Guild Wars 2

Hi all,

First thing, great game thus far … having a lot of fun and PVP seems awesome.

I’m currently new to this game and was wondering for some tips or advice … as a new fellow Necromancer (Lvl 18), I figured a pet build would be the way forward using my staff from a far – keeps me safe, allows my pets to do their thing while I get life force etc.

All my traits are in toughness (actual name escapes my mind, blood magic I think) which I read will help prevent my pets from getting blown up in 2 shots, but I still find my minions very weak. Any advice?

What stats are good for me, power, toughness, precision …??? Is there a priority basis?

Although, I’m having a lot of fun, I just feel that perhaps I’m too low a level, my pets aren’t powerful enough to use as ‘tank’ whilst I DPS from afar.

I also have a Axe/Focus as secondary which I use when the enemy gets close. But my question is, are my pets too weak at this level to use effectively??

Many thanks

Minion stats are based on your level and minion specific traits, not your attributes. Your pets aren’t really tanks, and you should expect them to die, especially in dungeons. The only minion I’d really consider reliably durable is the flesh golem.

Minions tend to be weak until about level 25-35, then they pick up in effectiveness due to the traits you can get for them. If you’re going for a pet build most of your points go into the death magic tree. I’d also recommend to get at least 20 into the blood magic tree for vampiric minions. (30 if you want your minions to draw conditions off of you).

I concur with what striker said. The death magic traits will help a lot. Also may want to look into which armor runes would increase this further.

I’m dual dagger and I don’t particularly see it as not being viable. I like to think it’s more a matter personal playing style.

I dunno, I am a level 16 Necromancer and I use mainly a scepter/warhorn and then a dagger and focus or something in off hand. Other times I switch it up and use the axe or the staff, I don’t know what to use. Dang. I can’t find the personal playstyle for me, yo.

Well maybe necro’s aren’t for you, luckily you have several other professions you can try out.

MM always personal favorite for me

This thread has some good play styles that you may want to read as well:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/players/Necromancer-Not-many-viable-specs/first#post17918

I am still a relatively new necromancer as well (level 15). I’ve been focusing more on the condition-inflicting aspect of his skills, so I use scepter+focus almost exclusively. Most of my traits will go into Curses and Spite most likely. Minions are nice to have but lately I’ve realized that they don’t stand up to sustained damage very well (not to mention the bone minions you can manually blow up for more damage). I always make sure they’re up when I need to fight something tough, but I don’t expect them to last through any really tough fights, so they’re more of a secondary consideration to me.

I’ve found minion master to be a well-rounded option up until level 30 so far.

Just be aware that your minions will die, especially in hectic battles and fights vs veterans/champions. Be sure to make use of your minion’s active abilities, such as your bone minion’s detonate command.

Oh, and staff synergises very well with a minion army thanks to its AoE heal that’s surprisingly potent.

This is a shoutout to Tbone since he bolded his post. :P Welcome to the dark arts! Figuring out what playstyle is the most fun and comfortable for you is crucial, but dont rush it. Play around with everything and go hit up sPvP so you can test out all the abilities and see how you play with a small team. Maybe you like to hang back and be more supportive…or just run in the thick of things and cause all kinds of chaos?

Once you know what you like to do…use the weapons and traits that support it. Staff = Long ranged AoE support/damage, Axe = Mid range damage/life force builder, Dagger = Melee damage/health leach, Scepter = Long-Mid range damage/conditions.

if you are a necro and want to use minions, the staff is the only viable weapon as it provides direct healing to your pets.

Ima total noob I guess, what staff skills heal your pet?

edit realized that the regen affected your pets as well

Thanks all for your response ….. I shall go and try out the play styles and see what fits. Had a blast playing sPvP and cannot wait to get some elite skills :P