Guild Wars 2

Thinking about jumping back on my Necro and leveling him up (currently level 37), maybe do some PvP with him, but I don’t know how I want to play him.

Initially I wanted to do a condition build, but that’s tied so closely to crits on a Necro, and frankly I don’t want another crit-build character – I already have a Shattercrit Mesmer (who I rarely play), D/F elementalist, and D/D thief all at 80 and all specced for Precision/Ferocity. I also have a Guardian I’m leveling (currently 49), and while I’m not sure what build I’ll use for her, I do know I really like Greatsword/Staff and will try to avoid the precision/ferocity trait lines.

Anyway, back to my necro – aside from the crit-condition dilemma, my other thought was a Death Shroud build, but that seems to have two problems: One, it’s apparently a PvP-centric build and I’m currently focused on leveling him first; two, the Soul Reaping trait line that buffs Death Shroud is also tied heavily to crits.

The only other option I can think of is Minion Master, and while I initially didn’t want to bother with that, I might just go for it anyway.

tl;dr I want to play a Necro but don’t want to use a crit-based build. What are my options for PvE (leveling now, maybe fractals later) and sPvP?

First, MM is easy to start with. It is powerful enough that anyone can benefit regardless of skill level. Do it.

Second, learn DS. You do not have to be an expert to gain dps from just doing it whenever you can. It is a good habit to get into if you really want to play necro.

Third, the necro community often talks about the meta being power/critical but a lot of players experiment with a variety of builds. Necro is nice in that it can be tuned for a variety of situations and still work. Maybe that is because Necro is sub-optimal in so many.

Try things out. Start with MM and level from there. Necro is tanky enough to face-tank a little. Learn to tank for your minions with dagger on a power build switching to staff for AoE minion regeneration and conditions. DS as often as possible.

Condition:
Terrormancer (PvP)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQNArYWjc0UcbvNm3wfbigBRyWfiuRgIU+NKA-TZRFwAAeCAK3fIxJAAaZAFHCAA
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Power:
DS Crit (PvP)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQNBHhZakjmibbpxmGOcTULUQXnBwMEVHQdbMHVLA-TphFwAAeAAKOBAMOCAj2fIxhAYaZAA

Wellomancer (PvP)
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQNBHhZakjmibbpxmG+bTMMUSmCZwk3QQEdAEBjLA-TphFwAAeAAKOBAMOCAj2fIxhAYaZAA
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Bunker:
Minion Master (PvP)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQNBHhZakhmuabqxtG2bTsLIS3aWsJHuEyAvA-TZRBwAdOCAB3focZANHCAAPAAA
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If you’re focusing on group PvE you’ll want to use a Power crit build. Most people already dislike Necros so don’t try using a Condi/Hybrid build or you’ll slow everyone down.

DS Crit (Might Stacking)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQRBHbhG2IHNV32SjNNc4moWoguODgZIyPYEosNmDA-TBCGABB8AACZ/hAV/ZKlgEp8ThTCQZ6HA4IAQKgIGGB-e

DS Crit Spiker
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQRBHbhG2IHNV32SjNNc4moWoguODgZIqOg62YOqWA-ThBBABYt/o8DgnAgHnEg80PUp6PnpEUUARE-e

There are several variations so try them out and adjust them as you see fit.