Summary
- Ranged weapons are powerful & essential in New World Aeternum, perfect for keeping distance & causing heavy damage.
- Blunderbuss offers high burst damage & nice control in battle, paired well with a sword and shield or a magical weapon.
- Musket excels in long-range sniping, reliable for both PvP/PvE, paired with fast close-combat weapons for agility.
Ranged weapons are perfect for causing damage to enemies while keeping them at a distance which, when the corrupted are chasing you down, can only be a good thing. Whether players go solo or adventure with a company, having one ranged weapon in New World: Aeternum is essential.
New World Aeternum: Best Two-Handed Melee Weapons, Ranked
Players who like to enter combat with a massive two-handed melee weapon in New World: Aeternum can't go wrong with the following options.
The ranged weapons in New World: Aeternum are relatively powerful even at base level. Adding gems for extra perks makes them even more effective, and with the right combo of weapons to hand, the enemy will never see the player coming. The recommendations below offer the best weapon types along with pros and cons to help players make the best decisions for their gameplay.
3 Blunderbuss
Mid-Range AOE Blaster
- Primary Stat: Strength
- Secondary Stat: Intelligence
- Pros: Heavy mid-range hitter, good AOE damage, high burst damage.
- Cons: Slower reload, minimal range, tough to master.
- Best Weapon Pairing: Fire Staff, Ice Gauntlet, Sword and Shield
The Blunderbuss deals mid-range damage, meaning players may have to get closer than they would like to the enemy. This isn't a huge issue, however, as it packs a punch at close range and can be paired with a close-range weapon like an Axe or Sword. With added abilities, this weapon offers surprisingly high mobility and control during a fight. It also comes into its own when paired with a ranged magical weapon, like a staff.
New World Aeternum: How to Join a Faction (& Which Faction Should You Choose)
Players who want to learn how to join a faction in New World: Aeternum, and those who are struggling to pick a faction, can find help here.
Its primary stat in Strength makes it a solid choice for players who prefer the slash and block of a sword and shield. The Blunderbuss' secondary stat lies in Intelligence meaning it is perfect for magic-based builds and, when paired with something like a fire staff, this can be quite a formidable weapon. With Containment and Chaos abilities, the Blunderbuss offers the player control over each battle as well as some explosive fun.
Claw Shot can be a player's favorite perk as it keeps the enemy in place, allowing them to close the distance between them and the enemy, and cause some damage. Pairing that perk with Azoth Shrapnel Blast gives the player complete control over the fight, especially in a one-on-one situation. Claw Shot deals damage and pulls the enemy close, while Shrapnel Blast deals more damage while pushing the player back to a safe distance.
2 Musket
A Strong Sharpshooter
- Primary Stat: Dexterity
- Secondary Stat: Intelligence
- Pros: Great at long range, unaffected by gravity, high damage
- Cons: Long reload, hard to master, relies heavily on headshots
- Best Weapon Pairing: Rapier, Spear
The Musket offers players a high-damage, long-range weapon that works well in both PvP and PvE. The use of bullets means there is no need to worry about any drop-off, unlike the Bow. The range on the Musket is impressive, and the fact it can deal high damage from so far away is a real bonus. Players can become the sniper of their group when shooting from a hiding spot as this is the only weapon one can use in the prone position.
New World Aeternum: How to Join Fresh Start and Console Only Servers
Players who want to join a Fresh Start server in New World: Aeternum, or want to play in a console-only World, can find help here.
The Musket is best paired with a fast close-combat weapon like the Rapier or the Spear. The speed and agility of either of these weapons make up for the slow reload time of the Musket and can come in particularly handy when ambushed by an enemy from close range. The Sharpshooter and Trapper ability trees buff the player's sniper capability while also allowing for some much-needed crowd control.
The Sharpshooter abilities rely on the player's skills in getting headshots, and while this can be difficult to master for some, the payoff is huge with increased damage and reduced cooldowns. The Trapped abilities add a bit of short-range skills to the table, which can be life-saving when the enemy closes in. Any player who wants to keep the enemy at a distance can take advantage of Stopping Power and Traps, creating some space to get more shots in, or to draw the Sword for hand-to-hand combat.
1 Bow
High Damage, High Mobility
- Primary Stat: Dexterity
- Secondary Stat: None
- Pros: Great at mid and long range, high damage, super mobile, quick reload, offers AOE abilities
- Cons: Poor hip-fire control, weaker at close range, affected by gravity
- Best Weapon Pairing: Rapier, Spear
The Bow is a great mid and long-range weapon that offers quick-fire shots and high mobility. It is the easiest ranged weapon to master, although players will have to watch out for the drop-off at long ranges. The light arrows are heavily affected by gravity, so this is something players will have to take into account when attempting longer-range shots. The agility players maintain when using the Bow makes up for the lower single-shot damage when compared to weapons like the Musket or Blunderbuss.
When paired with a high-damage close combat weapon like the Great Sword, the Rapier, or the Spear, the Bow can be the top choice for many players. The Great Sword is slow but it can complement the Bow by adding a huge close-range damage ability. The Rapier and the Spear are both more mobile than the Great Sword and suit faster-paced combat. Either choice creates a perfect combo for players who want to remain quick on their feet during battle.
The Bow's Hunter and Skimisher ability trees offer AOE attacks for some useful crowd control. Damage is buffed with Penetrating Shot and Rapid Shot, while Skirmisher offers some agility buffs with Dodge and Weave, and Archer's Speed. With the right combo of AOE attacks and well-timed shots, the Bow can be the top-rated weapon pick for many players.
New World: Aeternum
- Released
- October 15, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Amazon Games
- Publisher(s)
- Amazon Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
