Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (2024)

Last updated on Oct 14, 2024 at 12:00by Savvvo8 comments

This PvE tanking build is one of the only primary tanking options in the game. Itcan be played defensively or offensively depending on a player's preference anddesire to increase damage to finish an expedition more quickly. It has many optionsfor threat management, defensiveness, and crowd-control.

1.

PvE Tank

In PvE combat this is the featured role of a Sword and Shield player. You will bemanaging threat to maintain aggro and hold an enemy's attention while your DPS focus ondoing as much damage as possible. You must properly manage cooldowns, position properly,and block, to reduce as much damage taken as possible and still deal damage to hold threat.

There are two versions of this build:

  • Option 1: Light Armor - This has high burst damage and more mobility. This ispreferred for speed runs.
  • Option 2: Heavy Armor - This will focus on survivability and is best for playerslearning the tank role.

2.

Sword Builds

2.1.

Leadership - Shield Bash (PvE Tank)

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (1)

  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (2) Reverse Stab — This is your primary cooldown reduction tool. This should be used onlyafter your other two abilities are on cooldown. It will also do high damage to your target.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (3) Shield Bash — This ability is a taunt and CC tool. You do not need its passives asits damage is not important and it will always taunt the targets it hits.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (4) Defender's Resolve — Potent damage reduction tool that should be maintained asneeded, but it also acts as an AoE taunt. Use this to maintain aggro.

This is build embraces optimal defensive passives and an ability loadout that add even moredefensiveness, as well as, damage, cooldown reduction, and threat management abilities. It canbe used in PvP if you want to be a point tank, but it would be suggested to take Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (5) Leaping Strikeinstead of Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (6) Reverse Stab.

2.2.

Leadership - Shield Rush (PvE Tank)

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (7)

  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (8) Shield Rush — This ability will apply a weaken to your targets to make themdeal less damage, and it will apply a fortify with its perk.

Play a build like this allows you to have a consistent way to reduce incoming damage fromone or more enemies, and have a constant fortify. If you prefer having another taunt optionuse the Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (9) Shield Bash build.

This is the preferred build in the current META.

3.

Secondary Weapons

3.1.

Hatchet

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (10)

  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (11) Berserk — This is your main DPS cooldown. Try to activate this before large burst damage windows.It will also provide movement speed and self-healing.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (12) Raging Torrent — This will be your only real active weapon ability. It has great single targetdamage when used with maximum empower stacks, and does have AoE damage potential as it can hit multiple enemies.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (13) Rending Throw — This is your main source of Rend. It is only able to hit one target at a time, butit results in increased damage and is great for boss fights.

3.2.

War Hammer

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (14)

  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (15) Wrecking Ball — This is a great tool for defensiveness and crowd-control. When it is used it willapply a Fortify buff that will help with survivability. Additionally, it has a unexpectedly large AoE knockdowneffect that is essential for starting any kind of crowd-control combo.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (16) Shockwave — This will act as an AoE stun and taunting option. Use it to maintain threat andapply Rend.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (17) Path Of Destiny — This is perfect for free AoE damage and it does stagger, so you can use it tointerrupt enemies and apply a slow.

3.3.

Great Axe

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (18)

  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (19) Reap — This can be used to pull enemies into Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (20) Gravity Well, or be used to start off aCC combo so that enemies are closer together.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (21) Maelstrom — This ability offers single-target and AoE burst. It then deflects all incomingprojectiles, and it pulls enemies within its range. It will also apply a weaken with its perk.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (22) Gravity Well — This is the best crowd-control ability in New World. It is mostly usedon trash packs so that your group can quickly kill enemies with AoE abilities.

3.4.

Greatsword

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (23)

  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (24) Steadfast Strike — Use this when you need a quick taunt or way to stagger and pull enemies.It will also heal and provide cooldown reduction. Try to use this ability when your others are on cooldown.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (25) Calamity Counter — This can be used to completely block mechanics, provide burst healing in a pinch,and will add a DoT to all targets to help with aggro.
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (26) Roaring Rupture — This will mainly act as an AoE taunt, but should also be maintained while usingthe Greatsword for its defensive buffs.

4.

Attributes

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (27)

In PvE your Constitution and armor weight are dictated by your personal preferences and skill level.

Typically, a tank will not go higher than 200 Constitution because it is unnecessary with defensive perksand gems. Some tanks will play as low as 50 Constitution to maximize damage output.

5.

Gearing

Slot Perks Gem Weight Attribute Source
Sword Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (30) Cut Pristine Carnelian - Strength Crafted/BoE
Hatchet*** Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (33) Cut Pristine Carnelian - Strength Crafted/BoE
War Hammer*** Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (36) Cut Pristine Carnelian - Strength Crafted/BoE
Great Axe*** Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (39) Cut Pristine Carnelian - Strength Crafted/BoE
Greatsword*** Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (42) Cut Pristine Carnelian - Strength Crafted/BoE
Round Shield (Light) - Round Strength Crafted/BoE
Tower Shield (Heavy) - Tower Strength Crafted/BoE
Helmet
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (51) Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light or Heavy Strength or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Chest
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (52) Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light or Heavy Strength or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Gloves
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (53) Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light or Heavy Strength or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Pants
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (54) Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light or Heavy Strength or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Boots
  • Ward Protection Perk
  • Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (55) Refreshing
  • Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk
Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) Light or Heavy Strength or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Amulet Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength or Constitution Crafted/BoE
Ring Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength or Constitution Named Drop****
Earring Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific) - Strength or Constitution Named Drop****

*: The type of Bane and Ward that you slot into your gear will be dependent on the expedition youare in and the type of enemy that you are facing. For example, if you are fighting Angry Earth enemiesin Genesis you will want Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (65) Angry Earth Bane and Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (66) Angry Earth Ward. Your amulet protection perkwill be similar. Depending on the elemental type of the Mutator you are in, you can wear an elementalprotection amulet for more defensiveness instead of completely switching your gems.

**: The only ability perk that is needed is for Sword and Shield is Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (67) Fortifying Shield Rush.Your secondary weapon options could result in more perks needed, please reference their respective guides.If the perk is essential, it is listed as a perk needed on the weapon.

***: Pick whatever secondary weapon your perfer depending on playstyle and the expedition you arerunning.

****: Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (68) Smooth Bone Ring is a named ring option--you can choose any third perk you would like forutility. Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (69) Doom's Chance Earring is a named earring option that works in many builds.

Overall with gearing, this is the ideal loadout of perks for a best in slotbuild. With that being said, be sure to refer to theSword Perks guide Perks guide or anyof the secondary weapon options below to have a better understanding of otherflexible perk options to fit into your build. You can decide what you are most comfortablewith.

  • Hatchet
  • War Hammer
  • Great Axe
  • Greatsword

6.

Gem Optimization

For more specific information on optimizing your gems in PvP and PvE pleaserefer to our dedicated guides.

Sword Gems Guide

7.

Heartrune

Use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (70) Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines to help group enemies together, deal AoE damage, andapply Rend.

Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (71) Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform can be taken as a defensive option.

7.1.

Heartrune Usage

Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such,please refer to our Sword guide or anyof the secondary weapon options below for tips on how it can be used most effectively.

  • Hatchet
  • War Hammer
  • Great Axe
  • Greatsword

8.

Rotation and Priority List

8.1.

Single Target Boss Rotation

  • Use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (72) Shield Rush to maintain the weaken and fortify(Or use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (73) Shield Bash if selected).
  • Use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (74) Defender's Resolve if you need damage reduction orto group any adds that may have spawned.
  • Use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (75) Reverse Stab for cooldown reduction.
  • Hold your shield up to block enemy abilities or basic attacks,do not dodge and waste stamina unless it is necessary.
  • Light attack when there are opportunities where the bossis not attacking.

8.2.

AoE Trash Rotation

  • Use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (76) Defender's Resolve or secondary weapon to taunt andget initial threat.
  • Use Sword and Shield Tank PvE Build (77) Shield Rush to apply AoE weaken.
  • Hold your block as long as you are maintaining threat.
  • Light attack or swap to secondary weapon to apply damage and crowd-control

9.

Gameplay Tips

When using the Swordin PvP and PvE there are many similar aspects that go into gameplay decisions and rotations.To learn more about how you can improve your gameplay, use certain secondary weapons,or additional information on specific abilities, please refer to the Gameplaysection of the Sword page anyof the secondary weapon options below.

  • Hatchet
  • War Hammer
  • Great Axe
  • Greatsword

10.

FAQ

For more information on the most frequently asked Sword or Secondary Weapon questionsplease refer to the FAQ section of the Sword,or secondary weapons below, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!

  • Hatchet
  • War Hammer
  • Great Axe
  • Greatsword

11.

Changelog

  • 22 Oct. 2023: Guide updated for expansion.
  • 29 Mar. 2023: Updated gear.
  • 23 Feb. 2023: Guide added.

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