[Rylkan]

Well, I must admit, school has sucked time away from things like build making, but this struck me and I just had to make it, and I instantly fell in love with it. It's not my normal Mesmer or Ranger Build either, but a Necromancer. Yes Ratty, I'm moving in on your turf. So you better come back to take over.

Now, on to the build.

Arcane Lamentations

Concept:

Well, in our lovely game called Guild Wars, unlike alot of games of grinding, we all depend on our attribute points to get us by. A point here, a point there, and we become very happy. But with nothing in an attribute, we all would agree nearly all of our skills are useless. Well, this is indeed the case and point. The concept is, deny your opponent the very thing that makes them capable of doing anything.

You'll want this:


Skill Code: OAVDQsx3QzBLB8LZCcBPCVVbhA

Clothes Make the Hero:

Usually I prefer making a build that doesn't require anything fancy with equipment, but this time, this build does have a few things you probably want.

1. Armor: Anything Max
2. Insignia: I went with Radiant, but really, this build is good on energy, so don't worry too much here.
3. Runes: This is where we need to be worried. You MUST have a Rune for Soul Reaping. It will push you to just a long enough duration to make Wail of Doom extremely useful. I have tested this with a Superior Soul Reaping Rune and Head Piece of Soul Reaping, but you only NEED 13. I actually recommend a Major Rune, the extra energy is useful, and the Signet of Lost Souls is very useful. Aside from this, you also have a choice on runes for Blood Magic. You might want to go Superior, but as I've said, I tested a Superior Soul and Major Blood. I also had a superior Vigor Rune. Just remember, the Soul Reaping Rune is a must.
4. Weapon: I personally wielded a +60 HP Staff with a +5 Energy when over 50% HP Mod. Yes, alot of HP, but I wanted to pump up my two stats as high as possible, and it's not as if we need HCT for Wail of Doom, it is short enough. You may want a +40% HSR for Wail of Doom by going Wand and Focus Item, but I find since we sac alot of health, I wanted more HP to play with, so Wand and Focus would be for the brave. Besides, +20% HSR is still good enough.

Tell me how to kick butt:

Gladly. Apply foot to behind.

....

In order to kick butt with this build, it is important to note, you're not really designed to kill things by yourself too much. Sure, you can do it, and I've done it, but it's better with a party. Your role is more like a shut down mesmer, only much much meaner.

So, in order to use it, if you see an opponent, make sure to put on Masochism and Blood Renewal. Blood Renewal May not be strictly needed, but hey, I like gaining energy, and it helps fuel Vamp Gaze for Spike Healing. Now, go to said opponent, and use Arcane Echo, Followed by Wail of Doom. At this duration, you get 4 seconds of 0 attributes for the opponent. Recharge is 10 seconds, but you now have 2 of them. You can cover them for 8 seconds. This means you should be a little bit careful in timing. And with good reason, too.

Think of it this way. A Minion Master is about to cast a spell for a flesh golem. You use the spell before he finishes, he get's a level 1 golem, AND he has no Death Magic, so the other minions die. Same with things like using it on Elementalists, that Meteor Shower will feel much better with 0 Fire Magic.

Vampiric Gaze is for a quick spike heal, and should be used as often as possible. It does damage, and since Wail of Doom is a sac skill, you want health. And with Masochism, as mentioned, we gain 3 energy each time, helping fuel the spell. And such a high soul reaping means alot of energy.

The other skills are more flexible and can be played with. I like being able to remove 2 enchants and gain HP, as well as weakening an opponent who uses Enchants. The well was to stop MM's as this is an excellent AB build, and Signet of Lost souls is a simple heal and energy boost.

Am I really as godly as I sound:

Sadly, you are not perfect, just close. You do suffer from your usual anti caster defenses. As well as not being extremely hardy. You can survive being mobbed if you use Wail of Doom Wisely and retreat with using Vampiric Gaze and Signet of Lost Souls. But it's best to remain with others. Just play smart.

Improvements?:

To be added as I test it more, and hear back more from the rest of you.

NOW ENJOY IT DARN IT!

[Goto]

Sounds like a pretty awesome build, I might have to take out the old Necro some time to try this one out. Reducing attribute points is a pretty interesting way to go about a shutdown build, so it's probably not something they'll expect.

[Rylkan]

Oh believe me, it was FUN. I took on a Balth Dervy in AB, and he couldnt hurt me. Just tanked him And he soon left his form, to boot.

[Rylkan]

Hrmm, Notes:

Definitely need to be careful with anti caster. If you're faster, you can take out mesmers and such easily. It will slow down Fast casting even and make things fair. But if they get something like backfire off first, you're in trouble.

I was unsure of Blood Renewal, but if you use it before the fight each time, it will definitely make up for all the initial saccing you do.

Need to get a Necro farther in PvE to test it out, but if there are any PvE necros here who want to try, feel free.

[Rylkan]

I'm also thinking you can drop Well of Blood and masochism for PvE skills. Energy is already good, but you need the HP of Gaze and Signet. Maybe swap in a stronger life steal for Gaze if energy is exceptionally good., such as with an MM on your team. Also you could get rid of strip enchant, but I like the HP gain and the fact you can get rid of 2 enchants, something that is useful versus things like monks and dervies.

Admittedly, you get monks in PvE, but its good to not rely on them all the time since you Sac alot here.

[Rylkan]

It turns out I never use Masochism in the fight, so I am thinking of Switching in Signet of Sorrow. Good for AB, as corpses are EVERYWHERE. So I can fuel it endlessly and have a bit more firepower. That, or Vamp Bite or something. Would be good to have more HP.

[Rylkan]

I want to test something if people dont mind. I need a MM and a Dervy and a Monk to do it, though. Mostly want to test the effect of skill point reduction after something has been cast. And the Minion master thing I've tried, and it seems to work, but I rarely get a good chance to do it, the MM's i've faced have been quite smart.

[Xariha]

...How many posts in a row are you supposed to do before you have to ban yourself?

I better break it up so you can post again.