Necromancer sPvP | Tournament Staff, Axe/Focus | Team fighter Spectral Berserker
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Table of Contents
Summary
Not only has this build great outcome DPS but also provides good defence.
It works well in both team fights and solo combats.
I. Weapons and Skills
Weapon and Skill Details
Staff
- Necrotic Grasp: I don't use this attack unless I have CD on weapon's swap and other marks. Nevertheless, it adds some life force and pierces, so it can be used to quickly fill up life force or to attack enemies in line. Don't try to use it just as a combo finisher.
- Mark of Blood: This mark has really small CD. It can be used for applying bleeding but also as a supporting skill.
- Chillblains: I mainly use it to chill. It can be used as a combo field for mark 4. Very effective in team fights too.
- Putrid Mark: The only combo finisher available in this build. Don't use it at the beginning of a fight if playing against necro/mesmer or condi engi/thief, to transfer conditions back to them. Great in team fights.
- Reaper's Mark: Good cc skill. Very good in team fights. Use it to prevent an enemy from finishing your downed ally or healing their downed mate.
- Rending Claws: Deals very small damage. Use only to apply vulnerability.
- Ghastly Claws: This skill deals great damage. Each attack is stronger than previous. Also grants life force.
- Unholy Feast: Usefull in removing boons. I also use it to cripple an enemy I chase.
- Reaper's Touch: Powerful skill in 1vs1 combat. It can apply up to 12 stacks of vulnerability to a single target. If you enter Shroud after casting it, bounces will have 100% critical chance.
- Spinal Shivers: Great boonripper and a source of chill. Try to avoid using it on enemies without 3+ conditions.
Consume Conditions: Actually the only effective heal skill for zerker necromancers. If you want to use it, do it before casting Putrid Mark. Don't worry about self vulnerability - it only lasts for 4s. You can dodge or fear after using this skill to avoid taking damage while under effect of this condition.
Utility:
- Spectral Grasp: Gives you 20% life force, chills an enemy and pulls him/her to you. Usefull as a part of a cc chain or during a pursuit. It can also be used to interupt foe's important skill such as healing.
- Spectral Wall: Extremely useful skill in team fights. Provides long protection for allies and fears enemies. Spectral Wall can also be used to secure a midpoint at the beginning of a match (Forest of Niflhel, Kyhlo, Spirit Watch). Using Spectral Grasp you can pull an enemy to hit the Wall. It's also a combo field - casting Putrid Mark grants you a Chaos Armor which applies confusion to enemies when you're struck. This skill gives 5% life force on use.
- Well of Suffering: Ground targeted 5 pulses that deal sound damage and apply 2 stacks of vulnerability per pulse. Enter Shroud after casting so all pulses have 100% critical chance. It's a good idea to cast Well of Suffering on a point. Very effective in team fights.
Lich Form: Thanks to Spectral Mastery trait, Lich Form has now 23s duration and only 144s CD. It also gives 5% life force on use.
- Deathly Claws: Lich's main and the most powerful skill. Deals incredible damage. It brings down berserker elementalist or thieves in 2-3 hits. Watch for enemy skills that reflect projectiles or you might kill yourself!
- Marked for Death: Applies 8 stacks of vulnerability. This large AoE is good option in team fight. Don't use it in 1vs1 fights.
- Chilling Wind: Good cc. May be used to interupt rallying or finishing.
- Mark of Horror: It summons 5 minions that apply bleeding on hit. Rather useless skill in this build.
- Grim Specter: This huge AoE works pefectly in team fights. It rips up to 5 boons from enemies. It can also be used to get rid of conditions on yourself.
Traits
Spite
- Reaper’s MightShroud skill 1 grants 1 stack of might for 15 seconds.
- Spiteful TalismanReduces focus skill recharges by 20%. Increase damage to foes with no boons by 5%.
- Spiteful RenewalStriking a foe below 25% health consumes a condition from you and heals you when the condition is removed. (ICD 5s)
- Bitter ChillInflicting chill on a foe also inflicts 3 stacks of vulnerability for 8 seconds.
- Death’s EmbraceIncreases damage while downed by 25%. Striking foes below 33% health inflicts 1 stack of vulnerability for 5 seconds.
- Chill of DeathCast the focus skill Spinal Shivers when attacking a foe below 50% health. This trait now benefits from the recharge bonus of Spiteful Talisman.
- Rending ShroudWhile in shroud apply 3 stacks of vulnerability for 10 seconds to foes around you.
- Unholy FervorReduces recharge of axe skills by 20% and deal 10% more damage to vulnerable foes.
- Siphoned PowerStriking a foe below 50% health grants 2 stacks for might for 10 seconds. (1s ICD)
- Signets of SufferingReduces recharge of signet skills by 20%. Signets grant 3 stacks of might for 15 seconds on cast and convert up to 2 boons on affected foes to conditions.
- Close to DeathIncreases 20% damage to enemies below the health threshold (50%).
- Spiteful SpiritEntering shroud casts the axe skill Unholy Feast. This trait benefits from the recharge bonus of Unholy Fervor.
Curses
- Barbed PrecisionCritical hits have a 33% chance to inflict bleeding. The duration of your applied bleeding stacks is increased by 20%.
- Plague SendingWhen you have 3 or more conditions on you your next critical hit casts Plague Signet on your target. This trait benefits from the recharge bonus of Signets of Suffering.
- Chilling DarknessBlinding a foe inflicts chill on them for 2 seconds. 5-second internal cooldown
- Furious DemiseWhen you enter shroud, gain fury for 5 seconds.
- Master of CorruptionReduces recharge of corruption skills by 33% but causes corruption skills to apply additional conditions to you when cast. (Condition applied varies per skill.)
- Path of CorruptionShroud skill 2 converts boons on struck foes to conditions.
- TerrorCauses fear to deal damage per second scaling with your condition damage stat. Damage is increased vs foes that have at least one other condition on them.
- Target the WeakYour critical hit chance is increased by 2% for each condition on your target. Additionally you gain condition damage equal to 13% of your precision.
- Weakening ShroudCritical hits inflict weakness for 5 seconds (10s ICD). When you enter shroud cast Enfeeble on nearby foes (Enfeeble is functionally identical to the dagger skill Enfeebling Blood.)
- Parasitic ContagionYou are healed for 10% of your outgoing condition damage.
- Lingering CurseGain 150 condition damage while wielding a scepter. The base duration of all scepter conditions is increased by 50%.
Soul Reaping
- GluttonyIncrease life force gain from skills by 10%.
- Unyielding BlastShroud skill 1 pierces an inflicts 2 stacks of vulnerability for 10 seconds to targets it hits. Increased number of targets pierced to 5 from 4.
- Soul MarksMark skills are now unblockable and generate 3% life force when triggered.
- Speed of ShadowsIncreases movement speed while in shroud by 25% and decreases recharge of shroud by 30%.
- Last GaspGain Spectral Armor when your health falls below the threshold (50%).
- Spectral MasteryReduces recharge of spectral skills by 20% and increases duration by 50%. Additionally, when you activate a spectral skill you gain 5% life force.
- Vital PersistenceLife force drains 50% slower while in shroud and the recharge of shroud skills is reduced by 15%.
- Fear of DeathFear duration is 50% longer. When you are downed, fear foes around you for 1s.
- Strength of UndeathIncreases maximum life force pool by 15%. While above 50% lifeforce you deal 5% additional damage.
- Foot in the GraveWhen you enter shroud gain 1 stack of stability for 3 seconds and break out of stun.
- Death PerceptionWhile you are in shroud you have an additional 50% chance to critical hit.
- DhuumfireShroud skill 1 inflicts 1 stack of burning for 3 seconds when it hits.
Trait Details
Soul Reaping adept trait may be changed to any other skill if that's your preference.
III. Stat Specifics & Effects
Primary Stats
- Health 19212 (+0)
- Vitality 1000 (+0)
- Armor 1920 (+0)
- Toughness 1000 (+0)
- Attack 3542 (+1431)
- Power 2375 (+1375)
- Critical Hit 47% (+47%)
- Precision 1900 (+900)
Secondary Stats
- Condition Damage 247 (+247)
- Critical Damage 60% (+60%)
- Damage 1167 (+5%)
- Defense 920 (+0)
- Ferocity 900 (+900)
- Might Duration 45% (+45%)
Boons
Conditions
Control
Fields & Finishers
Combo
Stat and Effect Details
You get a lot of might while spamming Shroud skill 1, especially if your target is below 50% health and from Rune of Strength.
IV. Runes, Sigils, Accessories & Jewels
Armor & Runes
PvP Rune of Strength
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
PvP Rune of Strength
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
PvP Rune of Strength
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
PvP Rune of Strength
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
PvP Rune of Strength
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
PvP Rune of Strength
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
Rune Stat Totals
- Power 175
- Might Duration 45%
Rune Bonuses
PvP Rune of Strength- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- +15% Might Duration; 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; +5% damage while under the effects of might.
Accessories & Jewels
Accessory Totals
- Power:1200
- Precision:900
- Ferocity:900
Weapon Set Sigils
PvP Staff
- Weapon Strength: 985-1111
PvP
- Weapon Strength: -
Sigil of Superior Force
+5% damage.
Sigil of Superior Fire
50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
Weapon Set I
Sigil of Superior Force+5% damage.
PvP Axe
- Weapon Strength: 857-1048
PvP Focus
- Weapon Strength: 832-883
Sigil of Superior Force
+5% damage.
Sigil of Superior Fire
50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
Weapon Set II
Sigil of Superior Force+5% damage.
Sigil of Superior Fire50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
Mighty WvW InfusionOffensive Infusion
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Mighty WvW InfusionOffensive Infusion
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Mighty WvW InfusionOffensive Infusion
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Mighty WvW InfusionOffensive Infusion
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Water Weapon I
Water Weapon II
Upgrade Item Details
Sigils:
I take Sigils of Fire for certain additional DPS.
Sigils of Force passively increases direct DPS by greater amount than other sigils can.
Sigils of Force do stack. It means that when on both weapons you get +10% damage bonus. Here is a source: https://wiki.guildwa...:Sigil_of_Force
Other sigils may be used if that's your preference. I suggest critical effect ones.
V. Basic Gameplay
The main point is to use fear to keep enemies away and use range attacks to gather life force, then blast them with Shroud skill 1.
During team fights use Spectral Wall for both cc and providing long protection for allies. Mark 2 and mark 4 are good support tools as well.
If you use Spectral Wall and Spectral Grasp propperly, you can apply fear twice (or more if you play against noobs). With fear from Shroud skill 3 and Reaper's Mark you can easily bring down enemies from unreachable places (like walls at Forest of Niflhel's midpoint) or drop them into a chasm (Stillness shrine in Temple of the Silent Storm) - just position yourself correctly. This build is great to secure the skyhammer (instead of fighting enemies, just remove their stability and fear them).
Main Skill Rotation
Well of Suffering pulses have 100% critical chance while you're in Shroud.
If an enemy is not a tank after double Life Blast he/she should already be far below 50%. If he/she has high number of defensive boons, you can use Spinal Shivers to rip them. Don't worry about his/her offensive boons before you leave Shroud as your cc will prevent them from attacking until the second life blast and when cc are over, the first thing the enemy does is healing.
Use this combo when you're protecting the point and you see the enemy incoming. Place all marks on your position. Mark 4 works as combo finisher.
Don't use this chain against thieves if you don't take Soul Marks trait. They'll simply hide and dodge your marks.
VI. Changes
25.06.2015
- Curses major trait Terror changed to Master of Corruption. The point is to reduce CD on healing skill from 30s to 20s.
- Updated informations about traits.
- Updated informations about sigils.
- Minor changes in descriptions.
- Adept trait in Soul Reaping changed from Speed of Shadows to Soul Marks.
- Minor changes in the second rotation and its description.
Soul Reaping adept trait may be changed to any other skill if that's your preference."
How I've already written, it's about preference. I choose III not because +25% mobility but -30% CD on Shroud. Sometimes I switch to II.
I will definitely try your build today after work, I'm loving it, looks strong and promising. Too much time away from my Necro lvling up my other characters.
Thank you very much. So far it is the only one I've liked.