What Level is Expertise in New World?
In New World, Expertise isn’t a level in the traditional sense; instead, it’s a system that determines the potential Gear Score of items that drop for you after you reach level 60. Think of Expertise as a measure of your proficiency in wielding different types of equipment—armor, weapons, and jewelry. Once you hit level 60, your Expertise level for each of these item categories starts at a base level and needs to be increased, up to a maximum of 600. This is crucial because the higher your Expertise, the higher the Gear Score of the items you can acquire. This system was the primary method of end-game progression in New World before major updates were implemented. While the Expertise System was ultimately removed, it’s still essential to understand for those returning to the game, as knowledge of its mechanics provides context to the evolution of the game. It laid the foundation for the current systems, like the Gear Score and item upgrade mechanics.
Understanding the Expertise System
What is the Significance of Expertise?
Before it was removed, the Expertise System was the gatekeeper for acquiring powerful equipment. Without raising your Expertise, you would consistently find items with lower Gear Scores. This meant that your character’s power growth stagnated until you actively engaged in activities designed to increase your Expertise.
How Was Expertise Increased?
Expertise could be increased through several methods:
- Loot Drops: Defeating enemies and opening chests had a chance of rewarding you with items that could increase your Expertise in a specific category. These items were typically items that were at or slightly higher than your current Expertise for that gear slot.
- Gypsum System: The Gypsum system was another avenue for increasing your Expertise. Through various daily activities, players could collect different types of Gypsum, which could then be turned into casts that would guarantee an Expertise increase in a specific slot, allowing players to be more strategic in how they leveled their Expertise.
- Elite Chest Runs: Participating in World Tour (WT) or elite chest runs, especially in areas like Brimstone Sands, was a highly effective way to collect items and increase Expertise.
- Expeditions: Running dungeons like Genesis and Lazarus was not only a good source for loot but also a reliable way to get Expertise bumps.
The Removal of Expertise
New World developers listened to player feedback, which often described the Expertise System as a “grindy” and frustrating mechanic. In response, they significantly changed it to make gearing up less dependent on the system. While the Expertise system as described here no longer exists, understanding it is helpful for understanding how the game’s item systems worked and how they have evolved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Expertise in New World
1. What is the highest Gear Score in New World?
The maximum Gear Score you can achieve in New World is 625. However, before the removal of the Expertise system, simply reaching level 60 didn’t automatically grant access to 625 Gear Score items. You had to increase your Expertise in each equipment category to even have those drops become a possibility. Players would increase their gear score from 590 to 625 by using Umbral Shards to upgrade their gear.
2. What should I do when I hit level 60 in New World?
Before the expertise removal, you’d focus on increasing your Expertise via methods described previously. In general, after hitting level 60, you want to engage in endgame content such as:
- Brimstone Sands Main and Side Quests: These quests unlock at level 60 and provide great rewards.
- Expeditions: Dungeons like Genesis and Lazarus, or their mutated versions, are a core part of the end-game experience.
- Crafting: Leveling up trade skills and crafting high-level gear will further help your character.
- PvP: Participate in faction wars, Outpost Rush, and arenas to test your skills.
3. How does the Gear Score system interact with Expertise?
Before its removal, your Expertise level directly influenced the maximum Gear Score of items that could drop for you. Each slot had a separate Expertise rating that determined the potential drops. This meant if you had a low Expertise in, for example, helmets, all the helmets that dropped would have low Gear Scores until you raised your helmet Expertise.
4. How long does it take to reach max level in New World?
It generally takes between 100 to 200 hours of playtime to reach the max level of 65 in New World. This can vary depending on your playstyle, whether you focus mainly on quests or a mix of different activities.
5. Does gear score affect luck in New World?
While Gear Score doesn’t directly affect luck, Luck does influence the quality of item drops. A higher Luck stat can increase the chance of acquiring items with better stats, perks and bonuses, but it does not increase the chance of getting higher gear score items. Luck does increase the chance of higher rarity items dropping for you.
6. What is better, gear score or armor rating in New World?
Gear Score is a general measure of the item’s overall power and potential. Armor rating determines how much damage mitigation your armor provides. Higher Gear Scores typically translate to higher armor ratings. Therefore, both are important, but Gear Score is a more encompassing metric that will also affect damage output and other stats.
7. What was the “Watermark” system in New World?
The Watermark system was synonymous with the Expertise system. Essentially, your “Watermark” for each gear slot (helmet, chest, etc.) was what determined the range of Gear Score that could drop for you. Increasing your Watermark (your Expertise) for each gear slot was required to get gear with better Gear Score. This is what led to players focusing on elite chest runs, and the Gypsum system to increase the watermark.
8. Can you complete New World solo?
Yes, New World can be played and completed solo. The main story quest can be completed without having to find groups. There’s a wide array of solo content, such as questing, gathering, crafting, and light PvP.
9. Is New World pay to win?
New World is not pay to win. While there are premium track rewards in the battle pass, these rewards can also be earned through the free track or normal gameplay. Paying for the premium track just provides more cosmetic items and materials, not power-ups that would give one player an unfair advantage.
10. How do I effectively level expertise?
While the system no longer exists, it was increased through:
- World Tour (WT) Runs: Joining world tour runs in areas like Brimstone Sands. These tours focus on opening elite chests.
- Gypsum System: Utilizing the Gypsum system to create casts, which guarantee an Expertise bump for specific slots.
- Expeditions: Running dungeons, especially Genesis and Lazarus, would frequently generate Expertise increases.
11. What are the best skills to level first in New World?
Mining, Logging, Harvesting, and Tracking/Skinning are all essential skills to level up early on. These gathering skills provide valuable resources needed for crafting, leveling up trade skills and general progression.
12. What is the best armor setup in New World?
Optimal armor combinations depend on your playstyle:
- Light Armor: Often combines a medium chest with other light pieces.
- Medium Armor: Usually has a heavy chest, light legs, and then a mix of heavy and medium pieces.
- Heavy Armor: Relies on heavy armor to maximize armor rating.
These will vary based on what type of build you are running and what stats are desired.
13. How do you get 625 Gear in New World?
Prior to the current system, reaching 625 involved first getting to level 60, grinding Expertise to level it up, and then using Umbral Shards to upgrade gear from 590+. The game’s systems have changed but understanding how players previously reached 625 is still a useful piece of context.
14. What is the hardest skill to level in New World?
Furnishing is often considered the hardest skill to level due to the high number of resources required, the cost of crafting, and the limited returns early on.
15. What is the fastest way to power level in New World?
The fastest way to level up involves a combination of strategies:
- Focusing on Main Story Quests
- Completing Side Missions in tandem with main quests
- Joining a Faction
- Focusing on Weapon Experience
While the Expertise system is no longer a factor, it was pivotal in the development of the current Gear Score system. Understanding the Expertise System is essential for comprehending the gear progression and for anyone who may return to the game after a hiatus. This knowledge is especially useful for recognizing the evolution of the gearing process in New World.