New World: Atum - Ultimate Beginner's Guide to "Classes" & Solo Play

Understanding New World's Unique System

First things first: New World doesn't have traditional classes. Instead, your playstyle is determined by your choice of two weapons and how you invest in their skill trees. At character creation, you'll select an archetype (like Musketeer or Ranger), but this only gives you starting gear and a gentle nudge toward certain weapons. You are not locked in—you can change your weapon setup anytime and eventually master everything, though you may choose to buy New World Coins to expedite gearing up for new roles!

Weapon Swapping in Combat

· You can equip two weapons at once.

· Switch between them instantly with a button press (Triangle on controller, default key on keyboard).

· Each weapon has its own set of 3 active abilities and numerous passive skills.

Weapon Categories & Playstyles

Think of weapon combinations as your "class." Here’s a breakdown:

One-Handed + Shield

· Sword & Shield / Flail & Shield: Defensive or bruiser-style play.

· Good for: Players who like to be tanky, block damage, and control the battlefield.

· Example "Class": Paladin (Sword/Shield + Life Staff for heals).

One-Handed (DPS)

· Rapier, Hatchet: High mobility or berserker-style damage.

· Good for: Solo players who like fast, agile combat.

Two-Handed

· Great Axe, War Hammer, Spear: Slower, heavy-hitting attacks with crowd control.

· Good for: Players who prefer powerful, deliberate strikes.

Ranged Physical

· Bow, Musket, Blunderbuss: Engage from a distance.

· Good for: Kiting enemies and tactical play.

Magic

· Fire Staff, Ice Gauntlet, Void Gauntlet: Elemental damage and debuffs.

· Good for: Area-of-effect damage and controlling the fight.

Healing & Support

· Life Staff: The only dedicated healing weapon. Consumes mana to heal and buff.

· Often paired with a damage weapon for solo play.

Solo Play: Can You Play Alone?

Yes! The entire main story and world are designed for solo play. You do not need to group up unless you want to tackle dungeons, raids, or other optional endgame content.

Staying Alive as a Solo Player

You don’t need a Life Staff to survive. The game provides other tools:

· Healing Potions: Restore health instantly.

· Food: Provides health regeneration or stat boosts over time.

· Meals: Regenerate a percentage of health every few seconds.

· Stat Food: Temporarily increases attributes like Strength or Dexterity.

· Typical solo loadout: A health-regen food + a mana or stat food + healing potions.

Building Your "Class"

1. Pick Two Weapons That Complement Each Other

· Damage + Healing: e.g., Sword/Shield + Life Staff

· Ranged + Melee: e.g., Bow + Rapier (the creator’s favorite)

· Magic + Control: e.g., Ice Gauntlet + Void Gauntlet

2. Invest in Weapon Mastery

· Each weapon has two skill trees (e.g., Bow has "Skirmisher" and "Hunter").

· You can mix passives from both trees, but active abilities must be unlocked in order.

· You earn mastery by using the weapon in combat. Want to try something new? Equip it and start fighting!

3. Attributes Matter

· Your stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Focus, Constitution) enhance weapon effectiveness.

· Gear and food can boost these attributes.

4. Armor Weight Affects Playstyle

· Light Armor: Better dodging, ideal for mobile builds like Bow/Rapier.

· Medium/Heavy Armor: More defense, better for close-quarters combat.

Key Tips for Beginners

1. Experiment! You can respec your weapon skill points anytime for a small fee. Try different combos.

2. Archetypes Are Just a Starting Point. Don’t stress over the initial choice.

3. Mastery Comes from Use. If you want to level a weapon, you have to use it.

4. Solo Viability: Every weapon combo can work solo thanks to potions, food, and smart play.

5. Watch the Cooldowns. Manage your active abilities and weapon swaps smoothly.

What to Expect in New World: Atum

· 100+ hours of main story content (base game + DLCs like Night Haven).

· Another 100+ hours of side quests, exploration, and crafting.

· Optional group content like dungeons and raids for later.

· A living world with regular updates.

Learn More

Whether you’re on PC or console (PS5), New World supports your preferred playstyle, and if you’re looking to enhance your journey, you can buy cheap New World Gold from our trusted partner MMOEXP for a secure and smooth experience.

Remember: Your "class" is what you make it. Find a weapon combo that feels fun, and you’ll do great. Happy adventuring in Aeternum!