Skip to content

Combat Skills

Master the art of warfare with these combat-focused skills in New Dawn.

Weapon Skills

Swordsmanship

Use bladed weapons effectively.

Weapons:

  • Longsword, Broadsword, Katana
  • Viking Sword, Cutlass, Scimitar
  • Two-handed: Halberd, Bardiche

Training:

  • 0-30: Training dummy
  • 30-50: Weak monsters (ettins, orcs)
  • 50-70: Mid-level monsters (trolls, ogres)
  • 70-100: Strong monsters (dragons, demons)

Pairs Well With: Tactics, Anatomy, Healing, Parrying

Fencing

Mastery of piercing weapons.

Weapons:

  • Kryss, Dagger, War Fork
  • Spear, Pitchfork
  • Short Spear, Leafblade

Training: Similar to Swordsmanship

Pairs Well With: Tactics, Anatomy, Healing, Poisoning

Mace Fighting

Expertise with blunt weapons.

Weapons:

  • Mace, War Mace, Maul
  • War Hammer, Hammer Pick
  • War Axe, Club

Training: Similar to Swordsmanship

Special: Some maces have special effects against undead

Pairs Well With: Tactics, Anatomy, Healing, Parrying

Archery

Ranged combat with bows and crossbows.

Weapons:

  • Bow, Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow
  • Composite Bow (if available)

Ammunition:

  • Arrows (for bows)
  • Bolts (for crossbows)

Training:

  • 0-30: Training dummy
  • 30-50: Animals (bears, great harts)
  • 50-70: Mid monsters at range
  • 70-100: Difficult monsters, PvP

Advantages:

  • Fight at range (safe)
  • Kiting ability
  • Poison arrows

Pairs Well With: Tactics, Anatomy, Hiding, Tracking

Wrestling

Unarmed combat and defensive capability.

Uses:

  • Disarm opponents
  • Defensive ability for mages
  • Stun punch

Training:

  • 0-40: Training dummy
  • 40-60: Sparring
  • 60-100: Combat

Special: Often used by mages for defense without holding a weapon

Pairs Well With: Anatomy, Tactics, Healing

Support Combat Skills

Tactics

Increases damage output in combat.

Effect:

  • Damage bonus to all physical attacks
  • Scales with skill level
  • Essential for all combat builds

Training:

  • Gains during any combat
  • Passive skill improvement

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential)

Anatomy

Improves critical hit chance and healing.

Effects:

  • Increased critical hit damage
  • Better healing with bandages
  • Damage bonus

Training:

  • Gains during combat
  • Passive improvement

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential)

Parrying

Shield-based defense.

Effects:

  • Block incoming attacks
  • Reduces damage taken
  • Active defense bonus

Requirements:

  • Shield equipped
  • Combat skill

Training:

  • Take hits while holding shield
  • Higher skill enemies = better gains

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Important)

Healing

Use bandages to heal yourself and others.

Effects:

  • Heal hit point damage
  • Cure poison (with Anatomy)
  • Resurrect players (with Anatomy)

Training:

  • 0-30: Heal yourself when damaged
  • 30-50: Heal during light combat
  • 50-80: Heal during serious combat
  • 80-100: Heal others, difficult wounds

Requirements:

  • Bandages
  • Anatomy skill (for best results)

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential)

Resisting Spells

Defense against magic.

Effects:

  • Resist hostile spells
  • Reduce spell damage
  • Avoid spell effects

Training:

  • Get hit by spells
  • Have someone cast on you
  • Combat with mages

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Important for PvP)

Special Abilities

Weapon Special Moves

Many weapons have special attacks:

Common Specials:

  • Armor Ignore - Bypass armor
  • Concussion Blow - Reduce mana
  • Crushing Blow - Extra damage
  • Disarm - Remove opponent's weapon
  • Double Strike - Hit twice
  • Paralyzing Blow - Temporarily paralyze

Using Specials

Special moves consume stamina or mana. Check your client's special moves book or icon.

Combat Strategies

Melee Combat

Basic Strategy: 1. Choose appropriate weapon 2. Keep healing supplies ready 3. Manage stamina 4. Use special moves wisely

Advanced:

  • Weapon switching mid-combat
  • Timing heal bandages
  • Special move combos

Ranged Combat

Basic Strategy: 1. Maintain distance from target 2. Kite dangerous enemies 3. Watch ammunition supply 4. Use terrain advantage

Advanced:

  • Pre-poisoning arrows
  • Target switching
  • Hiding between shots

Equipment Considerations

Weapon Choice

Consider: - Damage type - Some monsters have resistances - Speed - Faster = more hits - Special move - What ability it has - Requirements - STR needed to use

Armor

Balance: - Protection - Damage reduction - Weight - Movement penalty - Dexterity loss - Affects swing speed - Material - Different resistances

PvP Combat Skills

For player vs player combat:

Essential:

  • High weapon skill (100)
  • Tactics (100)
  • Anatomy (100)
  • Healing (100)
  • Resisting Spells (100)

Recommended:

  • Parrying (80+)
  • Magery for utility (40-80)

Training Tips

Efficient Training

  • Use training dummies to 30-40
  • Hunt creatures slightly above your level
  • Keep weapon in good repair
  • Train related skills together
  • Join group hunts for safety

Skill Combinations

Tank Build

  • Weapon Skill: 100
  • Tactics: 100
  • Anatomy: 100
  • Healing: 100
  • Parrying: 100
  • Resisting Spells: 100
  • Magery: 100

Archer Build

  • Archery: 100
  • Tactics: 100
  • Anatomy: 100
  • Healing: 100
  • Hiding: 100
  • Tracking: 100
  • Resisting Spells: 100

Bard Warrior

  • Weapon Skill: 100
  • Tactics: 100
  • Musicianship: 100
  • Provocation: 100
  • Peacemaking: 100
  • Healing: 100
  • Anatomy: 100

Perfect your combat skills and become a legendary warrior!