Guild Wars 2

Hi folks – I’m still learning necro mechanics, so please forgive what may be an elemental question. I’m only aware of five ways for a necro to fear something (on land and not downed): Doom, Spectral Wall, Corrupt Boon, Well of Corruption, and Reaper’s Mark. The last three seem “situational” (maybe they proc, maybe not) so that only seems to leave Doom and Spectral Wall as “controllable”. Is your best option really popping in and out of Death Shroud just to invoke Doom, or is there a better way to fear a player/mob?

Thanks for the help!

I’d say Reaper’s Mark is a lot more reliable/controllable than Spectral Wall.
Regardless of fear, jumping in and out of Death Shroud is what you should be doing anyway.

Spectral Wall is zone control. Short of Stability or invulnerabilities, enemies can’t cross it (it even fears Dodging people). It is not your typical Fear, so don’t use it as such.

Reaper’s Mark can be dropped right on your intended target, so it’s actually quite reliable (especially if you have Greater marks).

Doom, of course, is out most reliable fear. Instant cast, can be used while stunned, doesn’t require facing, and all necros have it regardless of build.

Another source is death magic VIII Reaper’s Protection

Generally speaking for the difference as to Doom and Reaper’s Mark:

Reaper’s Mark tends to be better for AoE fearing (like fearing people away from a rez/stomp), offensive fearing (when you don’t want to Doom), and starting a chain fear. I also find it really useful when running away from a group.

Doom is better defensively, better as an on-demand fear, and better to use as a fear if you’re just going for fears as part of combos, like the now-standard condi “bomb” rotation with bleeds. Its also really easy to chain fears with it, since you can get double-fears off Spectral Wall using it, and it is instant, so it can be used right as another control effect wears off.

Thank you all for the very helpful replies. I still have a lot to learn.

Don’t just use Doom on it’s own, chain it. If your enemy can’t break out of it, use the time he’s defenseless to apply more conditions.

In an optimal scenario you could do this:
1. Place spectal wall behind enemy.
2. Use Death Shroud and fear the poor sod with Doom.
3. While he runs through the spectal wall, elongating the fear, cast Dark Path.
4. You will teleport to your fear’d target, applying Chill and 3 Bleeds.
5. Tainted Shackles, adding 3 Torment. Since he is still running, Torment will tick 2x per second instead of 1. Don’t wait for it to cast, just press 5 and exit DS.
6. Use Reaper’s Mark for more fear.
7. If he is still standing and has not broke out of the fear yet, bomb whatever condis you have on him.

Summary:2-3 fears, 1 chill, 3 bleeds, 3 torment.
PLUS:
If you are using Dhuumfire, even with a low critchance there should be Burning on him.
You will probably have Barbed precision too, so throw in a few extra bleeds in the equasion. If you have traited for Terror, this will result in a huge burst.

You can do all of the above in a few seconds and still have 2 utilities and an Elite you haven’t used yet. It’s enough to melt thieves without condi removal/stun breakers in WvW. Guards will ususally try to convert your condi’s into boons. Use either corrupt boon after they do, or signet of spite to cover up the important ones.

P.S.: In small scale fights I sometimes like to use the Golem, giving you another stun.
You can also start the combo with Reapers Mark into spectral wall and doom, allowing RM to be off cooldown sooner. Grab a friend and duel a bit in a controlled environment.
One last thing: Rune of the Nightmare can give you an additional fear when hit on a 5% chance with a 90s CD.