New World allows players to equip two types of weapon, each with its own Mastery tree and skills.
A ranged weapon similar in use to a more modern shotgun, the Musket scales with the Dexterity stat. Provided you hit the mark, it can deal some pretty significant damage.
How to get a Musket
In New World, there are various ways to obtain a Musket.
- Dropped by mobs or found in crates
- Purchased through the it in the Trading Post
- Crafted by Engineers
Which weapon to pair with the Musket
Opting for the Musket is a bold choice, as it's not the easiest weapon to master in New World. However, should you reach a good command of the firearm, you'll be a worthy opponent.
The Musket uses Dexterity to reach full potential, so it makes sense to choose weapons that also scale off the the same stat.
Two weapons stand out for us -- one makes for a completely ranged playstyle, while the other has you darting in and out to apply bleed effects.
Bow
A logical choice when it comes to DEX-based gear. Choosing the Bow also allows you to deal damage at close range, while abilities such as Rain of Arrows are a boon in PvP combat.
We'd recommend these skills should you opt for the Bow:
Rapier
The Rapier is an excellent, Dexterity-based weapon to pair with the Musket. By focusing on the Grace talent tree, you can parry and dodge your way to comfortable victories.
We'd recommend picking up the following skills.
The best build for the Musket
Our guide focuses on builds that offer ideal balance between the PvE and PvP sides of the game.
It is intended for players who don't wish to waste resources when it comes to allocating skill points.
Upgrade this skill three times.
Overload musket with gun powder, causing the next shot to deal 150% Weapon Damage. Does not stack or combine with other overload shots.
Upgrade
○ Initial Engagement: When you hit with power shot gain Empower, causing attacks to deal an additional 10% damage for 5 seconds.
○ First Blood: +10% additional damage to targets with full health.
○ Bullseye: Power Shot headshots reduce Power Shot's cooldown by 15%.
Upgrade this skill twice.
Overload musket with gun powder, causing the next shot to deal 110% Weapon Damage and cause a Burn status effect that deals 20% Weapon Damage per second for 9 seconds. Does not stack or combine with other overload shots.
Upgrade
○ Backdraft: Standard Musket shots deal 12% additional damage while target is on fire.
○ Chronic Trauma: If Powder Burn is a headshot, extend Burn duration to 13 seconds.
Upgrade this skill twice.
Overload musket with gun powder, causing the next shot to deal 120% Weapon Damage, staggering target and knocking them back 3 meters. Does not stack or combine with other Overloaded shots.
Upgrade
○ Lasting Impression: Targets hit with Stopping Power are Exhausted; reducing stamina regeneration speed by 10% for 8 seconds.
○ Supplementary Repulsion: Targets hit with Stopping Power are slowed by 10% for 8 seconds.
Passive Tree Build
Increase Musket damage by 5% if aimed down sight for more than 3 seconds.
On successful headshot: Grant Empower, increasing all Musket shot's damage by 10% for 5 seconds.
Accuracy penalty while hipfiring is removed.
Removes damage fall-off from standard musket shots on targets more than 50 meters away.
Increased Headshot and Critical hit damage to target the further the target is away from the player, for a max of 15% at up to 100 meters away. Does not forgo damage fall-off.
Adds an optional 3x zoom view for all musket aim shots. Use Mouse Wheel up and down to zoom in and out while aiming. Also grants a 15% damage increase to all headshots.
+10% increased damage to targets below 30% health.
Walking/Strafing movement speed increased by 10% when an enemy is within 8 meters of player.
Attacking a target with an active debuff restores 5 stamina.
Why did we choose this build?
This build allows you to take full advantage of the Musket for ranged fire. You'll inflict debuffs even when you don't make your headshots -- although the passive 3x zoom will help with those anyway.
In PvP, especially in War, this build will be ideal for removing opponents from cannons or seige weapons.
Stat Point Allocation
You'll want to go all-in on Dexterity for this build, to maximize your damage output.
Because this makes you an incredibly fragile target, you'll want gear that ups your Constitution as well as Dexterity -- focusing on the former.
Ultimately, this is a fight-or-flight build.
How to level up the Musket
Levelling up equipment is pretty easy in New World -- the more you use the weapon, the more experience it will gain.
Be mindful that the weapon doesn't gain experience if you don't use it, so even if you bring it out for a single hit, you'll benefit from the XP.
