New World is one of the biggest games on Steam right now, and with it being a huge MMORPG with tons of different systems and mechanics to get used to in a short amount of time, things can get overwhelming. If you’re just starting out in the game, here are a few tips to help you out in those early hours.
Do the Main Quest Until You’re Able to Join a Faction
At the very start of New World, you’ll run around on a tutorial beach as you learn the basic combat mechanics of the game. After that, you’ll be tasked with heading to the first main settlement of the game, and you’re basically free to roam the open-world.
I recommend just focusing on doing the main quests until level 10 and around that ballpark, as you’ll be able to join your faction at those levels. They may seem grindy but they give you access to basic tools like the pickaxe, axe, and skinning knife, all of which are essential for gathering materials and using them for crafting. By the time you’re able to pick your faction, you’ll have learned all of the basic mechanics such as camping, and you should be self-sufficient enough to explore the open-world on your own and survive well enough.
Until then, don’t get too overzealous and run across the entire map just to see what’s on the other side of the world.
Respecs are Free Until Level 20
As you’re doing your main quests, you’ll also come across different weapon types that you can experiment with. The nice thing about New World is that you can respec your character for free as many times as you want before level 20. This gives you plenty of time to experiment with different builds and weapons, and you can keep respeccing until you land on one that sticks with you.
After level 20, it’ll cost you a bit of coin to respec, and that price goes up the more times you do it, and the higher level you are. Coin is especially hard to come by in those early hours, so make full use of your pre-20 days to find a build you like.
Side Quests Reward You With Coin and Azoth
Speaking of coin, if you ever find yourself short on money or Azoth (the currency used for crafting and fast traveling), do your side quests. Side quests and faction PvE missions are the best way to level you up and get you coin and Azoth, so you should definitely grab every quest you can in town.
As you explore the open-world, make sure to stick to the regions within your own level range as well. Monarch’s Bluffs, First Light, Windsward, and Everfall are the zones you want to stick to, and all the quests you find in this region will be well within your level range.
Focus on Getting Engineering Level 50
If you’re looking to get deep into the crafting game and play the market, the first trade skill you want to focus on is Engineering. This is because getting to level 50 in Engineering will grant you the ability to craft steel tools, which allow you to gather materials much faster. Not only that, but you can also infuse them with Azoth when crafting, and get perks that could make it easier for you to get rarer materials or gain more experience.
Find a gathering route that you can run easily while farming iron, feathers, and saltpeter, and funnel those materials into making ammunition like arrows and gunpowder. This is by far the most efficient way of leveling Engineering from 1 to 50, and it’ll also raise your mining level as well.
Quick tip: steel tools can be sold for a bit of money on the trading post as well. And as you continue to progress, you’ll eventually unlock starmetal tools, which will make gathering even more efficient.
Do Corruption Runs at Level 22 Onwards
If you find yourself stumped and unsure of how to level up to keep up with the main quests, note that you can start joining Corruption groups in the early level 20s. If you take a look at your map, you’ll see red icons popping up occasionally. It’s recommended that you go in groups of five to take on a Corruption portal, and if you’re able to kill all the enemies and destroy the portal, you’ll be rewarded with tons of Azoth, experience, and territory standing.
Corruption runs go by pretty quick if you have a group, so you might want to keep an eye on the Faction and Recruitment chat to see if anyone’s running them, then join in.
Don’t Neglect Cooking and Arcana
Finally, while Engineering may be where the money is in New World, you shouldn’t neglect your Cooking and Arcana trade skills either. Cooking allows you to craft rations with very basic materials, and these will keep your health topped up at all times. If you take the time to gather herbs and other raw foods you see on farms, you can also start cooking meals that will boost your stats, which are extremely helpful in dungeons.
Arcana allows you to craft potions, which is something you should look into as soon as you can. With just a bit of water and some Hyssop (obtained by harvesting herbs), you can craft weak health potions, which will help you out a ton in those early levels. Keep leveling Arcana and your harvesting skills, and you’ll eventually be able to craft stronger potions to keep you alive in combat.
Those are all the New World beginner tips we have for now. Be sure to check our guide wiki for more tips and information on the game.
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