Rifle vs. Light Sword: Rifle dominates in New World Eternity

If you’ve been exploring the vast world of New World: Aeternum and are a fan of the ranged weaponry, you might have come across the Blunderbuss. After several months of use, I’ve found it to be superior to the rapier, and I want to share my thoughts and insights on why this unique firearm is the better choice, particularly in PvE scenarios. As you gear up for your adventures, you might also be interested in options to enhance your gameplay experience, such as ways to buy New World Coins for in-game benefits. This article will provide you a detailed comparison of the two weapons, highlight recent changes that favor the Blunderbuss, and present an effective build to maximize its potential.

Recent Changes: Why the Blunderbuss is Better

Nerfs to the Rapier

To begin, we need to discuss the nerfs that the rapier has experienced in recent patches. The Omnidirectional Evade perk was reduced from 20% to 14%, significantly lowering the empower gained from this ability. While not catastrophic on its own, it affects the overall vitality of the evade playstyle that many rapier users have relied upon.

Moreover, the Crescendo perk, which previously reduced the cooldown from successful light attacks by 30%, has been reduced to 25%. This change means that you now need to land 3-4 light attacks to refresh your evade, compared to just 2-3 previously. This increased cooldown not only hinders your evasive maneuvers but also costs you potential damage output.

Lastly, the Momentum ability also saw a reduction, now offering only a 25% boost instead of 30%, resulting in a flat damage decrease when following up light attacks after evading. Overall, these nerfs cumulatively dilute the rapier's effectiveness.

Buffs to the Blunderbuss

On the flip side, the Blunderbuss received a 12% base damage increase in a recent patch, making it a formidable opponent even among range weapons. Testing has shown that many players were already achieving higher damage with the Blunderbuss compared to the rapier, and this buff only solidifies that sentiment.

Damage Comparisons

When testing both weapons under equally favorable conditions, the Blunderbuss consistently outperforms the rapier in terms of overall DPS. With proper builds and attribute allocations, the Blunderbuss can yield significantly higher damage numbers even against tough PvE bosses and group content.

Crafting Your Blunderbuss Build

To maximize your potential with the Blunderbuss, consider using the Inferno variant for an effective build:

Attributes:

· Strength: 350

· Dexterity: 25

· Intelligence: 300

· Focus: 25

· Constitution: 24

Gear:

1. Weapon: Inferno Blunderbuss

· Perks to include: Refreshing Move, Disdained, and optional Flame Attunement.

2. Armor:

· I recommend Atune Leather Pants for the additional attribute thresholds, allowing 25 Dexterity and enhancing your damage further. However, Winged Leather Shoes are also viable if necessary.

3. Jewelry:

· While not critical, consider using Endless Thirst for sustain or Elemental Band for increased critical chance, especially useful since the Blunderbuss can benefit from high crit rates.

Abilities:

1. Must-Haves:

· Shrapnel Blast: Exceptional for dealing area damage.

· Splitting Grenades: Highly effective in groups or when crowd control is needed.

2. Optional:

· Claw Shot: My personal favorite for quick engagements and mobility. It offers low cooldowns and enhances ammo efficiency.

· Alternatively, you could opt for Black Shot for added control and rend effects on enemies.

Conclusion

In my extensive experience playing New World: Aeternum and testing both weapons, the Blunderbuss has proven itself as a top contender amongst ranged weapons, especially following recent patches. The increase in base damage, combined with the rapier's nerfs, positions the Blunderbuss as the go-to weapon for both PvE and competitive play. Whether you're taking on the latest dungeons or exploring Aeternum, adopting a Blunderbuss build will help you deal more damage and enhance your overall effectiveness in group content. Additionally, if you're looking to maximize your in-game resources, consider checking out MMOEXP for New World Gold for sale. Happy gaming, and may your adventures in Aeternum be filled with victory!