New World: Aeternum – Comprehensive Guide to Leveling Up Harvesting

In New World: Aeternum, mastering the Harvesting Trade Skill can be quite a lengthy process, especially for newcomers eager to craft the finest bags and clothing. Harvesting is essential not only for gathering fiber used in weaving but also for collecting materials vital for cooking, arcana, and other Trade Skills that rely on harvested resources.

Understanding the Harvesting system—knowing which tools to use, what materials can be gathered, and the best routes to take—will significantly enhance your leveling experience.

How to Harvest in New World: Aeternum

Harvesting in New World is straightforward. Simply approach a resource node and interact with it by pressing the E key on your keyboard, the Triangle button on PS5, or the X button on Xbox.

To harvest, you’ll need a Sickle, which is available in various tiers, from 1 to 5. Each gathering Trade Skill has a unique set of items and materials. As players advance, they unlock the ability to track these resources, which will appear as icons on the compass at the top of the screen. For instance, the icon for Hemp Fiber is a small pink leaf with a distinctive pattern. Other resources like mushrooms, which can yield pigments, and special items such as bulbs and flowers, also have their own specific icons.

The resources players can gather depend on their Harvesting level. From levels 1 to 50, most items will include herbs and hemp. At level 25, players can start collecting elemental flowers and bulbs, making it beneficial to keep an eye out for these while on harvesting routes to gain extra Trade Skill Mastery (experience).

Additionally, players can discover Super Rare, Epic, and Legendary resources by observing Magical Creatures scattered across the map. These creatures are often concealed in plain sight and emit unique sounds based on their element when approached. They can be harvested at any level and consistently offer a good boost to your Harvesting skill.

Tips for Rapidly Leveling Harvesting in New World: Aeternum

To efficiently level up your Harvesting skill in New World: Aeternum, gather as many resources as possible—this includes plants, berries, vegetables, elemental flowers, mushrooms, and Magical creatures. Here are some strategies to enhance your leveling efficiency:

1. Establish a Farming Route: Choose a route and stick to it. Since nodes are not procedural, they will respawn at the same locations after some time, allowing you to revisit and harvest them repeatedly. Ideal beginner routes include the area between Monarch's Bluff and Windsward (levels 1-17), which is abundant in hemp, herbs, and berries. A detailed video showcasing these routes is available below.

2. Use Tools with Mastery Perks: Equip tools that grant the "Mastery Perk," as they will increase the Trade Skill Mastery earned each time you harvest a node. Consider using specialized equipment like the Harvester Set, which is designed to boost resource yield and mastery points.

3. Prioritize Harvesting Speed: Tools that enhance your Harvesting Speed are essential for efficient farming. Additionally, as you upgrade your standing within a territory, you’ll have the option to select certain boons. Opting for the Harvesting Speed boon can significantly improve your leveling efficiency and benefit all gathering-related Trade Skills.

4. Leverage the Intelligence Attribute: Harvesting is linked to the Intelligence Attribute and its associated perks. Investing in the Intelligence branch provides numerous advantages:

  - 25 Points: +10% Harvesting Speed.

  - 50 Points: +5% chance to discover Azoth while harvesting.

  - 100 Points: +50 maximum encumbrance.

  - 150 Points: 10% reduction in weight for all harvested items.

  - 200 Points: +20% Harvesting Speed.

  - 250 Points: +10% yield when harvesting.

  - 300 Points: 25% reduction in Azoth travel costs.

  - 350 Points: 10% chance to find rare items while harvesting.

If you're focusing on weaving, arcana, or armor crafting, you’re likely already benefiting from the Intelligence build. If not, consider utilizing these Attribute perks for better results.

Best Areas for Leveling Harvesting in New World: Aeternum

While players can choose their own farming routes based on efficiency, here’s a summary of the top areas to level up Harvesting quickly:

- Levels 1-50+: The region between Monarch's Bluff and Windsward is densely populated with level 1-50 nodes, helping players surpass the initial soft cap in the game. After this, head west towards the Central Windsward Watch area, located on a small island between rivers accessible via a bridge.

- Level 50+: The Central Windsward Watch area is a vast plain teeming with Bison and also ideal for completing hunting quests and leveling skinning. This area contains over 56 Hemp nodes, making it an excellent spot for leveling up.

- Levels 100-150+: Explore the Everfall Forests and surrounding areas. Players should ideally be between levels 17 and 25 to safely navigate this region. Here, you’ll find plenty of Light Blooms, Dragonglory, Soulsprout, and Silkweed patches to help you reach level 150.

- Levels 150-200+: Head to North Brightwood, specifically the Morgenstadt/Great Cleave Salt Lake area. Gather plants like Aloe and Spinfiber until you reach level 200. With some extra effort, you can even push your level to 205, allowing you to gather most of the ingredients available in New World: Aeternum.

By following these guidelines and tips, you'll streamline your Harvesting journey in New World: Aeternum, making the process less tedious and more rewarding. Happy harvesting!