The New World expansion is on the horizon, and while most of the information released so far is at a surface level, dedicated explorers have unearthed hidden details scattered across various news articles. In this guide, we'll delve into these lesser-known aspects of the expansion, focusing on both PvP and PvE elements. From debunking rumours about forced PvP zones to exploring the exciting introduction of mounts in PvP battles and from the mutation rework in PvE to the intriguing new artifacts, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect.

PvP: No Forced PvP Zone
Contrary to a longstanding rumour, the new zone in the expansion will not be a forced PvP area. Players can freely enter this zone unflagged, distinguishing it from Brimstone or the previous First Light zone. Moreover, factional claims won't be possible in this new area, akin to Shadow Mountain. Unfortunately, this means bidding farewell to First Light's old war map, which was a fan favourite. However, a silver lining emerges in the form of a new war map set in Eden Grove. This settlement, along with its Fort, will be integrated into the expansion's storyline, making it a pivotal starting point for adventurers. Eden Grove's unique visual theme adds a layer of intrigue to the new war map.

PvP: Mounts and Territory Pushes
The overhaul of territory pushes, and the introduction of time-based mechanics will also bring mounts into the PvP equation. Open-world PvP engagements are likely to incorporate mounts, offering a fresh dynamic to player interactions. The expansion introduces systems to balance PvP and PvE separately, although specifics are scarce. This separation aims to prevent changes made for PvP from negatively impacting PvE performance.

PvE: Mutation Rework and Difficulty Scaling
One of the significant changes coming to PvE is the mutation rework, introducing difficulty levels ranging from M1 to M3. While the exact requirements have been shared previously, it's essential to understand how these changes will impact gameplay. Normal Expeditions will be more accessible, effectively serving as a story mode for players seeking a stress-free experience or completing quests. However, endgame gear will rarely drop from these vanilla Expeditions, and artifacts won't drop at all. This means that players who want to farm endgame gear and artifacts will need to tackle higher difficulty levels. M1 will be similar in difficulty to current normal Expeditions, while M3 will present a formidable challenge, potentially exceeding the difficulty of the previous M10 level.

PvE: Primal Fury and Attribute Capstone
The new Heart Rune, Primal Fury, offers a temporary steroid that doubles your character's size and enables unarmed combat with light and heavy attacks. It introduces an exciting dynamic to gameplay and could have various strategic applications. Additionally, a new attribute capstone emerges for players with 300 Focus. Using a Heart Rune will reduce all active cooldowns by 50%, allowing for clutch plays in critical situations.

PvE: Endgame Content and Artifacts
All current endgame content will remain relevant, with some scaling up to the new cap, while others will stay at level 60. Importantly, all endgame content will drop gear relevant to the new endgame. This suggests that there will be a continued incentive to engage with existing content even after the expansion releases.

PvE: New Artifacts and Crafting
The expansion introduces two new artifacts. Vengeance, a life staff, reduces healing by 50% while significantly boosting damage with aggressive life staff abilities. Plague, a blunderbuss, generates burn damage, although details on its exact mechanics remain uncertain. Crafting at the endgame will require more resources, considering the guarantee system, meaning players will need substantial resource stockpiles. Regarding Umbral Shards being converted to new world gold, the information is unconfirmed and should be taken with caution.

Conclusion:
The New World expansion promises exciting changes to both PvP and PvE gameplay. With the introduction of mutation reworks, difficulty scaling, new artifacts, and a wealth of other features, players can look forward to an engaging and challenging experience. Stay tuned for more updates on this expansion, and consider subscribing for the latest news and insights. Prepare yourself for the new adventures awaiting in the expanded New World!