New Player: What to Do in New World Aeternum 2025
Time: 2025-03-09 by mmojugg Game: New World Aeternum Guide Tags: New World Aeternum Guide
Hey, exiles of Aeternum! If you've just washed up on the chaotic shores of New World: Aeternum, the sheer scope of this island can hit you like a cannon blast—quests, skills, battles, oh my! Having spent over 5,000 hours roaming this place, I'm here to break it down into a clear roadmap for newbies like you. This isn't just "go here, do this" - it's a flexible guide that will set you up for success, from your first steps to dominating the endgame in 2025. Whether you're a grinder or a cool explorer, let's chart your path to glory!
Welcome to Aeternum: Where to start
You're a shipwrecked nobody with big dreams - max level (65), killer gear and endgame domination. Overwhelming? Sure. Doable? Absolutely. Here's what I'd do if I restarted today—tweak it to your vibe, but this'll get you rolling strong.
Early game: Leveling & Foundations (Levels 1-25)
Grind to max level: Main Story Quest (MSQ)
Why: MSQs are your XP backbone - 2,000-5,000 XP per quest, plus gold (50-200 per) and gear. Maxes out your Azoth Staff (a must-have for the endgame).
How: Start with Sole Survivor in First Light - follow the orange markers. Hits 60-62 by the end of Brimstone Sands.
Tips: Stack side quests (500-1,000 XP) if they match - e.g. 'Lost Fisherman' in Windsward. Don't skip yet—story's worth it early on.
Unlock Your Mount: Speed up at 25
Why: Cuts travel time by 50% - quests fly by.
How: At 25, complete the Horseshoe Quest (Everfall, map marker) for a basic horse. Level Riding Skill via races (500 XP each) or Mount Vittles (crafted, 5 gold, 100-200 XP daily).
Tips: Stick to roads (+20% speed). Aim for wolves/lions later - faster, cooler.
Gathering on the Go: Trading Skills 101
Why: XP (50-100 per gathering), gold (5-20 per stack) and future-proofed skills fund the endgame.
What: Chop trees (Green Wood), mine iron, skin rabbits—everything! Craft Coarse Leather (200 XP) or sell stacks.
Tools: Flint to start—upgrade to Steel (level 100, 20-50 gold) for 20% speed. See my Skill Guide (online) for details!
Tips: Grab Pristine Hide or Wyrdwood Sap—craft for bonus XP (50-100 overall).
Gear Strategy: Keep it simple
Why: Pre-65 gear's disposable—save gold for endgame.
How: Equip quest drops, e.g. Iron Sword (level 10, +5 Strength). Buy cheap if stuck (10-20 gold max).
Tips: Don't sweat the stats yet - focus your gold on mounts or tools. MSQ gear will carry you well.
Mid-Game: Powering up (levels 25-60)
Get to 60 in Brimstone Sands: Heart Rune Unlock
Why: Heart Runes are ultimate abilities - such as Cannon Blast (AOE burst) - that increase the fun and speed of combat.
How: Complete the MSQ in Brimstone Sands (level 58-60) - unlocks the Heart Rune side quest. Cannon Blast is free, others via expeditions (Starstone Barrows, Lazarus Instrumentality).
Tips: Upgrade at Stonecutting Table (e.g., 5 Obsidian, 2 Solvent for +10% damage)—check my Heart Rune guide (online soon). Start at 60 - hard to beat!
Keep Questing Efficiently
Town boards: "Kill 10 Wolves" (500 XP) - passive in Everfall.
Faction missions: Join at 20 (e.g., Syndicate in Brightwood)—first 3 daily net bonus XP (1,500-2,000), gold, and Faction Tokens.
Exploration: Journals (200 XP) and uncharted spots (300-700 XP)—e.g., “Shrine of Sisyphos” in First Light.
Trade skills: Steady Progress
Level up: Aim for 100+ in Logging, Mining, etc. - Steel Ingots (200 XP) or Silk (150 XP).
Gold: Sell Layered Leather (20-30 gold/stack)—funds mount food or cheap gear.
Late game: Max Level & Build Crafting (Level 65)
Pick Your Endgame Path
PvE: Elite Trials (Sandwurm), Mutated Expeditions—tank or DPS builds shine.
PvP: Outpost Rush (OPR), 3v3 Arenas, Wars—focus mobility or burst.
Hybrid: Mix it—swap gear sets (free system perk).
Build Your Dream Setup
Weapons: Test combos - Staff/Rapier (mobility), Hatchet/Sword (PvE tanking). Max mastery (20) Quick check my weapon guide (online).
Perks: Use NWDB (online)—e.g., Thwarting Strikes (Greataxe, +10% damage vs. blocked). Grind named drops (Wrath of Decimus, 710 gp) or craft (Orichalcum Sword, 50-100 gold).
Artifacts: Pick 3 (1 weapon, 1 armour, 1 jewellery) - e.g. The Abyss (great axe, int scaling, pairs with fire staff). Grind expeditions (Tempest's Heart) or quests—upgrade at Gypsum Kiln (5 Gypsum Orbs, 20 gold).
Tips: Copy YouTube builds (Paw Patrol PvP Hatchet) or custom craft - expensive (200-500 gold) but worth it.
Gear up: Mid-level start
How: Faction vendor (600 gp, 1,000 tokens), trading post (625-650 gp, 500-1,000 gold), or expedition drops (Lazarus, 625 gp).
Gems: Slot Opal (+10% damage after dodge)—Stonecutting crafts (5-10 gold).
Tips: Aim for 625-650 GS - good for most content. Save for 700+ later.
Endgame grinding: Polishing your power
Solidify Your Build
PvE: Run Tempest's Heart (normal)—learn mechanics, gear up (650 GS). Avoid max mutations until 700 GS and gemming.
PvP: Jump into OPR (625 GS viable)—hold your own. Wars require 650+ and minmaxed - practice first!
Trade skills: Push to 150-200 (Orichalcum Ingots, 300 XP)-sells for 20-50 gold/stack, funds gear.
Super Endgame Goals
Housing Trophies: 3 houses (Everfall, Windsward, Brightwood)—Major Combat Trophy (+5% mob damage, 10,000 gold). Crafters receive Crafting Yield (+10%, 5,000 gold).
Max Tools/Bags: Orichalcum Pickaxe (200 skill, 50-100 gold), Infused Silk Bag (500 slots, 2,000 gold)-QoL Bliss.
Territory Standing: Max all zones (300)—e.g., Windsward (+10% storage). Grind boards or buy mats (thousands of gold).
Trade Skills to 200: Weaponsmithing (200) crafts 700 GS gear—gold mine (check my money-making guide online).
Housing Flex: Rooftop buildings (see my guide online) - no stats, all vibes. 3 houses = 3 quick trips!
Tips to Stay Sane & Thrive
Gold flow: Quest gold (5,000-10,000 by 65)—save for artifacts, not early gear. Sell Infused Leather (20-30 gold/stack).
Fast travel: Inns (free, 15 minute cooldown), house calls - skip long runs.
Pace yourself: No rush - story is dope, scenery is unreal. Burnout is the real enemy!
Community: Join a company (guild)—tips, carries, and war invites.
Thanks for reading
This is your 2025 roadmap to owning the new world of Aeternum! Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more exile-approved guides. Happy adventuring, Exiles of Aeternum!
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