Guild Wars 2

Folks, I could really use some help and was hoping you all might be able to give me some suggestions…

I have always been impressed with the Necro class but to be honest, I’ve never really played one much before so I don’t know a great deal about them. Well, other than the QQ I see on the forums. I’m really looking for a build that I can use to run with a zerg and provide as much AoE pressure as possible while not being a complete glass cannon. Also, I hear that Necro’s have terrible mobility and so I was wondering, is there a build that does what I’m hoping to find that also has some decent mobility, perhaps, even roaming capability?

Any help or links to some builds would be great!

Thanks.

If this is WvW, a standard 6/2/0/0/6 build will fit your needs. The general advice is to start with soldiers gear and work in berserker gear as you get comfortable, but it’s possible with some smart play to exist in a zerg in full zerker gear, or somewhere in between.

Utilities could be something like well of suffering, well of corruption and spectral walk to at least offer some mobility. But generally speaking we don’t have the escapability of any other class.

That being said, staying aware in a zerg keeps you alive more than your gear does.

Thanks Roe! Just wondering, are those “minionmancer” builds viable? I’ve seen a few on my thief and they are worse than a mesmer when trying to target the right enemy.

FinalPatriot.8034:

Thanks Roe! Just wondering, are those “minionmancer” builds viable? I’ve seen a few on my thief and they are worse than a mesmer when trying to target the right enemy.

I personally don’t think they have a place in WvW, but I suppose you could use them when roaming. I’m not a fan of minion builds, though, when some other people are.

FinalPatriot, you asked for a LF build for zerging. I do not find myself in need for a lot of LF generation when zerging. If you suddenly need LF, then you have probably been caught out of position.

Zerg support is more like 4/2/4/4/0 with staff and wells traited as much as possible. Zerging and roaming are very different for traits selected. You may find it beneficial to take a minute to swap traits out of combat.

In both builds, tanky armor is prudent.

Anchoku.8142:

In both builds, tanky armor is prudent.

So you would go with the normal Toughness, Precision, Condi or the Toughness Vitality, Condi?

I’ve been running the same non-standard frontline DS build since launch, and it has treated me well. I chose most of this stuff with a couple factors in mind though — I am a solo player. I zerg with PuGs, and I don’t intent to get overly coordinated; I can’t rely on others help since I am not coordinating with them, and I need to make sure I can keep myself alive and provide my own swiftness; I want bags; I want to be the first one in and the last one to die if things go wrong.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQNBHhZakjmab7pxmG+bTgMUSFCRHAFwBQ9R0EvKA-TVCBwA5U/Zg9HLV+pw8HgTBAFlgp0Hw4BAE4IAAA-w

With fury, you’ll have 101% crit chance in DS mode, which is how you’ll spend most of your time. You also have 100% swiftness uptime, and never have to rely on others to provide it (important if solo, unimportant otherwise).

A DS necro with locusts, reaper’s precision, and spectral armor active is stupid hard to kill, and can survive diving headfirst as well as a warrior or guardian. Disorganized groups are extremely easy to break up with a well of corruption, and DS 5+4.

I’m not gonna sit here and tell you it’s the most effective or efficient thing ever, because there are better things you could be doing if you plan on grouping up and coordinating (and, quite frankly, you should be talking to your guild about what they need in the group if this is what you’re doing), but I will say that this setup is very self-sufficient in chaotic PuG battles. It’ll keep you alive, keep you mobile, put out fun amounts of damage, supply some utility for your friendlies, and get lots of bags.

If you’re not a solo player, this stuff changes a bit, but the core idea is the same and it is still fun if you want to frontline with something a little different than the usual heavy armor hammer train shouting at everything.

@ Brienson,

Thanks for the detailed answer to my question and for the link to your build. The one thing I have had to learn about the Necro class (unlike other classes that focus on conditions) is that your power builds are so much more versatile. You’ve given me a great deal to think about as I build my new toy.

Thanks!