The Blunderbuss in New World: Aeternum is a versatile and powerful ranged weapon, ideal for players seeking a close-to-mid range combat experience. It primarily scales with Strength but also benefits from Intelligence, making it suitable for both Strength and Intelligence-based builds. This guide will delve into the best strategies, abilities, and pairings for maximizing the Blunderbuss's potential in both PvE and PvP environments.

Overview of the Blunderbuss

Damage Type: The Blunderbuss deals thrust damage, firing six projectiles per shot, similar to a shotgun. Each pellet deals 19% of the total damage, totaling 114% for all six.

Scaling Stats: Strength (90%) and Intelligence (65%).

Range: Shorter than other ranged weapons like the Musket, but effective at close range.

Reload: Fast reload times, allowing for quick successive shots.

Mastery Trees

The Blunderbuss has two mastery trees: Containment and Chaos.

Containment Tree: Focuses on improving the Blunderbuss's basic attacks and providing utility for sustained combat.

Chaos Tree: Emphasizes AoE damage and utility, ideal for players seeking to deal damage over time and control crowds.

Key Abilities

Azoth Shrapnel Blast: Deals significant AoE damage and is crucial for burst damage setups.

Splitting Grenade: Provides AoE damage and a damage-over-time effect, useful for initiating fights or hitting clustered enemies.

Mortar Charge: Increases range and damage by firing explosive rounds, ideal for longer-range engagements.

To enhance your combat experience with the Blunderbuss in New World: Aeternum, investing in key upgrades and gear can significantly impact your effectiveness, especially when purchasing or crafting essential items with new world coins. This allows you to prioritize improvements such as increased damage output, faster reload times, or enhanced survivability, making your Blunderbuss even more formidable in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

Recommended Builds

Strength-Based Build

Primary Weapon: Blunderbuss

Secondary Weapon: Great Axe or War Hammer for close-range AoE damage

Armor: Light or Medium for mobility and survivability

Playstyle: Use the Blunderbuss for ranged damage, then switch to the secondary weapon for melee combat.

Intelligence-Based Build

Primary Weapon: Blunderbuss

Secondary Weapon: Fire Staff or Ice Gauntlet for ranged damage and utility

Armor: Light for increased mobility and damage bonus

Playstyle: Start with ranged attacks from the secondary weapon, then switch to the Blunderbuss as enemies close in.

Tips for Effective Use

Range Management: Stay just out of melee range to maximize damage while avoiding close combat risks.

Lock-On System: Utilize the lock-on feature for easier targeting and full damage output, especially in PvP.

Mobility: Use light armor for enhanced mobility and the ability to dodge roll away from danger.

The Blunderbuss offers a unique playstyle that excels in close-quarters combat, providing both burst damage and AoE capabilities. By choosing the right secondary weapon and mastering its abilities, players can create a formidable build that thrives in both PvE and PvP environments. Whether you prefer a Strength or Intelligence focus, the Blunderbuss is a versatile choice for any player looking to add variety to their combat strategy.