New World: Aeternum – Best Ranged Weapon Types, Ranked

New World: Aeternum - Best Ranged Weapon Types, Ranked

Key Takeaways

  • Ranged weapons are powerful & essential in New World Aeternum, perfect for keeping distance & causing heavy damage.
  • Blunderbuss offers high burst damage & nice control in battle, paired well with a sword and shield or a magical weapon.
  • Musket excels in long-range sniping, reliable for both PvP/PvE, paired with fast close-combat weapons for agility.

As a seasoned adventurer of Aeternum, I wholeheartedly vouch for ranged weapons in this captivating realm. From my countless encounters with the corrupted hordes, I can attest that keeping enemies at bay is a lifesaver – quite literally!


In the game “New World: Aeternum,” it’s crucial to have at least one ranged weapon because they are ideal for inflicting damage on enemies while maintaining a safe distance, especially when corrupted forces are hot on your trail. Whether you prefer to play alone or with a group, having a ranged weapon can be extremely beneficial.

In the game “New World: Aeternum”, base-level ranged weapons pack quite a punch. Enhancing them with gems boosts their effectiveness, making them formidable indeed. With an optimal blend of weapon types, opponents may not even catch a glimpse of the player before they strike. The suggestions that follow provide insights into the best weapon categories, taking into account both their advantages and potential drawbacks to aid players in making informed choices for their gaming experience.

3 Blunderbuss

Mid-Range AOE Blaster

  • Primary Stat: Strength
  • Secondary Stat: Intelligence
  • Pros: Heavy mid-range hitter, good AOE damage, high burst damage.
  • Cons: Slower reload, minimal range, tough to master.
  • Best Weapon Pairing: Fire Staff, Ice Gauntlet, Sword and Shield

Using the Blunderbuss means you’ll inflict moderate damage, which might require you to move nearer to your foe than you’d prefer. However, don’t worry because it becomes quite potent in close combat and can be combined effectively with melee weapons such as an Axe or Sword. What’s more, this weapon provides impressive maneuverability and control during a battle. Interestingly, it excels even further when partnered with a ranged magical weapon, like a staff.

This item excels in Strength, making it an excellent pick for players who enjoy using swords and shields for their slashing and blocking actions. The Blunderbuss has a secondary stat focused on Intelligence, which makes it ideal for characters with magic-oriented builds. When combined with a fire staff, the Blunderbuss can become a powerful weapon. Additionally, it provides the player with Containment and Chaos abilities, giving control over battles while also offering some exciting, explosive gameplay.

Claw Shot can be a player’s favorite perk as it keeps the enemy in place, allowing them to close the distance between them and the enemy, and cause some damage. Pairing that perk with Azoth Shrapnel Blast gives the player complete control over the fight, especially in a one-on-one situation. Claw Shot deals damage and pulls the enemy close, while Shrapnel Blast deals more damage while pushing the player back to a safe distance.

2 Musket

A Strong Sharpshooter

  • Primary Stat: Dexterity
  • Secondary Stat: Intelligence
  • Pros: Great at long range, unaffected by gravity, high damage
  • Cons: Long reload, hard to master, relies heavily on headshots
  • Best Weapon Pairing: Rapier, Spear

The Musket provides players with a powerful, long-range weapon that performs effectively in both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) scenarios. Unlike the Bow, it doesn’t suffer from bullet drop-off issues. Its range is remarkable, and its ability to dish out significant damage from such a distance is an added advantage. When used from a concealed location, players can assume the role of their group’s sniper, as this is the only weapon that can be used while in the prone position.

In a battle scenario, the Musket works optimally with quick melee weapons such as the Rapier or Spear. Their swiftness and maneuverability compensate for the musket’s slower reloading mechanism, proving especially useful when unexpectedly attacked by an enemy in close quarters. The Sharpshooter and Trapper skill trees enhance a player’s sniping prowess while providing valuable crowd control options as well.

Skills associated with The Sharpshooter primarily focus on landing headshots, which boosts damage output and decreases cooldown periods, although it may require practice to excel at. On the other hand, The Trapped abilities offer close-quarters skills that can be crucial when enemies approach closely. Players seeking to maintain a safe distance can utilize Stopping Power and Traps for additional space, allowing more shots to be taken or engaging in melee combat with the sword.

1 Bow

High Damage, High Mobility

  • Primary Stat: Dexterity
  • Secondary Stat: None
  • Pros: Great at mid and long range, high damage, super mobile, quick reload, offers AOE abilities
  • Cons: Poor hip-fire control, weaker at close range, affected by gravity
  • Best Weapon Pairing: Rapier, Spear

This Bow weapon stands out for its effectiveness at medium and long distances, providing rapid firing capabilities and excellent mobility. It’s considered one of the simplest ranged weapons to get the hang of, although it’s important to be aware of the reduced impact at greater distances due to gravity affecting the arrows. Since the arrows are light, players should consider how far they can travel when aiming for long-range shots. The agility you gain while using the Bow somewhat compensates for its lower individual shot power compared to weapons such as the Musket or Blunderbuss.

For those who prefer a strategic approach, pairing a ranged weapon such as the Bow with close-combat weapons like the Great Sword, Rapier, or Spear can be a popular decision among players. The Great Sword may move slowly, but its high damage potential in close combat serves as an effective companion to the Bow’s ranged abilities. On the other hand, the Rapier and Spear are more agile weapons, well-suited for fast-paced skirmishes, making them ideal choices for players who want to maintain mobility during battle while still packing a powerful punch.

The Hunter and Skimisher skill trees for the Bow character provide area-of-effect attacks, which are handy for managing groups of enemies effectively. Damage is amplified with Penetrating Shot and Rapid Shot, while Skirmisher provides agility boosts through Dodge, Weave, and Archer’s Speed. By skillfully combining area-of-effect attacks and strategic shots, the Bow becomes a favored weapon choice for numerous players due to its high potential rating.

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2024-10-17 16:54