Ok help me out here when do EQ2 necros take off?

[Blissa2362]

<DIV>Hi all,</DIV> <DIV> Thanks for reading. Currently I am a level 34 necro, and I can honestly say I dont notice any difference from level 20 to 34. My level's are going up but I am not seeing any increase in power. I am really hopeing level 38.8 makes a huge difference, As it stands right now I am not impressed with my necro at all.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> I know Everquest 1 necros didn't take off untill level 50. So I am hopeing theres some magic level for the Everquest 2 necro. I know this is a totaly different game but Everquest 2 necros can not have bland power from 20 to 50  there has to be a magic number some where.  Where did you high level necros see the huge/big increase in power? </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>                                                                               Thanks for your time</DIV>

[Xalmat]

Level 35 is when you get your uber-DoT Ghastly Stench, as well as the Bloodline's spell Swarm of Bats. Combined, your offensive power will triple. You're almost there!

[Vates_Sac]

Thanks that helped me out too, Im only lvl 23 and going freaking crazy.

[Oceus]

<DIV>Hello,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>  Im a 23 necro, close to 24, and to be honest.. I don't think im that underpowered. I can easily take a 25 solo mob at my level with minimal rests if I do it right, and i can take 20 heroic ++ singles. I just remember to upgrade all my spells. For the spells i don't have adept1 in, I just get app4 spells from a sage i frenquently by from. She sells 10-19 app4 spells for 15 sp each and 20-29 for 25sp each, which I think is a great bargain. I love playin necro and find that I can handle alot of mobs that my 22 ranger could not. My 22 ranger, had pretty decent equipment and could barely solo a same level mob.. Just my 2 cents... don't use app1s, get app4s at least...</DIV>

[tenebrar]

<DIV>Bloody Ritual, Mend Bones, Grisly Brace, and Pestilential Blast.  All spells that you get in your late 20s which completely redefine the way you kill.  Those spells alone probably double your killing efficiency.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Personally, I was very discouraged until I got Pestilential Blast.  When I got that spell I was happier than a pig in you-know-what when I saw how much easier I could take stuff down.  Maybe I'm just easy to please, but my point is we do get some very significant "upgrades" prior to level 35.</DIV>

[Whimpl]

<DIV>I was thinking of rolling a Ranger, becuase on the Ranger Board I heard how well the solo with kiting and bows, etc. Did you have problems soloing with your Ranger doing this? or with standing toe to toe with mobs?</DIV>

[Psyrus2]

<P>I have a ranger up to 28, here's the problem.  They have a snare that doesn't last very long.  Although there are some good bow style attacks I have had to go toe to toe with the mob a lot.  All of the ranger's good melee attacks are positional, thus makeing you go complete base melee against the mob.  What makes it more tricky is if you are going to kite with a ranger HOPE there are no aggro mob close because you are going to be running around like a wild man trying to squeeze one more bow skill in.  I was fortunate enough to start with a ranger so I know the pitfalls of the class.  At level 28 I could drop about 1000+ damage in under 30 sec's IN A GROUP.  They are not nearly as soloable as a necro, and your role will be in a group.  It all boils down to playing what you like, but if you try to make a ranger a solo machine, you are going to have to be VERY selective of the mob you choose and the area you choose to hunt it.  I can send my pet in a large group of highly aggro style mobs, pull out the one I want and take em out fairly quick.  I don't know of too many other classes that can do that.  If you want to wait 45 mins to find a decent group, than a ranger is your man <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  Each class has their nitch....I personally like the antisocial side of the necro's.  And when I want to group I through the flag on and solo until someone sends me a tell.</P> <P> </P>

[Whimpl]

<DIV>I agree, the necro does seem to be much improved now, since when I was playing it at release and besides I already have alot of Adept 1 spells and money on the character. </DIV>

[Blissa2362]

<DIV><A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/view_profile?user.id=37909" target=_blank><SPAN>Xalmat</SPAN></A>  Can you please tell me how to get swarm of bats? I have the adventure pack but I didnt get the spell.</DIV>

[legaleagle]

<P>I have to disagree that a lvl 34 necro is underpowered.   </P> <P>I just hit lvl 30 over the weekend and selected the dogs as my training option.  My main lineup of spells is now:</P> <P>Fallen Hero, Pestilence Blast Ad3, Dust Blast Ad3, Dogs, Seism Ad1, Bludgeoning Earth Ad1 and Blight Ad1.  I throw Boon of the Lifeless Ad3 and Agitation Ad1 on the Hero and I'm ready to roll.  At lvl 30 I can easily solo level 35 single mobs (using about 2 bubs of mana per) and level 32 duo mobs.  Partner with just about any tank type friend and you can go non-stop at red mobs all day long.  Healers are pretty much unnecessary since we don't get hit, the tanks hardly take any damage, and the battles are over pretty quickly.  </P> <P>I was saying to myself, I think they need to nerf necros, because we shouldn't be able to solo red mobs at this level, should we?  I think I "took off" at 30.   </P>

[Blissa2362]

<P>Nerf necros you got to be kidding me. Sure the FH pet is a great pet but once your stuck with UA adept 3 things change it dosent hold half of the agrro that the FH pet holds.</P> <P> Ok you soloed a single red mob, try and solo a blue heroic mob and see what happens you will be sprinting off in about 10 seconds, thats about the time it takes to destroy your pet.</P> <P>My level 40 Guardian friend solo's level 37 heroic mobs all day long. I am not trying to compare the two classes but maybe you should try and see the light.</P> <P> Also I am starting to get to the point where the Mend Bones pet heal just isnt enough. Before you say necros are over powered look around and see where the true power is. </P>

[legaleagle]

<DIV> <P>woah, there, Mr. Defensive.  Its sounds like you're absolutely convinced that we're worthless. </P> <P>I can solo blue heroics at 30 - the giants in northern Nektulos.  There.. I guess I'm just as overpowered as your guardian friend.  </P> <P>You asked when we developed into powerful characters.  I'd make the argument that being able to solo a mob 5 levels higher than you makes us that.   I wonder how many other classes at lvl 30 could do the same.  I'd guess not many.     </P> <P>Believe it or not, not every class is supposed to be able to do everything well.  If you wanted to be able to solo everything throughout the entire game, you'd be better suited for a single player game.</P> <P>You keep introducing more conditions to the post.. what about when your pet goes blue?  What about Heroic mobs?  What about xxx, yyy, and zzz?  Your mind is already made up that necros are weak, and no matter what anyone says, you're not going to change your mind. </P></DIV>

[Rhafin]

<P> While I certainly don't think that Necros are worthless and underpowered (I love mine), they are nowhere near overpowered. My monk can do things my necro could never hope to do without a snare dot, snare doll and lot's of kiting.</P> <P> As to the question, when do necros really come into their own? Solo, they really start to rock when you get words of the wicked. I would strongly suggest that you get that and the Thrall both upgraded to adept III. The pet buff you get after Words also rocks. </P> <P> And I've noticed that I'm getting stronger and stronger. On the flipside of things, in day to day xp grinding in a group,  I'm so overshadowed by warlocks and scouts in the DPS dept. that it makes me want to hang my head in shame. But when I get into a raid mob, they eat my dust. </P> <P> Do I think the necro needs some help? You bet I do. They need their pets looked into at the very least for some lovin. Nerf em? No offense, but drugs are bad m'kay? Do I think they are as bad as some of the whiners on the boards? Not a chance. Is it a hell of a fun class to play? I think so. Get me in a trio with a defiler and a warlock and watch me rock.</P>

[Thuyk]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Blissa2362 wrote:<BR> <DIV><A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/view_profile?user.id=37909" target=_blank><SPAN>Xalmat</SPAN></A>  Can you please tell me how to get swarm of bats? I have the adventure pack but I didnt get the spell.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I'm not Xalmat, but your best bet is to have a Sage make the spell for you.  You'll need a level 35+ Sage (it's a level 35 spell) who has purchased the recipe books for it.  If you've done a few quests in the Bloodlines progression, you can purchase it from one of the NPCs at the camp by the waterfall, but they only sell the Apprentice II version.  A Sage can make the Apprentice IV or Adept III.

[Jai1]

<DIV>If you want to solo mobs for [Removed for Content] exp I guess necros and all the other classes will do the job. If you want to rank with the other DPS classes like monks, rogues, and wizards, you'll have to settle for about 2/3s damage. But hey! you never run out of power.</DIV>

[Blissa2362]

<P> I hit level 36 today and I can say I see a huge improvement over level 34. You guys were right level 35 is a huge steping stone. I just hope to see the same improvement when I hit level 38.8 and get rotting thrall.</P> <P> I have played EQ1(sense june of 99 and i still play once in awhile), EQ2, DAOC, FFXI and WOW  and in every game every class has a power curve. For example EQ1 necros dont pick up untill level 44 and come on really strong at level 51 to 70 thats their power curve. Everquest 2 necros pick up at level 35 and they have to come on strong at xx level. Thats what I am getting at.</P> <P> Do I think necros are weak and under powered class well that depends. Today I was grouped with a level 42 Warlock in EL and we were takeing out level 40 heroic nightbloods I made 18% exp in 1 hour in level 35. They were droping like flys he was killing them faster than I can kill a normal (tank) mob. I would pay $100 to see a necro take them out that fast. I dont expect necro pets to tank like guardians and necros to nuke like warlocks. But it sure would be nice if they gave us a little more damage to make us more usefull to groups. I am sick of solo because no one wants a necro.</P> <P> If I wanted a uber dps class I would have made a warlock. If I wanted a class that can solo heroic mobs by stright up tanking them I would have made a guardian. My point is I made a necro because I love necros I have been playing necros sense 99 and I am not about to stop now. I am all ready 36 and soon ill be 38 and before I know it ill be 50 its just a matter of time. I am not about to give up on my necro I will see it through to the end.</P>

[Uanelven]

<span><blockquote><hr><p> I am not about to give up on my necro I will see it through to the end.</p><hr></blockquote>Good man.  <span>:smileywink:</span></span><div></div>

[Merciful_Shadow]

about level 35 the necro feels much more powerful, as by that time they have completely outgrown and shaken off the "I'm just an evil summoner" tier of spells. However, I personally did not feel like a true necromancer until I hit 45 and got Siphon Life, our only decent lifetap. <div></div>

[armus5]

I'm at lvl49 and I think I can really shed some light on this subject. Necros are great for killing no-con mobs. We can solo them way above our lvl - like as in 5 or 6 lvls higher with no problem. You send the pet, cast dots, try not to get agro and he dies. The tank pets are suited for this. this works up to lvl 50 without fail.At lower lvls, necros can solo single con and some double con npcs. Lvl20s or so can solo yellow ^^s from whet I hear. This will end real quick however once you hit the lvl30s. The npcs hit so hard that the tank pet goes down quick. At one point I was convienced we could not even kill green^^s five lvls lower because the pet would just crumble, followed by me. What I learned though was that it was tactics that I needed to change. I wasn't an EQ1 player and really had never heard of kiting until I started looking around. Send the pet, cast whithering afliction, stun and rats/hounds. Then start with the dots and if you havent gotten agro, the direct damage. When the pet is about half dead, make sure you hit him hard enough and get agro. Then, run. You must have alot of room for this. Run in a circle and hit him if the pet regains agro. Keep the agro switching back and forth so that neither the pet nor you get repeatedly hit. Jboots help with this. It is also really cool to have an imbued wand because it casts a dd spell while your running. If your fast enough and have a big enough track to run you wont get hit and the ^^ will go down. This works for most any npc. I would avoid the really high lvl ones as they hit alot harder and you dont want to get stunned.As for necro ability. We have a lot less utility than other classes. Most utility spells are off-class such as the wizard's evac at lvl38. Necros have to wait till 43 to get the first, a feign death. This is an incredible ability and works way better than the other class' fd. That being the case, it's not an evac that saves the party though. The only other utility we get is at 48, a revive. I thought originally that this would rock, but then found out that 3 other classes got the same thing and don't require "essences" like we do. Most necros agree, we got shafted here. Personally I think this was something they threw in at the last minute to give us a reason to have these essences. I'm hoping there will be future spells using these essences that will be much better. The only other real utility spell we get is invisiblity. I thought we'd rock here too until I saw the fury's group invis that is just as strong as ours - but we only get one person. As for damage, we're middle of the road. Scouts get high damage at lower lvls than us. Frequently a scout use to out dps me before I hit lvl 35. Through parsing though I learned that even lvl50 assassins don't go too much above 80 dps at best. They tend to cap off quick. Most mid 40s assassins do about 60 dps even. In contrast we start slow and grow slow but cap off fare. At lvl 40 I think I was hitting for 90 dps. My dps picked up significatly when I hit 45 and got siphon life. This is our best spell and it really still needs to be better. Its a 2 second cast that hits for 450 (at lvl49, ad3) max and heals for like 130. Helps alot when the healers are spamming on the main tank and you take an aoe and need some healing. It's also on a different timer than your main dd, skin rot. The down side is the 9 second recast. So I can usually hit siphon then two skin rots before siphon again. As a necro you are constantly casting. I use to get tells saying to watch the power output as I'll get agro, but our spells don't hit that hard. We have the best mana regen in the game though so you need to be constantly casting. Keep the dots up and hit with direct damage. Don't use the 4 sec cast drains though and whithering isn't worth it on normal ^^ npcs unless your solo. At lvl49 I've hit ^^ mobs for 215 dps. My average though is closer to 180. Debuff the heck out off disease with the dots and lay on the dd. The pet is just there for help. The UA with buffs can do about 100 dps. Make no mistake, the other pets are broke. I know someone with a master Grim Terror (lvl48 caster) and the UA beats it easy. The issue with this is of course if you increase the caster pet to significantly greater dps (as it should be) then it runs the risk of stealing agro from the tanks. How do we compare? We wax any scout class. Zerkers come close to us. I have traded top dps spots with a lvl50 zerker, though he had all the top gear. They can do 210 dps but more commonly it's 150. Wizards and Warlocks own us though on dps. I've heard it said a warlock can open up for 500 dps. That's usually right before he dies from one hit because he stole agro. Their class has issues too. In raids we are very useful. The mana stones we give out help the healers. If the raid is getting wiped, feign death works even on Darathar (lvl58^^^) (shhh, don't tell soe) then you cancel it and revive folks. Very handy but not remarkable. The dps helps the group but isn't outstanding. It needs to be better since we are a caster class with paper armor. We traded our armor for high damage. I can take agro in a grp usually if I start early enough. If a tank gets a few hits in ahead of me I usually don't unless the tank is alot lower lvl. Our best npc targets are ^^s. Single cons and group no-cons or down arrows are too easy. Don't bother with the dots, just hit the direct. And if your grouped with a wizard or warlock, your pretty useless here. They can nuke one dead before you get off your second spell. Stick to the ^^s. In general, the necro is also not popular. We get alot of residual animosity from the EQ1 necros being uber. SOE has made sure that we are not in EQ2 and even gone a bit too far in my opinion. the top classes in EQ2 for grouping are tanks and healers. When you want to group you cannot do so effectively without both. DPS though important to make things go quickly consereving power for the others, is not a real requirement. I ran into this big time after lvl43 and just could not consistently get groups. People didn't want necro. In the end, I'd give the EQ2 necro a solid grade of B. We have some ability, not alot. We have some dps, but nothing remarkable. There are better classes. Significant lvls are 28, 35, 38.8, 43 and 45.

[xolthar]

<DIV>I have a lvl 31 necro my pet is App IV and I took the hounds (at lvl 30 I think.)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I agree that as a necro you are constantly casting :smileyindifferent: which could be reduced IMO but what can you do. At my level what I have found effective in groups is, Pet attack, Petrify, a dot spell and pestilant blast, ward the main tank. Then cycle your damage spells and keep warding the tank when your button cycles. The grasping bones also has a stun on it and worth casting when it cycles.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I don't think necromancers are overpowered, perhaps a smidgen underpowered especially some of our dot's could be improved, or have a longer duration to eliminate the constant recasting required.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>One of the brightest aspects of a Necromancer is the ability to tap our pet's health for power, this gives you even greater ability to keep on casting.</DIV>

[Rhafin]

<P>Better tactic that I've found that you might like for kiting. Instead of sending your pet in right away, lead off with the training dot that has a snare on it, then run away while casting a snare from a doll. DON'T send pet in yet. Refresh the snare dot, nuke, ect while staying out of reach of the mob. When you have the mob down a bubble of health, THEN send in the pet. Keep the snares on the mob and he can barely move. The key is to keep the mob [Removed for Content] at you the entire fight, not on the pet. Keeps the pet alive and doing DPS, which is what you need.</P> <P> I have an imbued wand, and I only use it when the mob is almost dead, and I don't feel like using more power, or the mob won't take one of my snares. Using this method, I've been doing Tundra Terrors since lvl 44. I know that people think you get better xp in a group, but it simply isn't true. I've tested it, I get better xp doing this than grouping in Perma or something.  And the cash rocks. </P> <P> I have alot of tools for keeping the mob at arm's length, and I use em all, even terror. Trust me guys, don't send in the pet right away, be patient, and you will reap the rewards. </P> <P>Earlier today, I was grouped up with a 49 wizard, and we tore through snow leopards pretty fast as a duo as well, so that's another option. I try to stay away from duoing with tanks, simply because in a duo situation, I'm either kiting, or killing mobs my pet is perfectly capable of tanking. No need really for a tank then, when a healer or a sorcerer is better suited for my play style.</P> <P> </P>

[hossty]

I'd say you start taking off but good with Pestilential Blast. Then by 35 yer spells are pretty well rounded out.  Too bad it's not till 38.6 that we get an upgrade of our pet from UA.  So I expect to be pretty happy by 38.6.  Just seems a long way to go to be useful to the group.

[Orgingrind]

<P>Hmm, top dps on my raids is generally the zerker then either sk or dirge.  All of us hover around 275 zerker the only one breaking 300, tho I've done it once as a dirge.  I've never seen a wizard or warlock break 300 on a long raid encounter, ever.  Necro, as well never seen them come even close to that.  Conjurors I've seen put up around 250ish almost every fight.  However, if highest dps on raids is like 150 - 175.. you should considering making groups for dps, just like you have a MT group.  Our dps group on raids generally pushes around 1175 all the time (except darathar)... </P> <P>I have heard though that Necros do have some of the biggest damage in the game, at lvl 50, I'm yet to see it, but I have heard the stories.  My main is a dirge and I'm playing a necromancer alt, and can say I'm extremely dissapointed in necro dps at lvl 28.5... my dirge at lvl 22 could out dps em with one skill.  I keep reading at lvl 35 necros become stronger and at lvl 38.6 with RT... I'm not there yet, but from what i can tell necros are [Removed for Content] at the current level I'm at, at least compared to nearly every other "dps" class in game.  </P> <P>Could someone tell me what spells / pet / buffs you use at lvl 50 to obtain the max possible damage?</P>

[Suraklin]

<DIV>I was disappointed in necro when I first got to 20. I'm now 27 and can see things beginning to change for the better. The necros in EQOA are badass though compared to here. From level 20 to 60 they're fun all the way to the end in EQOA.</DIV>

[ume]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Rhafin wrote:<BR> <P>Better tactic that I've found that you might like for kiting. Instead of sending your pet in right away, lead off with the training dot that has a snare on it, then run away while casting a snare from a doll. DON'T send pet in yet. Refresh the snare dot, nuke, ect while staying out of reach of the mob. When you have the mob down a bubble of health, THEN send in the pet. Keep the snares on the mob and he can barely move. The key is to keep the mob [Removed for Content] at you the entire fight, not on the pet. Keeps the pet alive and doing DPS, which is what you need.</P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>I start it off with root, then lay down my debuffs and dots, starting with the snare dot.  Sometimes I might root again and redot.  Use terror if root breaks too early and reroot.  Basically I do about 10-15 percent damage before I start the kite then send pet and the dogs.  The pets won't take aggro.<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Duo'ing with a ranger is fun...</DIV>

[Jinxi]

<P>Is it true that all we can do solo-wise post-30 is run in circles (reverse kite)? </P> <P>I was a bard in eq1, and my days of running from mobs for xp are long over... been there done that.</P> <P>Or is this just a tactic used rarely to take down a ^^ quest mob solo?</P> <P>(I got my necro to 54 in eq1, reverse kiting ended that treadmill for me)</P> <P> </P> <P>Xothsis</P> <P>Lavastorm</P>

[Dastion]

<DIV>If you're running in circles then it's normal kiting, not reverse kiting :p  Reverse-Kiting is when the mob runs from yo uand you kick it's tail (also called fear-kiting).</DIV>

[Handleba]

No that's not true.  We can solo quite effective solo mobs.  This is true all the way up to 50 in EF.  If you're talking about soloing group mobs, then slow-kiting or fear-kiting are the only options.  Our pets aren't tough enough to tank group mobs as the norm.  Conjurer pets however can take quite a bit more damage than ours.  Example @ lvl 50: RT Adept 3 with WoW, Rending, and Agitation Adept 3, and our pet gets hit quite hard against the glacial constructs in the EF tunnel.  However, the conjurer tank pet can easily take the damage from this guy and with the cunjurers superior pet healing, can solo quite effectively. <div></div>

[Jinxi]

<DIV>ok, I understand, it's called aggro-kiting in eq1 (not reverse aka snare/fear).  If the mob is chasing me for 10 minutes and the pet beats on it... that's not going to happen <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Just a personal preference though.  If folks like to do this, more power to them.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I was more interested that this thread was talking about how from 35+ they'd run in circles (mob snared, pet & rats whacking it from behind).    And add to that that's when we start getting powerful <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> That was my alarm. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> I'm a whopping 25 right now, and if the future held aggro-kiting as the only xp method (besides groups) then I'd give up the class.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So far it has been a very fun class to play.  Definitely not the easiest.</DIV> <P>I'm sure our pets will get cranked up to tank better, so no worries.  And dps-wise, the uber class of today will be [Removed for Content] tomorrow. The fun part is what matters to me.  This class is fun.</P> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Xothsis</DIV> <DIV>Lavastorm</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by Jinxi on <span class=date_text>05-23-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:46 PM</span>

[xolthar]

<span><blockquote><hr>Rhafin wrote:<div></div> <p>Better tactic that I've found that you might like for kiting. Instead of sending your pet in right away, lead off with the training dot that has a snare on it, then run away while casting a snare from a doll. DON'T send pet in yet. Refresh the snare dot, nuke, ect while staying out of reach of the mob. When you have the mob down a bubble of health, THEN send in the pet. Keep the snares on the mob and he can barely move. The key is to keep the mob [Removed for Content] at you the entire fight, not on the pet. Keeps the pet alive and doing DPS, which is what you need.</p> <p> I have an imbued wand, and I only use it when the mob is almost dead, and I don't feel like using more power, or the mob won't take one of my snares. Using this method, I've been doing Tundra Terrors since lvl 44. I know that people think you get better xp in a group, but it simply isn't true. I've tested it, I get better xp doing this than grouping in Perma or something.  And the cash rocks. </p> <p> I have alot of tools for keeping the mob at arm's length, and I use em all, even terror. Trust me guys, don't send in the pet right away, be patient, and you will reap the rewards. </p> <p>Earlier today, I was grouped up with a 49 wizard, and we tore through snow leopards pretty fast as a duo as well, so that's another option. I try to stay away from duoing with tanks, simply because in a duo situation, I'm either kiting, or killing mobs my pet is perfectly capable of tanking. No need really for a tank then, when a healer or a sorcerer is better suited for my play style.</p> <hr></blockquote><font color="FF99CC">Hi im interested in being more effective solo. I need to get one of those hex dolls i think it's the stamina one that casts the debuff but it's a fairly long casting time. What is the training dot that has the snare? Is that Static Pulse? So far I have found grouping to be more effective for gaining XP than solo, I do agree that loot is much better on your own as you don't have to win the lotto. <span>:smileyhappy:</span> Also thanks for a new perspective on how to play a solo necro. </font></span><div></div>

[Rhafin]

<P> I believe it's the agility doll that has the snare component on it. As for the snare spell, there are 2 to choose from. The first one you can get at level 10 I believe, the other at lvl 40 . I use the level 40 one, but other necros report using the level 10 one effectively. </P> <P> As for which is better xp, solo or grouped, once you have this technique down, and you are kiting white-orange ^^ heroic mobs, which honestly don't take that much more time to do than the blue ones, you will see some serious xp in the mid-late 40's. </P> <P> I was actually grouped last night, in a good group with only one death, and in the time it took me to get 15 percent at 49th level, with no vitality, I could have gotten 25 percent xp solo in Everfrost. The reason I grouped with them was because they were my friends, and it was a hell of alot of fun. I didn't care about how fast the bar was moving.</P> <DIV>As for the above poster and his dislike of kiting, to each their own I guess. I have alot of fun with it though because you have to pay serious attention to what you are doing. One slip up, and you're toast. And it's not just the pet beating the hell out of the mob while you do this. With a double snare on the mob, you can and will easily get far enough away from it to be able to cast dots and lifetaps/DDs. The big thing is to make sure to recast the snare dot immediatly when it refreshes. And to use the appropriate doll for snaring ie. if you are doing level 40+ mobs, use a Tier 5 doll or the snare will rarely stick, and you will be a grease spot frequently. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I tried the root/dot/root/send pet when root breaks method, and man that rocks. Much better than my old one. It's a bit more power intensive, but I'm a necro, power regen isn't exactly a big thing for me hehe. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> Anyway, we're far from [Removed for Content] as a class, but we need some love that's for sure. IMO, if they toughened up the tank pets a bit, and increased the DPS and usefullness of the caster and assassin pets, we would be in fine shape. Afterall I chose this class because it's a pet class, so I would like that to be their focus for improvements. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On the fluff side of things, I would love to see them improve the graphics on our pets. The zombie thing just get's old. I want the Lich pet of EQ1 days, Now that pet looked awesome. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Eirgo]

<P>On the topic of kiting, I have been doing it on and off since lvl 34 and I am now lvl 37.  Ive killed a couple dozen yellow - white ^^ mobs, and a few named including Chomper (only killid him once though, since he is used in the heritage quest, it would be mean to camp him for solo reasons) at lvl 35 doing this.  With the above technique, xp rolls in quite nicely, and I have fun in the process.  I still do 80% of my fighting with the pet tanking solo mobs, because I love completing quests I run across, and it would get too monotonous to kite all day long for me.</P> <P>In my limited experiences in kiting, I have noticed that mobs dont use CA's (read non-casters) when they are on the move, so even if I do get hit, I can usually regen it quite easily before I get nailed again. </P> <P>Has anyone else noticed this?  Or exceptions to this?</P> <P>Eirgorn</P>

[Lodor]

<DIV>For the mobs on the run not using combat arts question.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>From everything ive seen if their CA are melee range only they wont be able to use them if you run in a straight line or are far enough ahead of them when doing the circle runs.  But if the mob has a CA/spell that has range they will tend to use those eventually on you while running around.</DIV>

[hossty]

I'm happy to say I've made it this far w/o the need for kiting.  I don't think less of those who do, it's just not my thing.  I'm just hoping that it doesn't become necessity. 

[Lodor]

<DIV>it isnt needed in day to day leveling.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>People just use it to kill group based mobs solo that their pet cant tank.</DIV>

[xolthar]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Rhafin wrote:<BR> <P> I believe it's the agility doll that has the snare component on it. As for the snare spell, there are 2 to choose from. The first one you can get at level 10 I believe, the other at lvl 40 . I use the level 40 one, but other necros report using the level 10 one effectively. </P> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>DOH yeah thats right it's the agility doll. Just remembered that my fighter has a +10 agility doll. If memory serves me correctly there is a long cast time on this, I'm amazed that you have enough time to cast it before the mob is on you.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>I don't think I took the level 10 snare spell when I became a summoner :smileysad:</FONT></P> <P> As for which is better xp, solo or grouped, once you have this technique down, and you are kiting white-orange ^^ heroic mobs, which honestly don't take that much more time to do than the blue ones, you will see some serious xp in the mid-late 40's. </P> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>Sounds very exciting especially those times when your LFG and getting no invite.</FONT></P> <P> I was actually grouped last night, in a good group with only one death, and in the time it took me to get 15 percent at 49th level, with no vitality, I could have gotten 25 percent xp solo in Everfrost. The reason I grouped with them was because they were my friends, and it was a hell of alot of fun. I didn't care about how fast the bar was moving.</P> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I tried the root/dot/root/send pet when root breaks method, and man that rocks. Much better than my old one. It's a bit more power intensive, but I'm a necro, power regen isn't exactly a big thing for me hehe. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ff66cc>Sorry to be a such a n00b on the subject, by root do you mean our 10sec stun that we get Grasping Bones or is it some other spell. (Im only lvl 32 atm)</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, we're far from [Removed for Content] as a class, but we need some love that's for sure. IMO, if they toughened up the tank pets a bit, and increased the DPS and usefullness of the caster and assassin pets, we would be in fine shape. Afterall I chose this class because it's a pet class, so I would like that to be their focus for improvements. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ff66cc>I agree.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On the fluff side of things, I would love to see them improve the graphics on our pets. The zombie thing just get's old. I want the Lich pet of EQ1 days, Now that pet looked awesome. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ff66cc>How about a Vampire <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>If you feel inclined to do so, I would be interested to know the specific spells you cast and in what order just so I can get a better idea of how you are achieving this (to me) amazing result of being able to solo white con mobs *boggle*</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>Again thanks for sharing a different way of playing the class. :smileyhappy:</FONT><BR></P>

[Dastion]

<DIV>Off topic I know, but id on't see the point in calling it aggro kiting when you're running around with the monster after you..that's just normal "kiting".  The term comes from the fact that you're running around with the npc trailing behind you..like a kite.  Reverse kiting is when you're chasing the npc..via fear.  Pingponging is when you kite with two people..one person running the aggro around while the other lays into it from range, then taking up the running when aggro switches over.  I played eq1 from it's beginning...many servers are different though and develope different lingo.</DIV>

[Rhafin]

<P>Xolthar, open up with Eternal Bindings. The 2nd spell I use is the Lvl 40 training dot (can't remember it's exact name). Then I start to get as many dots up as I can, stopping only to refresh the Eternal Bindings spell.</P> <P> Once the mob is down a bubble of health, I don't worry about the root spell. When he starts to chase me, I sic the pet on him, and start to cast the snare doll (it can be cast on the run just like a wand or ring). Then Lvl 40 training dot again, Rats, and that's about it. There aren't alot of spells I use, because I'm still working on getting timing down some.</P> <P> If anyone else has anyother methods they like to use, please feel free to post them so that I can try them out.</P> <P> </P> <P> </P>

[firewolf]

My necromancer life took off at level 25 due to a single spell "Boon of Lifeless". This single spell allowed me to solo 3-4 linked blue con mobs. If you get a rare stone, highly recommend upgrading it to adept 3 after you get adept 3 undying adherent. It is not just a pet buff. My typical tactic is: 1. send pet on 1 of the 4 linked group mob 2. resend pet on any of the other 3 that rushes you. 3. Cast Boon of Lifeless  2-3 times 4. Nuke the mob that's on pet down 5. If pet get to low hp, cast soothe servant then Boon of Lifeless 6. nuke or send rats to take the mob that pet is killing 7. resend pet on other mob 8. Dot or nuke with clicky wand (100++ nuke) Basic rule is when you get agro, cast Boon of Lifeless. You might not be able to do this at higher level. But it makes the trip from 25 to 30 much more fun. For once, you could solo low level group linked mob. Here, I'd ask SOE not to remove the side-effect of this spell. This is the one spell that a necromancer class need the most, an ability to throw agro back to pet. Without this spell, even 3 green cons  will kill me. <div></div>

[Orgingrind]

<P>Everything I read on forums and every necro I talk to says that Rotting thrall is the best way to go as far as a pet.  If anything needs to be changed with necros, it is this.  Why would their lvl 38.6 pet be their strongest pet?  Why not the lvl 46.8 assassin pet?  Why not the 48.6 Warlock pet? </P> <P>Perhaps this is just me trying to make sense of SoE's logic in this regard, but... is there any?  Is it logical to have unused spells which are 10 lvls higher than the one everyone uses?  Why would a fighter pet do more damage than an assassin or warlock anyways? does that make sense to anyone?  Assuming that fighter pets are based on a guardian skill tree, how is it possible that they can out dps the warlock pets, knowing that warlocks are arguably the most dps class in this game.  Having my end game pet on lvl 38.6 is cool and all, but I would really like to see a stronger effort put forth on the other pets, and actually make them useful, either that or just axe them and give necros some kind of utility spell in their place.</P> <P> </P>

[xolthar]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Rhafin wrote:<BR> <P>Xolthar, open up with Eternal Bindings. The 2nd spell I use is the Lvl 40 training dot (can't remember it's exact name). Then I start to get as many dots up as I can, stopping only to refresh the Eternal Bindings spell.</P> <P> Once the mob is down a bubble of health, I don't worry about the root spell. When he starts to chase me, I sic the pet on him, and start to cast the snare doll (it can be cast on the run just like a wand or ring). Then Lvl 40 training dot again, Rats, and that's about it. There aren't alot of spells I use, because I'm still working on getting timing down some.</P> <P> If anyone else has anyother methods they like to use, please feel free to post them so that I can try them out.</P> <P> </P> <P> </P> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Many thanks

[Lodor]

Why would you sit and cast BoL over and over?

[Dastion]

<DIV>That one confuses me too..maybe it applies it's 15% hate gain when cast and that outdoes the agg from buffing?</DIV>

[firewolf]

Reason is casting Boon of Lifeless "seems" to dump agro on pet. Just  try it and you'll know what I mean. Pull a group mob, stick pet and cast BoL a few times. Then cast an AE spell. Some mobs will turn to you due to ae damage. Cast BoL 1-3 times, mobs go back to pet again...<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> All I can say is that it works great against group of blue or green con (no up arrows). Able to take on 4 level 25 skelly or bats at level 27 by pulling to safe area. No need to kite, no need to root and don't even have to use stun. However, I do get down to 50% hp sometimes and 40% power at the end of the fight. Trick is to get all mobs to agro onto pet using BoL, then dot/nuke/rat one down as fast as possible before your pet gets too low on hp. Heal pet, BoL  until all mobs on pet again. Repeat. However, you do need good gear to survive getting wacked by 3 mobs while casting BoL. I've 42.7% in avoidance when doing this. BoL not only don't *seem* to generate agro. In fact it  appears to be able to dump agro on pet.  It is currently the number #1 spell I use to dump agro. This is the spell that I've been looking for as necromancer, ability to dump agro as needed. <div></div>

[Lodor]

<P>Personaly i dont think BoL is doing what you say it is.</P> <P>I tried that and the mobs would eventually turn on me becuase the buff would pull agression more then what the pet was doing.  This is with adept 3 BoL.  i dont know what version yours is but with adept 3 one it sure wasnt doing what you say yours does when i tested it.</P>

[ume]

<DIV>keyword here is "eventually" the mobs came back at me.  If you hit it several times throughout the fight, it will hold the mob's attention pretty well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I use this with Words of the Wicked.  Pull a group of 4 single down arrow blues and hit WoW a few times.  Assist your pet and hit WoW when necessary.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've sometimes spent a quarter to half my power spamming WoW.</DIV>

[firewolf]

The most effective way is to only nuke/dot the mob that your pet is attacking. Mob will still turn to you sometimes, but 1-2 BoL will fix that. The idea here is to buy time for you to kill one as fast as possible when all 4 is beating on pet. Prior to using BoL, there is no easy way for pet to grab agro on 4 mobs in a short time. I'm using Blight adept 1 when testing AE. Generally when using AE, need to burn a lot more power on BoL. I'm using UA adept3 with agitation adept3 and BoL app4. Will be upgrading to BoL adept 3 soon. Will test if it works the same. Leveled from 26-27 this way in Nektulous Forest on undead and bats. Tried a group of  4 owlbear, just cannot keep up with pet healing.  Also tested on grey con named in Commonland. Send pet on named orc and a single cast of BoL will send all his sidekicks runnning towards my pet. <div></div>

[Nainitsuj]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jai1 wrote:<BR> <DIV>If you want to solo mobs for [Removed for Content] exp I guess necros and all the other classes will do the job. If you want to rank with the other DPS classes like monks, rogues, and wizards, you'll have to settle for about 2/3s damage. But hey! you never run out of power.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>An example of just how much the other classes DPS fails compared to a necro.</P> <P>Yesterday in RE my pickup group and I were hunting the minotaurs.  We were all joking about how I basically send my pet in then that's the end of the battle for me.  I'm otherwise useless to the group.  Half way through a battle the tank targets the wrong mob.  He ends up pulling another mino.  Only this one was red ^^ to the group (I'm the highest level, it was red to me).  The healer calls for an evac and I told them to hold.  The rest of the group stayed on the orange minos (2 left) while my pet took the red.</P> <P>When the red joined the battle, the two minos were at 80% health.  (we had an assassin, guardian, monk and mystic).  I never let a single one of my spells drop and I finnished before the rest of the group did with their pull.  Afterwards no one was making fun of my DPS.</P> <P> </P> <P>The only class in the game that can out damage us is the Swashie.  Give us 20 seconds and we will own any class in DPS besides the Swashie.  Before making comments such as those, perhaps you should level beyond 15.</P>

[Lodor]

Unless your pet procs fairly often alot of classes will outdamage a necro if said classes arent uses total crap for equipment/spells.

[gr8scott]

<DIV>I just hit level 36, and my necro has really taken off!  I mostly solo, with a few guild groups here and there.  The #1 reason why my necro has taken off is.....</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Level 33 spell:  chains of torment.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The #2 reason why my necro has taken off is:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Level 35 spells:  Swarm of Bats / Ghastly stench.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>That's right a root has made all the difference.  Why?  Well this root lasts a lot longer than the prior root (immobilize) and also has a reasonably fast recast time.  Also, I didn't realize that DoTs generally do NOT break root.  With these three spells handling groups of three mobs is easy and FAST.   Chains of torment allows you to have two mobs parked and rotting with bats/stench while the pet handles the third mob (generally also rotting a bit <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  You typically can add in a third dot (withering afliction or breath of the unearthed if you need HP) as you cycle through chains of torment.  Bats and stench were also key because they are fast casting and refresh fairly quickly as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>These spell have been simply huge in my necro development.  The DPS that is going on with 2-3 mobs rotting + pet is amazing.  Maybe others can solo better, but I haven't seen it. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So anyway, my unorthodox pick for when the necro starts taking off is level 33 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Greatscott</DIV>

[armus5]

<P>As I've stated, I'm a lvl50. To say that we can out dps any class is rediculus. A warlock or wizard can do more damage in one spell than we can do in 2 minutes. As for the story of the pet taking on a red ^^, sure. I do when I have to. But you wont get away with it unless you have a healer on the pet and watch agro. Pets are the rough equivolent of a guardian, tough but low dps and dont hold agro well. As for our own damage, you bet I can take agro in a raid. Done it twice just today. It takes several minutes though as your dots build and the rats chew but you will do it if you keep them all up and working. But the reason I take agro is because the wizards and warlocks aren't hitting with everything they got. The wizards in our raids are only mana feeders for the healers even, no dps. So all I do is beet the zerkers, assassins, dirges, etc., which, over time, I can do. As I stated earlier, against an easy, no-con or single con mob, warlocks open up and wipe the board. On ^^s, necros regain some composure and do 120-150 dps, assuming the mob lives that long. The longer it lives, the higher our dps as the more the dots become a factor. on ^^^ epics, I stole agro doing 160 dps. This was to a lvl54^^^ who resisted alot. Though my dps was lower than my best of 230, it was higher than the others and stole agro (though I really didnt want a lvl54^^^ after me). This was also stealing sgro from a guardian and his 8 master taunts who built agro for 15 sec in advance.</P> <P> </P> <P>The order of spells I use for ^^ or higher: Send pet with all 3 buffs, cast Horrific Mark, Swarm of Bats, (the lvl20 training dot, Mheno's or something), Stentch of the Grave,  Siphon Life, Plague of Rats,  Skin Rot, Siphon Life, Skin Rot, Skin Rot, refresh dots as needed, Siphon Life, etc. Some like Death's Coil, I hate the 4sec cast time. Horrific mark will usually last the battle. The swarm of bats and Mheno (sic) dont last but 4 or 5 tics at best so you are refreching them. I like swarm because it helps other spells stick. I use the training spell as its a disease debuff, like the mark. debuffing disease this much means my siphon hits for 460 instead of 350. For weaker mobs, I just hit the stentch, siphon and skin rot. </P>

[armus5]

<P>As I've stated, I'm a lvl50. To say that we can out dps any class is rediculus. A warlock or wizard can do more damage in one spell than we can do in 2 minutes. As for the story of the pet taking on a red ^^, sure. I do it when I have to. But you wont get away with it unless you have a healer on the pet and watch agro. Pets are the rough equivolent of a guardian, tough but low dps and dont hold agro well. They also dont have as many hp as a real guardian, though they have decent armor. As for our own damage, you bet I can take agro in a raid. Done it twice just today. It takes several minutes though as your dots build and the rats chew but you will do it if you keep them all up and working. But the reason I take agro is because the wizards and warlocks aren't hitting with everything they got. The wizards in our raids are only mana feeders for the healers even, no dps. So all I do is beet the zerkers, assassins, dirges, etc., which, over time, I can do. As I stated earlier, against an easy, no-con or single con mob, warlocks open up and wipe the board. On ^^s, necros regain some composure and do 120-150 dps, assuming the mob lives that long. The longer it lives, the higher our dps as the more the dots become a factor. on ^^^ epics, I stole agro doing 160 dps. This was to a lvl54^^^ who resisted alot. Though my dps was lower than my best of 230, it was higher than the others and stole agro (though I really didnt want a lvl54^^^ after me). This was also stealing sgro from a guardian and his 8 master taunts.</P> <P> </P> <P>The order of spells I use for ^^ or higher: Send pet with all 3 buffs, cast Horrific Mark, Swarm of Bats, (the lvl20 training dot, Mheno's or something), Stentch of the Grave,  Siphon Life, Plague of Rats,  Skin Rot, Siphon Life, Skin Rot, Skin Rot, refresh dots as needed, Siphon Life, etc. Some like Death's Coil, I hate the 4sec cast time. Horrific mark will usually last the battle. The swarm of bats and Mheno (sic) dont last but 4 or 5 tics at best so you are refreching them. I like swarm because it helps other spells stick. I use the training spell as its a disease debuff, like the mark. debuffing disease this much means my siphon hits for 460 instead of 350. For weaker mobs, I just hit the stentch, siphon and skin rot. </P>