Best Rapier Builds for PVE and PVP (Update 1.2.1)

This is a guide on the best Rapier builds in New World. Read on to see the recommended stats, skills, armor, and playstyle guides of the best and latest Rapier builds for PVE and PVP as of Update 1.2.1!

Rapier / Fire Staff Dive Build

Build Purpose
PvP (Duels)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Powerful in 1-on-1 duels ・Very high evasion and mobility ・Melee to mid-range reach	・Overwhelmed if faced against a mob ・Less effective against far-range targets ・Very low defense

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity → Intelligence
Strength	5
Dexterity	100
Intelligence	95
Focus	5
Constitution	5

Stats obtained through armor are not accounted for in this table.

Rapier	Fire Staff
Rapier	Fire Staff
Active Skills
Flurry Evade Fleche	Pillar of Fire Incinerate Burn Out
Passive Skills
Refreshing Strikes Controlled Breathing Overwhelm Breathe In Perfectionist Fleeting Strikes Allegro Quick Lunge To The Bone Adagio Swiftness Backside Finalize Crescendo Interruption Momentum	Spell Focus Pyromania First Strike Clear Mind Let it Burn Arson's Advantage Scorched Clear Casting Cauterize Wounds Watch it Burn All In Flare Flame Out! Trial by Fire Heat it Up! Reheat

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Efficient Burnout Enchanted Fire Damage Omnidirectional Evade Retaliate IV Exhilarate IV
	Stats: Sentry (Constitution)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Light Stats: Assassin (Dexterity + Intelligence)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Assassin (Dexterity + Intelligence)
	Weight: Light Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)

Build Playstyle

This build focuses on getting close to your enemies by using Fire Staff's Burn Out and Rapiers Fleche.

To start, you want to engage by using your Fire Staff to cast Pillar of Fire to your enemies. Use heavy attacks and kite around your enemy as Spell Focus will help you regain your mana back. Once they're in range, cast Burn Out to get in on their face. After which, cast Incinerate to push them back. Switch to your Rapier, and perform a Fleche, Incinerate should give you enough distance to be able to use Interruption just before the end of Fleche's animation. If you can Evade their attacks accordingly, you'll be able to get the kill with Flurry as your finisher.

Be warned, Burn Out and Fleche have long cooldown times. Once you go in, you won't have any way to escape. Make use of Evade to dodge their attacks accordingly and punish every move whiffed by your opponent.

Rapier / Hatchet General Build

Build Purpose
General (PvP and PVE)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Solid DPS ・Decent survivability, can take a few hits ・Powerful in 1-on-1 duels	・Mobility is lessened duie to medium armor ・Overpowered when faced against a mob ・Lower damage output compared to true DPS builds

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity → Strength → Constitution
Strength	50
Dexterity	95
Intelligence	5
Focus	5
Constitution	50

Stats obtained through armor are not accounted for in this table.

Rapier	Hatchet
Rapier	Hatchet
Active Skills
Flurry Evade Fleche	Berserk Raging Torrent Rending Throw
Passive Skills
Desperation Overwhelm Breathe In Perfectionist Fleeting Strikes Red Curtains Allegro Quick Lunge To The Bone Adagio Swiftness Backside Finalize Crescendo Interruption Momentum	Enraged Strikes Aimed Throw Critical Throw On The Hunt Targeted Impact Against All Odds Berserking Refresh Opportunistic Berserking Purge Fortifying Strikes Aggressive Approach Exploitation Uninterruptible Berserk Final Blow Second Wind Defy Death

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Cruel IV Energizing Rending Throw Leeching Flurry Vorpal Distancing Throw Physical Ward IV Purify Keenly Empowered
	Stats: Sentry (Constitution)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Medium Stats: Cavalier (Dexterity + Strength)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Fighter (Strength + Dexterity)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Cavalier (Dexterity + Strength)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)

Build Playstyle

This is a simple build that uses Hatchet as a support DPS for your Rapier.

To start, use your Hatchet to engage. Pop Berserk and use your Hatchet's ranged attack to deal damage to your enemies. Once they're close enough, hit them with a Rending Throw to lower their defense, then attack using Raging Torrent. Switch to your Rapier, then use Evade to dodge enemy attacks. You can use Fleche to finish off your opponents or to create some distance.

If your health is dangerously low, you can switch back to your Hatchet for the Defy Death perk to proc if your health reaches 0. Use Flurry to regain your health if you have the Leeching Flurry perk attached to your weapon or armor.

Rapier / Great Axe CC Build

Build Purpose
General (PvP and PVE)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Highly aggressive DPS ・Decent survivability, can take a few hits ・Good crowd control skills	・Not as fast and mobile as other Dexterity builds ・Great Axe not used to do damage, used only to pull enemies

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity → Constitution
Strength	5
Dexterity	145
Intelligence	5
Focus	5
Constitution	50

Stats obtained through armor are not accounted for in this table.

Rapier	Great Axe
Rapier	Great Axe
Active Skills
Tondo Flourish And Finish Flurry	Charge Maelstrom Gravity Well
Passive Skills
Refreshing Strikes Engarde Unerring Overwhelm Thirst For Blood With Flair Light Edge Fleeting Strikes And Again Heavy Puncture Swagger To The Bone Proper Spacing Fuel Finalize Bloody End	Greed Heavy Pull Critical Gains Death's Embrace Storm's Reach Enduring Strike Frenzied Momentum Gravity Absorb Keen Edge No Reprieve Crowded Well Unpredictable Strike Feed Unyielding Mauler's Fury

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Enfeebling Maelstrom Keenly Jagged Insatiable Gravity Well Keen Awareness Retaliate IV
	Stats: Sentry (Constitution)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Medium Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Brigand (Dexterity + Constitution)

Build Playstyle

This build focuses on using the Great Axe as an engaging tool to set up your Rapier for Tondo.

To start, equip your War Axe and try to close into your enemy as much as possible. If you feel like you're close enough, use Charge then Maelstrom to pull your enemy into you. If they dodge it, simply use a Heavy Attack to pull your targets. Once they're pulled, hit them with a Gravity Well to put them in place. Switch back to your Rapier as soon as possible and hit them with a Tondo, for the bleed, then Flurry. As they dodge, finish them off with Flourish and Finish.

This build can have a hard time approaching enemies in PVP and will be hard countered by a more mobile enemy, and missing your skills can be punishing, so you'll have to be very careful.

Rapier / Hatchet DoT Build

Build Purpose
PvP
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Steady & consistent damage ・High speed and mobility ・Very high DPS ・Melee to mid-range reach	・Very fragile, reliant on tanks and evasion ・Minimal evasion skills

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity
Strength	5
Dexterity	195
Intelligence	5
Focus	5
Constitution	5

Stats obtained through armor are not accounted for in this table.

Rapier	Hatchet
Rapier	Hatchet
Active Skills
Tondo Flourish And Finish Fleche	Rending Throw Social Distancing Infected Throw
Passive Skills
Engarde Controlled Breathing Unerring Thirst For Blood With Flair Red Curtains Quick Lunge And Again Heavy Puncture Swagger Swiftness Backside Proper Spacing Fuel Interruption Bloody End	Enraged Strikes Aimed Throw Critical Throw Targeted Impact On Fire Rejuvinating Crits Opportunistic Refreshing Throws Quick Power Stay Back Exploitation Mortal Power Second Wind Boot And Rally Aerial Transmission Persistent Hinderance

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Keen Keenly Jagged Crippling Cruel IV Mending Infected Throw
	Stats: Sentry (Constitution)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)

Build Playstyle

This build focuses on inflicting DoTs on your opponent to weaken them as much as possible.

Start by using your Hatchet to engage by throwing it to an opponent. Hit them with a Rending Throw to reduce their damage absorption as they approach. Kite appropriately, then use Social Distancing to create some distance. Since they're slow, use Infected Throw to inflict Disease and weaken their damage against you. Switch to Rapier and apply Tondo to your opponents. Use Fleche or Flourish and Finish to position yourself away from your opponent and do the process again.

Once they have low enough health, you can use Flourish and Finish or Fleche to finish them off.

Rapier / Void Gauntlet Burst DPS Build

Build Purpose
General (PvP & PvE)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Works well as a support build with CCs. ・High defensive capabilities ・Split stat allocation lessens the damage output for both weapon.	・DPS will not be nearly enough to burst heavy gear with high CON stat. ・Split stat allocation lessens the damage output for both weapon.

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity → Intelligence → Constitution
Strength	5
Dexterity	105
Intelligence	85
Focus	5
Constitution	15

Stats obtained through armor are not accounted for in this table.

1st Weapon	2nd Weapon
Rapier	Void Gauntlet
Active Skills
Flurry Evade Riposte	Orb of Decay Oblivion Petrifying Scream
Passive Skills
Desperation Controlled Breathing Overwhelm Breathe In Fleeting Strikes Insult To Injury Red Curtains Allegro To The Bone Priority Adagio Swiftness Finalize Lasting Consequence Crescendo Momentum	Keen Confidence Fervent Thirst Keen Humility Refreshing Precision Radiant Efficiency Draining Orb Empowering Proximity Withering Oblivion Slowing Orb Bone-Chilling Voice Leeching Agony Invigorating Oblivion Detonating Orb Fortifying Echoes Refreshing Frailty Voidcaller

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Leeching Flurry Omnidirectional Evade Cruel IV Hearty
	Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Medium Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)

Build Playstyle

This playstyle focuses on using the Void Gauntlet as a support weapon to root your enemies and deal damage while using Rapier to get in and finish off your opponent.

Depending on who you're fighting with, you can either use your Rapier to get closer to your opponent safely using Evade or use your Void Gauntlet to wear down your opponents as they try to approach you. With all the defensive skills Rapier has, you'll have no trouble getting away or defending against slow attacking weapons such as War Hammer or Great Axe.

Once you managed to reach your opponent, use your Petrfying Scream to root them, and pop your Oblivion for the DoT or deal damage using Orb of Decay. Once their health is low enough, you can finish them off using your Rapier's Flurry.

Rapier / Ice Gauntlet CC Build

Build Purpose
General (PvP & PvE)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Lots of AoE and Defensive Skills ・Annoys enemies ・Handles groups of enemies very well	・No burst damage ・Requires proper positioning and placement of AoE

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity → Intelligence → Constitution
Strength	5
Dexterity	145
Intelligence	45
Focus	5
Constitution	15

Stats obtained through armor are not accounted for in this table.

1st Weapon	2nd Weapon
Rapier	Ice Gauntlet
Active Skills
Evade Riposte Fleche	Ice Storm Ice Shower Wind Chill
Passive Skills
Refreshing Strikes Controlled Breathing Breathe In Perfectionist Insult To Injury Red Curtains Allegro Quick Lunge Priority Adagio Swiftness Backside Lasting Consequence Crescendo Interruption Momentum	Cold Reach Critical Rejuvenation Quick Frost Gathering Storm Weakening Gust Enduring Shower Frozen Touch Enduring Chill Storm Summoner Quick Shower Chilling Blast Heavy Freeze Punishing Storm Frigid Showers Defiant Freeze Ultimate Chill

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Cruel IV Omnidirectional Evade Unending Thaw Unbroken Winds
	Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Light Stats: Brigand (Dexterity and Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Brigand (Dexterity and Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Brigand (Dexterity and Constitution)

Build Playstyle

This playstyle focuses on using the Ice Gauntlet to hinder your opponent's movement to get in or out quickly using Rapier's mobility.

We use Ice Gauntlet in this build as a support weapon using Ice Storm and Ice Shower to apply DoT and CC to your opponents. We then use Rapier's Fleche and Evade to get in or escape our opponents. This will make sure to wear your opponents down for you to finish them off using Rapier.

During group fights, you can throw down Ice Storm and chase any enemies down who try to overextend.

New World Related Guides

Best PVE and PVP Builds

List of Role Builds

List of Role Builds
Best Tank Builds	Best Healer Builds	Best DPS Builds

Best Weapon Builds

Best PVE and PVP Weapon Builds
Sword & Shield	Rapier	Hatchet	Spear
Great Axe	War Hammer	Bow	Musket
Fire Staff	Life Staff	Ice Gauntlet	Void Gauntlet