Sup guys.
As I slowly and steadily worm my way into playing a Necro by lurking these forums and getting over my obnoxiously stubborn apprehension about the class not actually manipulating the dead, I’ve been wondering what options I have for the class in PvP / WvW.
Could anyone tell me the necromancer "archetypes"* and whether they apply to PvP or WvW or both? Also, links to builds/vids would be muuuuch appreciated.
(As a bonus question, why do you play Necro over other classes? What about the class makes it your main?)
It depends on how “general” you want the builds to be, because there are so many potential different builds if you don’t only consider the top tier ones, but I’d say the archetypes are:
Zerk DS (6/2/0/0/6)
Zerk power (6/6/0/0/2)
MM
Wells
Healing
Spectral
Dhuum-condi
PoC-condi
Other-condi
That’s really all I can think of ATM. I’d consider most other builds to be some combination or variation of those, for example tanky power builds are usually spectral, well support, and/or healing builds.
Much appreciated man!
What’s the difference between Zerk DS and Zerk Power? I’ve rarely run into a good DS Necro, so I always thought it was more of a gimmick than an actual playstyle.
And Spectral? Besides Spectral Walk I’ve never heard of a build revolving around the concept. If you don’t mind me asking, how do those work?
(Also, what does PoC mean?)
And lastly.. Of the types listed, are any of them particularly easy or difficult? The masochist in me wants to start with a difficult build.
The difference is a zerk DS relies fairly heavily on DS, using it to stack might/vuln, and also for the 50% precision, whereas a non-DS zerker build is just going to play like a “normal” power build, whacking people in the face with your dagger.
Spectral builds can take a few different forms. Chill builds using Grasp, builds that get massive Protection via Wall/Armor, basically you use a ton of LF generation to stay in DS a lot, even potentially combining it with the 50% crit chance trait for higher damage along with your tankiness.
PoC = path of corruption.
Also, I forgot DS “dance” builds which flash in and out of DS, although I never see them played anymore since its frankly too much work for too little reward, but they have existed.
It kind of depends on what you consider easy/difficult. None of them are really “easy” in the sense that most of them are subpar except for DS zerker + wells in WvW zergs, which means you have to play better than someone else for the same effect. Mechanically though, none of them are necessarily hard, you might need good timing and positioning, but you don’t have to perform any complex fast combos.
+1 for Bhawb’s explanation. There is good variety in Necromancer roles, just do not expect to escape when you are vulnerable.
Whether you play front line, rear, or roaming there are definite trades you will have to live, die, or be ping-pinged for but that is what I initially liked about Necro.
Speaking of build variety does any1 have a good healing build for pve? I’m not worried about being super effective just looking for a different build to play with friends
Speaking of build variety does any1 have a good healing build for pve? I’m not worried about being super effective just looking for a different build to play with friends
Made one for you
I’m not saying I want the holy trinity, but it would be nice to able to effectively play something other than dps. Devs are too afraid to give us some group support.
Necro healing support is not particularly good but, with AoE and some tankiness, it is possible to draw aggro and heal at the same time – good for NPC escort and trash mobs. My build is based on shaman’s armor, wells, and transfusion. This works well in Orr; especially on Jonez.
(edited by Anchoku.8142)
As always much appreciated guys! It’s good to know that there’s a supportive forum to look to when I build this class.
Necro healing support is not particularly good but, with AoE and some tankiness, it is possible to draw aggro and heal at the same time – good for NPC escort and trash mobs. My build is based on shaman’s armor, wells, and transfusion. This works well in Orr; especially on Jonez.
Could you link that build? I’ve tried several times to concoct a build with Shaman’s but it always seemed to come up weak.
Necro healing support is not particularly good but, with AoE and some tankiness, it is possible to draw aggro and heal at the same time – good for NPC escort and trash mobs. My build is based on shaman’s armor, wells, and transfusion. This works well in Orr; especially on Jonez.
Could you link that build? I’ve tried several times to concoct a build with Shaman’s but it always seemed to come up weak.
It is weak. The point is not to let the NPC die. Standard cleric’s armor will do just was well, if not better. Greater marks, WoB, WoP, WoS, SoS, ritual mastery, transfusion, and the rest are up to you. When an NPC needs to say alive, I stand over it and draw as much aggro as possible while piling every AoE buff and heal I have. Amazing how brokenhearted people are when no one watches the NPCs and the event fails.
I have runes of exuberance on from the first gauntlet and have not bothered to change them. The shaman’s armor was cheap for a reason but works with the runes.
Necro will never be a good healer but can be decent bait.
Necro healing support is not particularly good but, with AoE and some tankiness, it is possible to draw aggro and heal at the same time – good for NPC escort and trash mobs. My build is based on shaman’s armor, wells, and transfusion. This works well in Orr; especially on Jonez.
Could you link that build? I’ve tried several times to concoct a build with Shaman’s but it always seemed to come up weak.
It is weak. The point is not to let the NPC die. Standard cleric’s armor will do just was well, if not better. Greater marks, WoB, WoP, WoS, SoS, ritual mastery, transfusion, and the rest are up to you. When an NPC needs to say alive, I stand over it and draw as much aggro as possible while piling every AoE buff and heal I have. Amazing how brokenhearted people are when no one watches the NPCs and the event fails.
I have runes of exuberance on from the first gauntlet and have not bothered to change them. The shaman’s armor was cheap for a reason but works with the runes.
Necro will never be a good healer but can be decent bait.
If we could share our life steals, we would be top at healing. Great spike healing with WoB, life transfer and maybe renewing blast, depends on build, party wide sustain from siphons (although party wide well siphons would be a little too much), perma regen from staff…and WoP+Unholy Martyr for condi removals.
I don’t want to argue how guardian does it better, im just saying we aren’t too bad for a selfish class
I have begun thinking our group support would be better if our vampiric skills also benefited allies. No need to strengthen the dps or Necro healing on life steals but adding healing for group members (excluding pets) should help without breaking the game.
However, in PvE, it is all about increasing dps on dumb AIs so additional group heals will still fall short of mainstreaming Necro.
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