New World Aeternum S10 Nighthaven Perk Tier List

Hey folks, if you've been grinding through the shadows of Nighthaven in New World Aeternum's latest season, you know the perk landscape has flipped upside down.

Season 10 dropped with a massive overhaul to the perk system, introducing slottable variants, infix perks tied to specific items, and set bonuses that let you mix and match for wild synergies.

Old reliables got stat-squashed to make room for more tactical choices—no more mindless stacking of raw damage or cooldowns without trade-offs.

Whether you're kiting in PvP skirmishes or melting bosses in endgame dungeons, picking the right perks can mean the difference between a clutch revive and a quick respawn.

In this breakdown, we'll rank every major perk from D (steer clear) to S (chase relentlessly), diving into the buffs, nerfs, and why they fit (or flop) in the current meta. I'll flag niche builds where they excel and suggest resource priorities to help achieve a significant gear score increase, up to 800.

If this guide helps sharpen your edge, consider bookmarking MMOJUGG for ongoing updates—it's a handy spot for all things Aeternum. And if you're looking to fast-track your setup, take a peek at our New World Aeternum Shop for Gold Coins, Trophies, matrix, and more to fuel those upgrades without the grind.

D Tier: Perks to Sideline

These are the duds of Season 10. Recent tweaks have either diminished their potency or left them behind, thanks to fresh infixes and modular Perk Charms that offer better utility without the baggage.

Slot them only if your build is hyper-specific; otherwise, they're dead weight dragging down your rolls.

• Divine II: This one's taken a hit in scope. Now it boosts health from non-consumable heals and lifesteal by 4.32-5.5% (stacking), but skips potions entirely. In a meta favoring quick potion chugs during intense fights, it's lost its edge unless you're running a pure lifesteal tank that ignores brews. Resource sink? Skip it—invest in broader sustain options instead.

• Featherweight (Artifact Perk): A PvP staple for flat damage reduction, but the new stagger penalty slaps you with an 8% slow for 4 seconds on hit. High-pressure brawls turn this into a liability, as that self-slow lets enemies close in. It's viable in super-niche dodge-heavy setups, but the risk-reward math doesn't add up for most.

• Ankh (Artifact Perk): Down about 10% across the board, this resurrection tool feels underwhelming outside war-specific revives. With new set bonuses providing clutch utility, it's no longer a default pick. Farm elsewhere unless you're all-in on group rez plays.

• Enchanted Ward II / Great Ward: Defensive walls like these got halved in effectiveness, now at just 1.6-2% damage reduction from light/heavies. They can't hang with modern infixes that layer in status cleanses or conditional buffs. In the revamped system, they're overshadowed by perks that synergize with grit or fortify stacks—total pass for endgame.

Overall, D-tier perks scream "legacy baggage." Their cuts or redundancies mean you're better off rerolling for something with meta juice. Prioritize salvaging gear with these for quick Umbral Shards.

C Tier: Situational Picks

C-tier isn't trash—it's just picky. These work in a pinch or as fillers for hybrid setups, but they lack the punch to carry your build. With Season 10's ceiling raised on damage and utility, they're best as budget swaps when S/A options are scarce.

• Leeching II: Nerfed to 3.15-4% health per hit (stackable to 20%), it's a modest tick for sustain. Pair it with Bloodletter sets for a lifesteal bump, but it won't dominate like pre-patch. Solid for casual PvE, meh for bursty PvP.

• Plagued Strike / Infected II: Plague Strike holds steady, but Infected II's disease duration got a 1% trim to 11.8-15% longer application. Great for DoT hybrids or disease-focused mages, but the meta's damage floor has climbed—use in rot builds, not as core.

• Critical Suppression: Slashes enemy crit chance by 2.5% on magic hits (light/heavy). Niche counter to crit-stacking foes, like bow snipers, but too weak to anchor. Slot if you're anti-meta, otherwise rotate out.

• Max Health / Trinket Damage Perks: Trinkets took a 5% damage nerf, and max health dropped from 7.5% to 5% via Wellness II. They add tankiness, but don't lean on them primary—new base stats on trinkets (up to +10% damage on rings) steal their thunder.

• Curse Enhancement / Curse Skill: These flip between ability vs. light/heavy damage, but Season 10's hybrid balancing makes them finicky. Commit pure or they fizzle—situational at best for curse-weaving casters.

• Jewelry Perks (Rings/Earrings): Basics like +1% damage or 5% cooldown reduction are okay starters, but infix charms and artifacts eclipse them. Fine for low-gear alts, but upgrade fast.

C-tier shines when you're bridging to better slots—grab 'em cheap, but don't hoard.

B Tier: Reliable Workhorses

B-tier is your everyday carry: consistent without flash. They balance boosts with minor conditions, fitting most builds without dominating. In Nighthaven's modular era, they're the safe bet when top picks clash.

• Invigoration II / Vigor II / Freedom II / Hasted Vigor II / Shirking Heals II: These status reducers (7.85-10% duration cuts) and DoT mitigators hold strong, with Shirking Heals dodging for 157-200 HP + 0.95-1.2% max health (PvP, 7s CD). Hasted Vigor II even flips hits into 7.1-9% haste. Essential for drawn-out sieges or expeditions.

• Enchanted II: +1.8-2.3% to light/heavy damage—flat and reliable for auto-attack focus. The skill variant amps abilities too, giving hybrid flex. Bumps physical DPS without strings.

• Close Quarter Infix: 20% light/heavy boost within 10m + 5% base attacker damage—meta for blunderbuss, bow, and hatchet rushers. Edges A-tier in melee metas, but range limits it.

• Revive Infix: Life Embrace revives downed allies (300 focus, 45s CD)—PvE godsend for dungeons, PvP variable per rules. Safety net with reqs keeps it balanced.

• Leeching Crosscut II / Crosscut Lifesteal (Great Sword): Per hit lifesteal on crosscuts—steady heal for sword lines without drawbacks.

• Charge Boosts (Great Axe): Sprint-through charge with 14-28% damage amp—mobility king for axe whirlwinds.

• Pillar of Fire Boosts (Fire Staff): Now 10-20% slow for 4s instead of CD tweak—chase utility for mages.

B-tier's your fallback: competitive gains, low regret. Farm these for mid-game stability.

A Tier: Elite Choices

A-tier perks punch above their weight, offering big impacts with tolerable costs. Aim for one per slot—they elevate DPS, tankiness, or tricks in organized play.

• Cleansing Block: Block strips a debuff—perfect synergy for great sword block-DPS loops. Aggro without pause.

• Poison Affinity: 15% extra to poisoned foes—free amp for DoT setups.

• Enhanced Infix + Skill Enchant: Combo boosts consistency across attacks/abilities—hybrid unlocker.

• Anointed Lifesteal II: 5.5-7% lifesteal heal boost (stacks)—makes sustain builds unkillable with Leeching II. OP for Season 10's lifesteal meta.

• Leeching Flurry II: 30% DR for 4s post-flurry (vs. old window)—survivability glow-up for musket/rapier/fire staff.

• Enraged Set Synergy: Stacks 1% damage per hit in 30m + heavy bonus under 70% HP—PvP DPS rocket if timed.

• Stifling Set Synergy: Silences on cooldown abilities—clutch for combo-heavy kits.

A-tier's meta movers: high return, low hassle. Prioritize for high-gear pushes.

S Tier: Must-Haves

S-tier is endgame gold: raw power that defines builds. Missing them leaves potential untapped, especially in Nighthaven's aggressive meta.

• Close Quarter Infix: Top dog—20% close-range light/heavy + 5% attacker damage. Blunderbuss/bow/musket heaven; rewards dives.

• Cleansing/Defensive Infix Combos: Block cleanses + artifact wards—universal endgame staple for every build.

• Enchanted II + Skill Enchant + Poison Affinity Synergy: Enraged for stacks, Stifling for silences, Overcharge for damage/resists (drain cost)—meta priorities that function like super-perks.

• Artifact/Set Perks (Enraged, Stifling, Overcharge): Enraged for stacks, Stifling for silences, Overcharge for damage/resists (drain cost)—meta priorities that function like super-perks.

S-tier builds win wars—hunt these via charms and sets for that 800 GS peak.

FAQs on New World Aeternum S10 Nighthaven Perks

What's the biggest perk change in Season 10?

The perk overhaul removed attribute boosts from items, shifting them to leveling and introducing infix perks for item-specific flair, plus slottable II variants for more choice.

Are old perks still viable on legacy gear?

Yes, but they've been stat-squashed and reworked (e.g., Hearty to Gambled Energy). New gear favors II variants for better tuning.

Best S-tier for PvP?

Close Quarter Infix dominates aggressive plays, paired with Enraged Set for stacking DPS in close brawls.

How do set bonuses work with perks?

They activate at 2–3 or 4–5 pieces, layering effects like Enraged's damage stacks—mix tiers for creative builds without full commits.

Should I salvage D-tier gear immediately?

Absolutely for umbrals, but check for niche resale value. Focus resources on A/S infixes for faster progression.

Thanks for Reading

Stay sharp, adventurer. Whether you're rerolling perks or chasing synergy stacks, let MMOJUGG be your tactical outpost—bringing you the latest perk tiers, charm rotations, and build optimizations to keep your gear lethal and your grind efficient.