In my current PvE build I have a little bit of everything. Mostly condition specced, but still a lot of toughness (1,8k) with about 20k hp. I almost never go down, and I still haven’t got any exotic gear on my 80. All my utilities are offensive spells, mostly corruptions and sometimes a well depending on the situation.
Got 4 conditions on me? Don’t worry, clear those in a jiffy with my scepter 4 or staff 4. These are on CD? Just pop into DS until CD is over, maybe even the AOE DS heal if there are a lot of enemies. In dungeons I’m almost always the last guy to go down if things get nasty.
I think many people underestimate the necro’s tanking abilities, I’ve been able to survive things with my necro that even my warrior couldn’t handle (even in PvP!!). Just cycle between DS until your healing skill (consume conditions is the best, unless you’re wellspecced) is done with its CD.