New World: Wrath of the Hollow Warden
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer the Wrath of the Hollow Warden update: from recommended gear and New World coins builds to strategies for tackling the Warden himself.
I. Expedition Overview: Ebonreach Vault
The Ebonreach Vault is a new level 65+ Expedition introduced in the “Wrath of the Hollow Warden” update. This haunted ruin was once a sanctuary of magical knowledge but now teems with Corrupted forces. At its heart lies the Hollow Warden, a soulbound guardian twisted by cursed relics.
Expedition Highlights:
Recommended Level: 65+
New Weapon: Soulpiercer Scythe
New Skill Tree: Soulbind (scythe-exclusive)
New Status Effect: Wither (reduces healing received and max stamina)
Unique Drops: Hollowbone Chestplate, Relic of Thorns, and Warden’s Grip (epic ring)
II. Preparing for the Warden’s Wrath
Before stepping foot into Ebonreach Vault, players must prepare both mentally and mechanically.
Recommended Group Composition
1 Tank – Preferably with corruption-resistant gear and a sword/shield combo.
1 Healer – Life Staff with Beacon and Sacred Ground, backed by heavy constitution.
3 DPS – Optimal builds include:
Scythe users (Soulbind skill tree)
Fire Staff with Burn-focused talents
Bow users with mobility for mechanic-based fights
Consumables Checklist
Corruption Tinctures – Reduces DoT effects from the Hollow Warden’s aura.
Infused Health Potions – Crucial during the Warden’s Enrage phase.
Ward Potions (Corruption) – Boosts survivability during trash pulls.
Coatings – Use Corrupted Coating to boost damage against enemies in the vault.
III. Soulpiercer Scythe & Soulbind Tree
A centerpiece of this expedition is the new Soulpiercer Scythe, available via rare drop or crafting using Warden’s Remains.
Soulbind Tree Core Features:
Passive Drain: Deal damage to siphon health.
Phantom Step: Teleport a short distance and apply Wither to enemies.
Warden’s Embrace: A swirling AoE that pulls enemies inward, scaling off Focus.
This weapon/skill combo adds a brutal crowd-control melee option, synergizing well with hybrid builds and group support.
IV. Vault Dungeon Map & Boss Layout
The Ebonreach Vault is divided into 4 zones:
Antechamber of Echoes – Introductory fights with Echoing Sentinels.
Hall of Severance – Labyrinthine section with traps and miniboss (Carapace the Hushed).
Sanctum of Binding – Soulbind Cultists summon corrupted spirits en masse.
Warden’s Hold – Final boss arena.
V. Boss Guide: Hollow Warden
Phase I – Guardian of Decay
Basic Abilities:
Soulrend Slash – A massive cone attack. Tank must face him away from the group.
Withering Aura – Constant AoE reducing healing and stamina regen. Use Corruption Tinctures.
Bone Lash – Pulls in distant players; dodging backward is key.
Strategy:
Have your tank anchor him at the arena edge.
DPS must remain mobile; AoE zones spawn unpredictably.
Healer should rotate Sacred Ground and Orb of Protection.
Interrupt Soulbind Channel using crowd-control abilities.
Phase II – Warden Unleashed (Below 50% HP)
Gains Enrage for 30 seconds every 20% HP lost.
Spawns Hollow Clones that explode if not destroyed in 10 seconds.
Dark Reversal – Reflects 50% of ranged damage for 5 seconds. Bow and buy New World gold fire staff users must halt DPS briefly.
Tips:
AoE Damage: Save scythe’s Warden’s Embrace for clone waves.
Focus Targeting: Designate a primary DPS to call out clone prioritization.
Enrage Survival: Stack healing cooldowns; tanks use Fortify buffs.
Phase III – Grave of the Warden (10% HP)
Room fills with Grasping Hands from the floor—root players for 2 seconds.
Warden rotates Soulrend Slash and Bone Lash rapidly.
Survive and burst him down — this is a pure DPS-check phase.
VI. Notable Rewards
Epic Drops:
Warden’s Grip (Ring): +25 Dexterity, Wither Resistance, +8% crit chance vs. Corrupted.
Relic of Thorns (Amulet): Reflects 10% melee damage, 2% life leech.
Hollowbone Chestplate (Heavy Armor): +30 Constitution, 10% damage reduction under 50% HP.
Soulpiercer Scythe (Named Version):
Chance to drop from final boss or craft with rare expedition mats.
Comes with preset perks: Leeching, Withering Strike, and Phantom Edge (grants haste on kill).
VII. Mastering the Wither Mechanic
Wither is a new status introduced in this update and affects both players and enemies.
What it does:
Reduces stamina regeneration by 30%.
Lowers healing received by 20%.
Lasts 6–12 seconds depending on stack count.
How to counter:
Ward Traits: Equip gear with “Wither Ward” to reduce debuff duration.
Healer Cleanse: Splash of Light or Purify Perk can remove Wither.
Positioning: Stay out of red corruption pools which apply Wither on contact.
VIII. Daily and Weekly Missions
To incentivize running the Vault:
Daily Mission: “Cleanse the Vault” – Complete Ebonreach Vault for 5 Gypsum Orbs + 100 Gold.
Weekly: “Break the Warden’s Will” – Defeat Hollow Warden on Mutated difficulty. Rewards include crafting shards, named gear, and vault tokens.
Vault Tokens can be exchanged at the Ebonreach Outfitter for gear or Soulpiercer schematics.
IX. Final Tips & Summary
Pace Your Pulls: Trash mobs hit hard and come in large packs.
Gear Up First: Aim for a gear score of 640+ before attempting.
Watch the Floor: Many mechanics spawn AoEs from the ground—don’t tunnel vision.
Use Voice Comms: Coordination is key, especially during clone and Enrage phases.
“Wrath of the Hollow Warden” adds one of New World’s most mechanically rich and rewarding dungeons to date. Whether you’re chasing the new scythe or legendary gear, this expedition offers high stakes, high challenge, and even higher rewards.
So sharpen your blades, whisper a prayer to the light, and descend into the Vault—because the Hollow Warden waits, and his wrath is eternal.