Curse

Insert Cool Name Here · Apr 17, 2006, 06:46 PM // 18:46

I have been a long time reader of the posts for necros here and have seen alot of builds for MM and SS builds seperately, but never combined. I have been very successful with both builds individually. Mainly the standard Ne/Mo build for MM or Ne/me with standard SS build.

Death 16
Heal 9
Soul Reap 10
1 or 2 Curse

bone min
bone fiend
ver sac
BotM
Deadly Swarm
heal area
rebirth
MoP/Vamp gaze

What I have found is that I barely ever need to use heal area. Rebirth is great for when your party is in trouble, but rarely need to use it. I also found that if I had any down time from summoning in a fight all I really had was swarm, which is ok damager at best. So what I did was switch my character is a mesmer for arcane echo. I have been quite happy with this build;

Ne/Me

Death 16
Curses 10
Soul Rep 9

Bone Min
bone Fiend
Ver Sac
BotM
SS
Arcane Echo
Parasitic bond
Res Sig/MoP

I know alot of people don't like MoP since the update but I love it. If someone breaks threw the minions I cast it on them and most of the time they run away giving me some breathing room. Res sig I use on Misisons and when we only have 1 monk. Most ppl take it anyway so its not a big problem usually. I have to admit that this build keeps me pretty busy, but its fun! Right before Combat starts I get arcane up and cast SS on the lead 2. By the time this is down, all of my minions(usually 8-10 or so) charge forward to meet enemy. the rest of the combat I just summon when someone dies and cast SS and spam para bond as much as I can. If minions are dying I get close and use BotM in combat and the para bond I have up aldeady makes up for the lost life. After combat, I use ver sac and and BotM until the next battle. Let me know what ya think!

Mistress Mindbender · Apr 17, 2006, 07:00 PM // 19:00

Id say pick either SS or MM, not both.

Even with soul reaping, you can't keep up with doing both. It is just more effective imo to do one or the other.

A good MM summons fiends without delay, and does not make the party wait after fights for energy to finish cleaning up corpses. By taking SS, you lose an elite skill that would help you to accomplish this.

Insert Cool Name Here · Apr 17, 2006, 07:15 PM // 19:15

I agree with what you are saying Mistress. A good MM does do his job fast and move on. I find that I don't really take extra time becuase I am an MM 1st, SS 2nd. I find that I am waiting on the ele or monk to get some energy before the next fight not me. how many times do you hear 1 sec energy 3 of 64 from you monk or ele! Energy is not really a problem, I use the +15/-1 degen trunc from collector and the 20/20 death cesta from collector. Im only squeezed for energy when I have to wait for other ppl and heal my minions with ver sac and BotM, not in combat. Maybe I should ditch Mop/ Res Sig and put in blood ritual for caster so we can keep moving. I like the SS just because there is down time for a summoner and hate trying to spam swarm(it is not very spammable even with 20/20 death trunc). SS does great damage and does not really interfer with my MMing.

bobrath · Apr 17, 2006, 08:56 PM // 20:56

Interesting to use MoP as a redirect on break throughs.... Personally I would rather disable (or kill) the breakthrough then hope it redirects away from the party.

Suggest you sub in Death Nova as you already have high points in Death and your summons will be collapsing at a reasonable rate. Its a fast cast with almost no recharge. Great for the downtime before a fight.