The Sword Bearer class in New World Aeternum is an exciting choice for players seeking a blend of powerful melee combat and ranged versatility. With access to the greatsword and blunderbuss, the Sword Bearer shines in both solo play and group settings, making it a solid option for newcomers navigating the diverse landscapes of Aeternum. Let’s explore why this class is an excellent starting point and how it transitions into more powerful builds for late-game content.

Early Game: A Dynamic Start in Aeternum

The Sword Bearer excels in the early game thanks to its adaptable skill set, combining sweeping melee attacks with explosive ranged firepower. With the greatsword's wide-reaching strikes and the blunderbuss's area-of-effect capabilities, players can effectively deal with both mobs and individual enemies, allowing for a smooth leveling experience. This versatility helps in managing unexpected encounters, whether tackling quests or exploring the open world.

Why the Sword Bearer is Ideal for New Players:

• Balanced Combat: The combination of melee and ranged options ensures you can tackle various challenges, whether charging into battle or keeping enemies at a distance.

• Crowd Control: Abilities like Net Shot provide essential control over enemy movements, enabling you to dictate the pace of fights and avoid overwhelming situations.

• Solo-Friendly: The ability to engage effectively from both close and afar makes it easier to handle solo content, such as clearing corruption portals or completing faction quests.

Mid-Game and Pivoting to Meta Builds

As players progress through the mid-game, the challenges in Aeternum become more demanding. While the Sword Bearer remains effective in PvE scenarios, especially in Expeditions, late-game encounters often favor builds focused on high burst damage and crowd control.

This is where many Sword Bearers choose to transition into a combination of the greatsword with the Great Axe or War Hammer for enhanced effectiveness. The Great Axe offers excellent crowd control abilities, making it easier to handle tough bosses and elite enemies, while the War Hammer provides powerful area damage and utility.

Why Pivot into Great Axe or War Hammer Late Game:

• Enhanced Crowd Control: The Great Axe and War Hammer's abilities allow for effective grouping and control over enemies, essential for coordinating team efforts in high-level PvE and PvP.

• Sustain and Burst Damage: The combination of melee weapons offers powerful burst damage potential, allowing you to quickly eliminate threats while maintaining survivability.

• Meta Viability: As late-game content prioritizes team compositions that feature strong crowd control and area damage, transitioning to these weapons ensures you remain competitive in Wars, Outpost Rush, and endgame dungeons.

Conclusion

Starting as a Sword Bearer in New World is an excellent choice for players eager to explore the game's dynamic combat system. Its combination of melee prowess and ranged versatility makes it perfect for early-game exploration and questing. However, as you approach the late game, transitioning to a build that includes the Great Axe or War Hammer is crucial for tackling Aeternum's more formidable challenges. This strategic pivot allows you to enjoy efficient leveling while maximizing your impact in late-game encounters, ensuring you’re a valuable asset to any team.