In New World, upgrading your gear is essential to improving your character’s strength, survivability, and competitiveness in both PvE and PvP. As the endgame evolves and new threats emerge, being properly equipped is no New World Coins longer just an option—it’s a necessity. One of the primary ways to ensure your build is up to the task is by increasing your Gear Score (GS), with the ultimate goal of reaching the maximum GS cap of 725.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about upgrading your equipment in New World, including the materials you’ll need, the systems involved (like the Gypsum Kiln), and smart strategies for efficient progression.
Understanding Gear Score and Why It Matters
Gear Score directly impacts your character’s power level, including damage output, defense, and perk effectiveness. Higher Gear Score gear typically offers:
Better base stats
Higher scaling perks
Greater survivability and damage potential
Access to elite and high-end content
As of the latest expansion and seasonal content updates, the hard cap for Gear Score has been raised to 725, with 700 acting as the standard threshold for competitive endgame content.
Upgrading to Gear Score 700: The Basics
Upgrading gear to GS 700 involves a Named Item upgrade process that can be done at a Gypsum Kiln. This is the standard method for enhancing crafted or acquired Named gear and makes up the foundation of endgame preparation.
Materials Needed for GS 700 Upgrades
Material Quantity Description
Named Item 1 The gear you want to upgrade (must be a Named item).
Applicable Matrix 1 Matrix specific to the gear type (Weapon, Armor, or Jewelry).
Dark Matter 250 A rare material earned through salvaging, quests, and PvP events.
Gypsum Orb 1 Earned from activities like crafting, PvP, and elite PvE encounters.
Chromatic Seals 3 Purchased from Faction vendors for 5,000 gold each (with a daily purchase cap).
Craft Mod (Optional) - Lets you customize a perk during the upgrade.
Upgrade Process
Gather Materials: Make sure you have all the necessary materials, especially Chromatic Seals which have a daily acquisition limit.
Go to the Gypsum Kiln: Located in all major settlements, this station facilitates Named item upgrades.
Scroll to Named Item Crafting: You’ll find this near the bottom of the Kiln’s UI.
Select Your Item: Choose the Named item from your inventory.
Apply Craft Mod (Optional): If you want to control the final perk, use a relevant Craft Mod.
Upgrade: Confirm and complete the process to bring your gear to Gear Score 700.
Upgrading to Gear Score 725: The Final Push
Once your gear reaches GS 700, getting to 725 requires special activities and unique materials. These final levels offer the most powerful bonuses in the game and are designed for elite players engaging in endgame content such as Hive of Gorgons, Cursed Mists PvP, and the Well of Fortune.
Gear Types and Their Required Materials
Gear Type Required Materials
Artifacts Dark Matter, Gypsum Orb, Chromatic Seals, Goldcursed Coconut or Gorgonite Inductor
Hoplite Named Items Gorgon’s Eye (from Hive of Gorgons), Dark Matter, Gypsum Orb, Chromatic Seals
Sandwurm Named Items 2x Gorgon’s Eyes, additional Dark Matter, Gypsum Orb, Chromatic Seals
Apex Goldcursed Named Mystic Doubloons, Goldcursed Coconut, Dark Matter (via Well of Fortune)
Where to Get High-End Materials
Dark Matter
Salvaging Epic or Legendary gear
PvP reward tracks
Expeditions and elite quests
Chromatic Seals
Buy from Faction vendors for 5,000 gold each
Daily purchase limit: 3 per day
Gorgon’s Eye
Found in the Hive of Gorgons raid activity
Required for upgrading Hoplite and Sandwurm items
Goldcursed Coconut & Mystic Doubloons
Earned through PvP in Cursed Mists
Can also be found in high-tier caches
Gypsum Orbs
Earned from various activities, including:
Outpost Rush
Arenas
Expedition bosses
Elite Chest runs
PvP kills and objectives
How to Efficiently Reach Gear Score 725
1. Focus on High-Impact Gear First
Prioritize your weapon, chest piece, and primary accessories (like amulets and rings). These slots have the biggest influence on your overall effectiveness.
2. Manage Inventory and Upgrades
Lock valuable gear to avoid accidental salvaging.
Sort your inventory often and salvage unused Epics for Dark Matter.
Use named gear with good perks, as they are easier to upgrade and build around.
3. Optimize Your Faction Vendor Strategy
Since Chromatic Seals have a daily limit, make a habit of buying them every day—even if you're not upgrading something immediately.
4. Take Advantage of the Trading Post
If you have extra New World Coins, consider buying:
Craft Mods for perk customization
Named Items with good perks
Materials like Gorgon’s Eyes or Goldcursed items
Using gold wisely can drastically speed up your progression.
5. Participate in Targeted Content
Engage in the activities that drop what you need:
Hive of Gorgons Raid – Gorgon’s Eyes
Cursed Mists PvP Zone – Mystic Doubloons and Goldcursed Coconuts
Outpost Rush, War Spoils, Trials – Caches with chances to drop GS 725 gear
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Upgrading low-impact gear (e.g., gloves or boots) before more valuable pieces.
Wasting Chromatic Seals on unoptimized gear with poor perk rolls.
Ignoring PvP – Some of the most valuable materials for 725 upgrades come from PvP.
Skipping daily activities – Consistent daily effort yields better long-term results.
Using Coins to Speed Up Progress
Time is often more valuable than currency. Buying New World Coins allows players to:
Instantly purchase upgrade-ready Named items
Acquire Chromatic Seals without grinding gold
Buy Craft Mods to perfect their perk setups
Invest in key resources like Gorgon’s Eyes or Coconuts
This shortcut is especially useful for players with limited playtime or those focused on PvP where gear parity is critical.
Final Thoughts: Preparing for New World’s Toughest Challenges
Upgrading your gear in New World is more than just a stat increase—it’s about building a foundation for endgame excellence. Whether you’re raiding with friends, dominating PvP zones, or pushing leaderboard content, a maxed-out Gear Score can make all the difference.
By understanding the systems, planning your upgrades, and engaging with the right activities, you can reach GS 725 efficiently and buy New World Coins effectively. And if you ever feel stuck or short on materials, the Trading Post and coin-based purchases offer valuable shortcuts to keep your momentum going.
Need help creating a Gear Tracker spreadsheet or visual checklist for your upgrades? Let me know—I can put one together for you!