The Greatsword is a high-ceiling weapon that rewards calculated aggression and tactical defense. Whether you're clearing elite mobs or dueling in a PvP arena, its stance-based combat system offers flexibility and raw power unmatched by most other weapons in New World.
<p>The Greatsword is one of the most dynamic and punishing melee weapons in New World, introduced with the Brimstone Sands expansion. Blending devastating AoE damage, versatile mobility, and <a href="https://www.eld.gg/New-world/Coins.html">New World coins</a> stance-based combat, the Greatsword excels in both PvE and PvP when wielded effectively. This guide breaks down everything you need to master the weapon — from ability picks and attributes to gear, rotations, and build synergy.</p><p>Whether you’re cutting down bosses in Expeditions or clashing with enemies in Outpost Rush, this is your one-stop guide to dominate with the Greatsword.</p><p>Understanding the Greatsword<br>The Greatsword is a two-handed weapon that operates through a unique stance system, where players alternate between:</p><p>Onslaught Stance – Aggressive, high-damage attacks with faster execution and increased crit chance.</p><p>Defiance Stance – Defensive abilities offering damage mitigation, crowd control, and sustain.</p><p>The stances empower specific skills and passives, allowing for fluid shifts between offense and defense mid-combat — a signature trait of skilled Greatsword players.</p><p>PvE Build Overview: Onslaught-Focused Slayer<br>Attribute Allocation<br>Strength: 300+<br>The Greatsword scales primarily with Strength. Push to 300 for +15% heavy attack damage bonus.</p><p>Constitution: 150–200<br>Enough to survive burst damage, especially during boss fights.</p><p>Recommended Weapon Perk Loadout<br>Relentless Rush</p><p>Skyward Slash</p><p>Executioner’s Strike</p><p>Skill Breakdown</p><p>Relentless Rush<br>A two-hit dash attack that deals great AoE damage and grants Empower.</p><p>Use this to initiate fights or close gaps on trash mobs and bosses.</p><p>Skyward Slash<br>A vertical slash that applies Rend, reducing enemy armor.</p><p>Extremely valuable for team DPS and speeding up mob clears.</p><p>Executioner’s Strike<br>A massive single-target blow with bonus damage at low HP.</p><p>Excellent for boss fights and PvE bursts.</p><p>Key Passives<br>Unrelenting Onslaught – Increases cooldown reduction when hitting enemies.</p><p>Critical Comeback – Heals on crits while in Onslaught stance.</p><p>Keen Posture – Increased crit chance after stance change.</p><p>Rotation Tips<br>Open with Skyward Slash to apply Rend.</p><p>Dash in with Relentless Rush for Empower and mobility.</p><p>Use Executioner’s Strike at the start of a boss phase or low-health threshold.</p><p>Switch to Defiance Stance briefly to mitigate damage, then return to Onslaught.</p><p>PvE Gear Perks<br>Refreshing Move (reduce cooldowns on hit)</p><p>Keenly Empowered (Empower on crit)</p><p>Enchanted (increased base damage)</p><p>PvP Build Overview: Balanced Onslaught/Defiance Duelist<br>Attribute Allocation<br>Strength: 250–300<br>High enough for burst damage.</p><p>Constitution: 200+<br>Vital for surviving crowd control and heavy burst in group fights.</p><p>Recommended Weapon Skill Loadout<br>Steadfast Strike</p><p>Skyward Slash</p><p>Calamity Counter</p><p>Skill Breakdown</p><p>Steadfast Strike<br>Pulls enemies toward you and heals on hit.</p><p>Crucial for self-sustain and punishing ranged players.</p><p>Skyward Slash<br>Still essential in PvP due to its Rend and stagger.</p><p>Opens opponents up for follow-up attacks or interrupts heals.</p><p>Calamity Counter<br>Parry-style skill that blocks incoming hits and retaliates.</p><p>Perfect for baiting opponents and turning trades in your favor.</p><p>Key Passives<br>Wary Posture – Reduces damage taken after stance changes.</p><p>Perfect Vigilance – Fortify upon being hit with 50% health or less.</p><p>Guarded Shift – Automatically block attacks while stationary in Defiance Stance.</p><p>PvP Combos<br>Calamity Counter vs. Great Axe/Rapier users who dive — time it to reflect heavy damage.</p><p>Steadfast Strike → Skyward Slash — pull enemies and reduce their defenses mid-fight.</p><p>Use roll-cancel stance changes to outplay and reposition during fights.</p><p>PvP Gear Perks<br>Thwarting Strikes (more damage when Fortified)</p><p>Resilient (reduces crit damage taken)</p><p>Refreshing Ward (cooldown reduction while being attacked)</p><p>Secondary Weapon Pairings<br>The Greatsword performs best when paired with weapons that complement its slower wind-ups or extend survivability.</p><p>PvE Pairing: War Hammer<br>Great for AoE CC with Shockwave and Path of Destiny</p><p>War Hammer’s crowd control sets up massive Greatsword follow-ups</p><p>PvP Pairing: Sword & Shield<br>Excellent blocking and counterplay tool</p><p>Leaping Strike and Shield Bash provide mobility and stuns</p><p>Other viable options:<br>Void Gauntlet – for healing/self-sustain hybrids</p><p>Great Axe – for aggressive PvP group compositions</p><p>Armor & Loadout Recommendations<br>Armor Weight<br>Medium Armor (recommended):<br>Balanced between mobility, dodge distance, and survivability</p><p>Heavy Armor (optional for PvP):<br>More mitigation, especially when facing bursty ranged classes</p><p>Stat Priorities<br>Strength > Constitution > Cooldown Reduction</p><p>Consider Empowered, Fortified, or Bleed Duration perks if using specific Greatsword builds.</p><p>Gems and Consumables<br>Gems<br>Onyx – for pure physical builds</p><p>Malachite – if mixing elemental damage from a secondary</p><p>Opal – more damage while stamina is not full (pairs well with dodging playstyles)</p><p>Consumables<br>Hearty Meals for passive regen</p><p>Infused Health Potions</p><p>Gemstone Dust or Oakflesh Balm in PvP</p><p>Weapon Coatings for PvE boss fights</p><p>Tips for Mastering the Greatsword<br>Stance Control: Learn when to use Onslaught for pressure vs. Defiance for survival.</p><p>Animation Cancels: Use dodge, weapon swap, or ability combos to fluidly cancel laggy attacks.</p><p>Situational Awareness: The Greatsword’s size and slow swing make it vulnerable to kiting — time your attacks wisely.</p><p>Mobility Tools: Use Relentless Rush and weapon swaps to close gaps and reposition.</p><p>Conclusion<br>The Greatsword is a high-ceiling weapon that rewards calculated aggression and tactical defense. Whether you're clearing elite mobs or dueling in a PvP arena, its stance-based combat system offers flexibility and raw power unmatched by most other weapons in New World.</p><p>By understanding its mechanics, optimizing your gear and <a href="https://www.eld.gg/New-world/Coins.html">buy New World Gold coins</a> passives, and practicing fluid combat transitions, you can dominate both PvE and PvP with the Greatsword as your weapon of choice.</p>
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