Unlocking the Greatsword’s Potential: The Ultimate Gem Guide for New World
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The best gem to use on the Greatsword in New World depends heavily on your playstyle, your build, and the content you’re engaging with. However, a strong contender for the most versatile and generally beneficial gem is the Opal. While a Jasper can be situationally useful, the consistent damage boost provided by the Opal, especially in prolonged engagements, typically outweighs the conditional benefit of the Jasper. This is because the Greatsword’s active playstyle and stamina management tools often lead to periods of low stamina, maximizing the Opal’s uptime.
Diving Deep: Choosing the Right Gem
The Greatsword in New World is a phenomenal weapon. Its dual scaling with Strength and Dexterity, high damage output, and versatile skill tree make it a favorite for both PvE and PvP. But to truly maximize its potential, you need to consider the gems you socket into it. Let’s explore the most popular options and when they shine.
Opal: The Stamina Champion
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Effect: Increased damage when your stamina is not full.
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Why it works: The Greatsword playstyle encourages active stamina management. Skills like “Skyward Slash” and “Roaring Rupture” use significant stamina. Experienced Greatsword users are constantly dodging, blocking, and weaving attacks, leading to frequent periods of low stamina. This translates into a nearly constant damage buff from the Opal. Furthermore, the Greatsword has great tools to control the stamina bar.
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When it’s best: General PvE, PvP (especially 1v1 and small-scale combat), any situation where consistent damage is valued.
Jasper: The Damage Mitigation Option
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Effect: Increased damage after taking damage.
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Why it works: The Greatsword, while powerful, can be vulnerable. The Jasper provides a damage boost after you’ve been hit, rewarding aggressive play. This is particularly valuable when facing multiple enemies or in chaotic PvP scenarios.
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When it’s best: Large-scale PvP (War, Outpost Rush), PvE scenarios with many enemies, builds that prioritize trading blows.
Diamond: Full Health Powerhouse
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Effect: Increases damage and healing while at full health.
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Why it might work: If you excel at maintaining full health through skillful play and strong healing, a diamond can amplify your damage output significantly.
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When it’s best: Situational. Very effective if you are always with a healer that keeps you at max health or if you are farming low level zones.
Other Gems to Consider:
- Emerald: Increased damage against opponents with low health (less than 30 percent). This can be useful for finishing off enemies, but the conditional nature makes it less reliable than the Opal.
- Malachite: Increased damage against targets that are slowed, rooted, or crippled. If your build relies on inflicting these conditions (perhaps paired with a War Hammer), this gem can be a strong choice.
- Ruby: Extra Fire damage. Use it if you are fighting against the Ancient in dungeons.
- Sapphire: Extra Ice damage. Use it if you are fighting against the Corrupted in dungeons.
Making the Choice: Playstyle and Content Matter
Ultimately, the best gem for your Greatsword comes down to how you play and what you’re fighting. If you’re a seasoned player who thrives on active stamina management, the Opal is a fantastic choice. If you prefer a more aggressive, trade-heavy playstyle, the Jasper might be more suitable.
FAQ: Greatsword Gems and Builds
1. Can the Greatsword be used effectively as a tank?
Yes, the Greatsword can be used as a tank, especially when looking for a balance between tankiness and damage. However, it typically wouldn’t be paired with Sword and Shield, as they have similar roles. War Hammer or Spear offer better utility alongside the Greatsword for tanking.
2. What are the best weapon pairings for the Greatsword?
Several weapons pair well with the Greatsword, including:
- Hatchet: Offers increased survivability and damage. Scales with Strength and Dexterity.
- Great Axe: Provides AoE damage and crowd control. Scales with Strength.
- War Hammer: Offers strong crowd control and debuffs. Scales with Strength.
- Bow: Provides ranged damage and mobility. Scales with Dexterity.
- Spear: Offers crowd control and debuffs. Scales with Dexterity and Strength.
- Sword and Shield: Provides additional defense and utility. Scale with Strength and Dexterity.
3. What attributes are best for the Greatsword?
The Greatsword scales evenly with Strength and Dexterity. A balanced allocation between these attributes is generally recommended.
4. Is the Greatsword good for PvP?
Yes, the Greatsword is a strong PvP weapon. It offers excellent gap-closing abilities and high damage output, making it effective in both small-scale and large-scale combat. Pairing it with a Hatchet can further enhance survivability.
5. What is the best way to level up with the Greatsword?
Pairing the Greatsword with the Hatchet is a highly effective leveling strategy. The Hatchet’s movement speed buffs and sustainability combined with the Greatsword’s damage output make for a fast and efficient leveling experience.
6. How do gems work in New World?
Gems can be socketed into weapons and armor to provide additional stats and effects. The type of gem and its cut (e.g., Pristine, Brilliant) determine the strength of the bonus.
7. Can I remove gems from weapons?
Yes, but removing a gem requires a Stonecutting skill and a special item called a Gem Extraction Tool. The tool is consumed in the process, and there’s a chance the gem will be destroyed upon removal.
8. What is the best gem for tanks in New World?
For tanking, Pristine Cut Cornelian gems are generally considered the best, as they generate a high amount of threat.
9. How does the Greatsword scale with Strength and Dexterity?
The Greatsword scales equally with Dexterity (0.8) and Strength (0.8), making it unique among New World weapons.
10. What is the maximum weapon skill level in New World?
The maximum weapon skill level is 20.
11. Which gem would be best for fighting Corrupted enemies with the Greatsword?
Considering the Corrupted are weak against Ice damage, a Sapphire gem might be the best choice to maximize damage output against them.
12. Is it better to use different gems for different enemy types?
Yes, adapting your gem choices to the specific enemy type you’re facing can significantly improve your effectiveness in combat.
13. Where can I learn more about New World builds and strategies?
You can find valuable information and community discussions on various New World forums, websites, and YouTube channels. Resources like the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org, though not directly focused on New World, offer insights into game mechanics and learning strategies that can be applied to New World as well.
14. What are some common mistakes players make when choosing gems?
One common mistake is focusing solely on damage output without considering survivability or utility. Another is neglecting to adapt gem choices to the specific content they’re engaging in.
15. Will future game updates change which gems are best for the Greatsword?
It’s possible. Game balance changes are common in MMOs like New World. It’s important to stay updated with patch notes and community discussions to adapt your builds accordingly. Remember to follow your favorite New World content creators and guides to adapt your builds.
By carefully considering your playstyle and the content you’re facing, you can choose the gem that will unlock the full potential of your Greatsword and dominate the battlefield.