Guild Wars 2

Hey there.
I’m a complete beginner when it comes to playing as a caster, so i’d like to ask you for some suggestions regarding viable builds for necro. My main concerns are:
- power or condi
- best weapon sets
- traits
- skills/elites
I need a solid starter build, which i could later modify or improve.
Thanks in advance :>

Hi there c:

I would recommend you take a look at spoj’s guide over >here<.
In the current PvE meta everyone and their dog plays power berzerker due to the way that condition damage works – particularly in larger groups. (Which isn’t to say condition damage is useless, there are times that condition damage is required)

Personally when I started playing I went around with minions until I discovered the joy that is wells. What I’m trying to say is, play around with whatever mechanic interests you. However, if you just want raw damage then definitely hit up the link I posted above.

Agreed with Dream there,

if you have been playing Melee classes and the like then yes Spoj’s guide would be the best overall PvE build for you to use. it takes advantage of things that make Necromancer cool. as well as put you in the thick of the fight.

as you develop your style a bit more you can explore outside of the realm and play with conditions and WvW etc.

Have fun with it!

power or condi?
Simply put, power is almost always better in a PvE situation. It does quicker, though sometimes less reliable damage.

best weapons sets?
For power, staff is great, and axe/warhorn as well as focus are good, too. If you’re looking for melee, the dagger works alright. But I’d recommend the staff no matter what.

traits?
If you’re looking for the best build for a good amount of damage and survivibility, go for minions (this covers skills as well). There are plenty of guides on this, so go wild!!! Personally, though, I’d go 10-0-30-30-0, or something like that.

Hope I could help!

Builds are different for wvw, pve, pvp. So specify what you want..
As for pve there is a stickied guide, why open a new thread…
Conditions are more used on pvp or wvw, but there are couple of builds worth using in pve.

@Chuck Nizzle
Man as a power build in pve you dont need staff AT ALL. It’s a utility weap. You have your ranged dmg with life blasts, and almost all builds can take the piercing trait, and with a well+ ds+warhorn 5 you have enough aoe. Also dagger isnt just alright, its very very high single target dps..

Thanks for the response!
I’m going to follow your suggestions and check this guide out at first.

@Pelopidas – i, indeed, specified it in the headline
it’s true that it was unnecessary to open a new thread, i could’ve asked there. sorry