In New World, one of the most exciting aspects of the endgame content is the Expeditions - challenging dungeons that push players to test their skills, teamwork, and strategy. Among these, Starstone Barrows stands out as one of the most popular and exciting. Set in the lush and mysterious Starstone Barrows, this Expedition is filled with ancient enemies, complex puzzles, and powerful rewards. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer, this guide will walk you through the Starstone Barrows Expedition, providing essential tips, strategies, and insights to help you conquer it and claim your loot, such as New World Gold.

Introduction to Starstone Barrows

Starstone Barrows is a level 35-45 Expedition located in the Restless Shore region of New World. It is one of the first major dungeons players will encounter in the mid-to-late-game journey. The Expedition has a unique blend of combat encounters, environmental hazards, and puzzle-solving elements, making it an engaging and challenging experience for all participants.

The objective of Starstone Barrows is to battle your way through several stages, solve puzzles, and defeat the final boss to unlock valuable loot. The enemies within the Barrows are often themed around the ancient civilizations of Aeternum, with various forms of corruption and elemental power. The Dungeon has an added element of difficulty due to its intricate puzzles and boss mechanics, which require coordination among your team.

Preparing for the Starstone Barrows Expedition

Before diving into Starstone Barrows, it's crucial to prepare both your character and your group for the challenges ahead. This is a group-based Expedition, so you'll need a well-balanced team. Typically, a group consists of:

1 Tank: Responsible for holding aggro on the enemies and absorbing damage.

1-2 DPS (Damage Dealers): Players who focus on dealing as much damage as possible while avoiding dangerous mechanics.

1 Healer: Responsible for keeping the group alive, particularly the tank, during tough fights.

Gear Recommendations

Level 35+ Gear: Make sure your gear is up to par for this level of content. Ideally, you want your armor to be level 35 or higher to survive the encounters.

Resistances: Many enemies in the Starstone Barrows will deal elemental damage, particularly fire and corruption damage. Equip gear with elemental resistances, especially to Fire Resistance and Corruption Resistance to mitigate damage.

Healing Potions: Stock up on potions, especially healing potions and Corruption-resistant potions, to give yourself an edge during fights.

Team Composition

While there's flexibility in team composition, Starstone Barrows can be a tough challenge, especially when it comes to certain puzzles and bosses. Ensure you have the following roles filled:

Tank: The tank should be using heavy armor and a sword and shield or warhammer for optimal crowd control. They need to be able to withstand high incoming damage.

DPS: Have one or two DPS classes. A mix of ranged and melee DPS can be advantageous. For example, a musket or bow user provides excellent ranged damage, while a greatsword or hatchet user can focus on quick, high-output melee damage.

Healer: The healer should ideally be wearing light armor (for mobility) and wielding a life staff, focusing on healing and buffs.

Starstone Barrows Expedition Walkthrough

1. Entering the Barrows

Upon entering the Starstone Barrows, you'll be greeted by several mobs of enemies. You'll need to fight your way through the dungeon, which is filled with various corrupted enemies, skeletal warriors, and elemental monsters. The path is linear at first, leading you deeper into the heart of the Barrows.

Tip: Make sure to clear the enemies before moving forward to avoid being overwhelmed by waves of enemies.

2. The First Puzzle

After clearing the first set of enemies, you will encounter the first puzzle - one of the unique elements of Starstone Barrows. This puzzle requires players to interact with glowing orbs that are scattered around the dungeon. You need to align these orbs in a specific order to open the path forward.

Tip: The solution to the puzzle is located near the orbs themselves. Look for clues around the room or any hints about the correct order. Some groups might want to designate one player to handle the puzzle while others defend against mobs.

3. The Corrupted Foes

Following the puzzle, you will enter a more combat-heavy phase. The enemies in this section will be Corrupted enemies, and you'll face waves of them as you progress. Make sure your tank is holding aggro, and the DPS should focus on quickly taking down the enemies. Healers should keep the tank alive, as the Corrupted enemies can deal substantial damage.

Some of these enemies will have AoE (area of effect) attacks, which can be deadly if your group doesn't spread out properly. Keep a close eye on these attacks and dodge them when necessary.

Tip: Keep moving as a group to avoid getting overwhelmed by multiple enemies and AoE abilities.

4. The Second Puzzle (The Key Puzzle)

The second puzzle in Starstone Barrows is centered around colored keys and locked doors. You will need to collect keys scattered throughout the dungeon and match them to corresponding doors to proceed.

Tip: Assign a player to focus on collecting and matching the keys while the rest of the team deals with mobs. The enemies in this area will respawn periodically, so speed is of the essence.

5. The Final Boss Fight: The Corrupted Starstone Guardian

The final boss of Starstone Barrows is the Corrupted Starstone Guardian, a powerful corrupted being who can deal both fire and corruption damage. This boss fight has multiple phases, with the Guardian changing attack patterns as his health depletes.

Phase 1: The Guardian will use fire-based attacks. The tank should keep the boss aggroed while DPS focuses on dealing damage. Healers should keep the tank topped up.

Phase 2: The boss will summon smaller enemies. Your DPS should switch to dealing with these adds, while the tank keeps the boss occupied.

Phase 3: In the final phase, the Corrupted Starstone Guardian will combine his fire and corruption abilities, and the arena may be littered with hazardous zones that players must avoid. The tank will need to stay mobile, while the group should focus on dodging the most dangerous AoE attacks.

Tip: Make sure to avoid standing in the fire or corruption puddles. If you get hit by these attacks, you risk massive damage and debuffs that can lead to a wipe. If you're in the healer role, be prepared to cleanse debuffs if necessary.

6. Completing the Expedition and Claiming Loot

Once you defeat the Corrupted Starstone Guardian, the dungeon is complete, and you can collect your rewards. These typically include high-level gear, crafting materials, and cosmetic items. The dungeon's completion also grants you access to Starstone-related quests, which further open up New World's lore and progression.

Final Tips for Starstone Barrows

Prepare for Elemental Damage: Many of the enemies in Starstone Barrows deal fire and corruption damage. Make sure your gear has elemental resistances to reduce the damage taken.

Coordinate on Puzzles: Some puzzles in Starstone Barrows require coordination among players. Make sure you communicate clearly and work as a team to solve these challenges quickly.

Watch Your Aggro: Tanks need to keep aggro on the enemies. DPS players should make sure they're not pulling aggro by over-aggressively attacking. A good tank will allow the team to focus on damage without distraction.

Be Patient with the Final Boss: The Corrupted Starstone Guardian is a tough fight, especially with the environmental hazards. Learn the boss's attack patterns and be ready to react quickly to changes.

Conclusion

The Starstone Barrows Expedition is an exciting and challenging experience that will test your combat skills, puzzle-solving abilities, and teamwork. By preparing appropriately, equipping the right gear, and communicating effectively with your group, you can conquer this dungeon and claim its powerful rewards. At the same time, you can use cheap New World Coins to quickly become stronger and complete tasks more easily. Whether you're looking for high-level gear or aiming to explore the deep mysteries of Aeternum, Starstone Barrows offers an excellent opportunity to push your character to the next level. Good luck, adventurer!