New World Sword And Shield Guide

In New World, the Sword And Shield is a fantastic defensive weapon combination - great for tank builds and PVP.

New World Sword And Shield Introduction

In New World, the Sword And Shield combination offers solid offensive and defensive capabilities. This weapon utilizes a series of arcing swings and lunges for offensive melee attacks and a Shield for bashing, stunning, and maximizing player defense.

Sword And Shield Damage Scaling In New World

The Primary Attribute for the Sword and Shield in New World is Strength. The Secondary Attribute is Dexterity. Investing into either Attribute will increase the damage of your Hatchet’s basic attacks and special abilities, though you will see a greater bonus for investing in Strength.

Basic Attack Types

Light Attack: Deals 100% Slash Damage

Light Ender: Deals 105% Slash Damage

Heavy Attack: Deals 120% Thrust Damage

Charged Heavy Attack: Deals 160% Thrust Damage

Sword And Shield Skill Trees

The two Skill Trees available for the Sword And Shield are Swordmaster and Defender.

Swordmaster Tree – Active Skills

Whirling Blade

Deal 145% weapon damage to all foes within 2 meters.

Cooldown: 15.0

Weapon Tree: Swordmaster

Tier I

Opportunity

Whirling Blade causes 5% Rend for 10s (Rend reduces a target's armor).

Tier II

Tactical Strike

Whirling Blade reduces cooldown on the ability by 10% for each enemy hit.

Tier III

Reverse Stab

A stab attack that deals 175% weapon damage.

Cooldown: 20.0

Weapon Tree: Swordmaster

Tier II

Unstoppable Stab

Reverse Stab now has Grit, making the attack unstoppable.

Tier III

Tactician

On successful hit with Reverse Stab, all sword cooldowns are reduced by 25%.

Tier IV

Leaping Strike

Leap 4 meters and deal 135% weapon damage.

Cooldown: 25.0

Weapon Tree: Swordmaster

Tier III

Final Strike

If you hit a foe below 30% health, deal 50% additional damage.

Tier IV

Cowardly Punishment

If Leaping Strike hits a target in the back: cause slow for 8s. Slow reduces target movement speed.

Tier V

Defender Tree – Active Skills

Shield Rush

Rush forward 5 meters knocking back foes and dealing 125% weapon damage.

Cooldown: 20.0

Weapon Tree: Defender

Tier I

Improved Rush

On successful hit, all enemies within 5 meters gain 10% Weaken for 4s. Weaken reduces damage.

Tier II

Intimidating Rush

On successful hit all enemies within 5m of you are 30% slowed for 4s. Slow reduces movement speed.

Tier III

Shield Bash

Deals 50% weapon damage and stuns foes in front of you for 2s.

Taunt Gem Compatible: If you have a Carnelian gem equipped in your sword, this ability applies a 6s taunt to all enemies hit. Taunt causes monsters to only focus on you.

Cooldown: 25.0

Weapon Tree: Defender

Tier II

Intimidating Bash

Shield Bash causes greatly increased threat and 100% more damage.

Tier III

Concussive Bash

Shield Bash stun duration increased by 1s.

Tier V

Defiant Stance

For 8s, reduce the incoming base damage of attackers by 30%.

Taunt Gem Compatible: If you have a Carnelian gem equipped in your sword, this ability applies a 6s taunt to all enemies within 8m. Taunt causes monsters to focus only on you.

Cooldown: 45.0

Weapon Tree: Defender

Tier III

Final Count Down

If your health is above 50%: damage reduction increased by 20%.

Tier IV

Restoration

Gain 15% of your Max Health when Defiant Stance Ends.

Tier V

Swordmaster Tree – Passive Skills

Empowered Stab

Successful Heavy Attack grants you 30% Empower for 5s. Empower increases Damage.

Tier I

Achilles Heel

The final attack in your light attack chain causes a 20% slow for 2s. Slow reduces movement speed.

Tier I

Precision

Swords critical strike chance increased by 10%

Tier II

Freeing Justice

Successfully hitting with a Heavy attack causes you to lose all debuffs.

Tier II

Mobility

Move 33% faster while blocking.

Tier III

Counter Attack

When you block an attack gain 10% increased damage for 20s.

Tier III

Opportunist

Deal 10% more damage to slowed foes.

Tier IV

Confidence

While health is full deal 15% more damage.

Tier V

Critical Precision

On critical gain 20% haste for 5s. Haste increases movement speed.

Tier V

Leadership

While holding a sword all group member's damage is increased by 10%.

Tier VI

Defender Tree – Passive Skills

Sturdy Shield

Gain an additional 15% Physical Armor.

Tier I

Sturdy Grip

Stamina damage is reduced by 15% when blocking a melee attack with a shield.

Tier I

Elemental Resistance

Reduce damage from all magical types by 10%.

Tier II

Defensive Training

When you block an attack gain 10% Fortify for 5s.

Tier II

High Grip

Stamina Damage is reduced by 15% when blocking a ranged attack with a shield.

Tier II

One With The Shield

When you block with a shield, all shield skills recharge 1%.

Tier III

Final Blow

The 3rd attack in your light attack chain deals 15% more damage and causes more threat.

Tier IV

Fortitude

While holding a sword, current and max health are increased by 10%.

Tier IV

Recuperation

All incoming healing and regeneration increased by 10%.

Tier V

Defensive Formation

While blocking reduce damage to all allies within 2 meters by 30% (1 second cooldown).

Tier VI

New World Sword And Shield Builds

Sword And Shield / Hatchet Tank Build: META TANK

The EASY Meta Tank Build for New World Group Content! Great Defense, Healing and AOE Taunts!

Sword And Shield / Fire Staff Solo Build: Battlemage

The Heavy Armor, Frontline Fighter that specializes in AOE Slash and Burn Damage, Defense and Self-Healing.

More New World Weapons

One Handed

Two Handed

Ranged

Bow
Musket

Magic

New World Wiki Home

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