Strategies to maximize DPS

[gr8scott]

<DIV>A post in a different thread indicated that it is very tricky to maximize your DPS as a necro.  You have to piece together all of your spells/refresh timers in order to avoid any idle time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am about to turn 35 and I would find it very helpful if we could have some discussion on how to optimize DPS.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For discussion purposes consider the following scenarios:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>-Group vs. Solo</DIV> <DIV>-single target ^^ vs. multiple target</DIV> <DIV>-level: 30, 35, 40, 45, 50?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For a given scenario, a description of the sequence of spells you typically use to optimize DPS would be great!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For me, I am most interested in the "Group, single target ^^, level 35" scenario, but I recognize others may want information on different combinations.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks for the help!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Greatscott</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Here is a sample of what I do:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Setup:</DIV> <DIV>-Solo</DIV> <DIV>-2 normal targets orange or below (3 fairly easy at 33 when you get new root)</DIV> <DIV>-necro level 30-34</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Strategy:</DIV> <DIV>-Cast root on target #1</DIV> <DIV>-Send in pet on target #2 (ideally pet attacks just prior to root landing)</DIV> <DIV>-cast withering affliction on target #2 (or another dot if not yet level 31)</DIV> <DIV>-re-root #1</DIV> <DIV>-use wand to cast snare on target #1</DIV> <DIV>-cast grisly mark on target #1 (I am prepping the first target for a quick kill since I found it is too much trouble to try and lose aggro to pet)</DIV> <DIV>-re-root #1</DIV> <DIV>-H/O and cast Pest Blast on #2 (generally finsihes #2 off)</DIV> <DIV>-complete the HO generally with Pest Blast on target #1 (breaks root)</DIV> <DIV>-Petrify #1</DIV> <DIV>-Cast rats or dogs on #1</DIV> <DIV>-Cast telamina (level 10 snare dot) on #1</DIV> <DIV>-kite #1 for the few seconds it takes the dogs/pet to kill #1</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am sure there are different variations if you don't have a snare wand, so please add your strat if they differ!  This strat is very effective against 3 single down arrow mobs once you have chains of torment and fight mobs where both roots work... </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Greatscott</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[El Chupacabr]

<div></div>This is my raid rotation, you may need to decipher what is right for your level and retime things to skip siphon life but it should hold up for the most part.  Raid rotation is the same as a regular group ^^ mob though the rotation will get you agro after thirty seconds (if the mob is still alive).  Be cautious when using it, it's an agro monster: <p><span class="time_text">Fight start!</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+2s     Horrific Mark (debuff)     No damage,     No damage,     102power,     102total</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+4s     Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,     261damage,     101power,     203</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+6s     Siphon Life (nuke/LT)    449damage,     710damage,     268power,     472</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+8s     Stench o t Grave(DoT)  837 (24sec),    1,547 dam,        147power,    619</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+10s   Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,     1,808 dam,       101power,     720</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+12s   Plague of rats (DoT)      Variable              Variable           132power,    852</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+13s   Swarm of Bats (DoT)    505 (24sec)     2,313 dam,           66power,    918</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+16s   Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,     2,574dam,          101power,    1,019</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+18s   Siphon Life (nuke/LT)    449damage,     3,023dam,           268power,   1,287</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+22s  Death's Coil (DoT)          378 (24sec)     3,101dam,            101power,   1,388 Edit:  Mis-add here, should be 3,301 though not a statistically significant change. </span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+24s  Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,      3,362dam,           101power,     1,489</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+27s   Torrential Plague(AoE)  293damage,     3,655dam,            203power,    1,692 (when used single target)</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+29s  Skinrot(nuke/debuff)      261damage,      3,916dam,            101power,     1,793</span></p> <p><span class="time_text">+31s   Siphon Life(nuke/LT)     449damage,     4,365dam,          268power,        2,061 total power. </span></p> <p><span class="time_text">After the first rotation, tap the pet on the first horrific mark hit, refresh the DoT's at the right times and get your timing down.  What works for me may not work for you so experiment some. </span></p> <div></div><p>Message Edited by El Chupacabras on <span class=date_text>05-23-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:11 PM</span>

[Basticar]

What is this wand of which you speak?

[gr8scott]

<P>Sorry not a wand but a hex doll.</P> <P> </P> <P>The shadow imbued hex dolls have the snare component.  It is a very nice snare since it lasts a long time.  Be sure to get one that is consistent with you level (there are different ones for every 10 levels).  The ones that are grey to you will be resisted a lot.  The ones consistent with your level land almost always.</P> <P> </P> <P>Greatscott</P>

[legaleagle]

<P>At 35, I can do groups of up to 4 lvl 33 mobs if I'm lucky, but 3 almost without fail. </P> <P>Setup: all buffs and Grisly Brace (ad1) myself for a 411 point dmg ward.  Agitation and BoL before every fight for UA.  </P> <P>Fight:</P> <P>Get as far as possible while still able to cast the dogs (lvl 30 training option) on the closest mob in the group, but interrupt before finishing the cast.  Pet attack, dogs, HO and hope its the nuke HO and not the aoe or power regen one.  I find this setup finishes that first mob in a hurry, and the less mobs there are, the less pounding Gonaner -or me - is going to take.  In about 50% of the fights, all mobs will concentrate on the pet.  If that happens, you're golden and the fight is easy.  If the other 2 mobs come after me, I root one and sick the pet on the other to get aggro.  That leaves me with dogs on 1, pet on one, and one rooted.  Once pet gets aggro on #2, I return him to #1 with the dogs and nuke and refresh root on #3.  Once #1 is dead, I return pet to #2 and dot, all the while refreshing root (Chains of Torment) on #3 and healing pet when necessary.  When #2 is dead, turn pet on #3, but you know he's coming right for me, so I petrify (Grasping Bones) and put some distance between us, lifetap dot first then nuke / HO as much as possible.   If necessary, I nuke with my wand (pristine imbued disease) for 200 or so per 6 secs I think while running in a circle.  Best thing about the wand is that its uninterruptible, so you can nuke while running.  </P> <P>If its 4 mobs and 3 come after me after I send pet, I follow the same path, but when I have pet get aggro on mob #2, I also have to make him get aggro on mob #3 while I root mob #4.  </P> <P>With this setup, the most important thing is to kill quickly, so I dont' use any dots except the lifetap when necessary.  Its all HO's, all the time.  I took the nuke DD at lvl 10 instead of the snare, and I'm happy with it.  Its a very quick cast (1 sec or less), does about 70dmg for almost no power, interrupts caster mobs if they are casting, and most importantly, allows me to complete HO's without fizzles or interrupts because its such a low lvl spell and casts so fast</P>

[Nainitsuj]

<P>At lvl 32 this was my routine.</P> <P>1 on 1 (Standard solo mob)</P> <P>Send in the pet.  Start off with Nevagon's Pest. Mark (lvl 30 training ability), then withering affliction, bludgeoning earth, breath of the unearthed, blight, seism.  At this point the battle is almost finnished.  If I want to speed it up a tad I'll use my nuke.  </P> <P>I'm usually left with 3/4 of my power at the end of this type of fight.</P> <P> </P> <P>1 on group (standard group mobs)</P> <P>Send in pet on target 1, count to 3, send pet on target 2, count to 3, send pet on target 3.  </P> <P>Starting with target 3 I use Nevagon's Pest. Mark, withering affliction and bludgeoning earth.  I wait until the target dies then I start on target 2 (or 1, depends which attacked me once the third one died)  I use Nev's, withering affliction, blight and bludgeoning earth.  Once that target dies I dump what ever I can on the third target before it dies.</P> <DIV>I'm usually left with 2/3 of my power at the end of this type of fight.</DIV>

[Garlin1]

<DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> El Chupacabras wrote:<BR> This is my raid rotation, you may need to decipher what is right for your level and retime things to skip siphon life but it should hold up for the most part.  Raid rotation is the same as a regular group ^^ mob though the rotation will get you agro after thirty seconds (if the mob is still alive).  Be cautious when using it, it's an agro monster:<BR><BR> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Fight start!</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+2s     Horrific Mark (debuff)     No damage,     No damage,     102power,     102total</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+4s     Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,     261damage,     101power,     203</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+6s     Siphon Life (nuke/LT)    449damage,     710damage,     268power,     472</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+8s     Stench o t Grave(DoT)  837 (24sec),    1,547 dam,        147power,    619</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+10s   Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,     1,808 dam,       101power,     720</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+12s   Plague of rats (DoT)      Variable              Variable           132power,    852</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+13s   Swarm of Bats (DoT)    505 (24sec)     2,313 dam,           66power,    918</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+16s   Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,     2,574dam,          101power,    1,019</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+18s   Siphon Life (nuke/LT)    449damage,     3,023dam,           268power,   1,287</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+22s  Death's Coil (DoT)          378 (24sec)     3,101dam,            101power,   1,388 Edit:  Mis-add here, should be 3,301 though not a statistically significant change.<BR></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+24s  Skinrot (nuke/debuff)     261damage,      3,362dam,           101power,     1,489</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+27s   Torrential Plague(AoE)  293damage,     3,655dam,            203power,    1,692 (when used single target)</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+29s  Skinrot(nuke/debuff)      261damage,      3,916dam,            101power,     1,793</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>+31s   Siphon Life(nuke/LT)     449damage,     4,365dam,          268power,        2,061 total power.<BR></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>After the first rotation, tap the pet on the first horrific mark hit, refresh the DoT's at the right times and get your timing down.  What works for me may not work for you so experiment some.<BR></SPAN></P><BR> <P>Message Edited by El Chupacabras on <SPAN class=date_text>05-23-2005</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>10:11 PM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I think if you rotated some stuff a bit you would increase your damage more so and make it more smooth.  Instead of Skinrot first do Stench, this way your skinrot/Siphon will do more damage and your other dots will land easier and deal higher damage.  Drop torrential Plague unless you are doing group mobs, pretty pointless and to long cast. You can almost get 2 skinrots off in that time.  Skintrot debuff alone won't lower mobs mititgation enough to make a difference.</DIV>

[geckoskin]

<P>for raids i like to start the fight with either stench or swarm of bats. the swarm is nice because its fast to cast, does moderate damage, and most importantly it lowers the target's spell avoidance by 5, making the mob effectively 1 level lower for spell resists versus the entire raid, sorta. then maybe cast rats/dogs line next as its one of the highest individual DPS spell lines we get, if the rats live... and the rats are boosted a lot by group buffs such as haste or group procs or STR buffs. the duration for rats is amazing, if they dont get AEd or barraged or something. stench if you havent already, then start in with arcane augur, pest blast/skinrot, siphon life if you have it, withering affliction, nuke, horrific mark, then alternate casting nuke line/HOs with refreshing dots. throw bludgeoning earth/mhenos in there somewhere if you're lower level and need something to cast, and maybe use dust blast if you need a second nuke to alternate with pest blast line. this should yield pretty impressive results in a long fight vs a single target.</P> <P>if the mob is particularly tough in melee, cast withering affliction earlier in to make it easier on tank. if mob is a mean caster, and powerdraining is needed, cast horrific mark at the very beginning.</P> <P>you may pull aggro if the tank is not doing a very good job and have upgraded taunts. you may have to learn to skip an HO chain here and there during the fight to keep from pulling aggro, or cast essence shift and any higher level versions you can to refill mana and give you something to do while you aren't doing damage.</P> <P>you can slightly alternate this strategy to deal with a single tough mob and some weaker helpers, something like king zalak (+++) and his helpers (++) by throwing in accursed cloud/breath before the rats, and try to get arcane storm HO to come up, complete it with torrential plague/blight, but otherwise keeping your DOTs and nukes on the +++ mob.</P> <DIV>versus a group of equal targets, our dps is nothing to brag about, targets die too quickly to take much advantage of our spell line. if your tank is at no great risk, try opening with breath/accursed cloud, send pet to a target other than the tank's, drop dot line on another new target, and then start nuking another new target. spreading out your DPS like this can keep each target alive longer, allowing our slow-and-steady DPS style to work effectively. be careful that you dont get aggro, or have someone mezzing stuff that you are interfering with.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Rictus</DIV> <DIV>50 sage/50 necro</DIV> <DIV>Trinity</DIV> <DIV>Kithicor</DIV><p>Message Edited by geckoskin on <span class=date_text>06-02-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:26 PM</span>

[MrGrimm9]

<P><SPAN class=time_text>Here is what I have found does the most dps.</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Start off behind the mob so that your pets do more damage.</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Horrific Mark</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Plague of Rats</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Stench of the Grave</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Swarm of Bats</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Siphon Life</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>HO Skinrot</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>then spam HO and refresh Swarm of Bats and Stench of the Grave whenever they run out</SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text></SPAN> </P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>The key is to have your dots go first so they start accumulating damage.  Rats is by far our most damaging spell and you want it on there as soon as possible.  Dont waste your time with spells that have over 2 seconds like deaths coil and accursed cloud.  This is of course for a slightly longer battle, you would have to adjust it for a shorter fight.  </SPAN></P> <P><SPAN class=time_text>Medievh , 50 Necromancer of Mistmoore</SPAN></P>

[MrGrimm9]

<DIV>That post is also for a solo mob.</DIV>