What to do in groups

[turtlegi]

<DIV>Hello, I'm a level 26 necro and new to the game.  I haven't really grouped much.  I did a Fallen Gate group the other day, but unfortunately we didn't make it too far in until people had to leave.  I want to know I"m using spells ok.  Generally I just cast my 3 dots (not clinging darkness though) and then maybe a lifetap if the mob is still alive, for a nice big nuke (these mobs were dying too fast since they were level 20 heroics).  Also if I can remember, I'll cast that spell that lowers wis/stam of mob to raise mine.   </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Should I be trying to root an add on inc or use fear, perhaps both?   I've only used fear once when soloing; I couldn't get the mob to stop attacking me after without rooting it.  I assume in this game fearing a mob doesn't bring back adds.   In fact it seems the pet doesn't attract adds of any kind (ie an aggro mob can walk over pet without attacking pet but will attack little me if I am too close).  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Since in the group we weren't fighting tough mobs, I didn't feel the need to use swarm of rats.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I see a lot of controversy on summoners forums whether to use tank pets or mage.  For those using tank pets as default, do you use the offensive stance?  I do like the idea of having a bodyguard I can control but my one time in FG using mage pet was fun... it was good to see the lifetaps and damage though they are trickier to control.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Finally, do you use dispel magic much, in groups or solo? </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks for any advice.  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Iakhovas]

<DIV>You probably dont want to root or fear mobs in a group because it just makes things hectic for tank and creates unnecessary aggro towards you.  Plus root and fear have a chance at breaking when damage is done to them so they will break almost right away in a group.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Use swarm of rats it adds a lot of dps makes the mobs go down faster, although if the mobs are going down too fast, you're right sometimes its just not worth it</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In a group you'll hardly ever want to use your tank pet, its dps is negligible compared to mage or scout.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've never used dispel magic lol, maybe i should, i dont know</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hopefully that answered some of your questions,</DIV> <DIV>Iakhovas Shi'Vir  70 Necromancer</DIV>

[Catodon]

In no particular order:Fear does not stop mobs from autoattacking, so you have to get out of range before rooting the add (this is not a very reliable method of controlling adds, but is handy if you don't have anyone better at it around). In general I only do this when there is an extra 3up add that I know the tank cannot handle... if the tank is pulling one encounter with 3 1-arrow mobs it is much more efficient to just aoe all of them at once.In a group with competent players in the 20s, the mage pet should work fine, good dps... but if there is a problem with it pulling aggro or you have a lot of adds to deal with  it may be better to use the tank pet instead and be prepared to use it as a speedbump for adds or mobs that the tank loses. (Offensive stance obviously, since it will have very poor dps in defense stance.)Dispel magic usually doesn't do much of anything, but once in a while you can dispell a mob's resist buff or something... I wouldn't waste a lot of time on it.Dots then lifetap works fine for casting order, though there's not much to think about with easy mobs in a group... be sure to use swarm of rats on named fights since they will add up to healthy damage on longer fights.<div></div>

[Whazy]

<P>I'd avoid using root spells, unless you get a lot of adds.  Don't use fear in group settings, especially in dungeon settings.  If you need to use a fear spell, remember it will break immediately if the mob takes <EM><STRONG>any</STRONG></EM> damage.  Root and fear (and your snare spells) are the necro versions of crowd control.  In groups, they really aren't that effective.   Let the tank grab aggro from any adds.  If the tank is a slacker, then root an add and move away from it until the tank can get to it.</P> <P>In groups: first, send in the pet, then start casting your DoTs.  I'd recommend casting the longest lasting DoT first.  Use the swarm pets all you want - think of them as a dot with a cool graphic.  Use life-tap after you get the DoTs cast, or if you take any damage.  I don't really use the dispell magic spell ever.  (it's more useful in raids or when attacking boss mobs).</P> <P>If you want advise on which pet to use, I recommend using your scout pet or your mage pet in groups.  Leave the tank pet for soloing.  BUT, if you find the tank in the group isn't great at holding aggro, you may want to get out your tank pet then.  The scout and mage pets will do a lot more damage for you.   At higher levels, you'll probaly start using the mage pet over the scout pet in groups, but either pet will help you do what Necros do best: kill things.</P>

[turtlegi]

<P>Thanks so much for the replies!  One more Q:  it seems using AE is dangerous sometimes.  Is it because it can travel through walls, ceilings like in some games  or is it obvious when it's not appropriate to use.  </P> <P>Also I've read that if the pet dies, its hate can transfer to you, which is why some people use the higher HP tank pet.  Plus with the scout you have to worry about positioning to avoid frontal ae.  </P>

[Whazy]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> turtlegirl wrote:<BR> <P>Thanks so much for the replies!  One more Q:  it seems using AE is dangerous sometimes.  Is it because it can travel through walls, ceilings like in some games  or is it obvious when it's not appropriate to use.  </P> <P>Also I've read that if the pet dies, its hate can transfer to you, which is why some people use the higher HP tank pet.  Plus with the scout you have to worry about positioning to avoid frontal ae.  </P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>You have to learn when AE is good and bad to use on your own.  <EM>Generally</EM>, in tight quarters, it's not advisable to use AEs, but if your tank is pulling lots of groups at once and you have other casters in your group, you may be using AE exclusively.</P> <P>When the pet dies, it <STRONG><U>will</U></STRONG> transfer hate to you, and generally the mob(s) will make a beeline for you.  Luckily, most mobs that you will encounter in a group setting will not have full frontal AE.  Infact, most group mobs will not have any AE.  You have to worry about AE in raids, and that's where the big debate about when to use the which pet arises.  If you understand how your pet works, and how the AE works, you can still use your high DPS pet instead of the tank pet during raids.</P>

[Boran]

With frontal AE or Barrage, never be afraid to ask your tank to turn the mob. When pulling in FG (or anywhere) the tank should bring the mob in and then position the mob so that it's back is to the rest of the group. You can then feel free to use you dps pets. Use your encounter only aoe if worried about it going through walls and ceilings (and yes it does do that in certain zones). I would also be tempted to only use your nukes in groups as the mob is unlikely to last long enough to make you dots worthwhile.

[Za]

In a well communicated group, Fear/Root parking is a very effective way to deal with adds. The 1 thing you MUST do is announce your intentions and hope the MT doesn't taunt your feared mob.You will need to experiment in some dungeons because fear pathing varies, but in general, my MTs take alot less damage when we work together and park melee mobs outside of combat range...