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