Hey,
thanks for your comments everybody. I know my play could still use some improvement so feel free to give me more tips, I’ll try using DS and the 2 of it more!
I agree that in multiple situations an enemy can run away. But that isn’t that big a problem since they can’t kill you if they’re running away.
Here’s the link to my build. It’s pretty standard condition build. I also wrote a short guide(?) explaining my decisions on choosing traits and skills. I hope you enjoy it.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fQAQNAW7YjMah7tbyb87JApCPH9g4gTm6R5pfOA;TsAAzCpoay0koJbTumkNtqYUxeBA
Weapons:
I go staff for obvious reasons. It has huge AoEs, good conditions, superb condition removal/transfer and AoE fear. All that with huge range is almost a must pick for every necromancer build.
Scepter + dagger for second set provide the overall strongest conditions and decent range. Autoattack chain with bleed/poison stacking and another condition transfer is really good. Also the dagger 5 weaknes is a strong condition which many players overlook.
Slot skills:
Consume conditions is overall the best healing ability for necromancer and most players tend to pick it. With your condition transfers you will win most fights against other condition based specs.
I take Spectral Walk over Signet of the Locust for many reasons. I see very many WvW necros running Locust, which is an inferior choice in my opinion. Locust gives you more speed over larger timespan, whereas Spectral Walk gives you immediate 35% speed boost when you need it. Locust active is completely worthless in almost every situation, and if you use it, you will have no speed boost for 60 seconds. What is best with Spectral Walk is the fact that it gives you TWO stun breakers. The spectral effect also gives you more death shroud and increases your survivability. The second activation gives you an opportunity to distract your opponent. I think overall in fights Spectral Walk is WAY better than Locust, so I usually use Locust for traveling and switch it off whenever I see an enemy.
Epidemic is the greatest of all necromancer spells. It doesn’t give you anything in 1v1 situations, but in a group setting or 1v2 it will destroy everything if you time it properly.
Corrupt Boon is the reason a necromancer can 1v1 against bunker/boon builds. It’s also pretty simple to use: watch the enemy boons and conditions, if he has a lot of boons, you can immediately destroy him. Very strong spell overall and makes necromancer a strong debuffer.
Plague is a bit like epidemic. It’s not very strong in 1v1 situations but gives you the possibility to survive against multiple enemies with the blind. Also gives stability for 20 seconds against heavy control.
Traits:
30 in Curses is pretty obvious in a condition based spec. I take Hemophilia(II) because the spec will inflict bleeding all the time. Terror(VI) is really good with Master of Terror(Soul Reaping IX) making your fears deal a lot of damage. Lingering Curse(XI) makes scepter overall stronger.
10 in Death Magic gives you Greater Marks(II) which makes staff AoEs easier to land and make them hit more enemies. This is a must choice with staff.
30 in Soul Reaping is for making death shroud more durable and giving the spec some more utility. Path of Midnight(III) gives you the DS fear more often and the terror traits will make you able to nuke an enemy down during the double fear while the other conditions tick.
Foot in the Grave(XI) is a not-so-optimal choice but I like it. It will give you stability in situations where you will be targeted with CC(like hammer attacks) and you have no endurance left. It also makes stomping enemies easier. This can be switched to Soul Marks(X) to give you even more life force. Usually in WvW I prefer Foot in the Grave because you can recharge your life force from the environmental creatures.
Runes and signets:
I use Sigil of Superior Earth in both weapon sets. With it you can quickly stack a huge amounts of bleeding on an enemy and then fear him not letting him to cleanse the bleeding. I think Geomancy sigil which many necromancers use fits better in PvP where you actually fight in close range on a point.
Sigil of Superior Corruption gives you huge damage boost when stacked.
I use Superior Rune of Undead in all armor pieces. Because I use rabid gear, the rune will give nice amount of additional condition damage.
Gear:
I use rabid gear. The precision allows you to proc even more bleeds, condition damage is damage and toughness lets me survive while the conditions are doing damage. The survivability also gives me more time to recharge death shroud and use it multiple times.
Consumables:
Don’t forget about the food! Rare veggie pizza is just crazy. It gives you 40% condition duration which also applies for fears, chill and cripple. With this food you won’t need any other condition duration.
Master Tuning Crystal gives you a bit more damage which is always good.
