?

      “Jumping back into New World (or any game) can feel somewhat disorienting, much like starting a book or a TV show you haven’t engaged with for some time,” noted BagginsTV. “However, you can easily reacquaint yourself with the game by creating a new character. The revamped questing experience is incredibly enjoyable, and I strongly suggest diving back into New World by leveling up a new character.”

      It ultimately comes down to your priorities as a player,” Jayoddity remarked. “If you possess a character at a higher level, I would recommend diving into the expansion with that character to experience it alongside others in a comparable position. On the other hand, if your character is at a lower level, starting fresh and experiencing the revamped Main Story Quests with the enhanced leveling system could be a great choice.

      Is it Intimidating to Come Back?

      According to Jayoddity, New World has implemented numerous adjustments that make it easier to start playing after the launch. The leveling system has been accelerated, allowing players to quickly reach the same level as others while enjoying the journey. The expansion also introduces several enhancements that benefit endgame content, making New World an appealing choice for all MMO enthusiasts.

      Will Returning Players Possess Functional Equipment?

      New World is on the verge of receiving its inaugural expansion,” stated Jayoddity. “Players will be on the hunt for fresh gear, and embarking on that adventure is one of the most enjoyable aspects of MMOs. This kind of vertical progression has been uncommon in New World. The gear obtained during the game’s initial launch has remained viable up until now, with the only adjustments being related to shifts in the meta or the desire to experiment with different builds. The expansion acts as a sort of gentle reset, which is what fosters the most enjoyable experiences.

      Players who do not have the expansion will find it simpler to catch up. “Eliminating Expertise in the upcoming update will certainly facilitate the catch-up process for the majority of players,” xVBlackSwanXv mentioned. This means that obtaining gear will no longer require the 2-3 week grind for Expertise.

      Weapon Equilibrium

      Every weapon has generally been effective in a variety of scenarios, and when that hasn’t been true, the developers have promptly responded to resolve the problems,” stated Jayoddity. “Achieving perfect balance is clearly an unattainable objective and would probably lead to a less enjoyable gaming experience, but overall, the majority of weapons remain viable.

      Although all weapons can be effective, not all weapon pairings are equally effective. In the forthcoming expansion, a new category of equipment known as ‘Artifacts’ will be introduced. Details are still limited, but one example is a Great Axe that relies on Intelligence for scaling instead of Strength, paving the way for some potentially wild and magical melee combinations.

      Don’t let the pressure of sticking to meta builds get to you,” xVBlackSwanXv advised. “Embrace the opportunity to experiment with new builds, keep track of what succeeds, and modify what falls short. Create the setup that you find enjoyable, and remember that no one should dictate how you should have fun with the game.

      Altered Expedition Modifications

      Developer Update 9/25: “At first, we thought about implementing a weekly cap of 100 Mutation runs, prompted by anticipated adjustments to loot quantities (specifically, a decrease) and the elimination of Umbral Shards. However, after evaluating the loot drop rates per expedition (ensuring a substantial drop rate) and conducting tests, we have decided to increase the limit to 35. This change takes into account its effects on other aspects of progression and the economy, and we will keep a close watch on the situation.”

      To enhance Mutations as a late-game feature, we’ve redesigned the experience specifically for level 65 players. Consequently, players must acquire Rise of the Angry Earth and reach the maximum character level to participate in Mutated Expeditions. In response to player input, Mutations will now feature three difficulty levels and a weekly cap of 100 Mutations. This increased accessibility will reduce wait times for group formation and provide more chances for players to assist newer Adventurers.

      xVBlackSwanXv offered valuable advice for enhancing your likelihood of obtaining sought-after endgame rewards such as Artifacts via Mutations. “Stay calm under pressure, focus on overcoming each challenge, and maintain open communication,” xVBlackSwanXv emphasized. “Your positioning can significantly influence the success of your Mutation runs.”

      Distinctive Characteristics

      Equipment Storage Solutions

      In the past, players needed to change their gear manually, one item at a time, even during Expeditions. Now, you can conveniently save your preferred gear sets and switch between them instantly. “I rely on Gear Sets daily to transition between various playstyles, such as tank, healer, and DPS,” shared BagginsTV. “Being able to change all my armor, weapons, consumables, and jewelry with just a click is incredibly satisfying.”

      Enhancements in Lifestyle and Well-Being

      According to BagginsTV, ‘Cross-Server Outpost Rush, leaderboards, the elimination of Expedition Keys, the introduction of Group Finder, the new Ennead and Empyrean Forge Expeditions, and connected storage sheds are just a few of the enhancements.’ He noted, ‘New World has seen significant improvements since its launch, but personally, I really enjoy a solid Expedition run. The updates that have made Expeditions more accessible, along with the introduction of new ones featuring incredible boss battles, are definitely my favorites.’

      Heartrunes

      BagginsTV expressed enthusiasm for the Brimstone Sands update, stating, “It’s definitely one of my top picks. The introduction of the Heartrune has enabled me to diversify my character’s gear, allowing me to select various Heartrunes based on the challenges ahead. The ‘Stoneform’ Heartrune, in particular, has proven to be a lifesaver in numerous difficult battles.”

      Contribute to Shaping the Future of the New World

      Input from the community is essential for ensuring the game progresses positively,” stated xVBlackSwanXv. “Feel free to utilize the ‘Submit Feedback’ option or reach out to the developers via Discord with your ideas. It’s important to emphasize – our opinions are valued.

      Highlighted Guests

      Be sure to follow every content creator for additional guides, advice, and exclusive content related to New World.

      Share your opinions on embarking on or continuing your journey. We appreciate your support! Looking forward to seeing you in Aeternum.