The Underrated Utility of a Necromancer

[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.

[Dentalplan]

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

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?

Yeah at level 30 none of your DoTs save for snare are going to efficient or practical in any kind of good group. However soon you'll be getting shorter duration high damage DoTs like Venom of the Snake and Asystole that are perfect for grouping. Until then focus on nukes and group utility while learning how to control your pet well.

[Maurk]

I thought all necro's were good for was to locate/summon corpses?
Or is it to claim camps even though half the mobs are still up?
WTF.

[Zereh]

Even today I can sometimes be awed by someone who plays their class very well.

Every class has a chance to really shine at one point or another, not everyone bothers doing so or even knows where to start.

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] Z

[Acillatem]

NEC make awesome secondary healers. Multiple NEC using HoT on ENCs and pullers means CLR can focus strictly on CH. Mana battery is nice if the NEC is 90% and another party member is 20%.....

[guineapig]

I've never heard of necros being underrated. Overpowered yes, underrated no.

On live I would constantly be shadow compacting and twitching without being asked to do so and when there was no chanter I would mez without hesitation.

This should be considered part of the necro group function by all and not an occasional bonus. If you group with a necro that does not do these things then just threaten to give them the boot. It's the only way they will learn.

[Lagaidh]

I read the first post and it inspired me to say: You're not describing any class. You are describing a kind of player. Some folks know how to squeeze every last ounce of functionality out of their class. Some are very good at their main job and little else. Some folks just plain stink.

I've met great rangers and could never understand the hate... I've met good variations of all classes.

Put together a PAL, RNG, CLR, ENC, SHM, BRD where each really, really knows the swiss army knife tricks of their class... it's a thing of beauty.

[Jamal]

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

Put together a PAL, RNG, CLR, ENC, SHM, BRD where each really, really knows the swiss army knife tricks of their class... it's a thing of beauty.

Agree with the jist of what you are saying...except for putting an ENC, SHM and BRD in the same group....which there is no real reason to do. Way too much overlap of abilities. Maybe a shm and enc, or brd and shm...but all 3? Not exactly min/max.

Though I guess you are trying to point out that even a stupid group comp can work out well if the classes are played by people who arent retarded....that's true. To an extent. 6 Necros would be hell on wheels, but 6 rogues can only go so far...

[Seaweedpimp]

Necro's dont get groups. They put them together.

[Rahnza]

Hmm, Screaming Terror is still a mez here? It's supposed to act as a fear until Kunark.