Grouping Tips for a relatively new Necro?

[D@gonFury]

So I have a 59+ swashbuckler so I know getting higher I will want to group more, but what I really hate is when my own stupidity is the death for my group. So I am trying to figure out some tips and suggestions on how to properly use my necro(lvl 27) in a group since I will want to group more going forward. So I  know mage/scout pets are good for groups but is there anything I should know tactics wise and group wise like X pet has AE so shouldn't use it in certain situations, have you mage pet wait to attack for a bit so it doesn't draw aggro, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.-D@gon<div></div>

[Kraven Coldblade]

<DIV>Welcome Fellow Necromancer! :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Couple of things that I can recommend in a group situations.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>At earlier levels you will be mostly a damage dealer (at later levels our utilities become more useful). The warlock pet is great for dishing out damage and if not careful will pull aggro. However, from what I've noticed the aggro depends on greatly on the tank. Usually, if you let the tank 5 seconds (or first taunt) to build some aggro then you can send in the mage pet to attack. If the tank is significantly lower (5 levels or lower) then aggro will almost always be an issue with warlock pet. I'd recommend waiting till the tank has about 10 seconds of aggro before sending in pet.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Furthermore, combined with the warlock pet plus the damage you can do with your DoT's and lifetap will burn the mob down quite quickly. Finding the right balance in your attacks + pet while not pulling aggro is what you will have to work on slowly. With practice it'll be no problem. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good luck!</DIV>

[enigmastorm]

Welcome fellow Necro!Just 2 useful tips to throw your way1) I found it extremely interesting to use my possess minion AA with each of the three pets (you won't get your scout until 32) an examine their spells to see exactly what they actually do. Which you use is very situational.  Both your tank and mage pets will cast aoes.  2) In  a group take your pet OFF protect me.  Hopefully your group's tank will be alert enough to notice if a mob starts assaulting your fragile person, but also if your tank body pulls he has no aggro until he gets back to the group with the mob and has taunted/cast something.  It is kind of embarrassing let me tell you, if the mob unleashes an AOE, and your pet hurtles into the breach and draws multiple mobs from around the room.Athenyaa D'Velnias67 Necro<div></div>

[Tharangus]

<DIV>It's important to note that it is your responsability to know how to manage what your pet attacks.  Starting out you are going to have issues, but you learn as you go.<BR></DIV> <DIV>- Turn off BOTH protect me and protect self.  Otherwise, an AOE will trigger your pet to attack that target after its current target dies, regardless of what the tank targets next.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>- I hotkey both Attack and Back Off commands on my primary hotkey bar putting them on 1 and 2.  That way I can immediately back-off my pet if necessary.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>- Your pet will not forget that you told it to attack something.  This is subtle and there are tier 7 necros that don't even realize how this logic works.  Example, tank targets mob A and you send in pet to attack mob A.  Tank suddenly switches to mob B and calls to assist on mob B.  Realizing your mistake you quickly hit Attack to tell your pet to attack mob B.  Mob B dies and tank targets mob C, he taunts it calls to assist on C... blah blah blah.  BUT then you see your pet run back and smack mob A.  Why?  You forgot to tell it to back off from mob A!</DIV>

[Malhabbock]

The hardest levels to group as a Necro are the lower levels. When you only have a tank pet if you have upgraded it to Adept 3 or master and your tank has weak taunts it will take agro regularly. Once you get your mage pet, similarly, if the tank has weak group taunts or weak "agro builds when I'm hit" buffs your pet is going to gain agro regularly. Then you get the assassin pet, but unlike a real player who knows not to lead a fight with their highest hit your pet may walk right up at the start of the fight and use their biggest hit drawing agro.You'll learn quickly how soon you are able to send in your pet depending on the skils, CAs and gear your tank has.To expand on what Tharangus said, in a non-raid situation it's typical that all players target through the tank. Be aware of what your tank is targeting. If the tank switches to a second mob in the encounter and your pet is still beating on mob 1, it is likely to get agro. Similarly if you have your dogs attacking target 1 and the tank never swithches back, you may want to cancel them early. Again, once you get a handle on the playstyle of your particular tank you can make adjustments accordingly.My other advice is not to overlook your debuffs. People get so wrapped up in a Necro being DPS they forget they have STA and WIS debuffs and later STR and INT as well.

[stgninja]

Always make sure the tank and healer have hearts.  All versions of this spell stack with each other.  <div></div>

[D@gonFury]

Thanks for all the great info. Hopefully too many people won't die while I work them out <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />-D@gon<div></div>

[Tharangus]

<DIV>Oh I have a story I can relate concerning my baby bruiser that I've been leveling recently.  I was in Edgewater Drains helping a guildie out on her AQ's and we had a necro in the group.  Necro knew what he was doing to a point... and I was able to hold aggro pretty decently.  But at one point he let his pet draw aggro and die... pet died and mob wouldn't leave him alone no matter how much I taunted.  Pet hate transfer... pet dies and you get all the hate it's been generating.<BR><BR>Needless to say, he died.  This was at level 24... another level and I would've had Rescue and could have pealed it off him.</DIV>

[Sonaht]

<div></div>I think practicing is the best thing you can do, alone and with a friendly group. Be sure you understand every spell in your book and check your skill levels in Subjugation, Ministration and Ordination often to be sure they aren't lagging. Everyone goofs up especially in the lower levels, but stuff happens later on too. That's part of the fun. Otherwise you would line up your hot keys in some pre-ordained pattern you learned on the Forums and rinse repeat... bah. I'd rather die a hundred times in a challenging fight than grind away at easy ones where there is no danger. Try things out and see what happens. Raids... that's another animal. People tend to be less forgiving on a raid and for good reason, esp if a big booboo will get you all locked out of the zone for 2 weeks. When I start raiding with new people or on a char I haven't played in a while I always start out playing conservatively, then add riskier actions a little at a time. This includes standing flatfooted for a few seconds while someone else draws agro. Since raids typically go on and on, you should have plenty of time to see what's going to be good and what's not so good. If you have doubts about an action try it out towards the end of an easy fight, when the mob will go down regardless and see what happens. That said if the people you're with are too hard on people who stumble, they might not be the ones you want to be with in the first place. A good test is to see if you are enjoying yourself or just stressing out.<div></div><p>Message Edited by Sonaht on <span class=date_text>09-22-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:57 AM</span>