New World Greatsword Build Guide: Mastering Skyward Slash for PvP and PvE Domination

If you’re looking to unleash devastating damage and control the battlefield in New World, the Greatsword is one of the most powerful and stylish weapon choices available. At the heart of this weapon lies Skyward Slash, a brutal and New World coins versatile skill that can turn the tide of battle when used effectively. Whether you're fighting waves of corrupted enemies in PvE or clashing against players in PvP, this guide will help you build around Skyward Slash to maximize your impact.

Why Choose the Greatsword and Skyward Slash?

The Greatsword offers a high-risk, high-reward combat style with massive damage potential, wide arcs, and a unique stance system that allows for versatile play. Skyward Slash, one of its signature skills, provides both offensive and utility advantages:

Stamina Damage: Skyward Slash breaks enemy block, draining their stamina and creating an opening.

Weaken Debuff: Upgraded versions of this skill apply a powerful weaken effect, reducing enemy damage output.

Combo Potential: Chaining Skyward Slash into other Greatsword skills allows for devastating burst windows.

Skyward Slash makes the Greatsword a top-tier choice for bruisers and frontline warriors who want to disrupt enemies and apply pressure in every fight.

Skyward Slash Skill Breakdown

Skyward Slash is found in the Onslaught Tree, which focuses on aggression and heavy damage.

Base Skill Effects:

Perform an upward slash that deals 110% weapon damage.

Applies a 2s stagger and damages stamina on blocking targets.

Skill Upgrades:

Skyfall Sword – After Skyward Slash, you can press light attack to follow up with a downward strike that deals additional damage (140% weapon damage). This creates a powerful two-hit combo.

Sickening Slash – The second strike now applies a 20% Disease debuff for 10s, reducing healing on targets — perfect for punishing healers.

Critical Comeback – If either hit lands as a critical, you gain 20 stamina and 10% health over 5s. Great sustain tool in extended fights.

These upgrades make Skyward Slash a core ability that functions as an opener, combo extender, and sustain option all at once.

Optimal Weapon Pairing

While the Greatsword can dominate on its own, pairing it with the right secondary weapon can cover its weaknesses and expand your utility.

Best Pairings:

Hatchet – Provides Berserk for self-healing and CC immunity, ideal for solo players.

Sword and Shield – Adds block, taunt, and defense for tanky builds or PvP group play.

Void Gauntlet – Adds crowd control and debuffs; synergizes well with Skyward Slash’s weaken and disease effects.

Your choice depends on whether you want to lean into offense, survivability, or group utility.

Attributes and Stats

The Greatsword scales equally with Strength and Dexterity, but for a Skyward Slash-centric build, prioritize Strength for raw power.

Suggested Distribution:

300 Strength – Unlocks the 15% damage bonus on heavy attacks and grit on attacks.

150 Constitution – Provides health buffer and 10% max HP from potions.

This gives you the best balance of damage and survivability in most scenarios.

Perk and Gear Loadout

Key Perks:

Empowering Skyward Slash – Increases damage or applies bonus effects like Rend or Weaken on hit.

Refreshing Move – Reduce cooldowns on weapon hits for more frequent Skyward Slashes.

Enchanted – Boosts light and heavy attack damage, ideal for Greatsword users.

Freedom (Armor) – Reduces crowd control duration; essential in PvP.

Ideal Gear:

Heavy Armor for PvE (damage mitigation and staying power).

Medium Armor for PvP (balance between dodging and protection).

Crafting or farming named gear pieces with the right perks is key for min-maxing this build.

Ability Loadout and Rotation

Greatsword Skill Loadout:

Skyward Slash – Primary debuff and damage skill.

Relentless Rush – Mobility tool and secondary source of AoE damage.

Steadfast Strike – Sustains health and staggers enemies.

Combat Rotation Example (PvE):

Open with Skyward Slash + follow-up strike.

Use Relentless Rush to reposition and damage.

Hit with Steadfast Strike to stagger and heal.

Basic light/heavy attacks in between cooldowns.

Use Skyward Slash off cooldown to maintain pressure and debuffs on enemies.

PvP Tactics with Skyward Slash

Skyward Slash excels in PvP when used strategically:

Initiation:

Start with a charged heavy attack to gain grit, then combo into Skyward Slash to break enemy block and buy New World coins weaken them.

Follow up with Relentless Rush to stay on target or finish with Steadfast Strike.

Against Healers:

Skyward Slash’s Disease debuff shuts down their healing effectiveness.

Stack this with crowd control or a Void Gauntlet teammate for maximum impact.

Defensive Use:

When being pressured, use Skyward Slash defensively to stagger, regain stamina, and retreat or reposition.

Tip: Use the Onslaught stance to gain aggressive bonuses, then swap to Defiance stance if you need grit or tankiness.

Tips for Mastery

Use Animation Cancels: Learn to cancel recovery animations with dodges or stance changes to stay mobile.

Watch Cooldowns: Skyward Slash has a moderate cooldown—pair with Refreshing perks to keep it active often.

Target Weakness: Focus on supports or light armor enemies where your debuffs hit hardest.

Positioning Matters: The follow-up swing of Skyward Slash hits in a slightly different arc—adjust positioning to land both hits.

Conclusion: Why Skyward Slash Dominates

Whether you're charging headfirst into a corrupted breach or brawling at a war camp in PvP, Skyward Slash is a powerhouse skill that defines the Greatsword's identity. With high burst, utility debuffs, and combo potential, it rewards aggressive play and precision.

Pair it with the right gear, stance knowledge, and a well-rounded build, and you’ll carve through enemies like a true champion of Aeternum.