New World Aeternum: Cursed Duck Skinning Guide
The Cursed Ducks of New World: Aeternum are a small but reliable source of early-game resources, offering both character experience and Skinning XP. While they're not powerful enemies and require no Skinning level to harvest, their long respawn timer makes them a targeted, time-efficient option rather than a fast-farming loop. This guide breaks down where to find them, how to skin them, and what New World Coins rewards to expect so you can make the most of each encounter.
What Are Cursed Ducks
Cursed Ducks are unique wildlife creatures scattered across specific areas of Aeternum. They're easy to kill, slow-moving, and designed to support early-game gathering progression. Unlike wolves or boars, Cursed Ducks pose no threat, making them perfect for players who want quick skill gains without combat interruptions.
Requirements and Basics
Skinning Level: 0 (no requirement)
Gather Time: 32 seconds
Respawn Timer: 21 to 30 minutes
Because of the long gather time, it's best to skin Cursed Ducks only when you're already passing through the area. Standing still for the full 32 seconds leaves you vulnerable, so avoid doing it near aggressive mobs.
Interaction Rewards
Skinning a Cursed Duck provides:
3.35 Character XP
32 Skinning XP
New World Gold (small amount per interaction)
While the gold gain is minimal, the Skinning XP is strong relative to the time investment, especially for players starting from Level 0.
Where to Find Cursed Ducks
Cursed Ducks typically appear in quiet, remote locations near marshlands, ponds, or overgrown clearings. Each spawn site only contains a few ducks, and because the respawn window is long, the best approach is to learn their locations and incorporate them into a travel or gathering route.
Most regions contain only one reliable spawn area, so players often mark them on their map to ensure they never miss a respawn while moving between resource nodes or settlements.
Best Strategy for Skinning Cursed Ducks
1. Route Efficiency
Since you can't rely on ducks for consistent farming, add them as optional stops within your larger gathering route. Hit them while tracking herbs, iron nodes, or fiber fields.
2. Avoid Waiting Around
The 21–30 minute respawn timer makes camping impractical. Kill and skin the ducks, then move on to the next objective.
3. Use Basic Tools
Because there is no level requirement, even a flint skinning knife is enough. Higher-tier tools simply reduce gather time slightly but don't significantly change efficiency.
4. Watch for Hostile Areas
Some duck spawns are located near corrupted patrols or aggressive wildlife. Clear the area first so you're not interrupted during the long skinning animation.
Who Should Farm Cursed Ducks
Cursed Ducks are ideal for:
New players leveling Skinning from zero
Crafters gathering early hides
Route optimize rs looking to maximize XP during travel
Collectors seeking rare or seasonal materials if tied to events
They are not ideal for players seeking large quantities of hides or gold, as their slow respawn makes them unsuitable for pure farming.
Final Tips
Track duck timers mentally or through map markers if passing through regularly.
Pair duck routes with nearby resources for maximum efficiency.
Don't rely on them as your main Skinning source-treat them as bonus XP stops.
Cursed Ducks may be small and scattered, but with efficient routing they provide easy Skinning XP, guaranteed materials, and a bit of gold along the way. Whether you're starting fresh or leveling alternate gathering tools, adding these creatures to your routine helps keep your progression steady without slowing you down.
MMOexp New World Team