<p>The study of the microstructure and tribological characteristics of nickel-based NiCrBSiCW alloys is the subject of this work. Of particular interest is the novel impact of carbon content (3.7–4.7 at.%) on wear resistance and hard phase formation. Nickel-based alloys containing nickel, chromium (27–28 at.%), carbon (3.7–4.7 at.%), boron (5–5.2 at.%), silicon (4.5–4.8 at.%), and tungsten (3.4–3.6 at.%) were synthesized and characterized using AFM for phase identification, morphological analysis, and surface topography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and backscattered electron detection (BSD).The lower carbon content (3.7 at.%) makes it more resistant to wear. This means that the wear track is 25% narrower and the wear rate is 0.8 × 10^-5 mm³/Nm, which is less than the 1.4 × 10^-5 mm³/Nm for the 4.7 at.% C alloy. A ductile Ni-γ matrix with well-dispersed carbides (M₆C, M₇C₃, M₂₃C₆), silicides (Ni₃Si, Ni₅Si₂), and borides (Ni₃B, M₅B₃) was present in the well-balanced microstructure of the 3.7 at.% C alloy. Compared to the carbide-rich 4.7 at.% C alloy, the surface was less rough (Ra = 45.97&#xa0;nm) and the wear troughs were shallower (15.12&#xa0;nm). This unexpected discovery that a reduced carbon content enhances wear performance and microstructural balance offers us fresh concepts for alloy design. By improving matrix cohesiveness and crack resistance, it helps us create materials that perform better in abrasive and oxidative wear in automotive and aerospace applications.</p>