New World Aeternum Best DPS, Healer, Tank Builds (PvE/PvP) | NW S9 Build Tier List 2025

As New World Aeternum continues to evolve, players are constantly seeking optimal builds to excel in both PvE and PvP environments. With the launch of Season 9, the combat landscape has shifted once again, introducing new artifacts, weapon adjustments, and a fresh meta for DPS, healer, and tank roles. This New World Aeternum Season 9 Best Build (Weapon Combo) Tier List covers the top-performing DPS, healer, and tank builds for PvP & PvE, reflecting the latest changes and community tier list rankings.

New World Aeternum Build Tier List 2025 - Best DPS, Healer, Tank Builds (Weapon Combos) for PvE & PvP in Season 9

Season 9 brings significant changes to New World Aeternum’s gameplay, highlighted by the introduction of a new PvP mode—Capture the Flag, alongside a new Outpost Rush map and an arena map. The patch also delivers sweeping combat adjustments, including a reduction to haste effects, gear score increases, improved dubloon loot, and several artifact reworks. Notably, non-Apex crates now drop gear scores between 720 and 725, offering more reliable upgrades.

Among the new artifacts, the Hammer of Yeet stands out for its massive knockback; Crescent’s Wave Greatsword introduces ranged heavy attacks with a notable damage boost at range; and the Plague Herald Helm brings a disease-stacking mechanic that triggers a damaging cloud. These additions, alongside key weapon and perk adjustments, are directly shaping the build meta for 2025.

New World Aeternum Season 9 Best DPS Builds (Weapon Combos)

Season 9’s DPS meta is shaped by weapon balance changes, artifact updates, and the demands of new and existing PvP modes. Here are the top DPS builds ranked by their viability across multiple game modes:

1. Fire Staff + Ice Gauntlet

The Fire Staff and Ice Gauntlet combination remains the premier DPS build, offering consistent damage, crowd control, and survivability. Fire Staff received some nerfs in Season 9—such as reduced damage-over-time and longer cooldowns on key abilities—but it’s still unrivaled for sustained ranged damage, especially when paired with Ice Gauntlet for added control and defensive options. Mana management is less of an issue thanks to potions, and Ice Gauntlet’s utility ensures this build remains strong in Outpost Rush, wars, and arenas.

2. Great Axe + Blunderbuss

This build is a favorite among players who excel in brawling and skirmishes. The Great Axe provides powerful chase and crowd control tools, while the Blunderbuss offers explosive burst damage and additional mobility. With perks like Exhaustive Net Shot and refreshing charge, the build excels at locking down targets and applying pressure. The Pestilence artifact adds healing reduction, making this build particularly effective against healers. Stat allocation typically favors high constitution for survivability, with some intelligence or dexterity to maximize damage-over-time effects.

3. Sword & Shield + Great Axe

A staple in kill squads and group fights, this build leverages the chase potential of both weapons. Sword & Shield offers defensive utility and crowd control, while Great Axe ensures no enemy escapes. Reap and Spin are often used to secure kills. It’s a top choice in war and OPR, with enough flexibility for smaller-scale skirmishes.

4. Fire Staff + Rapier

Often seen in competitive play, this setup excels when left unchecked, dealing high damage and repositioning quickly. It’s vulnerable to focused pressure but dominates in modes where mobility and burst are key, such as arenas and Outpost Rush.

5. Bow + Hatchet

While Bow isn’t as dominant as Fire Staff, the Bow and Hatchet pairing is still valued for its ranged pressure and survival tools. Hatchet provides self-sustain and escape options, making it a solid pick in open world and certain PvP scenarios.

Honorable Mentions

• Great Sword + Hatchet: With the new Crescent’s Wave artifact, Great Sword gains ranged capability and notable damage at distance. Paired with Hatchet, this setup is expected to rise in popularity as players experiment with Season 9’s changes.

• Rapier + Bow: For those who favor agility and tactical play, this build remains viable in modes where kiting and quick engagements matter.

New World Aeternum Season 9 Best Healer Builds (Weapon Combos)

Healing continues to be a linchpin for group content, and Season 9 brings subtle shifts but no replacement for the core meta builds:

1. Life Staff + Void Gauntlet

The Life Staff and Void Gauntlet combo is widely regarded as the top healing setup in both PvE and PvP. This build provides unmatched group healing, utility, and survivability. In PvE, healers are always in demand for expeditions and raids, offering the ability to solo heal high-end content or stabilize under-geared groups. In PvP, a well-positioned healer can determine the outcome of team fights, especially in Outpost Rush and arena matches.

Life Staff abilities such as Sacred Ground, Beacon, and Splash of Light (or Divine Embrace for PvP) allow for flexible healing. The Void Gauntlet adds further utility with Void Blade for pressure, Oblivion for buffs/debuffs, and Orb of Decay for hybrid healing and damage. Full focus is recommended for PvE, while a split between constitution and focus improves survivability in PvP.

Artifacts like Featherweight, Lifetaker, and Endless Thirst, combined with high gear scores, make this build resilient and effective in every mode.

2. Life Staff + Rapier

This build trades some utility for increased mobility, making it well-suited for players who need to reposition quickly during fights. Rapier allows healers to escape focus and avoid crowd control, which is especially valuable in arenas and smaller-scale encounters.

3. Life Staff + Hatchet

Hatchet is favored for its self-sustain and defensive tools. This pairing is ideal for open world and larger scale PvP, where healers need to survive extended pressure. Berserk provides a safety net and additional mobility, making it easier to focus on keeping the team alive.

4. Life Staff + Ice Gauntlet

A niche but effective setup for fort defense and choke points, this build leverages Ice Gauntlet’s crowd control to keep enemies at bay while providing consistent healing output.

New World Aeternum Season 9 Best Tank Builds (Weapon Combos)

Tanking in New World requires a balance of durability, control, and group utility. Here’s how the best tank builds stack up after the latest changes:

1. Sword & Shield + Ice Gauntlet

This classic tank build excels in wars and fort defense, utilizing Sword & Shield for core tanking skills and Ice Gauntlet for area denial and crowd control. Ice Shower remains a centerpiece for controlling objectives, while defensive passives and mitigation ensure the tank can withstand focused fire.

2. Sword & Shield + Great Sword

With the introduction of Crescent’s Wave Greatsword, this tank build is gaining traction for Season 9. The Great Sword adds ranged zoning and damage, making it a flexible option for tanks who want to contribute offensively while anchoring the frontline.

3. Sword & Shield + Spear

Spear offers additional crowd control and anti-healing tools, making this build effective at shutting down enemy healers and controlling key targets. It’s a meta pick for coordinated groups where disrupting backlines is a priority.

4. Sword & Shield + Flail

Flail brings utility and healing, especially with recent buffs to its healing output when not using a Life Staff or heavy armor. It’s a versatile pick in large-scale engagements and can play both tank and off-support roles.

5. Great Axe + Warhammer

A bruiser-oriented tank option, this build shines in wars and Outpost Rush by providing massive crowd control and area pressure. Warhammer’s stuns and knockdowns, combined with Great Axe’s clumping and chase, make it formidable on objectives.