The Underrated Utility of a Necromancer

[Omnimorph]

Hey, I'd group with a good necro over almost any other class given the option.

Problem is for necros is that the sucky necros make a bad name for other necros wanting to group. Levelling up i grouped with one decent necro, and the rest were just sending in pet, and that was usually on the mob i was trying to mez too...

[XDrake]

There are folks that label us as being very low utility at higher levels. Even folks that would prefer not to group with us.

I also agree that is mostly the fault of Necromancers who can't play their class as part of a group. We solo so much too I think many folks also don't know our capabilities.

The Necromancer can't do the crowd control of an enchanter, the healing of a cleric, or do pulling better than a monk. But, we sure can fill the gap and do a mediocre job when things begin to come apart.\

More or less I wrote this because I'm kind of tired of people being surprised we can mezz. The fact that isn't a known fact is puzzling. It isn't par with enchanter mezz, but it can save a group if timed well.

In addition, we can do all sorts of things with undead few know. Need to lull undead for pulls? We can do that. Need to slow them? We can do that too. Want to charm one as a pet to do some crowd control? Sure. A lot of these things were priceless in places crawling with undead like Howling Stones or Fear.

[Messianic]

Plus, we level fast. I love soloing a 6-minute spawn red con and a 6-minute spawn blue con without even needing sow....

[Kruel]

/pet attack
/cast lich
/tell **** Hey man can i get a regen
/turn TV on
/click over to some porrrn

[Uthgaard]

Originally Posted by Swishahouse [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Don't count out necro's healing ability. I can easily remember healing groups in Kunark.

This. Not the most effective or reliable, but it sure was fun. Taking hp/str from the mobs and giving it to your party. If you like a challenge, grouping as a necro in mid-teens is one of the most fun experiences you'll get. After that, it's much harder to find a group where you can put them to use without being obtuse.

Speaking of which, get ready to see NPC necros and SKs heal their friends again!

[Gaaaaavin]

I've had my group saved many a time by a smart necro and I'd always welcome one to my group!

[Yoite]

IIRC we dont get undead slow in classic, sadly. Sure was kickass spell in Veksar and mistmoore LDONs.

[Messianic]

Originally Posted by Yoite [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

IIRC we dont get undead slow in classic, sadly. Sure was kickass spell in Veksar and mistmoore LDONs.

This made me sadface. Slow is generally sick as a pet class.

[Nocte]

I'm still learning how to play a necro (currently level 30), so take that into consideration for what comes next.

I don't typically DoT in groups because it's often not a good use of mana if the mob dies after only 2 ticks of damage. Sure, I can donate mana to clerics to keep the group flowing or solo an add that's causing trouble, but aside from that I don't find myself doing much else than sending the pet in and sitting on my ass, occasionally getting up to lifetap.

Thoughts?

[Messianic]

Originally Posted by Nocte [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I'm still learning how to play a necro (currently level 30), so take that into consideration for what comes next.

I don't typically DoT in groups because it's often not a good use of mana if the mob dies after only 2 ticks of damage. Sure, I can donate mana to clerics to keep the group flowing or solo an add that's causing trouble, but aside from that I don't find myself doing much else than sending the pet in and sitting on my ass, occasionally getting up to lifetap.

Thoughts?

Good that you notice that Dots are of limited effect (save snare) if you're not engaged in long fights.

Nuking, giving mana to the healer, using your healing spells to give HoT's to the tank to help mitigate the healing the primary healer has to do while leach-dotting and lifetapping, etc...Screaming terror is also a really good spell in groups if you don't have a chanter/bard.