Curse

waeland · Aug 15, 2009, 08:05 AM // 08:05

In PvP there is another way of ussing necro secondary: you use soul reaping as energy management and beside that you use (nearly) all skills from another caster. It can be done well with ele or monk, but maybe some mesmer or ritualist build can work too.

I am not saying it makes strongest build but in PvE but it is suprisingly viable and you can get taste of playing other profession.

MagmaRed · Aug 15, 2009, 02:27 PM // 14:27

I admit I skipped most of the posts, and don't plan to read what has already been said. Hopefully I won't repeat any of that, but if I do, it just adds confirmation to it.

My first foray into Necromancer was as a N/W. I was new to the game, and picked it up after about 4 months of it being released. Having read a LITTLE from one little used forum, I decided that N/W had some really good options, especially for PvP. The only PvP I used the character in was Ascalon Arena and Shiverpeak Arena though. I ran a mix of Blood Magic and Axe Mastery. Skills like Life Siphon cast on all foes in range gave me a HUGE health regen, allowing me to take more punishment. My Axe attacks weren't the best choice of skills as I didn't have many unlocked yet, but I did alright for damage.

I did this until I got to Yaks Bend and the Shiverpeak Arena. However, when I started moving towards Lion's Arch and the rest of the story, I saw myself dying a LOT. My Life Siphon spamming wasn't keeping me alive like it used to, and Alesia couldn't keep me alive either. I soon dropped the Axe and didn't use any Warrior skills at all. I did try it out again when I reached the Crystal Desert to see if it was easier after being a higher level and different enemies to fight. It wasn't.

It can work, but it won't work well, and it will be a large struggle. Outside of the weapon attributes, only Tactics is worth using, but not many of those skills mesh well with Necromancer builds. Things like Shield Bash can work, but aren't needed in PvE, so leave those for PvP builds it you want to try them out.

Without the higher armor a Warrior, Dervish, or Assassin gets, you will struggle to stay alive in melee range. If you aren't running a melee build, there isn't much use in /W, unless taking a shield and skills from Tactics (but again, not needed in PvE).