Necromancer roaming and grouping

[sakura.7961]

Hello. I found the build "[Power Scourge](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Scourge_-_Power_Scourge "Power Scourge")" and wondered if this is good for both roaming and grouping? I need a build that is good for roaming since often there isn't any group. But if there is a group I of course want to be a bit useful. Mostly for small groups since in big groups I have 0-3 fps in fights and therefore am useless anyway. PS: I normally play longbow druid but I know it is not good for groups cuz of reflects and also I use Harrier's which is not ideal for roaming.

[Sephylon.4938]

that's more of a zerg build, it'll be eaten alive by any de or mes or ranger.

[juno.1840]

The problem with "roaming" on scourge is the lack of mobility. You have very few sources of swiftness, escapes, etc. In short, if you get run into other players, it's fight for your life... no other options.

 

You will hit very hard, especially with Axe. The #2 skill can push 10k total damage. The range on Axe is decent so you can usually land some hits. If you get your foes within range, the F2-F5 bomb can almost win the fight. That being said, most players will run and reset if you get their health down far enough. This means you'll draw your first fight and then die in your second fight because your @#$%^ is on cooldown.

 

You may be better off with Reaper for roaming.

[sakura.7961]

Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

[Shaogin.2679]

> @"sakura.7961" said:

> Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

 

I've used that for roaming and it is about as good as it gets for necro. It has decent mobility thanks to permanent swiftness and the leap from Reaper Shroud and decent sustain thanks to boon generation. However, roaming will never be safe on a necro.

[gebrechen.5643]

The problem is that "10k" damage isn't much when it's all you have and basically it is all you bring to the table. You can roam on reaper, but you really need heavy support because you need shroud as offensive and defensive option. You got nothing besides that.

If you really want to solo roam I'd rather go core necro in a condi build and go as tanky as possible. I guess Vendoll is running something like that.

 

to be honest. Try another class if you want to roam. Necro isn't.

[Sephylon.4938]

> @"sakura.7961" said:

> Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

 

That build is basically burst or bust. Best used to catch your opponent unaware. If they know you're coming, they'll either burst you from stealth or force you to pop shroud and drain your lf, disengage, the come back at you before you can get your lf back. That or spam spotter's shot and watch you slowly die, unable to do anything, before executing with death's judgement. (99% of my encounter with solo roamer necros, the good ones know how to line of sight, bait, and burst) Honestly, the only time reaper becomes a threat is if it has other people to distract the opponent from them, even if it's another necro, so they can land their burst and 100-0 their target. That or be the distraction for one of their team mates to do the 100-0ing.

[juno.1840]

> @"Sephylon.4938" said:

> > @"sakura.7961" said:

> > Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

>

> That build is basically burst or bust. Best used to catch your opponent unaware. If they know you're coming, they'll either burst you from stealth of force you to pop shroud and drain your lf, disengage, the come back at you before you can get your lf back. That or spam spotter's shot and watch you slowly die, unable to do anything, before executing with death's judgement. (99% of my encounter with solo roamer necros, the good ones know how to line of sight, bait, and burst) Honestly, the only time reaper becomes a threat is if it has other people to distract the opponent from them, even if it's another necro, so they can land their burst and 100-0 their target. That or be the distraction for one of their team mates to do the 100-0ing.

 

lol that's so true... almost all of my success roaming is when foes are focused on my mates instead of me.

[KrHome.1920]

> @"sakura.7961" said:

> Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

That's a trash build for reaper. It's super weak against conditions and its burst is mediocre. I've seen it in a lot of videos and its users are always stomping noobs but never fight competent opponents.

 

Metabattle says it's the best reaper roaming build. No it's not! Nowhere near!

 

A far superior version of this build would be:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNBHhF6kjGonGs2GwcTgeTsgLYUdh2wzC6qFAOAxXxvYYE-j1xHwAe1HA4UA0b/B9q/IU5HTlgBeCAvDEAWVLw22WTbbbbrUARMGA-w

It's better in everything. More burst, more sustained damage, higher crit chance, a lot more condi cleanse, equal direct damage sustain.

 

[Nimon.7840]

> @"sakura.7961" said:

> Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

 

Hm... Instead of the might stunbreak shout, take spectral armor. Its more forgiving making mistakes than the shout.

Also it's essential when fighting any range or high burst class and can give you a very long shroud uptime

[Axl.8924]

> @"sakura.7961" said:

> Hello. I found the build "[Power Scourge](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Scourge_-_Power_Scourge "Power Scourge")" and wondered if this is good for both roaming and grouping? I need a build that is good for roaming since often there isn't any group. But if there is a group I of course want to be a bit useful. Mostly for small groups since in big groups I have 0-3 fps in fights and therefore am useless anyway. PS: I normally play longbow druid but I know it is not good for groups cuz of reflects and also I use Harrier's which is not ideal for roaming.

 

What about reapers? Reaper with axe/greatsword can murder multiple enemies is great for that.

Most stuff are easy to kill anyways.

 

[Nimon.7840]

> @"KrHome.1920" said:

> > @"sakura.7961" said:

> > Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

> That's a trash build for reaper. It's super weak against conditions and its burst is mediocre. I've seen it in a lot of videos and its users are always stomping noobs but never fight competent opponents.

>

> Metabattle says it's the best reaper roaming build. No it's not! Nowhere near!

>

> A far superior version of this build would be:

> http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNBHhF6kjGonGs2GwcTgeTsgLYUdh2wzC6qFAOAxXxvYYE-j1xHwAe1HA4UA0b/B9q/IU5HTlgBeCAvDEAWVLw22WTbbbbrUARMGA-w

> It's better in everything. More burst, more sustained damage, higher crit chance, a lot more condi cleanse, equal direct damage sustain.

>

 

Scholar rune is super bad in PvP modes. You will almost never be above 90%

Especially on reaper, that has two dodges and then has to soak up dmg with his health.

But that's your choice.

 

And I didn't roam much last two weeks, but when I did, I met like 5condi players out of 50 players I met. Instead you might want to run 5 times Dragonhunter or deadeye rune + one cheap rune that gives also 25power.

 

So I think it's better to take things that make your life easier against power enemies.

[Lonewolf Kai.3682]

> @"Nimon.7840" said:

> > @"KrHome.1920" said:

> > > @"sakura.7961" said:

> > > Thanks @"juno.1840". Would you say that [this build](https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Greatsword_Roamer "this build") is better for roaming?

> > That's a trash build for reaper. It's super weak against conditions and its burst is mediocre. I've seen it in a lot of videos and its users are always stomping noobs but never fight competent opponents.

> >

> > Metabattle says it's the best reaper roaming build. No it's not! Nowhere near!

> >

> > A far superior version of this build would be:

> > http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNBHhF6kjGonGs2GwcTgeTsgLYUdh2wzC6qFAOAxXxvYYE-j1xHwAe1HA4UA0b/B9q/IU5HTlgBeCAvDEAWVLw22WTbbbbrUARMGA-w

> > It's better in everything. More burst, more sustained damage, higher crit chance, a lot more condi cleanse, equal direct damage sustain.

> >

>

> Scholar rune is super bad in PvP modes. You will almost never be above 90%

> Especially on reaper, that has two dodges and then has to soak up dmg with his health.

> But that's your choice.

>

> And I didn't roam much last two weeks, but when I did, I met like 5condi players out of 50 players I met. Instead you might want to run 5 times Dragonhunter or deadeye rune + one cheap rune that gives also 25power.

>

> So I think it's better to take things that make your life easier against power enemies.

 

I’m running a similar build right now myself except I’m using Berserker runes. I feel like the condi portion of it is a waste though and can’t figure out which runes to use. I’m wanting something that’ll boost my dps, like with power and ferocity but I’m also going to lose that 5% damage bonus if it change it out.

[Shroud.2307]

This is the build I use

 

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNAR3dnMbC12gVbC+1A0biFcBLuKuFLjUdh2wzCaAEAaBA-j1CEQBbRJoDVG4ONDpY/BI8AAYiSvHcQASk6PtRHAAuAAu8IAEAAB4m3Mb2mB38m38m38mddbmNzm38mJFgVT2A-w

 

**DISCLAIMER**

This is a YOLO build and I am not advocating that it is good. Just what I use and enjoy.

 

Strategic Wurm placement, timing Spinal Shivers to proc Chill of Death and being _extremely_ aggressive against pretty much anything I fight is what makes this build work. Since it has nothing for defense other than Wurm juke (which works very well if you know how to use it) I have to get in and out of fights as fast as possible. And fortunately due to the _absurd_ amount of damage I can pump out, ending fights quickly isn't typically difficult. Deadeyes give me the most trouble strictly due to my inability to reliably dodge their stealth burst (but that doesn't mean I can't, just that I'm a little slow with the reaction sometimes). Everything else, Rangers included, aren't very hard to deal with as long as I have terrain on my side. Rangers are only an issue if you're bad/they catch you off guard or the Ranger is extremely good.

 

That said, and as others in this thread have mentioned, Necro in general (meaning Scourge and Reaper as well) is bad for roaming. You do not have scaling defenses like blocks or invulnerability that can withstand an unlimited amount of incoming attacks and you do not have mobility to escape or get some breathing room. Both of those things are essential to a successful roaming class/build.

 

I recommend against roaming with Necro no matter how experienced you are. Roaming is very difficult when you're solo but on Necromancer, it's almost impossible unless you're willing to accept that you're going to die at least every 10 - 20 minutes. It isn't a question of skill, just a fact of being a class that cannot endure outnumbered fights for a lengthy period of time. Even if you go full tank, you'll eventually get worn down. That's why in my opinion, it's best to go full YOLO and learn to become a good fighter, otherwise you're free food.

 

**EDIT:**

My favorite Necro just added another video to his channel that has lots of examples of proper Wurm usage, kiting, baiting and Shroud management. Notice how often he's forcing people to play on his terms (meaning ground that he's comfortable on) and how often he uses Wurm offensively, defensively and for repositioning.

[juno.1840]

@"Lonewolf Kai.3682" use strength rune. Synergizes well with the might granting traitd.

[EremiteAngel.9765]

If you're a slowish type of player with minimal reaction or prefer a lazy style of fighting, try condi core necro. Able to win most encounters with minimal effort. It's just the timing of entering and leaving shroud that you'll have to learn to trigger the related traits. Some foes you'll be weak against though like Druids and evade clear Daredevils.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj40PBfbXmU

 

If you're keen on all action fast paced playstyle where every decision counts, try a power burst Reaper.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7km4peyyU1I

[Lonewolf Kai.3682]

> @"juno.1840" said:

> @"Lonewolf Kai.3682" use strength rune. Synergizes well with the might granting traitd.

 

I switched to it last night and had a blast with it. Thx for the help!