Guild Wars 2

Hey guys, I’m in the process of leveling a Necro at the moment. So far I haven’t been super impressed with the class, but on the other hand the first character I leveled was a Warrior, so I’m spoiled.

Anyways, I’m pushing ahead because I really want to like the Necro and I feel that I will enjoy the class at 80. So far I’ve primarily been used Axe/Focus and Scepter/Dagger as my two weapon combos, with occasional use of the Staff. I like the balance of having AoE conditions along with some single target spike damage for when I need it.

For my utility skills I’ve been running Epidemic, ‘Blood is Power’, and Well of Suffering to augment my weapon choices (vulnerability/power + condition spread).

I’m level 27 now and I’ve been thinking of giving MM another try once I hit 30 as I will have access to the Flesh Golem. I’m wondering if there is any way to make MM viable for leveling. I tried it once before (around Level 15) and wasn’t impressed with it at all because of how squishy the minions were.

Anyways, is there a way to make MM viable for leveling? Or should I just purchase Lich Form as my first elite skill and continue using my current build?

My first elite was Flesh Golem, ran with scepter/dagger and staff with wells all the way to lvl 80. Took some time to finally switch to Consume Conditions as #6 Skill so I usually ran with 2 minions. Minions make kiting champions easier, if the minions aren’t looking at flowers and butterflies and minotaurs….

Still use wells today but mostly in WvW. Dropped S/D for A/F and sometimes D/W depending on what I’m doing.

i have changed to all minions and havent looked back, seems so much easir for leveling. just hit 70 and am 20/0/20/20 and love having the life siphoning

although right now i am contemplating dropping a minion for the 25% speed boost signet, i am realizing how important speed is for exploring,

i cant decide if i should drop bone minions or bone fiend.

i have recently noticed the closer i get to enemies the more likely the minions are to attack. if i stay back at range then they do to sometimes. so i just run right up and hit 1 and all the minions will attack and take down anything pretty fast. most everything i just use axe, hit 1 then 2 and its dead. no need for any other skills unless i get multiple targets or a vet or champ.

By single-target attacking twice BEFORE AOEing, minions always attack for me. Thanks to Bas and Bhawb for posting that video explaining it. I level so much faster on this minion necromancer than I have anything else. I always run Signet of the Locust, Bone Fiend, and either Bone Minions or Shadow Fiend, depending on if I want to kill quickly or be more defensive. I unlocked skills in that order, too. The run speed buff from locust signet, even if you are using warhorn (I normally am), is so amazingly wonderful for leveling, I almost never take it off.

How to make MM viable for leveling:

1. Equip Staff.
2. Use ability #2

MM is actually one of the most effective ways to level a Necromancer, the minions do nice damage and since they’re independent of your stats you can build yourself any way you want (Power, Condition Damage or Vitality/Toughness)

With the perma-regeneration from Staff #2 (Provided they’re close enough, though with the improved size trait from Death Magic line it’s easier to get them in range) minions can be pretty survivable.

As far as minions themselves go I rate them in this order:

1. Bone Minions – There’s 2 of them so various traits get additional benefit, they’re melee and so easier to get regen on them from Staff #2 and blowing them up hits pretty hard.
2. Bone Fiend – Nice damage, and one of the toughest Minions in my experience (Others tend to get killed more often)
3. Blood Fiend – With the recent buff, is a pretty nice heal. Though I’d probably recommend Consume Conditions for the most part outside utilizing Vampiric Master.
4. Flesh Golem – Does good damage (If hitting constantly, will out DPS Lich Form in a power build, in the sense it’ll do more damage than the highest DPS rotation from Lich would do on top of your regular damage rather than instead of it) and regenerates life out of combat. Though does have a long cooldown and likes to suicide into things.
5. Flesh Wurm – One of the better performing minions, though for leveling the long-ish cooldown turret becomes “Meh” for non-event open world PvE
6. Shadow Fiend – High damage, but a squishy melee minion that seems to spend the most time dead out of any minions I’ve used.

Leveling is just about all they’re good for, actually…

When I see one in WvW, my pants get tight, as I’m an Epidemic / Condition Necromancer with 133% Bleed Duration and 1700+ Condition Damage.

Faction.4013:

Leveling is just about all they’re good for, actually…

When I see one in WvW, my pants get tight, as I’m an Epidemic / Condition Necromancer with 133% Bleed Duration and 1700+ Condition Damage.

HAHAHAHAA!!!! I love it! I’m going to be honest, I am absolutely going to steal that phrase from you. “When I see one in WvW, my pants get tight…”

In response to the OP, yes, I believe that minions are great for leveling… they don’t seem to do so well in PvP though. Too much aoe and movement going on for the A.I. to keep up with I’m afraid.

For leveling they’re ok but honestly I don’t suggest you do, at least exclusively, you may get a performance hit when you’ll discover you have to get rid of them in favour of other builds for certain Dungeons/Fractals.

Necromancer is my first and only char.. I lvled to 80 with minions ONLY.. Staff,minions aoe those mobs down! Its easy and OP.. You have to resummon your pets often but that doesnt matter. Soloing everything, also did a few group events.. Thumbs up for MM lvling