Help with a new build...

So this is exclusively for PvE? well then I suppose anything goes. I am not too fond of wells myself. I would prefer a good MM using the corpses to a wells Necro any day. Have you tried the classic SS necro build out? You'll have to switch your secondary to Mesmer. I think you should experiment with a few of the PvE classic builds, if only one time, so you can gain an appreciation for the varying builds. Might get your juices flowing, and a new build might come out of it. Yeah, I've tried a few out. In fact, I've tried most of them out. Honestly, though, I don't like to copy. Besides, I was quite successful with my MM build, and I discovered later that it was a lot like most of the MM builds out there (then again, with limited spells, how could it not be?). I just wanted something new.

I find that the wells, when done in the order of Suffering > Blood, is quite effective in taking down mobs and keeping the team alive. It's not a solo build, by far, but it does seem to be quite effective in an organized team (that's not so hell bent on proven tactics like the book trick or B/P and the like).

I guess my 'downfall' is I like to strive for uniqeness in a game with limited -good- options. I wish more of the skills had a better use than they do. Ah, but in a perfect world, everything would be balanced from the get-go. Eh, I stick with what I said about this being a fun build.

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I find that the wells, when done in the order of Suffering > Blood, is quite effective in taking down mobs and keeping the team alive. It's not a solo build, by far, but it does seem to be quite effective in an organized team (that's not so hell bent on proven tactics like the book trick or B/P and the like).

I guess my 'downfall' is I like to strive for uniqeness in a game with limited -good- options. I wish more of the skills had a better use than they do. Ah, but in a perfect world, everything would be balanced from the get-go. Eh, I stick with what I said about this being a fun build. And I have absolutely no problem with you asking. I've frankly been getting bored with all the templated builds running around (raises hand - guilty sir!). I think the necro is my favorite because it can be an out-right damage dealer, as well as an *excellent* support character. Personally, I love wells as long as there's no PVE MM to compete with (otherwise I feel like I should only use them in emergencies). I've never done much with well of suffering, but now I'll have to give it a swing.

I'll look at your build later tonight in detail and see what I can suggest. I've played many variations on necro so maybe something will pop up.

Cadmann

Here it is: (N/Mo)
Death - 16 (12+1+3)
Blood - 12 (11+1)
Soul Reaping - The rest (+1)

Enfeeble
Virulence (These two are left over from my MM build, never fail me )
Well of Blood
Well of Suffering
Rebirth
Soul Feast
Shadow Strike
Vampiric Gaze I know you posted a modified version, but I'll work from this one first. I presume your wife inflicts the condition needed for virulence to take effect.

Dark Pact is usually a nice combo for Shadow Strike, as Shadow Strike balances the Dark Pact's sacrifice.

I like enfeeble, but since you are using well of suffering and virulence, I expect that you are tending to like PVE enemies that clump near each other. I'd recommend considering Shadow of Fear (lasts longer than enfeeble). I've gotten a lot of benefit from it in supporting the team that's fighting in the mix. Enfeebling Blood might be an alternative (same duration as enfeeble), but its another sacrifice. Or, instead of replacing enfeeble with either of these, replace Soul Feast with one of them. On the other hand, enfeeble only costs 5 and has a 1 second regen....spammy spammy and they don't have to be adjacent....

I kind of envisioned you working this build (and my revisions of it) like this:

- stay back until the enemy is engaged around the fighters/tanks
- cast enfeeble/enfeebling blood/shadow of fear on the enemy/group
- spam shadow strike/dark pact/vampiric gaze to help drop enemies
- cast well of suffering as soon as a corpse is down
- follow with well of blood (or reverse the order if team needs health first)

All of these work nicely from a nice, safe aggro circle distance I believe.

Of course, if this is not how you play it, then my comments are probably junk.

Another alternative would be to replace Soul Feast with Spinal Shivers. You are maxed on Death, and probably have a cold weapon. Since your have nothing in Curses, Shivers will only last 10 seconds, but if you've never cast Shivers on a Monk boss and then started hitting them with your staff's cold dmg, well, it's plain old fun. Some people worry about the energy management, but I've not had an issue with it.

As for your updated version, I think most of my comments still apply. I'd still consider Shadow of Fear/Enfeebling Blood as alternatives for Enfeeble, but that's just me, and you've got me rethinking it. I also like Strip Enchant.

Weaknesses off the top of my head: use of curses with no Curses points. Also, there is a general feel for attacking enemies that are adjacent, and some PVE areas that doesn't happen as much as it does in others.

As for well of power, I really like it even if its a pain to cap in mineral springs if you don't have the right party. However, I only carry it if my build is not built around another elite. If I'm only carrying well of blood and no other elite, then well of power it is.

I may try a version of this one, but I'll have to introduce the condition for virulence myself.

G'luck,

Cadmann