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The humble hatchet, for example, is a simple, small, edged weapon that barely even appears in most games beyond simple gardening or building tools. In New World, it’s one of the choices for a one-handed melee weapon, but it still doesn’t get the attention it deserves, according to some players. Here are some pros and cons when it comes to a hatchet build.
7 Pro: Both Melee And Ranged Combat
Most of the time, a player has to make sure their character has both a melee weapon and a ranged alternative, along with the proper talents and gear to make each of them effective. A character with a hatchet build can streamline this process if they use their Attribute Points and build their Talent Trees carefully, because a hatchet has both melee and thrown options.
Characters now have the option of carrying only a hatchet, or more than one, but they are by no means limited to those choices. Mix and match with other weapons like bows, muskets, swords, or spears for fun and variety, since these weapons also scale with Strength and Dexterity.
6 Con: No Offhand Allowed
In keeping with the realistic aesthetic of the game, a hatchet can only be used as a one-handed weapon. That means no duel wielding, which means a character can’t equip a hatchet in their main hand and another one-handed weapon in the other, as cool as that would be.
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What’s more, shields can only be combined with swords. Even though a character can equip one with a hatchet, it’ll just stay inert on their back. The upside of this is that the sword and shield combination is connected to the same Attribute Points, Dexterity and Strength, so if a player wants to carry all three, it would make a nice physical weapon build.
5 Pro: Only Two Attribute Points Needed
The weapon-build choices for the hatchet aren’t half as complex as they can be for players building healers or magic users. A pure hatchet build, without any secondary weapon, only requires Attribute Points in Dexterity and Strength. A character can equip two hatchets with this build and switch between them as needed.
The other advantage to focusing on these two Attributes is how they also apply to other weapons. A character might have to work a bit to get their Talent Trees right if they want to mix things up and include a melee weapon like a battleax with their hatchet, but at least there’s no need to change any Attribute Points. A bow, a ranged weapon that scales with Dexterity, is another option for a ranged weapon with this build.
4 Con: Can’t Be Used As A Logging Ax
This is the only weapon that players might initially confuse with a common tool. After all, that’s a reflection of how the hatchet was used in real life, and isn’t this game supposed to rely on that as opposed to the fantastic? Alas, in Aeternum, players require a proper logging ax to fell trees and collect various types of wood and timber.
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To make this even more confusing, hatchets and logging axes are crafted at two different stations even though they use the same crafting skill, Engineering. The Forge is the crafting station used to make hatchets, while the Workshop is used for tools and furniture. Bigger melee weapons, like greataxes and warhammers, are also made at the Forge but are made using the Weaponsmithing skill.
3 Pro: Craftable Early In The Game
Players can start crafting weapons from the very beginning of the game, starting with simple wooden swords at the first Camp they build. A hatchet can’t be made at a campfire, but even the lowest level players can make a simple one at the Forge using the Engineering skill.
The lowest-level craftable hatchet requires iron ingots, coarse leather, and timber. Perks and Azoth can be added if the player has them, but at this level, it might just be a waste. It’s better to build up that Engineering skill to make the higher-quality hatchets with those special items later.
2 Con: There Are Fewer Varieties Of Hatchets…
Being the least glamorous of the melee weapons, the hatchet doesn’t get the same representation at higher levels than other, more dramatic blades and hammers. Hatchets have more of a reputation as an accessory for a role-player or gathering weapon, often carried by trappers, traders, or survivalists.
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That isn’t to say that there aren’t some nice leveling axes, but they aren’t as readily available as others. Players who are dedicated to their hatchet build should keep up their Engineering skills in order to craft suitable weapons as they level, without having to wait for a lucky drop or reward chest.
1 Pro: But The Ones That Do Exist Are Wicked
Hatchet-wielding characters who level their Engineering skill don’t just get to enjoy the perks of a wider variety of better weapons. There are some amazing hatchets of uncommon, epic, and even legendary quality, provided players have the rare materials and a high enough skill level.
The weapons are available for crafters at higher levels, which means close to an Engineering skill of about 200. Not only do they look amazing, but they also do some impressive damage. The ingredients required often need high gathering and refining skill levels, but these materials can often be found at the Trading Post for the right amount of gold.
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