What is the Best Gear Score in New World? A Comprehensive Guide
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The quest for optimal gear is a core element of any MMORPG, and New World is no exception. Understanding Gear Score (GS) is paramount to maximizing your character’s potential. But what exactly is the “best” gear score, and how do you achieve it? Let’s break it down.
The current highest achievable gear score in New World is 700. However, it’s important to understand that this number has changed and evolved over time with updates and expansions. Initially, the cap was 600, then 625, and now 700. Reaching this top tier is a testament to a player’s dedication, optimized build, and understanding of the game’s mechanics. While reaching level 60 is the starting line, it’s the post-level 60 grind that takes players to gear score greatness. Getting to the 700 cap involves a combination of leveling expertise, crafting, and completing endgame content. It is more complicated than merely getting to the highest number, it is about making your items work together, maximizing perks and attributes.
The Journey to Max Gear Score
Understanding Gear Score Progression
Gear Score represents the overall strength of your equipment. When you first reach level 60, your gear score will begin around 500. From there, your goal will be to increase this number. There’s a soft cap at 500 when you reach level 60 and progression slows down as you approach higher scores.
Initially, gear score 625 was the previous maximum achievable. This score was required for legendary versions of expedition and arena gear to drop. Upgrading gear past 590 required the use of Umbral Shards, a special resource earned through endgame activities like Mutated Expeditions.
Attributes and Gear Score
Gear score also affects the number of attribute points (AP) that items provide. Here’s how that breaks down:
- 600 GS Items: 30 AP per item, totaling 300 AP for a full set of 10 equipped items.
- 625 GS Items: 31 AP per item, totaling 310 AP for a full set of 10 equipped items.
- 650 GS Items: 33 AP per item, totaling 330 AP for a full set of 10 equipped items.
As you can see, increasing your gear score not only makes your items stronger in terms of defense and attack, but also improves your character’s overall stat distribution which in turn enhances your character’s overall effectiveness. It is a system that encourages player progression and strategic resource use.
From 625 to 700
The jump from 625 to 700 is the most significant gear score increase to date, and it reflects an ongoing effort by the developers to provide continued goals and progression. This involves activities introduced in expansions. Achieving this requires a combination of crafting, completing difficult content, and strategic use of new resources. It’s a significant undertaking, requiring dedication and a solid understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gear Score in New World
Here are some common questions players have about Gear Score in New World:
1. How do you get 625 gear in New World?
Prior to the expansion that increased the gear score cap, players would level to 60, then grind their expertise level for each gear slot. Then they would use Umbral Shards to upgrade their gear from 590+ to 625. Now, it is necessary to also complete content in the expansions to obtain gear that is above 625 and all the way to the new cap of 700.
2. What is Expertise in New World and how does it relate to Gear Score?
Expertise is a separate system that dictates the maximum gear score of items that can drop for you. For instance, if your expertise for a particular weapon is 530, you won’t find an item of that type with a gear score higher than 530. However, you may get drops that are as low as 500. Raising expertise requires opening elite chests, completing expeditions, and doing Outpost Rush.
3. How do you get Umbral Shards?
Umbral Shards are primarily earned by completing Mutated Expeditions, crafting gear score 600 items, and opening Gypsum Casts (if the expertise for that slot is already level 600 or above). These shards are essential for upgrading your gear beyond 590.
4. How many shards does it take to get 625 in New World?
Upgrading from 624 to 625 for a single piece of gear costs 2500 shards. This illustrates the time and effort that needs to be invested in obtaining even the last gear score level for one item, emphasizing the investment needed for a full set.
5. Does Gear Score affect Luck in New World?
While Luck doesn’t increase the chance of getting higher gear score items, it does increase your chance of seeing item drops that have a higher chance of rolling better bonuses. For example, increasing luck will make items with a higher chance of rolling perks drop more often.
6. Does Gear Score affect item stats?
Gear score does not directly affect the stats of an item. A piece of gear with 500 GS will have different stats than a 700 GS item, however, the 500 GS item will have the same stat allocation regardless of the gear score. Gear Score is more of a value indicator.
7. Can you upgrade named items to legendary?
Yes, increasing the gear score of a named item (590 or higher) using Umbral Shards will unlock the final perk and make the item Legendary. This is a key way to obtain powerful, specific builds.
8. What to do with old gear in New World?
Unwanted gear can be salvaged for repair parts and a chance at special resources. Salvaging is an important part of the game economy as it allows you to get resources that you use in other game elements such as repairing your equipment.
9. How do you get better gear at level 60?
Once you hit level 60, you can obtain gear by:
- Purchasing from the trading post.
- Farming specific zones and expeditions.
- Crafting (though this often requires high trade skill levels and resources).
10. What is World Tier 5 and what is the related Gear Score?
World Tier 5 in New World was an old concept that used a gear score of 515. It was a progression system that involved completing a series of strongholds to obtain better gear. This system is no longer relevant in the current version of New World.
11. How many weapons can you level in New World?
New World allows players to level every weapon in the game, as it does not have a traditional class system. By equipping a weapon and using it in combat you gain mastery experience for that particular weapon.
12. What are the endgame activities in New World?
The main endgame PvE content revolves around Expeditions/Mutations. Completing these activities provides item drops and Umbral Shards for gear score progression, and allows you to take territories.
13. How many hours does it take to max level in New World?
It generally takes between 100 and 200 hours of playtime to reach max level 65. This is impacted by how fast and efficiently a player goes about leveling.
14. Can you complete New World solo?
Yes, the main storyline of New World can be completed solo. There is plenty of solo content available in the game including PvP.
15. What’s the difference between Gear Score and Expertise?
Gear Score measures the strength of a specific item, while Expertise is the maximum gear score an item can drop for you. Therefore, the higher your expertise, the higher your gear score can be. Both are important to understand and both are required to obtain a higher gear score.
Conclusion
Achieving the best gear score in New World, currently 700, is a significant undertaking that involves understanding multiple systems. It requires a strategic approach to progression, including leveling expertise, using Umbral Shards, and completing endgame content like mutated expeditions and PvP modes. While Gear Score doesn’t directly affect stats, it allows for a higher stat allocation and acts as a solid way to show the player’s value. Armed with this knowledge, you are now on the path to gearing up your character to be the strongest that it can be in New World.