Rapier and Spear DPS PvE Build for New World

In PvE combat a player can use both of these weapons to apply a wide range of debuffs and damage over time effects to provide consistent damage output that complements each weapon's burst damage options. The Spear also provides crowd-control, and the Rapier supplements with AoE damage output.

One of the most effective DPS builds in the game uses the Spear and Rapier in a very unique way. With this build, players use the Spear for crowd control abilities and debuffs, and the Rapier for massive bleed and burst damage. All of these builds that primarily utilize the Rapier should be using the Finisher artifact to capitalize on the Rapier's true damage potential.

The video below highlights one of the most effective builds using these weapons. An additional build highlight the usage of Evade can also be found below within the guide. Enjoy!

• Tondo — Stacking DoT that will deal incredibly damage when paired with Omnidirectional Evade, and can be easily maintained.
• Flurry — High damage cooldown with AoE potential.
• Evade — Low cooldown ability that will constant provide a massive overall damage increase. This should be used constantly, especially right before an ability is used.

• Sweep — This provides an AoE crowd-control ability that knocks a enemies down, allowing them to be clumped together and killed quickly.
• Perforate — This is a major source of damage that aplies the highest amount of Rend. It is important to use this on cooldown.
• Skewer — This is a high damage ability that also applies a bleed to increase critical hit chance and apply extra damage pressure.

It is commonly debated as to whether or not you should take Sweep or Vault Kick. Having the AoE crowd-control for trash packs with a Sweep is typically better than single-target stuns.

In PvE you want to play with as little Constitution as possible. As such, it is best to play around 50-100 Constitution.

Your primary attribute distribution depends on the content you are in. It is generally best to solely focus on putting points into Dexterity, but this is up to you and whether or not you primarily like to use the Rapier. Nonetheless, it is most optimal to scale Dexterity for the sake of both weapons.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Spear	Vicious Keenly Empowered Enfeebling Skewer	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Dexterity	Crafted/BoE
Rapier	Finisher	Cut Pristine Diamond	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Medium	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Enchanted Ward Refreshing Ability Perk** or Any Viable Third Perk	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	Light	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Stamina Recovery Protection Perk (Mutator Specific)*	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring***	Thrust Damage Hearty Blood Letting	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Dexterity	Named Drop***
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast or Regenerating Refreshing	Elemental Damage Reduction Gem (Mutator Specific)	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE

**: The only ability perks that you need for the spear is Enfeebling Skewer. All others are moreso "nice to have". You may want to consider adding Keen Vault Kick if you use this ability. The optional perks you can take are Leeching Flurry, Bleeding Sweep, and Fortifying Perforate.

***: Heart of Anhurawak is a Thrust Damage drop that also has Keen Awareness, this perk combination cannot be rolled organically, so this is very strong.

Overall with gearing, this is the ideal loadout of perks for a best in slot build. With that being said, be sure to refer to the Spear Perks guide or Spear Perks guide or Rapier Perks guide or Rapier Perks guide to have a better understanding of other flexible perk options to fit into your build. You can decide what you are most comfortable with.

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

Use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate in PvE for maximum damage output.

Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines and Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform are secondary utility options.

Your Heartrune will be used similarly in PvP and PvE scenarios. As such, please refer to our Spear guide or Rapier guide for tips on how it can be used most effectively.

• Use Perforate and follow it with Skewer.
• Use Evade and then use Tondo.
• Light attack with Rapier until Evade is available again.
• Use Evade and then use Flurry
• Light attack with Rapier until Evade is available again.
• Use Evade and then use Tondo.
• Light attack with Rapier until Evade is available again.
• Use Evade and then use Tondo.
• Light attack with Rapier until Evade is available again.
• Use Evade and then use Flurry
• Maintain Spear debuffs
• Use your Rapier for light attacking and maintain all bleeds. Continue using the combo listed above.

• Use Sweep on clumps of enemies.
• Use Evade and then use Tondo.
• Light attack with Rapier until Evade is available again.
• Use Evade and then use Flurry on cooldown.
• Light attack with Rapier until Evade is available again.
• Maintain as many Tondo stacks as possible.
• Repeat

When using the Spear or Rapier in 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 Gameplay section of the Spear page or Rapier page.

For more information on the most frequently asked Spear or Rapier questions please refer to the FAQ section of the Rapier, or Rapier, for answers on PvP and PvE topics!