TL;DR
- New World has undergone massive changes with monthly updates, new zones, and improved progression systems
- Returning players should immediately assess gear, run updated expeditions, and join active companies
- Gear score system replaced with Expertise and Gypsum mechanics for better control
- Mutated Expeditions and 3v3 Arenas provide challenging endgame content options
- Free storage transfers and new Heartgem abilities significantly improve quality of life
While New World shares the MMORPG classification with other massively multiplayer online games, it has carved out a unique identity through consistent monthly updates that have transformed the gaming experience since its initial release. The player base continues to grow steadily, with excitement building daily for the recently launched Brimstone Sands expansion and ongoing content releases.
This comprehensive guide provides everything returning adventurers need to know about navigating the evolved landscape, from currency acquisition strategies to exploring the expanded world map.
Over the past year, fundamental changes have reshaped level progression mechanics, gear score optimization, and endgame grinding approaches. These transformations have introduced diverse new gameplay modes, expanded weapon arsenals, additional expedition content, seasonal holiday events, and numerous quality-of-life enhancements that address early player feedback.
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If you’ve been absent from Aeternum for an extended period, you’ll discover substantial changes across nearly every game system. This adjustment period is completely normal—most returning veterans experience similar disorientation when re-entering the evolved game world.
Your first priority should be conducting a thorough equipment audit and evaluating your previous build configuration. Assess whether your existing setup remains viable or requires immediate upgrades. Visit the trading post with sufficient funds to purchase updated gear if necessary, focusing primarily on maximizing your gear score rather than obsessing over secondary attributes like perks initially.
Expedition exploration should be your next focus. Prioritize running Genesis, Lazarus, Heart of the Tempest, and Barnacle expeditions, which no longer require entry keys. These dungeons can now be completed up to 25 times daily without additional costs, with group formation simplified through the expedition locator accessible via the map interface.
Chest runs remain valuable activities, though their mechanics have evolved. The Imperial Palace, Siren Pools, Malevolence, and Mangled Heights zones now feature elevated boss and monster levels, expanding your options beyond the traditional Shattered Mines and Myrkgard routes. When requesting group membership through chat, watch for “+imp” or “+siren” responses indicating active farming groups.
Corporate participation continues to be crucial in New World’s social ecosystem. Make concerted efforts to join reputable companies with substantial active membership rosters for optimal community engagement.
Evaluate your housing situation and storage configurations. Your previously acquired homes remain intact, potentially containing valuable stored assets. Conduct thorough inventory assessments and liquidate unnecessary items to accumulate additional New World coins. The elimination of inter-settlement storage transfer fees represents one of the most significant quality-of-life improvements.
The quality-of-life enhancements implemented since launch represent some of the most player-friendly changes introduced to New World. Here are the most impactful modifications:
Heartgem Runes – New Ultimate Abilities
Detonate
Overload yourself with arcane energy to create a massive area-of-effect explosion dealing significant damage to surrounding enemies. This ability maintains full mobility and combat functionality during activation.
Grasping Vines
Channel terrestrial energy by striking the ground to summon constricting vines that immobilize both you and nearby adversaries.
Stone Form
Transform your physical form into solid stone, granting complete immunity to knockdowns, stuns, roots, slows, staggers, and knockback effects while preserving movement and attack capabilities.
Cannon Blast
Dark Ascent
Manifest corrupted wings to ascend skyward, hover briefly, then crash down to earth stunning all surrounding opponents while dealing impact damage.
Alongside these quality-of-life improvements, developers have introduced several new gameplay modes that may be unfamiliar to returning veterans.
Mutated Expeditions
New World adapts the 5-player expedition concept into challenging endgame content through Mutated Expeditions. Participating in Mutations represents one of the most rewarding current endgame PVE activities, with two different mutated expeditions available for completion each week.
The extensive mutation variety ensures fresh weekly experiences. Completion rewards include the new Umbral Shards currency alongside substantial Epic and Legendary item drops.
Arenas
Arena mode introduces 3v3 player-versus-player competitions structured as best-of-five matches. Participants earn PVP experience points and the new Azoth Salt PVP currency. While optimized for three-player groups, solo queueing remains available starting at level 20.
Arenas complement New World’s existing PVP offerings including open-world combat, Outpost Rush, and Territory Wars. Developers have indicated ranked arena modes will be implemented soon.
Gear Score Progression System
The gear score progression mechanics represent the most substantial overhaul to New World’s endgame systems. The previous “watermark” approach received significant player criticism due to its opaque mechanics. The current system introduces two key components: Gypsum and Expertise.
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Gypsum represents an innovative system enabling targeted gear score improvements for specific equipment slots. Conversion occurs at Gypsum kilns located in high-level outposts like Edengrove and Shattered Mountain.
Obsidian Gypsum: Eliminate designated level 60+ enemy targets.
Ruby Gypsum: Complete two full Outpost Rush matches.
Emerald Gypsum: Advance profession mastery through aptitude progression.
Sapphire Gypsum: Defeat the final boss encounters in Genesis and Lazarus expedition storylines.
Citrine Gypsum: Receive one daily for each completed Arena match.
Amethyst Gypsum: Acquire up to seven daily through corrupted portal completion.
Diamond Gypsum: Available through various special events and seasonal activities.
Topaz Gypsum: With Topaz Attunement Potion active, obtain 10 daily from level 55+ monster eliminations.
Expertise System Mechanics
Your overall gear score calculation now incorporates Expertise levels, representing a refined gear progression approach. Expertise advancement occurs through multiple methods: opening Gypsum crates from kilns, defeating high-level enemies for gear drops, or completing various chest runs throughout the territories.
Final gear score determination averages your equipped items’ scores with your current Expertise rating. This comprehensive information displays in-game, enabling daily progress tracking.
Brimstone Sands Expansion
The Brimstone Sands zone now stands available as New World’s latest expansion content. This massive update delivers a completely redesigned new player experience, the Brimstone Sands as a level 60+ region, the new Great Sword weapon class, and numerous additional game adjustments and modifications.
Action Checklist
- Conduct complete gear audit and assess build viability
- Run key expeditions (Genesis, Lazarus, Tempest, Barnacle)
- Complete daily Gypsum activities for targeted gear score improvements
- Join active company and participate in group content
- Optimize storage across settlements using free transfer system
- Explore Brimstone Sands expansion content and test Great Sword weapon
No reproduction without permission:GameCDjnh » New World: Guide for Returning Players 2022 Essential guide for returning New World players covering major updates, gear progression, and new content since launch
