In the ever-evolving realm of Aeternum, the New World expansion has brought forth a transformative shift in the landscape of attribute perks. With the introduction of capstone perks at 25 and 350 points, players find themselves at a crossroads, faced with intriguing choices that can significantly impact their characters' performance. This article delves deep into the winners and losers among these attribute perks, dissecting the strengths and weaknesses of each. 

• Strength Attribute Perks
• Dexterity Attribute Perks
• Intelligence Attribute Perks
• Focus Attribute Perks
• Constitution Attribute Perks

↖ Strength Attribute Perks

• 5% Light Attack Damage (25 points): This perk offers a minor boost to light attack damage, which is somewhat reduced from the previous 10% damage at 50 points. It's still useful for specific builds.
• 10% Heavy Attack Damage (50 points): The heavy attack damage perk remains unchanged, providing a consistent bonus for heavy weapon users.
• 10 Physical Damage (100 points): This new perk replaces the previous 5% melee slashing strike damage, offering a more reliable damage boost.
• 25 Stamina Regeneration Rate while Performing Basic Melee Attacks (250 points): This perk, while intriguing, requires further testing to determine its effectiveness, especially during heavy attacks.
• 10 Base Damage while Under 50 Health (300 points): This perk is situational, as you ideally want to avoid low-health situations. It may be more beneficial for some playstyles.
• 30 Base Damage Increase on the Final Attack in a Melee Light Attack Chain (350 points): This capstone perk seems to be more impressive for most players, as it relies on reaching the last swing of a light attack chain, which rarely happens in PvP combat.

Verdict: Strength attributes have received a mixed bag of perks, with some improvements and some underwhelming additions. Strength may be the least favourable among the attributes in this expansion.

↖ Dexterity Attribute Perks

• 5% Critical Hit Chance (25 points): The critical hit chance has been reduced from 10% to 50 points, making it less impactful. However, it's still valuable for crit-focused builds.
• 5% Damage at Full Health (50 points): This new perk benefits specific builds but may only be optimal for some playstyles.
• 5% Damage while Stamina is not Full (100 points): This perk is versatile and beneficial for various weapon builds.
• 15 Duration to Damage Over Time Effects (150 points): A decent perk, especially for weapons that apply damage over time effects.
• 10 Bonus Backstab and Headshot Damage (200 points): Remains unchanged and is a strong perk for precision-based builds.
• 10 In Power for 3 Seconds after Successfully Dodging an Attack (250 points): This perk is potent and suits dexterity playstyles.
• 30% Crowd Control Cleansing upon Weapon Swapping (300 points): While intriguing, the effectiveness of this perk depends on how weapon swapping works in combat.
• 15% Critical Chance while Empowered (350 points): A situational perk, as it depends on the frequency of empowerment in your build.

Verdict: Dexterity perks offer a range of benefits, with some improvements and versatile options for various builds.

↖ Intelligence Attribute Perks

• 5% Damage to Backstabs and Random Critical Hits (25 points): A valuable perk that allows you to invest a few points for bonus damage.
• 5% Damage Increase to Targets with Damage Over Time Effects (50 points): A strong perk, especially considering the prevalence of damage over time effects in intelligence builds.
• 10 Damage to Light and Heavy Attacks (100 points): Remains unchanged and is a decent perk for consistent damage output.
• 15 Elemental Damage (150 points): A powerful perk that significantly enhances elemental damage, benefiting various weapons.
• 30 Duration to Damage Over Time Effects (200 points): This perk provides extended damage over time, enhancing the effectiveness of certain abilities.
• 10 Damage to Targets Below 50 Health (300 points): A valuable perk that can finish off weakened foes effectively.
• 15 Ability Damage (350 points): An excellent capstone perk that boosts ability damage, making it a strong choice for intelligence builds.

Verdict: Intelligence perks offer significant improvements, with several perks that benefit various builds and playstyles.

↖ Focus Attribute Perks

• 10% Stronger Health Consumables (25 points): A useful perk for enhancing health recovery from consumables in PvP.
• 10 Physical Armor when Above 50 Health (50 points): A niche perk that provides physical armor but may not be universally beneficial.
• 10% Increased Max Health (100 points): A considerable boost to max health, making it a valuable perk for survivability.
• 10% Reduced Critical Damage Taken (150 points): A crucial perk for mitigating critical damage in PvP combat.
• 10 to Physical and Elemental Armor (200 points): A balanced perk that increases both physical and elemental armor.
• 60 Damage Reduction while at Full Health (250 points): A conditional perk that offers significant damage reduction when above 50% health.
• Basic Melee Attacks Grant Grit with 15% Damage Reduction (300 points): A powerful perk for tanky builds, providing consistent damage reduction with Grit.
• Reduced Ability Cooldowns by 30% of Max Duration upon Activating a Hard-Hitting Ability (350 points): A versatile perk that reduces ability cooldowns when using hard-hitting abilities.

Verdict: Focus perks offer a mix of defensive and utility options, with perks that cater to various playstyles, particularly for tanky builds.

↖ Constitution Attribute Perks

• 10% Reduced Critical Damage Taken in PvP (25 points): A valuable perk for reducing critical damage received in player versus-player combat.
• 10 Physical Armor when Above 50 Health (50 points): Provides physical armor when above 50% health but may not be universally beneficial.
• 10% Increased Max Health (100 points): A substantial boost to max health, enhancing overall survivability.
• 10% Reduced Critical Damage Taken (150 points): A crucial perk for mitigating critical damage in PvP battles.
• 10 to Physical and Elemental Armor (200 points): A balanced perk that increases both physical and elemental armor.
• 60 Damage Reduction while at Full Health (250 points): A conditional perk offering significant damage reduction when above 50% health.
• Basic Melee Attacks Grant Grit with 15% Damage Reduction (300 points): An excellent perk for tanky builds, providing consistent damage reduction with Grit.
• Reduced Ability Cooldowns by 30% of Max Duration upon Activating a Hard-Hitting Ability (350 points): A versatile perk that reduces ability cooldowns when using hard-hitting abilities.

Verdict: Constitution perks offer a mix of defensive and utility options, catering to tanky playstyles and survivability in PvP encounters.

Conclusion:

The New World expansion has introduced significant changes to attribute perks, offering a variety of options for different playstyles. While some attributes like Intelligence and Focus have received valuable perks, others like Strength and Dexterity have a mix of winners and less impactful additions. Players should carefully consider their builds and playstyles.