How to Get and Use Umbral Shards in New World Aeternum

New World, Amazon Games’ popular MMORPG set in the mystical land of Aeternum, has a complex and engaging endgame system that rewards players for their dedication. One of the most valuable resources players can acquire in the later stages of the game is Umbral Shards. These shards are used to enhance gear and improve the overall effectiveness of your character, making them essential for players looking to tackle New World’s most challenging content. Here's a guide on how to obtain Umbral Shards and maximize their use.

What are Umbral Shards?

Umbral Shards are a unique, endgame resource introduced in New World that allows players to upgrade their gear beyond the traditional limits. Once a player reaches the gear score cap of 600, Umbral Shards become essential for increasing gear score up to a maximum of 625. This boost in gear score provides better stats and improves your performance in high-level expeditions, PvP battles, and other challenging activities across Aeternum.

How to Get Umbral Shards

There are several primary ways to obtain Umbral Shards in New World, each linked to high-level activities that test the strength and teamwork of buy New World Coins players. Here’s a breakdown of the main sources:

Mutated Expeditions

One of the most reliable ways to earn Umbral Shards is by completing Mutated Expeditions. These are modified versions of existing expeditions, or dungeons, that come with additional challenges such as elemental mutations, increased enemy power, and special affixes. As you complete higher levels of Mutated Expeditions, you’ll receive more Umbral Shards as rewards.

The amount of Umbral Shards you earn is based on the difficulty tier of the mutation (from 1 to 10). Higher-tier mutations reward significantly more shards, making it worthwhile to push for the highest level your team can handle.

Expertise System Progression

Umbral Shards can also be earned through the Expertise system, which tracks your character’s experience with different gear types. When you reach a new threshold in Expertise for a particular type of gear, you’ll receive Umbral Shards as a reward. This can happen when you reach gear score milestones such as 600, 610, or 620, making Expertise an essential system to engage with if you want to maximize your shard income.

To increase your Expertise, engage in various endgame activities, including crafting, gathering, and fighting elite monsters in high-level zones.

Outpost Rush

Outpost Rush, a PvPvE mode in New World, also provides a chance to earn Umbral Shards. Participating in and winning Outpost Rush matches rewards players with a set number of shards. Although the amount isn’t as substantial as Mutated Expeditions, Outpost Rush offers a consistent and alternative method for players who enjoy competitive PvP content.

Invasion and War Rewards

Both Invasions and Wars, which are large-scale PvE and PvP events in New World, can reward Umbral Shards. While these events are not the primary method of obtaining shards, they’re useful for players looking to gather additional shards outside of expeditions and Outpost Rush.

How to Use Umbral Shards

Once you have a good stockpile of Umbral Shards, it’s time to use them to improve your gear score. Here’s how:

Increasing Gear Score Beyond 600

The primary use of Umbral Shards is to increase the gear score of your items from 600 to a maximum of 625. To do this, you need to  New World Gold  visit the crafting or inventory menu and select the item you wish to upgrade. Note that only items with a base gear score of 600 or above are eligible for upgrades using Umbral Shards.

Each upgrade increment requires a certain number of Umbral Shards. The higher you push your gear score, the more shards you’ll need for each level, so choose your upgrades wisely to ensure that you’re prioritizing the items that will benefit your playstyle the most.

Focus on High-Impact Items

Start by upgrading your primary weapons, as these will have the most immediate impact on your damage output in PvE and PvP. Armor upgrades are also essential, especially if you’re aiming to survive tougher PvE encounters or be more resilient in PvP.

Remember that upgrading a full set of armor can be costly in terms of shards, so plan out your priorities based on your character’s role and the activities you’re focused on.

PvP and PvE Balance

If you’re an avid PvP player, using Umbral Shards on items that enhance crowd control resistance, stamina, or movement speed can give you an edge in battles. For PvE-focused players, prioritize items that enhance resistances and damage stats to help you tackle high-level content more effectively.

Since Umbral Shards are limited, balance your upgrades across PvP and PvE needs based on the content you engage with most frequently.

Final Tips for Farming and Using Umbral Shards

Team Up for Mutated Expeditions: Mutated Expeditions are challenging, so teaming up with experienced players can help you complete higher mutation tiers faster and earn more shards.

Daily and Weekly Caps: Some activities may have daily or weekly rewards caps, so make sure you’re completing high-priority tasks first to maximize your shard earnings.

Upgrade Strategically: Avoid upgrading low-impact items with Umbral Shards. Focus on high-tier gear pieces and powerful weapons to make the most of your shard supply.

Umbral Shards are invaluable for anyone looking to conquer the most difficult parts of New World’s endgame. By mastering the art of farming and strategically using these shards, players can enhance their power and adapt to the challenges Aeternum has to offer.