I want to start off this post by saying that I really enjoy New World. Specifically, the instanced and open-world PvP. I found it a good mix between a stamina management combat system and build creation system which lets you outplay 1v1 and 1vX fights with skill.
But I quit the game about two months following the expertise update and briefly returned to try arenas. I come back because I really enjoy the PvP combat, but I left again ultimately because I do not enjoy PvE. This has rung unanimously across so many players/discords I had joined that I am still baffled that the original PvP playerbase continues to be drip-fed, and that one still even exists.
I wanted to emphasise that the problem for me is not the expertise system, but it’s the lack of ability to raise expertise through PvP content, as well as a lack of competitiveness until reaching the higher gear scores in said PvP content. I personally find PvE content repetitive and dry which is why I cannot stand the PvE grind.
I have kept frequently checking the forums for updates, and there have been some good ideas I would like to summarise which would have me return to the game and give it a real second chance:
1) Add in purple/blue PvP armour which is 590+ gear score.
This would mean I can PvP whilst not being stat-checked by the 625 legendary gear. I think it would reduce the stat-difference enough that I can still have success, and should be implemented along with option 2). This would also seem easy to add in for me.
2) Add in more gypsum options from PvP activities.
The issue with this is that I would still be at a big disadvantage at the start, but I could get to the end-goal quicker whilst doing what I like to do. Another issue is that there still seems to be a lack of PvP content in general to add more gypsum options with. Having OPR gypsum being unlimited with how much you can craft whilst limiting the total gypsum you can craft instead, would mean I could still avoid PvE content. I think this mutually benefits both PvE and PvP players but it would need to be for select gypsum types only.
3) Increase the ratio favouring higher gear to lower gear.
This is probably a less popular option, and would effect economies whilst making anything under 600GS worth even less than before. Nonetheless, it fixes the problems I outlined earlier.
4) PvP only gear
For instanced events such as OPR or Arenas, have stats be normalised. For war, I think keeping it gear based makes sense.
I also want to close that I do not mind the occasional PvE event, but not every day and not for over an hour. I am ok with weapons/armour being locked into PvE whether they be cosmetic or legendary stats with amazing rolls.