Named gear items can be upgraded to 700 gear score, regardless of their initial score. For instance, the Taiyi Longsword may drop as low as 550, but it’s still upgradable to 700.

To upgrade, gather the required materials, head to the Gypsum Kiln, select the item at the bottom of the menu, and proceed with the upgrade. Note that the item must be removed from any saved gear sets before upgrading. You’ll also have the option to choose the final perk, letting you create a near Best-in-Slot item.

Gear drops typically range from 650 to 700 and come in purple or gold quality. Before upgrading, check if the perks suit your build. Another way to acquire high-gear items is by collecting materia from mutated expeditions or the season pass. With sufficient progression in Season 3, you can accumulate materia faster, though it generally takes around 25 M1 expeditions to gather enough for one gear piece.

To reach the max gear score of 725, you’ll need to focus on the Hive of Gorgons Raid, the Cursed Mists PvP zone, or certain activity caches.

Key Sources of 725 Gear:

1. Hive of Gorgons Raid:
   • Obtain 725 gear from boss loot drops, including Hoplite and Gorgon sets.
   • Each completed raid grants 10 Hive of Gorgons tokens, which can be used at a gypsum kiln to craft specific 725 gear.
   • Look out for Gorgon’s Eye, a crafting material dropped by bosses, used to craft 725 gear with Gorgonite schematics.
2. Cursed Mists PvP Zone:
   • Earn cursed doubloons by looting chests and defeating enemies, which can be converted to mystic doubloons by exiting the PvP zone.
   • Gather a Goldcursed Coconut (limited to one every 7 days) from cursed hoards.
   • Exchange mystic doubloons, Goldcursed Coconut, and dark matter at the Well of Fortune in Cutlass Keys for 725 gear. The coconut can also upgrade artifacts to 725.
3. Caches and Trials:
   • Outpost Rush, invasion, war spoils, and arena caches may drop 725 gear.
   • Completing the Sandwurm Trial or crafting with mystic doubloons can yield 710 gear, upgradable to 725 at a gypsum kiln.

In summary, after reaching gear score 700, prepare for the Hive of Gorgons raid or the Cursed Mists PvP zone, or upgrade gear via caches and gypsum kilns to reach the max score of 725.

For tanks, Tower Shields are generally the top choice. Shields are considered armor in the artifact system, and their perks should align with your main weapon choice—either Flail or Sword. Be mindful of stacking Refreshing perks if you already have Refreshing on your gear (max 4).

Shield Perks by Weapon Choice:

• Sword and Shield: Fortifying Shield Rush is the ideal shield perk when paired with a sword.
• Flail and Shield: Crowded Bludgeon is the best option. Fortifying Shield Rush is ineffective for Flail users, as it’s a sword-specific perk. Ensure there are no Sword-buffing perks on your shield.

Universal Shield Perks: Some perks are valuable on Tower Shields regardless of the weapon, including:

• Sturdy, Shield Defense, Sturdy Energy, and Enchanted Ward
• Shield Ward Perks: (Slash, Strike, Thrust, Flame, Etc) are useful for adapting to specific boss damage types.

Recommended Shields for Tanks:

• Tall Duneborn Shield: Great for Sword users, obtained from the Sandwurm.
• Woodgrain Tower Shield: Ideal for both Flail users and an option for Sword user, with an easy drop rate from Edengrove bosses.
• Azoth Crystal Tower Shield: A solid option but lacks the ability to combine Shield Ward with skill buffs like Fortifying Shield Rush, making it less optimal as a Best-in-Slot.
• The Wall Artifact: Although promising, this shield prevents dodging and occupies the armor slot, which may make Void Darkplate the better choice.

The best sword perk for tanking is Refreshing Move due to its cooldown reduction, essential for keeping skills ready. This pairs effectively with Enchanted and Empowering Whirling Blade for added damage. If you don’t use Whirling Blade, Contagious Upheaval is a viable alternative. Lifestealing is another strong perk but can’t be combined with Refreshing Move, making it less ideal. For new tanks, Hated can help with aggro control, though it’s not essential.

Recommended Swords for Tanks

• Duneborn Stylet – A top choice with all key perks, obtainable from the Sandwurm raid.
• Taiyi Longsword – An easily accessible option from named enemies in Ebonscale Reach, ideal as a temporary weapon.

Other Options

• The Butcher – An artifact sword that boosts DPS but doesn’t support Refreshing Move.
• Reconciliation – Features Lifestealing instead of Refreshing Move, making it a decent, though not a BiS choice.
• Stalagmite – Includes the Hated perk, making it a good beginner option. Dropped by enemies in Lazarus Instrumentality.

The most essential perk for a tank’s War Hammer is Sundering Clear Out, which applies a powerful Rend debuff. Thwarting Strikes is also highly effective, boosting damage since Grit passives are often active while using the War Hammer. For the third perk, focus on DPS-enhancing options like Keen, Vicious, or Keenly Empowered, with Lifestealing as a solid alternative. Avoid Refreshing Move (unnecessary due to War Hammer passives), Hated (not essential for aggro management), and Sturdy (irrelevant since blocking isn’t done with the War Hammer) which don’t add significant value for tanking.

Recommended War Hammers for Tanks
Currently, no War Hammer offers the ideal combination of perks, so your best bet is to find one with close matches and add Sundering Clear Out as the final perk.

• Weight of the Mighty – Features Trenchant Strikes instead of Thwarting, which is still effective. Dropped by Abn Awaa Kabir in Elysian Wilds.
• Corrupt Progenitor War Hammer – Easy to obtain, with Lifestealing and Trenchant Strikes. Found from named enemies in Shattered Mountains.
• Tanglevine War Hammer – Also accessible, with Thwarting instead of Trenchant. Dropped by named enemies in Elysian Wilds.

Alternative Options: (Not ideal but usable)

• Duneborn Maul – Lacks Sundering Clear Out, reducing Rend effectiveness. Dropped from the Sandwurm Raid.
• Restraint – Dropped by The Siren Queen.
• Commandant’s War Hammer – From Outpost Rush Cache.
• Azoth Crystal War Hammer – Dropped in an M2+ Expedition.
• Icecleaver – Event
• Hippopotamidaen Strength – Dropped by Heru in The Ennead.
• Deepriver War Hammer – Found in Siren’s Stand Elite Zone from named enemies.

For tanks, the top perk on a Spear is Enfeebling Skewer. With this weapon, you’ll take a more offensive approach, so consider adding two of the following DPS-focused perks: Vicious, Keen, Keenly Empowered, Keenly Jagged or Thwarting Strikes.

Recommended Spears for Tanks

• Duneborn Stinger – Comes with excellent preloaded perks, obtained from the Sandwurm raid.
• Azoth Crystal Spear – An easily obtainable and powerful option, dropped by any M2+ Expedition boss.
• Scorpion’s Sting – Not ideal as it requires the Javelin skill but allows you to pull enemies using this ability.

Alternative Options

• • Bramblebranch from Taxodius in Genesis
  • Firepoker
  • Lifering Spear
  • Commandant’s Spear

The Flail functions similarly to the Sword, so optimal perks include Refreshing Move, Enchanted, and a weapon skill buff, with Crowded Bludgeon being a useful option. Given the Flail’s relatively low damage output, it’s ideal to prioritize perks that enhance DPS if you choose a non-artifact Flail.

Recommended Flails for Tanks

• Odo Artifact – An outstanding tanking choice, featuring Refreshing Move, Lifestealing, and Odo Defense, which heals on block. When upgrading, be sure to add a gem slot at the Gypsum Kiln to enable taunting. This is one of the few strong options available.
• Hoplite Flail – Includes desirable perks, obtainable from the Hive of Gorgons raid.

Alternative Options:

• Duneborn Flail
• Azoth Crystal Flail – Dropped by any M2 Expedition boss.
• Rending Flail – Not the best option but can be somewhat useful. Obtained from Named enemies in Great Cleave.
• Commandant’s Flail – Another half decent option. Obtained from Outpost Rush Cache.

The Greatsword serves as a damage-oriented tank weapon, so prioritize DPS-focused perks such as Trenchant Strikes, Slowing Rupture and Attunements. Greatsword tanking revolves around heavy attacks to trigger the Faultless Defender passive, making perks that enhance heavy attacks particularly valuable.

Recommended Greatswords for Tanks

• Serenity Artifact – An excellent choice for tanking, boosting damage output. Be sure to add a gem slot when upgrading to enable taunting. Greatswords are inherently DPS-focused, and this artifact amplifies your damage potential.

Alternative Options

• Barkbite – A survival-focused option, dropped by Zygoramet
• Strikeback – Found in Empyrean Forge; includes Trenchant Crits and Energizing Counter for sustain.
• Branch of Deretole
• Azoth Crystal Greatsword
• Bouldershard

The Great Axe is an excellent choice if your group lacks one, as it allows you to clump enemies for faster DPS kills. Key perks include Enfeebling Maelstrom for a strong Weaken debuff, Refreshing Move (useful for Gravity Well’s long cooldown), Trenchant Strikes, and Lifestealing as an alternative to Refreshing Move.

Recommended Great Axes for Tanks

• Duneborn Pincer – Offers valuable perks, obtainable from the Sandwurm Raid.
• Swipe – A strong choice, dropped by Remnant of Simon Jeffrey
• Lieutenant’s Great Axe – Another solid option, found in War Spoils

Alternative Options

• Oversized Wood Chopper – Easier to obtain, dropped by Zygoramet. Zygoramet
• Taiyi Great Axe – A reliable, easy-to-get option from named enemies in Ebonscale Reach.
• Lifering Great Axe

Amulets are essential for tank survival, especially in Mutation Expeditions, where Protection perks play a critical role. Match these perks to specific mutation and boss damage types to reduce incoming damage. Key Protection perks include Slash Protection, Strike Protection, Flame Protection, and Void Protection. Check out our Wards and Protection article for a complete guide on necessary perks for each boss and mutation in New World.

While the Health perk is no longer essential on amulets, it remains beneficial. Refreshing is a good alternative if you haven’t already maxed it across four other gear pieces. Aim for Divine and Fortified as additional perks.

Artifact Amulets
Artifact amulets offer strong perks but lack some critical tank-specific perks, making them situationally useful:

• Lost Stopwatch – Ideal for beginners or players struggling with aggro, providing 300% increased threat for reliable enemy attention.
• Ankh – Effective in high-damage scenarios when supported by a good healer.

Protection Amulets:

• Grovelight (Nature Protection) Dropped by Taxodius in Genesis; includes Dex, which may limit its utility.
• You’re a Beast (Nature Protection)
• Soul Shroud Amulet (Slash Protection) Found in Myrkguard Elite Area in Shattered Mountains, suitable for Slash bosses.
• Tanglevine Amulet (Thrust Protection) From named enemies in Elysian Wilds.
• Sporelight Amulet (Strike Protection) Dropped in Tribunal Elite area, Elysian Wilds; effective against Strike bosses.
• Wolf at the Door (Arcane Protection)
• Empty Hearth (Flame Protection)
• Heart of Cold  (Frozen Protection)

Other Useful Amulets:

• Daemon Soul (Stamina Recovery & Fortified) A decent Fortified amulet, obtainable from Major Breach Cache, but lacks Health.
• Syncretic Amulet (Fortified & Alchemist Reprieve) Another Fortified option, though missing Health.
• Lifering Amulet (Divine & Health) Dropped by bosses in Malevolence Tower Elite Zone; near Best in Slot if you have multiple upgraded versions.

Favorable perks for rings include Hearty, Leeching, and Enfeebling, especially if your abilities apply Weaken. Damage perks that match your weapon type can also help with threat generation. Consider rings like Soulpollen or Privateer’s Heirloom for these perks.

The Azoth Crystal Ring is a reliable source of Hearty and Leeching, making it a solid choice.

The Blooddrinker Ring artifact is a unique option, trading 25% damage for 25% lifesteal, which combined with Leeching and Hearty, can enhance your survivability. It’s super strong and helps you to stay alive much easier but may cause issues with maintaining enough threat on enemies when doing 25% less damage.

Other potentially useful Rings:

• Red Hot Slag
• Soulpollen
• Privateer’s Heirloom

Earrings with Refreshing Toast and Nimble are typically the most useful.

Despised is an optional perk for anyone struggling with maintaining aggro of enemies. Purifying Toast is another solid choice as is Regenerating as this heals you every seconds and counts as a “heal” so helps you also generate threat. Healthy Toast could add additional healing from Mana Potions if you need it although at 20k Health that will only be a 2.2k heal each time.

• Soul Shroud Earring obtained from any M2 expedition boss or crafted at the Gypsum Kiln offers Refreshing Toast and Nimble.
• Sporelight Earring found in Elysian Wilds, provides the Despised perk and Nimble, making it an excellent choice for maintaining aggro.
• Lieutenant’s Earring obtained from War Spoils gives you Regenerating and Refreshing Toast and just needs Nimble to be added.
• Corrupt Progenitor Earring obtained from enemies in the Myrkguard Elite area in Shattered Mountains