What Happened?

Vexel · 12-23-2008, 12:44 AM

I've been playing my necromancer a lot, I only have 2 characters a Coercer I started and my necro. I'm not 48 as my sig suggests I'm now 62 and in the Loping Plains griding. Up until this point I've managed to do very well soloing, I've had maybe 30 minutes total group time on mobs of equal level to may character.

Now that I'm in my 60's I find myslef struggling to solo blue's I think I took a wrong turn in my AA distribution? Or something I'm not expecting happens at level 60+ to mobs that makes even blue con mobs hit harder than normal?

My pet is Adept III, most my skills are Adept III's and Master I's, all my gear currently is from the FF event, my mid is nice, my int and stam is good, my damage and crit chance is good, crit being 10%.

Any suggestions? Or would you need more into? My AA's are this:

All down the tree for Lifeburn, then under Summoner, maxed INT, STA and few in STR, with 1 point in the STA pet ability to knockback target. That's it, should I put more into healing? Something I'm missing for DPS?

I'm at a loss here, on a side note I have 4 AA respec'd to use so if I need to respec AA's that's fine, currently I have 45 AA points to spend roughly...

Daemhir · 12-23-2008, 02:11 AM

There are 2 things I see in your AA build:

1. You didn't mention Tainted Heals, you have them, do ya? This is the MUST for any soloing Necro. This is what makes Necros soloing kings.

2. You said that you have full STA line - if you have Unflinching Servant (last AA in STA line), get rid of it. This is nothing useful for soloer and actually otherwise - it makes your pet not to be able to cast spells, including aggro spells.

Other than that, I didn't see any major difference in soloing at levels 60 - it should be as easy as in lower levels.

Vexel · 12-23-2008, 02:28 AM

That's what I thought to, I guess I need to clarify, my AA spec so far:

Here it is:

http://eq2players.station.sony.com/...erId=1281648104

So ya... no tainted heals... I guess thats why I can't keep my pet alive now, mobs are hitting harder now because I'm right at the threshold of getting a new tank pet at 66, and I can't keep my level 50? pet alive without having good heals for him...

Xil · 12-23-2008, 07:08 PM

This is a SOLO ONLY spec.As a Necro you need to have a respec Mirror if you want to solo and group because solo spec is worthless in groups and group spec is worthless soloing. There is no hybrid spec that is functional. Get a respec mirror made asap and use it.

Summoner AA's Goal

Str 4/4/4/8Sta 4/4/8/8 (most important)Wis 4/4/8/8 (Second most)5 extra points put them in shadows

Necro AA's Goal

Tainted Heals (Most important)5 chains5 pact5 plot5 mark

Also 5 points in Gluttony (VERY HELPFUL)

Pets5 points warrior pet

Rotting Line for Lifeburn (yeah I use it for soloing epic mobs)Everything else in Shadows until you get 160 or so AA's then go back to Necro/Summoner and fill them out again.

Shadows AA's Goal

General Health 5, anything else 5Mage Root Mastery 5, Magic Shield 5, Bewilderment 1SummonerPet Crits 5, Pet weapon mastery 5, Summoners Soothing 5, Minion's Mark 1

When you get to 170 AA's you can worry about the last line it's pretty straight forward.

Use your tank pet to solo and work on this spec here and you can solo epic x2 mobs.

WasFycksir · 12-23-2008, 10:58 PM

Not to be mean, but you have WAY too few AA points in general for your level. You should really try to get more AA in relationship to your adventure level. At lev 62 you should have at least 80+ AA's.

Vexel · 12-24-2008, 09:35 PM

Yes I know my AA ratio to level is low, I have about 54 AA points now at level 64. I'm trying hard to get my AA to at least my level but it's been rough going as I don't group to mentor down to anyone. All my AA's come from HQ's, quests, and discovering new areas, also whatever named mobs I kill for the first time when I see them.

Other then that I don't know whatelse to do to really get my AA's built up.

On another note I did respec my AA's to the tank/solo spec and now I'm rock'n roll'n! I really didn't expect Tainted Heals to work so well. Now I'm able to really play my necro well chain pulling white's and yellow's and killing ^^Heroic mobs with little difficulty. I did try a ^^^ orange heroic hahaha, well I had to push the envelope to see what I can do. I can safely do ^^Heroic mobs if I need to, and do ^Heroics as part of my grinding with little problems at all. Last night at 63 I was chain pulling ^heroic yellow mobs without stopping in Lich form, doing the rotation to keep myself healed, power up, and my pet topped off in health. It's easy to do not without pulling aggro using Command AA.

I do need an AA mirror for group spec, but like I said I've went solo this far and will probably be solo all the way to 80. Though I'm thinking in the next level or so to stop leveling all together and start mentoring some friends and guildies and work on getting my AA's built up before I hit 70 and then go back to soloing and cap my level.

From what I have been reading it sounds like AA's are a pain from 70+? Is this still accurate information? AA's at 70 and up are half what you would normally get mentoring? Or is it just true once you cap 80? I think the information I was reading was before cap level was 80.

Thanks for all the information guys, and to the above poster, I know you weren't being mean, I can take critisim, I know my AA is low, I was in my upper 30's before I realised how important it was and even at 60+ now just getting the hang of the mechanics of my class. Unlike some I really enjoy researching my class, getting the right gear, and being the best I can be with what I play. I'm getting there though and appreciate everyone's input.

Happy Holidays!

Xalmat · 12-24-2008, 10:52 PM

Vexel@Antonia Bayle wrote:

Other then that I don't know whatelse to do to really get my AA's built up.

Go back and do grey quests that you missed as you were leveling up. They still reward AA, as long as they're either not repeatable, or if they are repeatable it's your first time doing them.

Also, you will get about 40 AAs doing all the solo quests in Kunark, and another 20 or so doing all the solo quests in Moors. So being about 50 AA at level 64 isn't as bad as other people lead you to believe (I was only about 70 when RoK launched). So my advice: Get to 80 before you worry about your AAs much further.

Germs666 · 12-25-2008, 06:31 PM

I'm currently lvl 76 and I only have 89AA. I didn't really start questing until Kylong Plains and I have yet to turn in a single collection set. The only drawback is that I missed a lot of named mobs while leveling up.

I figure that you like to grind levels out and so do I. Once you hit 80 all of your xp switches over to AA so you can start doing those grey quests and running through each zone collecting shinies and gettting discovery AA.

Vexel · 12-26-2008, 07:46 PM

Thanks a ton for all the info guys, good stuff!

I hit 66 last night, and starting to work in Kylong Plains, fun stuff there too with all the writ quests.

Last question, a post above said don't worry about AA's until 80. I was reading somewhere else where it says that once cap level you get half the normal AA amount? Is this true? Or has SOE changed this and you get just as much AA doing quests not completed and for discovering locations?

Thanks again for all the information!

and to answer Gems666, yes, I enjoy just killing mobs as much as I do questing. I usually quest a little then chain pull mobs for 2-3 hours. The other night I went to Bonemire and charmed the undead Drog's there and farmed ^heroic mobs for a couple hours. That was serisouly a lot of fun.

Xalmat · 12-27-2008, 04:22 PM

Vexel@Antonia Bayle wrote:

Last question, a post above said don't worry about AA's until 80. I was reading somewhere else where it says that once cap level you get half the normal AA amount? Is this true?

Not true, to the best of my knowledge.

Mew · 12-29-2008, 10:53 AM

The OP didn't mention having any points in WIS. You really need that WIS tree. Get it.

Germs666 · 01-02-2009, 08:58 PM

I didnt see why the WIS line is really needed. What am I missing?

Enoa · 01-02-2009, 10:29 PM

Germs666 wrote:

I didnt see why the WIS line is really needed. What am I missing?

WIZ is really only other line (other than STA) that will help your tank pet and your soloability. This thread is about soloability i believe. WIZ will increase tank pet's defense ability and also his dps capababilies.

For a mage pet - dps spec, wiz is a reasonable option (after STR and INT) as it's really the only summoner aa line that will augment mage pet dps. With TSO it's probably worthwhile shifting these points to TSO tree. If you're a scout pet guy then STR/AGI/WIZ prolly but with the TSO group encounters the scout pet isn't gonna cut it.

Summoner aa's are pretty hurting imo.

12-23-2008, 12:44 AM	#1
Vexel Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: After Dark Rank: Nyte Born~ Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 75	I've been playing my necromancer a lot, I only have 2 characters a Coercer I started and my necro. I'm not 48 as my sig suggests I'm now 62 and in the Loping Plains griding. Up until this point I've managed to do very well soloing, I've had maybe 30 minutes total group time on mobs of equal level to may character. Now that I'm in my 60's I find myslef struggling to solo blue's I think I took a wrong turn in my AA distribution? Or something I'm not expecting happens at level 60+ to mobs that makes even blue con mobs hit harder than normal? My pet is Adept III, most my skills are Adept III's and Master I's, all my gear currently is from the FF event, my mid is nice, my int and stam is good, my damage and crit chance is good, crit being 10%. Any suggestions? Or would you need more into? My AA's are this: All down the tree for Lifeburn, then under Summoner, maxed INT, STA and few in STR, with 1 point in the STA pet ability to knockback target. That's it, should I put more into healing? Something I'm missing for DPS? I'm at a loss here, on a side note I have 4 AA respec'd to use so if I need to respec AA's that's fine, currently I have 45 AA points to spend roughly... __________________

12-23-2008, 02:11 AM	#2
Daemhir Server: Splitpaw Guild: Fallen Heroes of Norrath Rank: Officer Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Neriak, City of Hate Posts: 183	There are 2 things I see in your AA build: 1. You didn't mention Tainted Heals, you have them, do ya? This is the MUST for any soloing Necro. This is what makes Necros soloing kings. 2. You said that you have full STA line - if you have Unflinching Servant (last AA in STA line), get rid of it. This is nothing useful for soloer and actually otherwise - it makes your pet not to be able to cast spells, including aggro spells. Other than that, I didn't see any major difference in soloing at levels 60 - it should be as easy as in lower levels. __________________

12-23-2008, 02:28 AM	#3
Vexel Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: After Dark Rank: Nyte Born~ Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 75	That's what I thought to, I guess I need to clarify, my AA spec so far: Here it is: http://eq2players.station.sony.com/...erId=1281648104 So ya... no tainted heals... I guess thats why I can't keep my pet alive now, mobs are hitting harder now because I'm right at the threshold of getting a new tank pet at 66, and I can't keep my level 50? pet alive without having good heals for him... __________________

12-23-2008, 07:08 PM	#4
Xil Loremaster Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 341	This is a SOLO ONLY spec.As a Necro you need to have a respec Mirror if you want to solo and group because solo spec is worthless in groups and group spec is worthless soloing. There is no hybrid spec that is functional. Get a respec mirror made asap and use it. Summoner AA's Goal Str 4/4/4/8Sta 4/4/8/8 (most important)Wis 4/4/8/8 (Second most)5 extra points put them in shadows Necro AA's Goal Tainted Heals (Most important)5 chains5 pact5 plot5 mark Also 5 points in Gluttony (VERY HELPFUL) Pets5 points warrior pet Rotting Line for Lifeburn (yeah I use it for soloing epic mobs)Everything else in Shadows until you get 160 or so AA's then go back to Necro/Summoner and fill them out again. Shadows AA's Goal General Health 5, anything else 5Mage Root Mastery 5, Magic Shield 5, Bewilderment 1SummonerPet Crits 5, Pet weapon mastery 5, Summoners Soothing 5, Minion's Mark 1 When you get to 170 AA's you can worry about the last line it's pretty straight forward. Use your tank pet to solo and work on this spec here and you can solo epic x2 mobs. __________________ I had a momentary lapse in perfection...

12-24-2008, 09:35 PM	#6
Vexel Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: After Dark Rank: Nyte Born~ Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 75	Yes I know my AA ratio to level is low, I have about 54 AA points now at level 64. I'm trying hard to get my AA to at least my level but it's been rough going as I don't group to mentor down to anyone. All my AA's come from HQ's, quests, and discovering new areas, also whatever named mobs I kill for the first time when I see them. Other then that I don't know whatelse to do to really get my AA's built up. On another note I did respec my AA's to the tank/solo spec and now I'm rock'n roll'n! I really didn't expect Tainted Heals to work so well. Now I'm able to really play my necro well chain pulling white's and yellow's and killing ^^Heroic mobs with little difficulty. I did try a ^^^ orange heroic hahaha, well I had to push the envelope to see what I can do. I can safely do ^^Heroic mobs if I need to, and do ^Heroics as part of my grinding with little problems at all. Last night at 63 I was chain pulling ^heroic yellow mobs without stopping in Lich form, doing the rotation to keep myself healed, power up, and my pet topped off in health. It's easy to do not without pulling aggro using Command AA. I do need an AA mirror for group spec, but like I said I've went solo this far and will probably be solo all the way to 80. Though I'm thinking in the next level or so to stop leveling all together and start mentoring some friends and guildies and work on getting my AA's built up before I hit 70 and then go back to soloing and cap my level. From what I have been reading it sounds like AA's are a pain from 70+? Is this still accurate information? AA's at 70 and up are half what you would normally get mentoring? Or is it just true once you cap 80? I think the information I was reading was before cap level was 80. Thanks for all the information guys, and to the above poster, I know you weren't being mean, I can take critisim, I know my AA is low, I was in my upper 30's before I realised how important it was and even at 60+ now just getting the hang of the mechanics of my class. Unlike some I really enjoy researching my class, getting the right gear, and being the best I can be with what I play. I'm getting there though and appreciate everyone's input. Happy Holidays! __________________

12-23-2008, 10:58 PM	#5
WasFycksir Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 554	Not to be mean, but you have WAY too few AA points in general for your level. You should really try to get more AA in relationship to your adventure level. At lev 62 you should have at least 80+ AA's.

12-24-2008, 10:52 PM	#7
Xalmat EQ2Achieve.com Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,895	Vexel@Antonia Bayle wrote: Other then that I don't know whatelse to do to really get my AA's built up. Go back and do grey quests that you missed as you were leveling up. They still reward AA, as long as they're either not repeatable, or if they are repeatable it's your first time doing them. Also, you will get about 40 AAs doing all the solo quests in Kunark, and another 20 or so doing all the solo quests in Moors. So being about 50 AA at level 64 isn't as bad as other people lead you to believe (I was only about 70 when RoK launched). So my advice: Get to 80 before you worry about your AAs much further. __________________ EQ2Achieve - Your guide to all EverQuest II Achievements

12-25-2008, 06:31 PM	#8
Germs666 Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 230	I'm currently lvl 76 and I only have 89AA. I didn't really start questing until Kylong Plains and I have yet to turn in a single collection set. The only drawback is that I missed a lot of named mobs while leveling up. I figure that you like to grind levels out and so do I. Once you hit 80 all of your xp switches over to AA so you can start doing those grey quests and running through each zone collecting shinies and gettting discovery AA. __________________

12-26-2008, 07:46 PM	#9
Vexel Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: After Dark Rank: Nyte Born~ Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 75	Thanks a ton for all the info guys, good stuff! I hit 66 last night, and starting to work in Kylong Plains, fun stuff there too with all the writ quests. Last question, a post above said don't worry about AA's until 80. I was reading somewhere else where it says that once cap level you get half the normal AA amount? Is this true? Or has SOE changed this and you get just as much AA doing quests not completed and for discovering locations? Thanks again for all the information! and to answer Gems666, yes, I enjoy just killing mobs as much as I do questing. I usually quest a little then chain pull mobs for 2-3 hours. The other night I went to Bonemire and charmed the undead Drog's there and farmed ^heroic mobs for a couple hours. That was serisouly a lot of fun. __________________

12-27-2008, 04:22 PM	#10
Xalmat EQ2Achieve.com Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,895	Vexel@Antonia Bayle wrote: Last question, a post above said don't worry about AA's until 80. I was reading somewhere else where it says that once cap level you get half the normal AA amount? Is this true? Not true, to the best of my knowledge. __________________ EQ2Achieve - Your guide to all EverQuest II Achievements

12-29-2008, 10:53 AM	#11
Mew General Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 488	The OP didn't mention having any points in WIS. You really need that WIS tree. Get it.

01-02-2009, 08:58 PM	#12
Germs666 Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 230	I didnt see why the WIS line is really needed. What am I missing? __________________

01-02-2009, 10:29 PM	#13
Enoa Server: Kithicor Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 253	Germs666 wrote: I didnt see why the WIS line is really needed. What am I missing? WIZ is really only other line (other than STA) that will help your tank pet and your soloability. This thread is about soloability i believe. WIZ will increase tank pet's defense ability and also his dps capababilies. For a mage pet - dps spec, wiz is a reasonable option (after STR and INT) as it's really the only summoner aa line that will augment mage pet dps. With TSO it's probably worthwhile shifting these points to TSO tree. If you're a scout pet guy then STR/AGI/WIZ prolly but with the TSO group encounters the scout pet isn't gonna cut it. Summoner aa's are pretty hurting imo.