War Hammer Melee Bruiser PvP Build for New World

The "Bruiser" build is designed for players who prefer to jump into the thick of combat, leveraging brute force and intense AoE (Area of Effect) abilities to crush down their enemies in large clumps.

With the Great Axe, you will be utilizing a range of abilities that allow you to group your enemies together (with Gravity Well), dishing off a ton of damage (with Maelstrom), and then having a mobility skill to get you out of stick situations if needed (using Charge.

With the War Hammer, you will be able to keep your enemies controlled through a range of crowd control abilities, such as one of the most powerful and useful War Hammer Abilities, Shockwave, which stuns your enemies and sets you up for your next powerful attack. The War Hammer also offers some high-powered offensive abilities, such as Wrecking Ball, that not only will leave a mark on whoever gets hit, but also will provide you with a Fortify buff, increasing your overall survivability. Lastly, Bruisers tend to utilize the Path Of Destiny ability to send a crashing line of power towards large clumps to deal some damage and stagger everyone that's hit, allowing you and your group members to take advantage of the opportunity. Addiitonally, when utilizing the Path of Destiny weapon perk ( Leeching Path Of Destiny), you'll be able to quickly heal yourself in times of need.

Additional information on all of these abilities and combos can be found below.

Three Types of Melee Bruisers

• Option 1: Light Armor - This has high burst damage and more of a single-target lockdown, but lacks survivability. It is normally placed within a dedicated dive team, and utilizes slightly different hammer abilities (like Armor Breaker instead of Path of Destiny) to maximize damage output.
• Option 2: Medium Armor - This will focus on survivability and staying in combat to maximize damage output. This tends to be the most common type of bruiser.
• Option 3: Heavy Armor - This is the least commonly played version of the build. You will have lower damage output, but higher defensiveness. The lack of mobility and dodge can make this a bit difficult to get out of sticky situations.

• Wrecking Ball — This is a great tool for defensiveness and crowd-control. When used, it will apply a Fortify buff that will help with survivability. Additionally, it has a unexpectedly large AoE knockdown effect that is essential for starting any kind of crowd-control combo.
• Shockwave — In most cases, this should be used as soon as a target is knocked down by Wrecking Ball. Not only with it provide a massive AoE stun. Every target will be debuffed and rended as long as you use its perk. This makes all targets extremely vulnerable.
• Path Of Destiny — This is perfect for free AoE damage and it does stagger, so you can use it to interrupt healers or other players. It is primarily used to catch targets who are running away because of its stagger and its slowing debuff. It can also be used defensively with its perk to provide quick healing.

When it comes to Great Axe builds all three armor weights can play any option. Traditionally, light will be focused on mobility and lockdown, but there are situations that can be beneficial for heavier armor weights.

Typically, Maelstrom will be better for those staying in combat and playing in clumps. This does have great burst damage still and adds survivability.

Reap will play with Blood Lust making it easier to chase down targets and keep them close so that you can lock down single targets. This is typically played in a light build. Tanky heavy armor builds may also use this to add CC in clump fights.

• Charge — This is an extremely fast option for mobility to escape a fight or chase down a target. It does have collision, even with allies, so it has to be used with no obstacles in your way. This can also be a way to provide a quick burst of damage if used at close range immediately after finishing a light or heavy attack.
• Maelstrom — This ability offers single-target and AoE burst. It then deflects all incoming projectiles, and it pulls enemies within its range. It will also apply a weaken with its perk. Prioritize using it in a clump fight, or if you have setup a War Hammer combo on a single target you can use it to quickly burst them down.
• Gravity Well — This is the best crowd-control ability in New World. Much of the PvP META revolves around gathering up targets with this ability and pairing up crowd-control combos. This will pull targets, do great damage, and heal you with its perk. Avoid using it on a single target unless they are prioritized and the cooldown would otherwise be unused for a significant duration.

This is general standard build with this weapon combination. Use this build if you are wanting to stay in clumps and continue fighting. You will be focused on increasing damage by stacking Mauler's Fury. This build is most commonly used for wars.

• Reap — This will pull your target from a very far distance away. It is great for enemies who are escaping or to keep several targets in a clump and keep them close. It also offers some quick healing potential through its own passive in combinattion with the various other healing passives. Its perk will also add a slowing effect that makes it difficult to get away after being pulled in.

Use this while in light armor build when playing in a dive team, or a heavier setup where you are wanting more crowd-control. This is best for applying pressure to a single target.

• Whirlwind — In medium and heavy loadouts it can be beneficial to use this ability as a means of repositioning. It has a stacking fortify with its perk, deals good AoE damage, and has no problems with collision. It can be used to escape more easily in heavier weight builds that lack a roll.

Use this build if you are in heavy or medium and do not want to use Charge for mobility. This will help apply a bit more AoE damage, add stacks of Fortifying Whirlwind, and build Mauler's Fury. It can quickly build stacks, but you do not have the instant escape potential. This can be used as a repositioning technique. Think of Whirlwind as a boomerang and you use it to get out of a fight and reposition around to another spot within a clump fight.

Please note: The "Whirlwind Mobility" build shared above is the least common, and is most effective when pairing it specifically with the Tempest Fury Great Axe artifact, which greatly buffs the whirlwind ability.

Traditional Strength builds playing on points with medium armor will use the split of 300 CON and 300 STR. In order to hit this mix, you will be required to use certain attribute foods, such as Roasted Rabbit with Seasoned Vegetables. If you find yourself lacking in overall survivability, consider adjusting this attribute mix to 250 STR and 350 CON.

In a light build you can switch to 350 Strength and 250 Constitution, as your primary goal as a light bruiser would be damage output.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Great Axe	Refreshing Move Thwarting Strikes Enfeebling Maelstrom	Runeglass of Ignited Amethyst**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
War Hammer	Sundering Shockwave Thwarting Counter Attunement Perk	Runeglass of Ignited Amethyst**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ability Perk* or Refreshing Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Heals***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ability Perk* or Refreshing Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Heals***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Medium	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Gloves	Ability Perk* or Refreshing Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Heals***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Ability Perk* or Refreshing Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Heals***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ability Perk* or Refreshing Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Heals***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Stamina Recovery Slash Protection	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring	Invigorated Punishment Slash Damage Hearty	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast Refreshing	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE

*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Sundering Shockwave, Insatiable Gravity Well, and Crippling Reap.

**: Your Opal Runeglass on your weapons can be any variation of elemental damage, the same goes for your Attunement perks. It is best practice to match your Attunement with the type of DoT damage your Opal does. Typically, most bruisers go with Void, as the gravity well ability deals a portion of void damage.

***: Shirking Heals is a major part of this build, as it allows yourself to self-heal mid-combat. Dodging an attack heals 250 health, and 1.5% of your max health with this ability, and it will stack with every piece of equipment that this perk is on, leading to a large increase in survivability directly through heals.

Please note: If you are in a positon where you will be able to utilize artifacts, it is recommended to use the Tumbler Feetwraps light footwear and the Endless Thirst earring artifact in order to support your burst damage.

Slot	Perks	Gem	Weight	Attribute	Source
Great Axe	Refreshing Move Thwarting Strikes Enfeebling Maelstrom	Runeglass of Ignited Amethyst**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
War Hammer	Sundering Shockwave Thwarting Counter Attunement Perk	Runeglass of Ignited Amethyst**	-	Strength	Crafted/BoE
Helmet	Ability Perk* or Refreshing** Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Fortification***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Chest	Ability Perk* or Health Enchanted Ward Elemental Aversion**	Cut Pristine Onyx	Medium	Strength or Constitution	Craft the Pauldron of the Frigid Dawn
Gloves	Ability Perk* or Health Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Fortification***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Medium or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Pants	Ability Perk* or Health Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Fortification***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Light or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Boots	Ability Perk* or Health Enchanted Ward or Grit Ward Shirking Fortification***	Cut Pristine Onyx	Medium or Heavy	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Amulet	Health Stamina Recovery Slash Protection	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE
Ring	Slash Damage Hearty Leeching	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength	Named Drop****
Earring	Refreshing Toast Purifying Toast Refreshing	Cut Pristine Opal	-	Strength or Constitution	Crafted/BoE

*: The ability perks you need to make sure are in your build are Sundering Shockwave, Insatiable Gravity Well, Enfeebling Maelstrom, and Leeching Path Of Destiny. Each of these ability perks have a direct link to increase either your damage output or surviability.

**: It is best practice to use Void damage for your attunement, but you may explore the element of your choice.

***: Shirking Fortification is one the most effective perks in a heavier loadout. You can use also try out Shirking Heals if you don't often have a healer on your team to support your overall survivability.

Please note: If you are in a positon where you will be able to utilize artifacts, it is recommended to use the Voidplate heavy chest and the Ankh amulet artifact in order to greatly increase your survivability.

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 Great Axe Perks guide or War Hammer 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.

This will increase physical damage dealt by a flat percent, but it has an internal cooldown attached to it. This means that if you swing two light attacks with a Great Axe, only every other swing will have the damage increase. This drastically reduces its effectiveness over time, whereas you could just take normal defensive gems to increase survivability. It can be worth it to put 1-3 of this Runeglass in your gear, but never use a complete set of 5 Punishing Runeglass

Bruisers looking to have higher damage output and burst down multiple targets within a clump should use Brutal Heartrune of Detonate. You just need to play safely after activating it. If you are playing with other bruisers, communicating with one another and timing the usage of this heart rune to detonate simutaneously could result in great success in clump battles.

For a safer alternative that can increase your burst potential, Cunning Heartrune of Detonate can also be an option.

If you are wanting to push through choke points, doorways, or want a more defensive option, Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform is great to have some independent burst healing if you do not have a healer. For max defensiveness, Cunning Heartrune of Stoneform is the better option.

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

• Use Wrecking Ball to knock down the target.
• Use Shockwave immediately to stun.
• Charge a heavy Great Axe attack, or use a light attack if they have Freedom.
• Use Maelstrom immediately after to pull, burst damage, and bait their dodges so they exhaust themselves.
• If the target does not die, fire a basic attack at them

• Use Gravity Well to group your enemies.
• Use Shockwave to stun.
• Use Wrecking Ball (or Armor Breaker if being used) to damage the target.
• Light attack with your Great Axe.
• Use Maelstrom immediately after to pull, burst damage, and bait their dodges so they exhaust themselves.
• If the target does not die, finish them with a basic attack.

• Use Gravity Well on clumps of enemies, or on a priority target.
• Use Wrecking Ball if targets are stacked together or a priority target is alone
• Use Shockwave if targets are stacked together or a priority target is alone
• Use Maelstrom to pull enemies toward you and provide burst damage.
• Use Path Of Destiny for AoE damage, interrupting casts, or to apply a slow and catch players. It can also be used when outnumbered for a burst heal with Leeching Path Of Destiny.
• Use Charge to escape or to secure a kill and chase targets.

When using the Great Axe or War Hammer 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 Great Axe page or War Hammer page.

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