Guild Wars 2

Hello all, have a quick situational question regarding the Epidemic skill —

Let’s say I have a target who has the most conditions in a group of enemies, but that target is almost about to die.

There have been times when I hit Epidemic, but the enemy falls right when the skill activates — so I still do see the big black swirl animation — my question is would the conditions on that enemy STILL spread to foes? I’m usually too preoccupied to check before/after conditions when dealing w/ groups — and am raising the question since when enemies die I notice that all conditions/boons are removed.

Thanks!

Amityel.5324:

try it in pvp and tell me then

Haha I’m assuming you’re talking abt my super low Vit/Tough. Ya for PvP it’s a different animal..

I go trait in Prec 20/Tough 30/Soul Reap 20 — def can’t treat PvE v PvP!

Sounds counterintuitive to NOT max conditions in a condition build, but agree that there are certain traits/aspects that you can forgo (for example, I thought the 33% increase of scepter conditions was GREAT…but you look at it…you extend cripple/bleed for an extra second or two…there may be other more useful traits)

People will prob laugh but at 80, with full gear/weap/trinkets (no food buffs), I’m around

1750 Power
1500 Prec
1250 Vit
1250 Tough
1400 Condition Dmg (can be buffed to 2000 when I use tuning crystal and then BiP for the 10 stacks of might)

Maybe my build makes sense, maybe it doesnt. But it works for me (as in I do fairly well in PvE /dungeons/Plinx runs tagging). I dont do the most ‘burst’ damage, but also Im not constantly dying (bc Im rarely melee range) .. I am able to consitently apply condition after condition so i kill things OVER TIME.

Did not know Stability corrupts into Fear — that’s pretty sweet. Can save my 2 fears for another situation. I’d assume a spell like well of corruption would also turn stability in fear as well?

Thanks for the info!

Hi All, have a PvP question regarding the Necro’s fear

When the opponent is performing a stomp (on a downed teammate), why doesn’t my fear interrupt them out of it? It works in WvW, but in PvP, nothing happens.

Unless I am not paying attention and they have Stability casted (or are there other abilities from other classes that can withstand the fear)?

Another example is that Elite where the Guardian reads his stupid book and performs full heal. I did staff 5, nothing happened. Then DS 3. Still nothing. (Unless maybe they have a trait while channeling, etc. I don’t know enough abt other classes)

Hi all, I have searched around the forums and have always been getting different answers and want to get a finalized (more or less) answer regarding speccing for a full condition build.

Weapons are:
Staff (force sigil)
Scepter/Dagger PH (w/Earth and Corruption sigils)

I was thinking going 30 Precision, 20 Toughness, and the remaining 20 would be used for?

30 into Precision as the marks can crit on initial hit, and scepter crits will add bleed from the sigil.

My question is does POWER come into play in terms of damage? (Condition damage, duration, initial hit dmg, etc)

Just trying to figure out what armor I should get bc Im currently all Power/Vit/Cond Dmg but am considering going full Prec/Tough/Cond Dmg

Thanks very much all happy halloween!

Stop casting it every 12 seconds then. lol jk

I think there’s an option in preferences to turn off voices, but this would turn off all voices for your other spells I’d imagine.

I’d like to find out the same — I’m lvl 38 and have all signets + 1 shout lol

My friends said they moved to pretty much full shout build

I tried playing with KICK and it was fun until I got steamrolled trying to kick a champion

Thanks for the info — agree with most of what you said abt sticking w necro skills as they are prob more beneficial for condition build

I always overlooked the poison cloud bc of low dmg, but i’ll def try it out to see tonight

Ya, the reaper is much cooler looking and makes more sense for necro than a steel golem lol (before release, i was determined to pick asura bc of this — i was under assumption that it was a golem like flesh golem…then i was like lolwut)

Hi all, just curious if the ‘Pain Inverter’ skill is useful as an utility — I believe it causes Confusion on enemies for 3 seconds? 30 second cool down with OK radius — wanted to get your take on it.

I am mainly condition build so my utilities are currently

epidemic
BiP
Rotation depending on Dungeon/Wvw = signet where it generates LF and res/Spectral Walk

Im thinking of including pain inverter in the rotation but wanted to know if it’s even worth it — not really sure how confusion works expect they take dmg when they try to attack (does it work for all attacks or just melee/range/spells/etc)

Thanks for feedback

I’m currently using Sword/Axe and GS for PvE. The GS is very helpful imo to deal burst dmg, and get out of situtations (whirlwind is quick and apparently you’re invunverable during it)

For WvW I’m thinking of going for a rifle build. I prob won’t be dealing lots of dmg, but as of now, I’m barely doing any melee dmg anyways bc I just die before I reach enemy (I’m only lvl 40 atm with little toughness)

Camagee, you said you liked rifle. Do you use it for PvE? Wvw? Both? Would be interested to hear the pros/cons — I didn’t like it in PvE too much bc it doesnt really hit many targets at once (unless I trait for it/volley) but any advice would be appreciated

Didn’t want to make a new topic so hopefully some reads this…but has Corrupt Boon been fixed as well? Last couple of weeks I’ve checked I didn’t see any notes on this in the updates, and have read that often times it only coverts some boons and even nothing entirely.

People will tell me to go home and try it myself but I’m at work and it’s bothering me!

Also — can this be blocked? Say if I see a guarding with 4/5 boons on and I cast this — is there anyway it’s just going to get Aegis-ed? lol

Would appreciate any info

I am using CoF and Sorrow’s, which is Power/Vit/CD (all 6 pieces, which is a no-no apparently)

I am looking to replace 2 pieces w Caudecus’s Manoir run, which has your Toughtness/Precision/CD spec.

If you don’t like the look, get both and use the fine transmutation stone to switch (I havent done it myself as I dont have both armors, but I think you should be able to do it to Dungeon sets)

Also, depending on the rune, that can add as well. Im currently using Undead (+CD, and also toughness, with a small bonus [I think 5%] to CD from toughness)

Happy farming!

Minions are great for soloing in PvE (story mode, world explore, hearts, etc) but for large world events/WvW, imo minions are not as useful. Can’t speak much for PvP as I haven’t played much, but I have read mixed reviews. You can do a bit of both too (have a couple of summons if you want) and I’m sure you’ll still be able to survive if you play it right

“For my lowbie it feels like the damage just isn’t there right now.” You will hear alot of complains that even at level 80 the damage just isn’t there lol — but ignore the naysayers! imo Necros do not have great burst damage, but boy can they destroy groups over time.

From what I know, it really depends on your build. Your condition damage cannot crit, but Wells/other attacks are able to…so use those situations to determine what you need. An example is that some necro skills cause self bleed/poison, so extra vit is helpful, but you can also transfer those conditions or get more from your healing etc.

Ultimately, have fun necros are a great and challenging class to play

Thanks for the info. I’ll def be eating a lot more pizzas now lol

But are food buffs really able to add that much CD?

Forgot to mention, I’m also using the Undead rune set (+100CD, toughness + bonus to CD)

Hi all,

Have a 80 Necro here and been curious to know what the max Condition Damage you are able to achieve.

I have seen (maybe I’m wrong/misread) in the forums that people can get their Condition up in the 1800s.

I’m currently stuck in the 1400 range T.T

I have:
Full Dungeon set (4 of CoF, 2 of Furnace) with CD as top spec
My weapons are lvl 80 exotics (Staff is 179 CD, Scepter/Dagger at +90 CD)
2 Rings (46 CD each, (both have the chyrosoidal whatever gem to 21 CD))
2 Accessories (46 CD each, (both have the chyrosoidal whatever gem to 21 CD))
1 Ammy (~79 iirc)
Also have a superior sigil of Corruption

At this point it seems I’ve already spec-ed to max out CD, but am nowhere near the 1800 range.

How can I get there (in terms of Gear)? Any advice would be much appreciated (just as a note the remainder of stats on armor are primarily Power/Vit, but have some Prec/Toughness mixed in – also curious to know which would be better in long run)

If you’re looking to use Necro to do just PvE then honestly you can’t go wrong with any build, with Minion Master being the class that you can prob solo most areas up until high levels I’d assume (60/70+). I stopped using minions around then as champions/tougher enemies can sometimes one shot your minions. BUT, this is also me not specing for the +life/healing etc

Staff is a great all around, and I think it’s useful for any playstyle (pve, wvw, pvp)

Master death shroud!

So…is there a definitve answer to this or does it depend on player/subjective to situation?

Bascially I’m running a full Power/Vit/Con Dmg build but also read this is a bad, bad idea. Should I blend in some Precision/Toughness/Con Dmg?

(Clearly I am Condition build and def need the Con Dmg stat in my gear)

Thanks!

Based on your post, it seems like you’re running a condition build. I read that Precision has not effect on Condition Damage — whereas Power does contribte to some (specifically Wells). I’m not too clear myself, hopefully someone w more knowledge can chime in.

I’m currently running a Power/Vit/Condition Dmg — but also read that this is a “glass cannon” build. I’m trying to see if I should be stacking up on Toughness/Precisions/Condition Dmg — but as I said, if Precision doesn’t help condition damage — what would be the benefit?

Agree with all comments saying that it’s ultimately a personal choice. I been playing Necro since pre-release day 1 and stuck with it ever since. Sure, there are lots of bugs/issues/use not doing enough burst dmg/etcetc — the list goes on (maybe less so for other classes) but who cares — they are a great deal of fun and challenging to play. When I started, I did mostly PvE/story and up until level 50-60, you can easily (and I use this cautiously bc you can be dumb and aggro too much anytime) solo with a minion build. In Dungeons, I am fairly useful as I throw on some Wells to blind enemies and apply nonstop condition/epidemic. I do the same for WvW except I use spectral to get out of tough sitatuons.

It really depends on how you play … in a WvW, if you’re looking to run up to a thief/warrior/mesmser and kill them solo, you’re gna have a bad time. But when you see your tower being attacked and a big zerg at the gate, dropping every mark/well/epidemic you have and watching the damage/XP numbers fly is a great feeling.

That being said, I also started playing Warrior to change things up, and you although play style is completely diff from necs, they are also tons of fun. Comes down to whether or not you like the game itself — but imo (and i only used necro, warrior, and thief), necros are a solid solo char, strong support type, and able to do lots of damage over time.

At the end of the day, have fun it’s a video game!!

Ah,
Kaikas and Narmix, was trying to play devils advocate a bit bc if plague signet worked properly we’d be OP! (hah)

Your statements make sense (esp w the deadly swarm example) so hope ANet does fix it…sounded too good to be true to actually be helpful to allies!

Haven’t read through all the responses above, but my take is:

1. Challenging, but fun — you’ll need lots of movement. Necros don’t stand there and tank (well you could, combined with wells that blind enemies, you could be very useful). But from my experiences in wearing cloth armor — you don’t want to get hit. You have great range

2. You’re a beast when it comes to crowds. Think world event when boss drops 6-8 adds at once (or those events w waves of enemies). You’ll see numbers, (although low relative to other classes) bascially fill the entire screen

3. Great selection of skills — though at the moment some are bugged — many are extremely useful and fun. WvW? use plague, float around and blind/cripple and your team will have the upper hand. Dungeons? I use wells and enemies become toys with wells. Oh, and epidemic. And Lich. And DS.

Bascially — you deal damage over time, but can do so to a large crowd. Challenge is to deal damage and stay alive. Sure, there are bugs, but you gots to work with what you’ve got. I’ve got a lvl 80 and it’s super fun for me (though Im still not great compared to my warrior/thief/ranger friends in wvw)

Is it really a bug though? The description of the skill itself reads that it transfers conditions from allies onto you — doesn’t have anything about removing the skill. Maybe it isn’t a support skill, but rather you use the poor situation your group is in to build conditions to send back — and then you epidemic.

Doesnt even say how many conditions are removed/stacks/etc

But if they did make it so it removes I wouldn’t complain

I have a similar utility set up (Blood is power and Epidemic)..

For my 3rd utility:
I am currently trying to decide between a Plague Signet + Feast on Corruptions Heal skill combo — can see this being useful as it removes conditions on allies and can send over to foe, and epidemic again!

Or Spectral Walk + Well of Blood combo — can’t argue that a 33s swiftness would be useful in wvw for getting out of those situations — and also well of blood helps allies w/ healing as well

I read a good # of people use wells as well, but they do have relatively long cooldowns.

Honestly, it’s a tough choice as I see ppl forgoing Blood is power altogether — but I do like the 39s bleeding so I think it’ll be in my arsenal for now.

Sorry if I response wasn’t helpful — the necro has a number ofvery useful skills esp for WvW — it’s down to personal choice

Thanks — and for your question regarding wells (assuming you’re in dungeon/Wvw)

If I had to choose 2 I’d pick

Well of Suffering – vulnerability + Damage
Well of – whichever one that causes blind

the 3rd is toss up imo
Well of – can go either way, if you’re doing a WvW/dungeon and you have a guard, I’d prob go with turning boons into conditions on foes. If not, maybe the one where it turns conditions on teammates into boons.

LittleRide,

Is Spectral Walk that good? What are the common uses of it? I know that it provides Swiftness for +33s which I can see as being a great tool in PvP/WvW — but aside from that aspect, what exactly does it do? Do you mind providing an example/situation? (Also, when you have this swiftness, does the trait that allows you to move faster w/ dagger or in Death Shroud stack?)

Clearly, I have 0 Spectral skills as I am doing full Condition build. My skills are Blood is power/Epidemic/Power Signet and Lich — though if I find something to replace Power Signet with that’d be great (but mainly I use it for the +4/5 conditions it add for feast of corruption).

Appreciate the advice

Hi, 80 necro here. Been running PvE (Minion Build) and Dungeons (Condition Build) and have been having a blast.

WvW I’ve played only a little before I hit 80, but my take is (and I’ve only played WvW using my conditon build — Scepter/Dagger + Staff):

1. Very difficult to take on enemies one on one (unless you get lucky and catch them offguard)
2. Difficult to kill as our damage output is relatively lower than what other classes can do in the same amount of time
3. My build is focused on Conditions so it takes time to drain health of enemies. I don’t have much in precision but than again I dont really need it

That being said, I believe the necro does well in terms of:
1. Helping defend/controlling territory — when there are ppl rushing to a tower and you have a good team w arrow carts and what not, it’s useful to drop condition after condition and see lots of small #s fly.
2. I have yet to experiment, but I’d imagine if you pump up power, the Wells would be helpful as well (blind, corrupt boons on enemies, remove conditons on allies)

If you’re looking to roam free and solo and get lots of kills by yourself in WvW, you’re going to have a bad time.

If you’re OK with supporting your team in making the other side bleed non-stop and make it hard for them to fight your allies, then I think Necs are a good fit.

Again, I havent tried any DS/dagger/damage build — but the above is from my experiences GOODLUCK!

Had a follow up question and sorry in advance if this isn’t the right place to ask — but let’s say I put on conditions of:

poison for 6 seconds
bleed for 8 seconds

on 1 foe. When I hit epidemic, do the conditions that spread to other foes start w/ poison/bleed for full 6/8 seconds — or does it only have the time left from when I actually spread it? (let’s say I hit epidemic 4 seconds after I cast bleed — will the full 8 seconds transfer or only 4?)

Sounds interesting — what conditions does the worm have? Going to check this out tonight, maybe I can finally get a kill in WvW

Thanks for the info — let’s say I pick up a few gems. I should be able to replace the runes that I’ve put into armor? (Is it as simple as 2x click and drop it over?)

Hi all, I didn’t see a ‘general’ thread on this and since my main is a Necro, hopefully you can help out.

Bascially question is 2 parts and regarding Runes:

1. Does +Power/Precision add to condition damage at all? (I know Precision = Crit, but was under impression that Crit does not work for Condition damage)

2. Let’s say I want to upgrade my armor pieces with Minor Runes of +Condition Damage (forgot name). I read that if you put more of the same types of runes, it adds a slight bonus. I didn’t realize but I bought 6 of the same rune for +condition damage, so my armor you’ll see ‘Minor Rune of Condition Dmg (6/2)’. I’m assuming this means that 2 of them gave me a small bonus for having same rune…but does the other 4 just not work entirely? I know the other 4 would not add to bonus, but I’d still get the individual upgrade from rune itself right?

Also — if already posted, sorry and would appreciate a link to correct forum/topic. Thanks!

I like to focus more on damage, so I plan to go full 30 spite, 30 curses, and the rest in blood magic. (I choose dleeding duration, targetable wells, greater marks, and eventually marks +10%) I also use signet that improves Power. I use mainly Scepeter/Dagger and switch it up w Staff.

Reason is, at least you can hope, that your group is pretty good so you don’t really need to take too much damage. You can focus on dealing condition and after condition.