High Watermark system in New World; How does it work?

Published on 11/3/2021

Many of us may have noticed that items in New World has differences in gearscore. Why is this? Let's try to figure out how it works.

What is this so-called High Watermark system in New World?
When your character finally reaches level 60 you can increase his power just by increasing the gear score of items. So you want to obtain items with the highest stats.
So let's try to find a way how to do it.

Every item slot in the game has a gearscore. And for every slot and type of weapon you should increase it by killing 60+ level mobs. When you kill them they are drop items and sometimes the item can have a higher gearscore than usual. When you obtain it - your Watermark, basically your standard gearscore level. is increasing and this item level becomes common for this slot.

What kind of level mobs are required to obtain a certain level of gearscore equipment?

61level - 500 - 530 Gearscore
62level - 530 - 550 Gearscore
63level - 550 - 577 Gearscore
64level - 577 - 591 Gearscore
65level - 591 - 600 Gearscore

The best way to increase your Watermark is by killing mobs in elite zones in small groups. Because larger groups have a worse loot.
However, you can increase your watermark with Expedition running because the boss drops an item with higher GS with a 100% chance. Also, you can do 65+ level portals.

I can give you an advice - do not try to farm Watermark level when you just reach level 60 in Elite Landmarks, because it will be too hard and will take a lot of time. You should try to obtain good starter gear.
The best way is crafting gear, however, sometimes it can be expensive. But this gear does not depend on a watermark and you can obtain decent items to start off with.
The second option is obtaining gear from reputation with your faction. A third option would be to run some expeditions.

Sometimes farming coins in New World for buying some good pieces of gear can be really boring. And at this moment we can come to help you. We provide coins for every New World server for a fair price and fast delivery.