New World: Aeternum - Season 10 Artifact Winners and Losers

The recent Season 10 patch for New World has had a notable impact on various artifacts within the game. This article provides an overview of which artifacts emerged as the big winners and which ones took a hit. For players looking to enhance their experience and make the most of these changes, it may be a good time to consider strategies like buy New World Coins to acquire desired gear and artifacts. This is not meant to be a definitive tier list, but rather an analysis of how different artifacts have been affected by the patch in terms of perks and meta performance.

Winners of Season 10

1. Bloodrinker

Bloodrinker has seen significant improvements this patch, with a reduction in its negative downsides. Its utility in solo content, especially in catacombs, makes it highly sought after. This artifact is likely to remain a top choice for many players looking for effective options in both group and solo scenarios.

2. Lifetaker

Surprisingly, Lifetaker has climbed the ranks in both PvP and PvE contexts. Its damage output has drastically increased, primarily due to its scaling – now 75% with Dexterity (Dex) and 75% with Intelligence (Int). This dual-scaling allows it to outperform many standard Void Gauntlets, placing it on the radar of players looking for high damage output.

3. Inferno

Inferno is making waves this season, particularly among melee builds. The recent fix to its damage-over-time (DoT) scaling with strength has greatly improved its effectiveness, making it a reliable finishing tool for aggressive melee players. Its integration into burst-focused builds is likely to become more prominent.

4. Bolt Caster

This artifact has emerged as a powerhouse this season, dealing significantly more damage than expected. There are rumors of a potential bug affecting its performance, but regardless, its burst damage capability has made it a popular choice among players seeking high DPS.

5. Old Crown

Old Crown received a substantial buff, along with a nerf to its attributes. The +6 to attributes can provide an additional capstone, while the ability to swap gems enhances its versatility, allowing players to customize their builds more effectively.

6. Vengeance

The Vengeance passive overhaul has made it a favorable option among healers. The 25% increase to outgoing healing (when not affected by Life Staff HoT effects) adds a nice boost without the necessity of a gem slot, which is invaluable for Healing-focused builds.

7. Kuya's Nuts

This artifact has gained traction with its damage reduction against ranged attacks, making it a more favorable option in the current meta, where bow and musket damage is on the rise.

8. Freedom Artifact

With its scaling freedom perk now reaching up to 15%, the potential for near-total crowd control immunity (up to 95% when fully stacked) positions this artifact as a very appealing choice.

9. Creed Boots

With aggressive ambush damage potential, Creed Boots provide an interesting option. Their high damage output and risky playstyle make them suitable for players who thrive on dealing damage but may not be recommended for beginners.

10. Contagious Plague

Contagious Plague is a new addition that has performed exceptionally well right out of the gate. Its strong passive with pulling capability has made it a popular choice among certain builds.

11. Justice

Justice has gained popularity, not necessarily because of its unique properties, but rather due to the lack of better jewelry options. With refreshment and a gem slot, it serves as an interim choice.

12. Jin Head

This artifact remains strong due to its vigor and invigorated stacking potential, making it a solid choice for various builds.

Losers of Season 10

1. Finisher

While still effective for bleed builds, Finisher has lost some competitive edge with the update. Its passive now only applies to player-applied bleeds, limiting its utility compared to previous iterations.

2. Serenity

Once the top choice for great swords, Serenity has lost its allure with random rolls now able to include strong perks like Trenchion Strikes, diminishing Serenity's value as a consistent choice.

3. The Abyss

Once a staple in builds centered around Inferno, Abyss has been overshadowed due to Inferno's improved performance and more favorable scaling mechanics, relegating it to a less favorable status.

4. Void Dark Plate

With a shift to more specialized roles and the reduction of its effectiveness, Void Dark Plate no longer reigns as the all-around option for armor. The increased equip weight is a larger downside than its potential benefits.

5. Ank

This artifact was already losing relevance, and now it seems to fall flat against the competition in terms of protection and utility.

6. Endless Thirst

The lack of refreshing perks and essential healing capabilities has caused this once-popular artifact to decline in usage, as builds that prioritize cooldown reductions now favor more refreshing options.

7. Shield Artifacts

Due to recent mechanics changes that allow defensive perks on shields to apply while using other weapons, many shield artifacts have lost their significance. Players now lean towards using shields that offer high defensive stats rather than those that lack the appropriate protections. This has rendered most artifacts within this category less valuable in the current meta.

8. Crescent Wave

Crescent Wave has become less favored since the patch. While still viable, the reduction in wave damage and lack of a gem socket has diminished its appeal. Players are encountering fewer instances of the once-dominant Crescent Wave spam, leading to a decline in its usage.

9. Incinerating Hatchet

Even though this artifact is new, it hasn’t made the impact players hoped for. Its perks, such as Mortal Aggression and Disdain Infliction, fail to match up with existing options like the Frey Francisca for throwing hatchet builds. The combination of less than ideal perks and the absence of a gem socket has placed it in a spot where it doesn't compete effectively.

Artifacts: Up In the Air

There are several artifacts that are in a state of flux, benefiting from some changes while losing effectiveness in other areas. These artifacts require further testing to determine their ultimate viability.

1. Nimble Code

Nimble Code features cooldown reduction (CDR) benefits that make it an attractive option for healers, particularly as CDR becomes more difficult to achieve. However, its effectiveness compared to Winged Shoes in PvE contexts is still being debated, leaving its status uncertain.

2. Featherweight

Featherweight has seen a change that imposes a 7% slow upon taking damage, which may indirectly affect its viability. Although many players still find value in it, its perceived lack of impact in certain situations has left it in a questionable state.

3. Unyielding

With the rise of crit-focused builds, Unyielding could see a resurgence. Defensive artifacts are losing effectiveness as crit damage becomes more prevalent. This could mean that Unyielding will find a more prominent place in builds aiming to mitigate crit damage.

4. The Unmoved

This artifact is strong for tanking in PvE but has been somewhat overshadowed by the rise of Freedom Pants. The Unmoved could still be valuable, especially against crowd control effects, yet its role may need to be reevaluated as the meta progresses.

5. Attuned Leather Pants

While Attuned Leather Pants has potential due to raw extra stats, their appeal may have lessened in comparison to Old Crown or other heavy armor options that provide more benefit when aiming for capstone attributes. Its niche use cases are still being explored.

6. Templar Feet

With significant nerfs to Empower and Fortify, Templar Feet may not hold up against newer alternatives. Players who rely heavily on dodging attacks might consider it, but its overall utility has come under scrutiny.

7. Grace

The newly introduced buff provides an 8% increase to damage while haste is active. This might be a great addition for certain builds, but its overall effectiveness remains uncertain. Further testing is required to determine if it can compete with other options.

8. Phoenix

While it offers unique potential for builds focused on burst damage, the absence of multi-stack protections lowers its overall utility. If players find success with more aggressive playstyles, Phoenix could have a place in future meta discussions.

9. Play Herald

With changes that inflict more disease on the user, its effectiveness is unclear. It could synergize well with Bloodrinker, making it worthwhile to explore as adjustments are made to the meta.

Conclusion

The Season 10 patch has made waves across a variety of artifacts in New World: Aeternum. While certain artifacts have benefitted greatly, others are feeling the pinch of these changes. As players adapt, we may see shifts in the meta that affect the prominence of each artifact in different roles and contexts. To make the most of these changes, consider looking for ways to acquire resources efficiently, such as buying cheap New World Gold from reputable sources like MMOEXP. Be sure to keep an eye on how these trends evolve, as balancing changes can lead to the rise or fall of various artifacts over time. Whether you are focused on PvP, PvE, or a mix of both, understanding the impact of these changes will help you optimize your gameplay experience in Aeternum. Happy adventuring!