Best Bow Builds for PVE and PVP (Update 1.2.1)

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

Bow / Spear Close-Range Crit Build

Build Purpose
PvP
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Steady, consistent damage ・Great speed and evasion ・Fantastic sub-DPS	・Very low defense ・Easily overpowered by large numbers

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.

1st Weapon	2nd Weapon
Bow	Spear
Active Skills
Evade Shot Poison Shot Splinter Shot	Skewer Vault Kick Sweep
Passive Skills
Evasive Knockback Go the Distance Infected Arrows Direct Hit Scatter Shot Calculated Evasive Tactics Dodge and Weave Archer's Speed Mark Battle Precision Aim True Finishing Shot Arrow Range Bullseye Knee Shot	Tenacious Sweep Coup De Grace Deadly Ambush Follow Through Deep Wound Relentless Blows Continuous Motion Deadly Reach Evasive Maneuvers Invigorating Crits Merciless Strength Strong Conditioning Aggressive Maneuvers Exacerbating Crits Exposed Wounds Exploited Weakness

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Keen Keen Awareness Gambit IV Vicious Keenly Jagged Bleeding Sweep
	Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Strength)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Strength)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Strength)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Strength)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Strength)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Strength)

Build Playstyle

A PvP build focused on applying DoTs and kiting against enemies. We focus on evasion skills so focus on making enemies miss before jumping on them with the Spear.

While in melee range, deal damage with the spear or burst the enemy via Splinter Shot, then disengage with Evade Shot. Prioritize your safety at all times since the bow can still apply damage from afar. The build truly shines upon countering enemy mistakes from chasing you.

Bow / Spear Glass Cannon DPS Build

Build Purpose
General (PvP and PvE)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・High Single-target DPS ・Effective at any range ・Shared Stat allocation	・Struggles with dealing against groups ・Requires good aiming

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.

1st Weapon	2nd Weapon
Bow	Spear
Active Skills
Penetrating Shot Splinter Shot Rapid Shot	Javelin Sweep Vault Kick
Passive Skills
Evasive Tactics Long Range Aim True Finishing Shot Blood Soaked Arrow Deep Strike Opening Strike Scatter Shot Rapid Accuracy Surprise Attack Arrow Range Final Blow Hawkeye Bullseye Calculated Concussion	Refreshing Jabs Refreshing Reach Forceful Impact Finishing Blows Invigorating Crits Merciless Strength Tenacious Sweep Refreshing Precision Coup De Grace Aggressive Maneuvers Relentless Blows Strong Conditioning Deadly Distance Exacerbating Crits Continuous Motion Reserved Strength

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Bleeding Sweep Empowering Splinter Shot Keen Vault Kick Penetrating Rapid Shot Opportunist IV Cruel IV
	Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Medium Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)

Build Playstyle

You want to distance yourself far away from your opponent and kite using the Bow. Make sure to hit them with Splinter Shot or Rapid Shot as they approach you. If they're in a group, Use Penetrating Shot to get as many enemies as possible.

Once they're near you, their health should be low enough for one Javelin skill, as long as you land your shots. If they're still alive, then a good Sweep should knock them down for you to combo with a Vault Kick or a few Heavy attacks.

Bow / Rapier DoT Build

Build Purpose
PvE
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Steady, consistent damage ・Great AoE skills ・High speed and evason	・Very fragile, requires perfect dodges ・Missing your shots will cost you

Build Stats and Skills

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

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

1st Weapon	2nd Weapon
Bow	Rapier
Active Skills
Rain of Arrows Poison Shot Splinter Shot	Tondo Evade Flourish And Finish
Passive Skills
Infected Arrows Direct Hit Barbed Arrows Hooked Arrows Scatter Shot Calculated Evasive Tactics Mark Long Range Aim True Finishing Shot Arrow Range Surprise Attack Hawkeye Bullseye Concussion	Thirst For Blood And Again Proper Spacing With Flair Swagger Fuel Breathe In Allegro Refreshing Strikes Engarde Unerring Light Edge Heavy Puncture Bloody End Perfectionist Swiftness

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Keen Keen Tondo Keen Awareness Refreshing Move
	Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Constitution)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Constitution)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger or Cavalier (Dexterity or Dexterity + Constitution)

Build Playstyle

A DoT build that focuses on applying DoT as soon as the battle starts by using the Bow's Poison Shot and Rain of Arrows to apply Poison and Bleed respectively. Splinter Shot is used as a burst tool when spacing against the enemy after engaging in melee with the Rapier by using the Rapier's Evade to get the ideal position to fire the skill.

When in Rapier Mode, focus on playing around Tondo and making sure to land three stacks before executing the enemy with Flourish and Finish unless you're in danger and need to resume on firing from afar. If you are, immediately escape by dodging and using Evade to get an immediate distance to catch your breath.

Bow / Ice Gauntlet CC Build

Build Purpose
General (PvP & PvE)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Lots of disables ・Works for solo and team play ・High Burst Damage	・Split stat allocation ・Needs Mana Management for Ice Gauntlet

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
Bow	Ice Gauntlet
Active Skills
Evade Shot Splinter Shot Rapid Shot	Ice Storm Ice Shower Wind Chill
Passive Skills
Aim True Evasive Knockback Finishing Shot Hunter's Insight Opening Strike Scatter Shot Go the Distance Archer's Speed Rapid Accuracy Arrow Range Mark Final Blow Hawkeye Bullseye Calculated Concussion	Cold Reach Critical Rejuvenation Quick Frost Empowered Frost Weakening Gust Enduring Shower Enduring Chill Critical Frost Storm Summoner Quick Shower Refreshing Frost Chilling Blast Heavy Freeze Punishing Storm Frigid Showers Ultimate Chill

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Unending Thaw Energizing Evade Shot Empowering Splinter Shot Cruel IV
	Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Type: None Stats: -
	Weight: Light Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)
	Weight: Light Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	Weight: Light Stats: Assassin (Dexterity and Intelligence)

Build Playstyle

This build mainly uses the Ice Gauntlet as a support weapon for your Bow.

During PvP or Outpost Rush, It's vital to fight your opponents at a distance as much as possible as you will have a hard time dealing with opponents in close-range. Your goal is to chip away their health as they try to approach you. Try to land as many attacks as they get near to you. Once they're near, you can switch to your Ice Gauntlet. It will help you effectively keep you out of your opponent's attack range by using AoEs such as Ice Storm or Ice Shower.

You can freely attack them with your Bow and use your skills such as Splinter Shot or Rapid Shot as they'll have to circle around or wait for the AoE to resolve. If they caught you attacking with your Bow, you have a chance to reposition yourself with Evade Shot. You can then switch back to Ice Gauntlet and cast the AoEs or push them away with Wind Chill.

Bow / Rapier Mobile DPS instead

Build Purpose
General (PvE & PvP)
Strengths	Weaknesses
・Both weapons scale off Dexterity ・High DPS potential ・Lots of mobility and defensive options	・Lacks any AoE Damage ・Requires proper aiming for skillshots

Build Stats and Skills

Stat Priority	Dexterity → Constitution
Strength	5
Dexterity	175
Intelligence	5
Focus	5
Constitution	25

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

1st Weapon	2nd Weapon
Bow	Rapier
Active Skills
Penetrating Shot Splinter Shot Rapid Shot	Evade Riposte Fleche
Passive Skills
Evasive Tactics Long Range Aim True Impale Finishing Shot Blood Soaked Arrow Deep Strike Opening Strike Scatter Shot Rapid Accuracy Surprise Attack Arrow Range Final Blow Bullseye Calculated Concussion	Refreshing Strikes Desperation Controlled Breathing Breathe In Perfectionist Insult To Injury Allegro Quick Lunge Priority Adagio Swiftness Backside Lasting Consequence Crescendo Interruption Momentum

Best Perks and Equipment

Perks and Equipment Stats
Best Perks	Sundering Riposte Empowering Splinter Shot Penetrating Rapid Shot Exhilarate IV
	Stats: Ranger (Dexterity)
	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 using the Bow as your primary DPS weapon and the Rapier as a support weapon for repositioning and as a defensive tool.

Before starting a fight, always make sure to distance yourself away from your opponent and kite them as much as possible using the Bow. This will allow you to deal damage to your opponents for free as they approach you if they're running with a melee build. Make sure to land all 3 of your skillshot. Use Splinter Shot or Rapid Shot if you're close enough to your opponent to land all 3 hits, as this is where your damage will be. Use Penetrating Shot if you're fighting against two or more enemies or if they're using a shield for the armor penetration.

We utilize Rapier as a weapon for mobility and to have more defensive options against opponents during close-range combat. Use Fleche to reposition yourself away from your opponent. You also have Riposte, an effective defensive tool that can negate attacks and inflict stun on your opponents as long as you parry.

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