New World is an RPG that lacks some of the more conventional features connected to the genre. Since there aren’t any official classes in New World, it means that there aren’t any restrictions when it comes to weapons and skills. Players are expected to build the class they want from scratch, using a mix of specific equipment, accessories, and attribute points in specific skills.
This is a great way for ambitious and creative players to build unique Paladins with a variety of abilities and party roles. A New World Paladin can take on a variety of forms instead of the cookie-cutter medieval crusader aesthetic that often brands the class regardless of where they appear. A New World Paladin can still fill that mold, but there are other possibilities that the player is free to explore. The best Paladin build is entirely a matter of taste, and depends on the character’s background and abilities as well as their role in a party, so here are a few guidelines to get started.
3 The Ability Scores
Paladins are a combination class anyway, shifting roles between healing, defense, and damage. In New World, the allotment of points to certain ability scores determines the weapon proficiency of a character, whereas there are no requirements or restrictions when it comes to armor. Although heavy armor is often a prerequisite for the Paladin class, in this game it’s preferred, but not optional. Some Paladins that are dedicated to healing and are spending less time in melee range might opt for something lighter.
2 Crafting Options
There are a lot of nice weapons, accessories, and other items that are given as rewards or dropped from bosses in New World, but players don’t have to run dungeons or raids various times to get the gear they want. The crafting system in New World isn’t restricted to one or two choices, so any character can craft any item, provided they know the recipe and their crafting level is high enough. For Paladins, however, it helps to focus on certain professions.
1 The Best Paladin Builds
The Classic Crusader
So, you wanna be a hero? This is a build for those that love the image of shiny metal and a sword and shield build. There aren’t any mounts on Aeternum, however, so the charging white steed has to get left out.
The keys to this build are a full plate metal armor set, a sword and shield, and healing powers. This Paladin will have points in Strength and Dexterity for their weapons, and Focus for their healing powers. Characters can equip two sets of weapons at once, so most of the time this Paladin will walk around with a sword and shield in their main hand and the healing staff readily available as a secondary weapon.
Oathbreaker
This is the pure damage build, the closest comparison being the Retribution Paladin build in World of Warcraft. Now that Void damage has been added, players can create Paladins that wield dark power that’s the opposite of the healing powers often associated with the class, giving this some interesting role-play potential.
An advantage this build has is that there are fewer Attribute Stats that need attention. This Paladin won’t be healing, which means that Dexterity is optional and they can ignore Focus entirely. A damage-based build, this Paladin will wield two-handed weapons that rely on Strength, and although the Void gauntlet is a nice touch this Paladin can wield Frost or Fire-based power just as easily.
The Healadin
A Paladin that puts most of their attribute points in Focus, with their secondary stats being Constitution and Dexterity. This gives a character a better dodge and mobility chance along with more hit points, all important aspects of a healing build. This Paladin can use lighter armor if they choose, but this doesn’t affect the character’s healing abilities, making it an aesthetic choice.
This is the only build that has a more dedicated role than others, with little room for any damage or tanking abilities unless a player wants to stretch their attribute points and doesn’t mind waiting a few more levels to be effective. However, it has more to offer when it comes to weapon choices. Players can build up their Focus and stay with the Life staff for healing and use a Void Gaunlet for damage, or put a few extra points in Dexterity for ranged weapons or finesse weapons like rapiers.
New World is currently available on PC.
