New World: WIT Longsword Use Guide

In the New World, the role of a tank is often to control hatred, absorb pain, and protect allies from disaster. WIT Long sword, this unique weapon redefines traditional sword and shield gameplay, turning sarcasm into a weapon, turning every insult into a threat increase and damage reduction. This guide will take a deep look at WIT's special ability "Sneer", explain how to build around it, and explore why it has become a favorite of mutant players and progress-oriented PvE teams.

Understanding WIT's Unique Perk: Snide Remarks

WIT's core strength lies in its signature perk, Snide Remarks, which does the following:

Taunts are active on the weapon, allowing it to generate threat and trigger taunt mechanics.

Light attack critical hits generate 250% more threat, significantly boosting aggro control.

On crit, reduce hostile AI's base damage to you by 15% for 3 seconds.

This trifecta of effects makes WIT a perfect centerpiece for threat-based tanking. It rewards high uptime on crits, encouraging a more active, aggressive play style instead of passive shield holding. With enough critical chance and attack speed, you can keep the damage reduction Debuff up almost continuously, making yourself incredibly tough while ensuring enemies never ignore you.

How to Obtain the WIT Long sword

WIT is a mutation-exclusive weapon drop, meaning it can only be obtained through Mutated Expeditions—the most challenging PvE content in New World. These dungeons rotate weekly and increase in difficulty from M1 to M10.

Drop Source: Mutation Reward Caches

Recommended Difficulty: M6+ for increased drop chance

Bind on Pickup: Yes (cannot be traded)

Perk Pool: Rolls with the Snide Remarks perk and a gem slot by default

To increase your chances of obtaining WIT, focus on weekly runs of mutations at the highest level possible. Higher mutation tiers offer better loot pools, more Named and Legendary items, New World gold and a greater chance of scoring the sword.

Recommended Build: Snide Tank (WIT + Shield)

Weapon Setup:

Primary: WIT Longsword

Secondary: Tower Shield (Heavy or Kite-style for block stamina)

Gem: Carnelian (for additional taunt synergy), or Cut Pristine Opal (for increased damage while below 100% stamina)

Attributes:

300 Constitution: For maximum survivability, grit on all attacks, and extra damage reduction

100 Strength or Dexterity: To improve damage output and increase crit rate if using perks or food buffs

Armor:

Heavy Armor (preferably warded for current mutation type)

Perks: Focus on Refreshing, Elemental/Physical Aversion, Fortifying Sacred Ground (for group play), and Shield perks like Defiant Stance CD reduction

Skill Tree (Swordmaster + Defender):

Focus on:

Defender Stance: Core taunt and mitigation

Leaping Strike: Gap closer and crit opportunity

Reverse Stab: Cooldown reduction and great opener

You can also rotate in Shield Bash if you're struggling to maintain aggro or need a stun for certain trash pulls and minibosses.

Rotation Strategy: Crit Farming and Damage Mitigation

To get the most from WIT, your combat rotation should aim to maximize critical hits, activating Snide Remarks as often as possible. Here's a sample approach:

Open with Shield Bash or Reverse Stab (CD reduction, crowd control).

Light Attack chain to build threat—watch for crits to apply the 15% damage reduction debuff.

Use Defender Stance to gain Fortify and keep up pressure with basic attacks.

Rotate Leaping Strike to reposition, gap-close, or open boss fights with a potential crit.

Reapply Shield Bash or Reverse Stab when cooldowns are up to refresh threat and crowd control.

WIT rewards consistency: the more crits you land, the less damage you take and the more control you exert over the battlefield.

Perk Synergies and Gear Optimization

Because WIT scales best with critical chance and uptime, your ideal loadout includes the following:

Recommended Weapon Perks (Secondary or Supplemental Gear):

Keen: Increase critical chance

Rogue: Increase crit damage on backstab (less useful for a tank, but synergizes with crit builds)

Vicious: Increases critical hit damage (synergizes with WIT's crit-based taunt)

Fortifying Perks: Gain Fortify on light/heavy attacks

Recommended Armor Perks:

Refreshing Ward: Reduces cooldowns while taking damage

Health: Flat HP increase

Thwarting Strikes: Bonus damage while Fortified (combos well with Defender Stance)

Group Synergy and PvE Role

WIT excels in group PvE because of its:

Reliable Threat Generation: 250% more threat on light attack crits means you can hold aggro without constant taunt spam.

Self-Mitigation: The 15% enemy damage reduction is deceptively strong, especially in boss fights or big trash pulls.

Flexible Crit Playstyle: Works well with crit-boosting healers (like those using Enchanted Justice or crit buffs) and synergizes with high-DPS backliners.

In Expedition groups, your role shifts slightly from a pure damage sponge to a crit-fueled taunt tank. That makes your rotations more active, your decisions more engaging, and your risk-taking more rewarding.

Tips and Advanced Tactics

Use Food Buffs that increase critical hit chance, such as Roasted Rabbit with Seasoned Vegetables.

Stack cooldown reduction to get Reverse Stab and Leaping Strike up faster—more crit chances, more uptime on Snide Remarks.

Use Carnelian Gems if your healer isn't running taunt assistance. Otherwise, lean into Opal or Malachite for extra pressure.

Pair with Fortify-based healers like those using Sacred Ground + Beacon, to keep your survivability at peak.

Final Thoughts

The WIT longsword punishes enemies not with brute force, but with taunts and tenacity. It rewards clever chain crits, and punishes bosses that focus fire on you. For tanks seeking a more expressive, responsive variant, WIT offers a new meta-defining option that's both fun and powerful.

Whether you're honing your M10 variant or looking to amp up your PvE skills, don't miss this sword.

MMOexp New World Team