54 M2 choice

[turtlegi]

<DIV>I need help in deciding which spell to upgrade.  I've had no luck getting rare gems so my spells are adept Is.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm more tempted with either the siphon life or pet offense upgrades.  The blighted packs are nice, but often die to riposte and basically have no idea what a higher level would do for me (ie do they hit harder and by how much).  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, siphon life is a spell I cast alot but is due to be upgraded as a level 64 master II choice.  Still, the dps boost is very clear to me.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The pet offense buff looks great too.  More haste and the proc damage is boosted.  It may very well be the best offense buff I'd get my hands on, since I never get master 1's (Sigh).  Not sure what the stats of the adept III final pet offensive buff is though.  (anyone know?)  Of course, this spell is best for my non-mage pets.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I like to group when I can get one but do solo a lot as well.  But in the end, I'm more interested in which spell is the better dps boost.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[turtlegi]

Ok, I just took a look at the conjuror boards and a lot recommend upgrading their swarm pet at 54.  I assume the same could apply to necro.  Some claim the upgrade between adept III and M2 is huge for the swarm, but for the offensive it's not so much different.  Especially considering the pet uses combat arts a lot so the haste doesn't matter.  I'd assume the proc only goes off on regular hits as well?

[Ironba]

<P>I would advise getting the swarm upgrade.  That s what I did.  As for them dieing so fat due to riposte...   Pet parking is important.</P> <P>Park your pet near the wall or where ever.  The place yourself between the mob and your pet.  Target enemy and send pet in.  Then have pet "Peace out" or "go beatnik" as some of my friends call it and he will run back to where you parked him.  The mob will follow.  Once he reaches and starts to pound on your pet again let him loose on him.  You will also be happy to see that the mob's back is to you.  Let loose with those stenches and swarms!</P>

[Alienor]

Have you checked <a href="http://eq2.eqsummoners.com/viewtopic.php?t=1894" target=_blank>http://eq2.eqsummoners.com/viewtopic.php?t=1894</a>? Personally I did go with the swarm pets, too.<div></div>

[turtlegi]

<P>Does anyone know how much of an improvement I can expect to see with M2 swarm pet vs adept I or adept III?  I would expect that it should be ~25+ dps improvement over adept I (since siphon life is around that much improvement if I did my calculations right!).  </P> <P>As for ripostes, it's mostly a problem for me in groups where I would have to run around and waste time to get into position.  I have yet to meet a tank who cares about positioning!</P> <P>Well anyway, the link Aoraki posts says to go with blighted pack for the indecisive =) </P> <P> </P>

[Kri]

<P>I went with the hounds too and have never regretted it.</P> <P>Tanks in PUGs are dicey when it comes to turning mobs. Usually it takes a few times of nicely asking them to do so before they at least try. Some never get it though... The guild tanks I've grouped with always try to turn the mob.</P>

[Alienor]

<div></div><div><blockquote><hr>turtlegirl wrote:<div></div><p>Does anyone know how much of an improvement I can expect to see with M2 swarm pet vs adept I or adept III?  I would expect that it should be ~25+ dps improvement over adept I (since siphon life is around that much improvement if I did my calculations right!). </p></blockquote><hr>This has been also somewhere here in the forums, but I am to lazy to search. The coercers have provided this, I guess it's also valid for us necros:<p><strong><span><font color="#ffff00">Effectiveness of Upgrade</font></span></strong><span> (gain on damage or power drains)</span></p><p><font size="2"><font face="Courier New"><strong><u><span>A1 to A2   A2 to A3   A3 to A4  A4 to Ad1  Ad1 to Ad3  Ad3 to M1  M1 to M2</span></u></strong></font><font face="Courier New"><span> 7-11%      5-11%     5-11%     9-17%      16-17%      12-14%     3-4%</span><span> </span></font></font></p><p><font size="2"><font face="Courier New"><strong><u><span>A1 to Ad1  Ad1 to M1</span></u></strong></font><font face="Courier New"><span> 35-41%    32%-36%</span><span> </span></font></font></p><font size="2"><font face="Courier New"><strong><u><span>A1 to M1</span></u></strong></font><font face="Courier New"><span> ~82%</span></font></font></div>

[turtlegi]

<P>I hope you guys don't mind this discussion.  I'm probably overthinking things =)</P> <P>I'm leaning against the pet offensive after looking at parses.  In a typical group fight, the pet gets off maybe 8 regular attacks, and might proc once.  This is using assassin pet of course!  I would rather just make an adept III offensive buff.</P> <P>Now, in groups a fight typically lasts around 15-20 seconds...granted I haven't been in a group fighting high yellow con mobs lately...  In that time, I can cast siphon life at least twice.   The damage of that is greater than the swarm can do during that time.   Solo, it's a bit different as I have to watch my aggro so the swarm does more damage.  On a good named fight, I will also have to spend time healing my pet so the ongoing damage from the swarm is also better.</P> <P>In summary, the swarm pet seems like the better choice if fights are long lasting.  I started right around the time of LU 24 which I have read nerfed the swarm pets... 17% less damage and longer recast.</P> <P>I really need to parse against yellow heroics but I suspect the swarm will be less accurate and not hit as hard, though last longer.</P> <P> </P>

[Alienor]

Siphon life is also a fantastic spell. I suggest take the spell you use most often, if this happens to be the siphon, np. As I solo a lot fights are lasting longer and I have the dogs up for the full time. In 64 I have chosen also abate life and I really like it. No need to drink or eat together with lich <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Audabon]

<P>Things might be different from server to server on costs of rares for adept 3 but... a couple instance runs = 75g - 1.25 pp  in vendor lewt =  at least one acrylia cluster for an adept 3 spell.</P> <P>I dont think there could be that much of a difference on markets per server... but I would assume its about the same everywhere for t7</P>

[Sola]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> turtlegirl wrote:<BR> <DIV>I need help in deciding which spell to upgrade.  I've had no luck getting rare gems so my spells are adept Is.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm more tempted with either the siphon life or pet offense upgrades.  The blighted packs are nice, but often die to riposte and basically have no idea what a higher level would do for me (ie do they hit harder and by how much).  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, siphon life is a spell I cast alot but is due to be upgraded as a level 64 master II choice.  Still, the dps boost is very clear to me.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The pet offense buff looks great too.  More haste and the proc damage is boosted.  It may very well be the best offense buff I'd get my hands on, since I never get master 1's (Sigh).  Not sure what the stats of the adept III final pet offensive buff is though.  (anyone know?)  Of course, this spell is best for my non-mage pets.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I like to group when I can get one but do solo a lot as well.  But in the end, I'm more interested in which spell is the better dps boost.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I'd recommend pet offensive.  It's a higher level which means it'll last that many more levels compared to the other upgrades and it applies to your pet which you will use each and every fight.  The pet swarm we use in mid to long fights, but for short fights or for multiple mob encounters, they just aren't practical.  I have a M1 Pet swarm in the bank, so I maybe just a bit biased on my M2 choice.  However, I think the reason I've given will still stand up in your situation.