Aconite vs. Boltcaster: Which bow does more damage in the New World?

Time: 2025-02-16 by mmojugg Game: New World Aeternum Guide Tags: ,New World Artifacts

In New World's Aeternum Season 7, the debate between the Aconite Bow and the Boltcaster is heating up. Both artefacts bring unique strengths to the table, but which one truly reigns supreme in terms of damage output? Let's dive into the details and compare these two powerful bows head-to-head.

Build Overview

To ensure a fair comparison, both bows were tested with specific builds optimised for maximum damage potential. Here's a quick breakdown of the build:

Attributes: 50 Strength, 415 Dexterity, 150 Constitution (consistent across both builds).

Weapon Mastery: Focuses solely on the bow, excluding secondary weapons such as the rapier.

Empowerment and base damage:

Aconite: 102% Empowerment, 154% base weapon damage.

Bolt Thrower: 88% Empowerment, 150% base weapon damage.

Testing Methodology

Testing included three combos for each bow, designed to simulate real-world combat scenarios:

Combo 1: Standard charged heavy attacks with backstab and headshot bonuses.

Combo 2: Empowered Explosive Arrow followed by a charged heavy attack.

Combo 3: Poison Shot combined with charged attacks to maximise damage against poisoned foes.

Aconite Bow Performance

The Aconite Bow surprised with its consistent damage output, especially in combo 3 where its poison synergy shone. Here's a snapshot of the results:

Combo 1: 11,555 (first try), 12,284 (second try).

Combo 2: 12,091 (first try), 12,988 (second try).

Combo 3: Achieved some of the highest numbers seen during testing.

The power of Aconite lies in its ability to boost both basic attacks and abilities, thanks to its Poison Affinity perk, which increases damage done to poisoned enemies by 15%.

Boltcaster Power

Known for its raw power, the Bolt Caster delivered solid results, but with some inconsistencies:

Combo 1: Strong initial damage, but fell short of Aconite's peak numbers.

Combo 2: Varying between attempts, with one test hitting 13,994 and another falling short.

Combo 3: Performed well, but lacked the poison synergy that gave Aconite the edge.

The Bolt Caster's Electrified perk converts 99% of damage to lightning and increases lightning damage by 20%, making it a powerhouse for basic attacks. However, it doesn't buff abilities as effectively as Aconite.

Key takeaways

Aconite: Excellent versatility, providing strong damage from both basic attacks and abilities. Its poison synergy makes it a top choice for players who rely on debuffs and sustained damage.

Bolt Caster: Dominates in raw, upfront damage, especially with basic attacks. However, its lack of ability synergy can be a drawback in certain scenarios.

Bonus: How does the Hotshot Bow compare?

For those wondering how the Hotshot Bow stacks up, it was tested as a bonus. While it showed potential, it could not match the peak damage of Aconite or Bolt Caster. Its lack of artefact benefits and lower base damage made it a less competitive option.