Less DoTs?

[EliteJackson]

Just grouped for XP for the first time that while playing on a Necro and re-learned that multiple spells of the same name do not stack. Compared to the modern games with limitless debuff slots, this came as a momentary surprise. It seems particularly limiting for the Necro class in larger groups.

What does the well-played Necromancer do during groups or raids? Do they have reduced effectiveness in these settings, relegated to their nukes and utility spells (I assume acting as a sort of hp/mana battery for more useful casters)?

I'm not planning on raiding anything, but would like to avoid being dead weight in a high level group setting. I'm also a bit baffled at how Necros of old managed to get a spot in raids to get epic quests done. I'm curious if there is some additional value that the Necro adds that maybe I am overlooking.

Advice and thrilling tales of skeletons in groups appreciated.

Thanks,
-Hork

[Nixtar]

Mana feed/heals are strong in groups.

You got snares/roots/short duration mez. I've also seen necros fear/kite in certain groups(obviously rather risky unless you know the path or have room).

In short, your pet do a bit of damage and you focus on managing health/mana and nuke/CC with excess mana. Necros can do quite a lot for a group when you're creative with your spells.

Oh, avoid dots unless they run full duration every time. Otherwise you'll waste a ton of mana.

[aaezil]

In high level groups necros have some of the best dps avail (undead charming) and also useful as spot heal/mana battery/snare/CC/undead nuker. The dots are only good if the mob has tons of hp.

[Scoojitsu]

I played a necro back then, also on raids. I remember we needed to corpse summon alot. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]
But I also saved a raid more than once by feigning in a corner and then dragging+rezzing the cleric after the wipe.

[Baler]

(non raid) One thing not already mentioned any class with a pet can do to look good is have their pet attacking the main target as soon as the tanks on it with taunt off.

It bugs me when a class with their pet out. Sits there and their pet is doing nothing while everyone else is in combat. It's like did you go afk or something?

The old saying of 'How do you know a mage is afk? Their pet's not attacking.' Rings true for necromancers as well.

[Loke]

In a group on a necro I'd probably not use pure dots very often, at least depending on your dps situation. If we're talking a normal full group, focus on conversions and utility as opposed to dps. Used your life tap dot so you can constantly be in lich form and handing out mana/hp to your group members. Stick a darkness spell on mobs that run. Use your pet if you can, its essentially a dot that lasts forever.

You can even pull if it makes sense for the group (e.g. broken camp or undead mobs you can calm).

Basically, use your utility to fill whatever role the group needs. If you light on heals, help out with shadowbond. No ench/bard? Feed mana. Low dps? Maybe throw out some dots. Necro is one of the classes that doesn't have a clearly defined group role like a rogue or tank does, so you need to be able to recognize what the group needs and then do your best to fill that role.

[Dulu]

Who else is filling those debuff slots in a 6 man?

Ask them politely to stop.