Starting the Brimstone Sands main questline in New World requires reaching level 60 and completing the prior main story prerequisites, such as the "Aeternum Awakening" narrative progression. If you're stepping into this vast desert zone for the first time, you'll need to know where to start, what gear score requirements to aim for, and how to navigate the complex quest steps efficiently.
The zone opens up via a quest given by Yonas Alazar or automatically pushed to your journal once you meet the character level requirements. You'll travel northwest from Reekwater or take the dedicated fast-travel shrine routes to enter the sprawling Roman-Egyptian themed territory. Below, we'll break down the exact quest sequence, tactical requirements, and hidden hurdles most players stumble over.
Unlocking Brimstone Sands and Initial Requirements
Before accepting the first mission, make sure your character is properly prepared. Brimstone Sands is significantly more punishing than older zones.
- Level Requirement: Level 60 is mandatory to accept and progress through the main story line smoothly.
- Gear Score: Equip at least Gear Score 550 items before entering. Enemies hit hard, and open-world elites will overwhelm under-geared players.
- Prerequisite Quests: You must have finished the main story quests leading up to the expedition through Edengrove and Reekwater.
Your journey starts with the quest "Blood of the Sands." You'll speak with an NPC who directs you to cross the border into the territory. Don't rush across open dunes blindly. Follow established roads and watch out for roaming elite mobs that can easily catch you off guard.
Core Questline Walkthrough: Step-by-Step
The main storyline is divided into distinct narrative chapters. Knowing what's coming helps you stock up on the right consumables, potions, and repair parts.
Entering the Wastes and Meeting the Ancients
Your first objective takes you to the southern outpost of the region. You'll meet new factions and uncover the history of the Ennead and the Ancient Guardians.
- Speak to the Expeditionary Commander: Secure your outpost fast travel shrines immediately. Do not skip these, as running across the desert on foot drains your stamina and exposes you to environmental hazards.
- Collect Tablet Shards: Early quests require you to interact with ruined pillars and broken stone tablets. Watch your compass for interaction markers and clear out local corrupted wildlife before trying to read them.
- Establish Camp: Always drop a camp near quest hubs. Dying in the northern sections of the desert without a local respawn means a lengthy run back.
Delving into the Ennead and Heart of the Empire
As the story progresses, you'll be pushed toward the center of the map, exploring massive ruins and subterranean chambers.
- The Ennead Expedition: Partway through the narrative, you'll be required to run The Ennead, the 5-player expedition tied to the zone. Ensure you have a balanced group composition with a dedicated tank and healer.
- Decoding Glyphs: Several quests require you to match glyph symbols found on walls with prompts in your inventory. Pay close attention to environmental cues around puzzle doors.
- Defeating Boss Encounters: Bosses in this questline rely heavily on elemental damage (specifically fire and nature). Slot appropriate gems into your armor to mitigate incoming burst damage.
Essential Gear and Consumables to Bring
Survival in the desert depends entirely on preparation. Standard potions won't cut it if you're caught in extended combat loops against multiple corrupted foes.
- Weakness Potions: Bring coatings and tinctures that protect against slash and elemental damage.
- Food Buffs: Use tier 5 food that boosts constitution and your primary damage stat. You'll need every bit of health scaling you can get.
- Repair Parts: Durability drops fast when wiping on elite bosses. Keep your parts inventory full before heading into deep quest areas.
According to Amazon Games New World Updates, maintaining your gear and optimizing weapon perks is vital for end-game zones.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players hit brick walls in Brimstone Sands because they approach it like standard base-game zones. Here's what to avoid:
- Ignoring Shrine Unlocks: Running past fast travel points saves zero time. Unlock every shrine you see along the main road.
- Neglecting Crowd Control: Soloing packs of sand-scorpions and corrupted legionaries without AoE crowd control or escape skills leads to quick deaths.
- Rushing Without Stamina Management: Desert terrain features uneven slopes and ledges. Getting caught out of stamina while fleeing an elite mob is a guaranteed death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need to be for Brimstone Sands?
You need to be level 60. Attempting these quests at lower levels results in severe scaling penalties and instant deaths from normal enemies.
Do I need to complete The Ennead expedition to finish the main story?
Yes. Running The Ennead is a mandatory step in the main quest progression to unlock the final narrative cinematic and rewards.
How do I fast travel efficiently in the desert?
Prioritize activating every settlement and spirit shrine on the outer edges first. Utilize azoth wisely, as traveling across the vast zone costs more than in older territories.
Can I solo the Brimstone Sands main quest?
Most of the open-world quest steps can be completed solo if your gear score is above 600. However, expedition steps and elite named bosses require grouping up.
