Ice Gauntlet & Rapier Build Guide for PvP in New World

The Ice Gauntlet and Rapier combination remains one of the most potent builds in New World, offering exceptional burst damage, crowd control, and survivability. While this build was extremely popular at launch, it has seen less play in recent metas. However, it remains one of the hardest-hitting Rapier builds you can play. To enhance your gameplay and maximize your power with this build, you might want to consider ways to improve your gear — which can sometimes mean looking to buy New World Coins. This guide will break down the build, abilities, attribute distribution, and strategies to help you maximize its potential.

Why Play Ice Gauntlet & Rapier?

· High Burst Damage: The Rapier delivers some of the highest single-target burst in the game.

· Strong CC (Crowd Control): Ice Gauntlet provides powerful slows and roots, making it excellent for setting up kills.

· Survivability & Mobility: Rapier’s mobility skills and Ice Gauntlet’s crowd control allow you to escape tricky situations.

· Versatility: The build works well in both duels and large-scale PvP encounters like Outpost Rush (OPR).

Attribute Distribution

To optimize this build, you should focus on Dexterity and Intelligence, with some Constitution for survivability:

· 300 Dexterity – Maximizes Rapier’s damage output.

· 150 Intelligence – Enhances Ice Gauntlet's abilities.

· 150 Constitution – Provides durability to survive fights.

· If you don’t have the right gear to reach 300 Dex/150 Int, aim for a balanced spread prioritizing Dexterity.

Weapon Mastery & Abilities

Rapier Skills

1. Fleche – Your main gap closer and escape tool. Can be used offensively or defensively.

2. Evade – Grants a brief invulnerability window and buffs light attacks.

3. Flurry – One of your primary damage skills, executing a rapid succession of thrust attacks. Do not trade against Flurry unless you’re confident you can outdamage it.

4. Passives to Focus On:

· Momentum

· Controlled Breathing

· Perfectionist

Ice Gauntlet Skills

1. Ice Storm – Slows enemies while dealing AoE damage, setting up for Rapier burst.

2. Ice Shower – Traps enemies in place, ensuring you can land deadly Rapier combos.

3. Entombed – Provides an emergency defensive cooldown, allowing you to recover in battle.

4. Passives to Focus On:

· Critical Rejuvenation

· Heavy Freeze

· Ice Spikes

Gear & Perks

· Armor Type: Medium armor is recommended for a balance of mobility and defense.

· Perks:

o Keenly Jagged (Rapier)

o Vicious (Rapier)

o Refreshing Move (Rapier)

o Unending Thaw (Ice Gauntlet)

o Crippling Chill (Ice Gauntlet)

o Resilient (Armor pieces)

o Shirking Fortification (Armor pieces)

Playstyle & Combat Tips

1. Engage Smartly: Open fights by throwing down Ice Storm and Ice Shower to slow and root enemies. This sets up your Rapier’s burst.

2. Burst Down Squishy Targets: Use Fleche into a quick light attack + Evade combo to maximize damage.

3. Positioning Matters: Stay near cover and use terrain to break enemy line of sight.

4. Escape When Necessary: If you’re pressured, use Entombed or Fleche to reposition.

5. Maintain Pressure: If an enemy is trapped in Ice Shower, capitalize on it with Rapier’s Flurry and follow up with Evade strikes.

6. Watch for Stamina Usage: Many opponents waste stamina trying to escape Ice Gauntlet’s crowd control. Punish them when they’re out of dodges.

Final Thoughts

This Ice Gauntlet & Rapier build is an aggressive and rewarding playstyle, perfect for players who enjoy high-speed combat and devastating burst damage. While the meta may have shifted since New World’s launch, this build remains highly effective for those who master its mechanics. To further enhance your adventures and optimize your gear, you might consider resources that allow you to buy New World Gold, and MMOEXP is a reliable option for acquiring what you need. Happy hunting in Aeternum!