How do I know what attribute points to run? Do I run Heavy or Light armor?

Don't sweat it too much when it comes to choosing armor and attributes in the game. What really matters is if you can stay alive, control enemies, and position yourself right. These needs change depending on the dungeon and mutations.

One week, I might go all-in with heavy armor and high Constitution to handle mutations. But the next week, I could switch to light armor and a Greatsword. Until you get the hang of the game, you don't need to dive into every detail. Aim for key breakpoints, usually around 100 to 300 Constitution, and experiment to see what suits you.

In the speedrunning sections, you'll find suggestions for armor sets. But remember:

  • Be flexible with your Constitution based on the situation or your team's needs.

  • Aim for specific breakpoints, like 300 Constitution for tough weeks or 100 Dexterity for a heavy-hitting Sword and Shield build.

  • Keep your tank responsibilities in mind: stay alive, manage aggro, and position yourself well.

In a nutshell, don't stress about gear and attributes too much. Focus on your main tasks and adjust your character's setup as needed for the challenges you face in the game.

Tanking in a nutshell, start carrying your team to gold

Tanks assume a pivotal role in New World, wielding significant influence over the pace and success of their teams. To excel as a Tank, three key aspects demand your unwavering focus: staying alive, securing aggro, and, above all, precise positioning. Although these may appear straightforward, their mastery can single-handedly propel your team to victory.

Staying Alive: While staying alive may sound self-evident, it encompasses more subtleties than meets the eye. Understanding your team's capabilities is essential, particularly in pick-up groups (PUGs). Avoid making unpredictable pulls or relying on your DPS and healers to anticipate your actions. An effective way to ensure your survival and support your team is by leveraging your hammer's crowd control (CC) capabilities. By tightly grouping mobs, you can continuously CC them using abilities like Shockwave, Wrecking Ball, and Clear-out with intermittent auto-attacks. Harness the healing potential of Crowd Crusher to sustain yourself. Executed correctly, this method can empower you to solo sizeable groups of foes.

Holding Aggro: Holding aggro, while seemingly obvious, is an area where many PUG tanks falter. Recognize that your role as a tank isn't solely to stand and block; blocking should be reserved for significant boss attacks or uncontrollable mob animations. To maintain aggro effectively, two key strategies apply: first, equip a despised earring, and second, continuously engage mobs with attacks and taunts. A proficient Blood Rapier, for instance, can readily snatch aggro from an already taunted enemy. It's worth noting that taunted mobs display a distinctive emblem on their debuff bar resembling black lightning, and their health bar shifts from yellow/grey to red when you have their aggro.

Positioning: Positioning is a cornerstone of tanking, extending beyond mere mob control. Once you've grasped the fundamentals of grouping and CCing mobs, focus shifts to strategic positioning. Your aim should be to draw groups onto ranged mobs, particularly archers,. This safeguards your healer from stray arrows in PUG runs, as you maintain control over the mobs. When possible, consolidate mobs in corners or choke points, simplifying the process of keeping them grouped. Another vital facet of positioning is creating an environment where your DPS can safely attack from behind, unencumbered by walls, cliffs, or mobs. Open communication with your team or adapting to the scenario in PUGs ensures ease of movement and optimal DPS.