New World is getting the new weapon “Thunder Rifle” in March, adding to the portfolio of technical weapons. This sets it apart from clear high-fantasy MMORPGs like ESO or Black Desert. While New World also relies on magic, the weapons play a larger role.
What is this new weapon? The next major update for New World will be released in March. This will conclude the current story and introduce a new dungeon. Many players are also looking forward to the Thunder Rifle, the thirteenth weapon in the game.
The Thunder Rifle is a medium-sized rifle that can be fired with one hand. As expected from New World, there are two different skill trees:
- The “Confinement” tree focuses on getting close to enemies and throwing hot lead in their faces.
- “Chaos,” on the other hand, focuses on distance and large AoE explosions.
We reveal why it fits so well with New World and what abilities it brings.
New World does not take place in reality, even though much feels that way
What is special about the setting? New World had a somewhat different structure in its initial presentations and there were clear hints that the setting was based on the real world:
- The term “New World” is associated with the colonization of America by Europeans who claimed a “new world”
- The developers themselves once spoke of a world based on the 17th century
- In a leak about New World, “Roanoke” was seen on a map a colony in North America where people disappeared without a trace
- The key artwork of New World resembles a Spanish “Conquistador”
Although there have been mysterious elements from the beginning, much indicated a “realistic scenario”. However, the developers have since taken a different path and placed a greater focus on magic.
However, the fundamental scenario – the battle for fortresses against other players and crafting more classic armors and weapons – still gives the whole world a sense of realism. One still needs to buy ammunition for bows and firearms and sees no one walking around with an oversized sword.
As a player, you do not dive into a complete high-fantasy world, like in ESO, where you primarily fight huge dragons with magic.
And that is precisely why the Thunder Rifle fits perfectly into the scenario of New World.
6 new abilities for medium range
What can the Thunder Rifle do? The Thunder Rifle is a medium-range weapon that deals the most damage just before close combat. Every two shots, you need to reload briefly in an animation.
In the Confinement skill tree, you primarily have abilities that allow you to keep the opponent at a distance or jump to them faster:
- With Claw Shot, you grab an opponent and are pulled towards them while they are being pulled towards you at the same time.
- The Net Shot pushes you back a little while the opponent is slowed for 2.5 seconds.
- In the Shrapnel Explosion, 5 shots are fired in a burst directly in front of you, dealing damage.
The Chaos skill tree, on the other hand, focuses much more on damage:
- With Fragment Grenade, you fire a grenade that bounces three times, splits into three small grenades, and then explodes.
- Explosive Shot knocks opponents down and deals damage to them.
- With the Mortar Charge, you load heavier balls that deal additional damage for the next 15 seconds or 3 shots.
It scales with strength and intelligence, making it ideal for melee fighters to pull and reposition, but also usable by mages.
You can watch the complete abilities in this YouTube video:
What do you think of the new weapon? And what are your thoughts on the setting of New World? Feel free to write in the comments.
The new patch in March brings not only major changes but also many small tweaks and balance adjustments. Some of these smaller changes are being very well received by players:
New World brings 5 small changes in March that players have been eagerly awaiting for months
