How to Get Legendary Drops in New World: A Comprehensive Guide
Getting your hands on legendary gear in New World is a key goal for many players, representing the pinnacle of item progression and powerful build customization. These coveted items offer superior stats and often come with unique perks, significantly enhancing your combat prowess and overall gameplay experience. The path to obtaining them can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can dramatically increase your chances of acquiring these powerful items. In essence, legendary drops in New World are primarily obtained by engaging in high-level content after reaching a specific expertise level for the gear slot you desire. It involves understanding how Gear Score (GS) and expertise work together, and then focusing your efforts on activities with higher drop rates. This article provides a detailed guide on obtaining legendary items in New World and addresses common questions.
Understanding Gear Score and Expertise
The Foundation of Legendary Drops
Before diving into specific strategies, it’s crucial to understand the mechanics that underpin legendary item drops. New World uses two primary systems: Gear Score and Expertise. Gear Score represents the overall power of an item, with a maximum of 625. Expertise reflects your proficiency with specific gear slots (weapons, armor pieces). Crucially, item drops are primarily influenced by your expertise level.
How Expertise Affects Drops
The game’s system dictates that item drops will be within a certain range of your current expertise for that specific item slot. Specifically, items drop at a Gear Score that is +/- 10 from your expertise level for that item, with a maximum possible GS of 600. This means that if your expertise for a great axe is 550, you will primarily see great axes drop with a GS between 540 and 560.
The 590 Expertise Threshold
Here’s the key to obtaining legendary drops: You must reach an expertise level of at least 590 in a particular item slot to start having a chance for 600 GS legendary drops. At 590 expertise, expect drops to range from 580 to 600 GS. Note that not all 600 GS items are legendary; some will be epic. However, the 590 expertise level unlocks the chance for a legendary item to drop within that GS range.
Upgrading 590 Items
Once you’ve acquired a 590 GS or higher item, you can use Umbral Shards to upgrade it to a maximum of 625 GS. While Umbral Shards do not directly make an item legendary, they increase the item’s power by increasing its stats.
Where to Farm Legendary Items
Expeditions: The Premier Source
Expeditions are the primary source for legendary item drops in New World. Specifically, high-level expeditions like the Genesis Garden and Lazarus Instrumentality are highly recommended. These expeditions offer the best chances for powerful drops, particularly when your expertise is near or at the 600 mark.
Named Mobs and Bosses
Named mobs and bosses, particularly those in high-level zones and expeditions, have an increased chance of dropping legendary items. Farming these powerful enemies can be a viable strategy if you are struggling to find groups for expeditions or want more targeted drops.
Other Activities
While expeditions and named mobs are the most effective for legendary drops, other activities can contribute as well. High-level elite areas and certain events may offer a chance for 600 GS items to drop, although their drop rates tend to be lower than expedition drops.
Daily Expedition Runs
To maximize your chances, focus on doing the Genesis Garden and Lazarus Instrumentality dungeons daily if possible. This provides you with the most opportunities for rolling legendary items.
Important Notes on Legendary Weapons
Legendary Weapon Quests
Some of the most powerful weapons in the game are obtained through legendary weapon quests. To unlock these quests, you must first start the prerequisite quests with Eintou Madaki in Mountainhome. The crucial quest you need to unlock is Madaki’s Stratagem. Completing this questline rewards you with the molds needed to craft certain legendary weapons.
Weapon Mastery
It is imperative that you reach Weapon Mastery Level 20 with the specific weapon you are trying to obtain the legendary version of. This requirement ensures that you are prepared to use the weapon when you get it and are capable of its power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Gear Score do I need to get legendary drops?
You need at least 590 expertise in a specific gear slot to have a chance for 600 GS legendary drops. At 590 expertise, expect drops to range from 580 to 600 GS.
2. Is there a way to create legendary items in New World?
While there’s no direct way to create a completely new legendary item, you can upgrade 590+ GS items using Umbral Shards up to a maximum of 625 GS. Additionally, unique items with Legendary Potential or Exalted items with specific affixes can be considered “legendary” in nature.
3. What is the absolute maximum gear score?
The maximum possible Gear Score in New World is 625.
4. Is it possible to get legendary items before level 60?
It’s unlikely you’ll find true legendary items (600 GS) before reaching level 60 and having sufficient expertise. However, you can still get powerful Epic items.
5. How do you unlock weapon mastery?
Weapon Mastery is leveled by using the weapons in combat. Leashing large groups of enemies in spots like Channelview Post and Oceanview Post is the fastest way to get weapon mastery experience.
6. Can you unlock all weapon skills in New World?
No, you cannot unlock every ability in the weapon mastery trees. You must choose which abilities and passives to spend your points on, requiring careful consideration in your build.
7. What is the best weapon to level with?
The Hatchet and Bow are widely considered to be a very effective leveling combination in New World due to their high movement speed and sustainability.
8. What are the hardest skills to level in New World?
Furnishing is often considered the most difficult skill to level due to its complexity and resource requirements.
9. What is the best gem for New World weapons?
Diamonds are a great choice for weapons, increasing damage and healing while at full health. Emeralds are also useful, increasing damage against low-health opponents.
10. What’s the most effective way to upgrade an item?
You can upgrade items with Umbral Shards after you’ve reached 590+ GS. Use this to get items up to the 625 GS cap.
11. Is it worth buying a bag in New World?
Absolutely! Bags are crucial for expanding your encumbrance and allowing you to carry more loot. Look for bags with the “Extra Pockets” perk for maximum storage.
12. What’s the most important perk on a bag?
The “Extra Pockets” perk is the most important, as it dramatically increases how much weight your character can carry.
13. Are there any legendary swords in the game?
While New World doesn’t use real world mythological swords, there are many powerful and legendary swords that can be obtained in New World.
14. Why am I not getting legendary drops?
This usually occurs if your expertise for the item slot in question is not at least 590. Make sure you are grinding to increase your expertise in the gear slots you want legendary items for.
15. What is the best leveling build in 2023?
The Fire Staff and Ice Gauntlet combination is considered one of the most effective for leveling in New World in 2023 because of the high DPS.
Conclusion
Obtaining legendary items in New World requires a strategic approach centered around gear score expertise, high-level content, and diligent effort. By understanding how the game’s systems work, focusing on expeditions, and leveling your expertise, you’ll be well on your way to acquiring the powerful gear you need to dominate Aeternum. Remember to farm the Genesis Garden and Lazarus Instrumentality dungeons daily, level your weapon mastery and work on your expertise to maximize your chances of finding those rare and valuable legendary drops.