In New World: Aeternum, mastering your weapons is a critical part of surviving and thriving on the supernatural island of Aeternum. Weapon Mastery allows players to unlock powerful abilities, modifiers, and perks, enabling diverse playstyles and enhancing combat effectiveness. As players navigate the game's challenges, from battling fierce creatures to engaging in PvP skirmishes, efficiently leveling Weapon Mastery becomes essential. The economy of New World Gold coins plays a significant role in supporting this process, as players often need resources to craft, repair, or purchase gear to optimize their grinding efforts. This article explores the most popular and effective methods to level Weapon Mastery in New World, offering strategies for both solo and group players to maximize their experience gains.

Understanding Weapon Mastery

Weapon Mastery in New World refers to the progression system for each of the game's diverse weapons, such as the Greatsword, War Hammer, Fire Staff, or Life Staff. Each weapon has its own skill tree with two distinct branches, offering a range of abilities and passives that unlock as you gain Weapon Mastery experience (XP). Mastery levels range from 1 to 20, with higher levels granting access to powerful perks and enabling players to wield Legendary Weapons. Weapon XP is earned primarily by defeating enemies with the weapon equipped, with additional XP from activities like PvP or specific events. The challenge lies in leveling multiple weapons to diversify builds, especially for players who reach the character level cap (currently 65) and want to explore new playstyles.

General Tips for Faster Weapon Leveling

Before diving into specific methods, here are some general tips to optimize Weapon Mastery progression:

Use Double XP Tokens: Available during special events, these tokens significantly boost Weapon XP gains. Stock up when possible.

Group Buffs: The "All Together Now" music buff, earned by grouping with others, provides bonus XP but requires coordination.

Attribute Respec: Reallocate attribute points to match the weapon's scaling (e.g., Strength for Great Axe, Intelligence for Fire Staff) to improve kill speed.

AOE Abilities: Prioritize area-of-effect (AOE) skills and damage perks to clear groups of enemies faster, maximizing XP per encounter.

Dual Weapon Strategy: Equip a secondary weapon to tag enemies or finish fights, allowing simultaneous leveling of two weapons. For example, use a primary AOE weapon to clear mobs and a Life Staff to finish off tougher enemies.

These strategies enhance efficiency across all leveling methods, ensuring faster progression.

Method 1: Baby Thorp in Great Cleave

One of the most popular and efficient methods for leveling Weapon Mastery is farming the"Hounding the Master" mini-event in Great Cleave.

Location: Teleport to Battle's Edge Shrine in Great Cleave and head west to Battle Class Crossing.

Process: Engage in the event by following its steps to spawn Baby Thorp, a repeatable boss. The event consists of multiple waves:

Wave 1: Clear initial enemies.

Wave 2: Defeat five approaching enemies.

Wave 3: Kill three of Thorp's lieutenants.

Wave 4: Kill as many enemies as possible within 60 seconds, focusing on weaker mobs for quick XP.

Final Wave: Defeat Baby Thorp for a significant XP boost.

Tips: Use AOE weapons like the Greatsword or War Hammer to clear waves quickly. Switch to a secondary weapon, such as a Life Staff, to finish Baby Thorp, leveling both weapons simultaneously. The event's high enemy density and repeatable nature make it ideal for solo or group play.

This method is particularly effective for players around level 40–50, as the enemies (level 41–43) provide substantial XP without being too difficult.

Method 2: Pirate Camps in Restless Shore

For a simpler and more relaxed farming method, the pirate camps in Restless Shore offer a consistent way to grind Weapon Mastery.

Location: Teleport to Cisnis Shrine in Restless Shore and head north to Channelview Post, then east to Oceanview Post.

Process: Run a circular path through each camp, aggroing all enemies (level 44–45 Lost foes) by nudging or passing them. Group them together and use AOE abilities to eliminate them. After clearing Channelview Post, move to Oceanview Post and repeat. Enemies respawn every five minutes, allowing for continuous farming with minimal downtime.

Tips: Weapons with strong AOE skills, such as the Great Axe or Fire Staff, excel here. Create a camp between the two posts for quick respawns if overwhelmed. For ranged weapons like the Blunderbuss, aggro fewer enemies to maintain control. This method is ideal for multitasking or solo players seeking a low-effort grind.

Restless Shore's accessibility makes it suitable for players as early as level 30, though it remains effective even at level 60 due to its high enemy density.

Method 3: Elite Points of Interest in Brightwood Isle

For players seeking a challenge, Brightwood Isle's elite areas provide a high-risk, high-reward option for Weapon Mastery leveling.

Location: Brightwood Isle, a low-level elite area accessible to players around level 30–40.

Process: Pull multiple elite enemies (including Gravediggers and Exploding Mobs) and use AOE attacks to clear them. Tagging enemies with a single hit grants XP, making it efficient for farming.

Tips: This method is more intensive due to tougher enemies, but it's excellent for practicing weapon mechanics. Use AOE-heavy weapons to handle groups, and consider grouping with others to share XP and reduce risk. The area's elite chests also provide bonus loot, complementing XP gains.

This method suits players who enjoy dynamic combat and want to combine Weapon Mastery grinding with gear farming.

Method 4: Chest and Portal Runs

For a more passive approach, chest and portal runs advertised in World Chat offer a low-effort way to level weapons.

Process: Join a group running portal or chest routes, equip the weapon you want to level, and tag enemies or benefit from group kills. These runs focus on high-density areas or events, providing steady XP without requiring active combat.

Tips: This method is ideal for players who prefer a laid-back approach or want to multitask. It also yields New World Gold coins as a side benefit, which can be used to repair gear or purchase upgrades. Ensure your weapon is used to tag at least some enemies to gain XP.

This method is accessible to all levels and particularly useful for players who enjoy group activities or have limited playtime.

Method 5: PvP Activities

PvP is often cited as the fastest way to level Weapon Mastery, especially during large-scale events like Fort Takeovers or Wars.

Process: Engage in PvP with your chosen weapon active, earning significant Weapon XP for each player kill or assist. Events like Outpost Rush (unlocked at level 60) or open-world PvP provide consistent opportunities.

Tips: PvP is high-risk, as deaths can slow progress, but the XP rewards are substantial. It's best for skilled players or those comfortable with competitive play. Use weapons suited to your playstyle, such as the Rapier for mobility or the Musket for ranged combat.

PvP is most effective at higher levels but requires confidence in combat and coordination with allies.

Challenges and Considerations

While these methods are effective, challenges include:

Enemy Scaling: Killing enemies 10+ levels below your character yields reduced XP, so focus on level-appropriate areas until reaching the level cap.

Crowded Areas: Popular spots like Channelview Post may be busy, requiring coordination or alternative locations like Hibbotsfield in Mourningdale.

Gear Dependency: Efficient farming requires decent gear, which may necessitate spending New World Gold coins on upgrades or repairs.

Conclusion

Leveling Weapon Mastery in New World: Aeternum is a rewarding journey that unlocks the full potential of the game's diverse combat system. Whether you prefer the high-intensity Baby Thorp farm, the relaxed pirate camp grind, the challenging Brightwood Isle elites, the passive chest runs, or the competitive PvP scene, there's a method for every playstyle. By leveraging AOE abilities, group buffs, and strategic locations, players can efficiently reach Mastery level 20 and dominate Aeternum's battlefields. To support your grind, consider investing in gear or resources, and if needed, buy New World Coins to enhance your journey and secure the tools for success.