In Guild Wars 2, the Necromancer is one of the most versatile and powerful professions you can choose at the start of the game. It is a great choice to use with multiple builds because of its history of being a top contender in the Meta scene due to its condition-slinging, damage-tanking, and hard-to-kill nature. The Necromancer can do it all, from DPS to Support. Here are some of the most powerful and effective Necromancer builds you should try.

5. Vanilla Core Necromancer - PvP

Never underestimate core Necromancers, especially in PvP. You never know how they can drop you for thinking they will be pushovers.

The core Necromancer is the master of inflicting debilitating conditions on enemies. Despite condition damage falling off the current Meta, it is still a worthy foe in the arena, especially if enemies underestimate its frightening power. Even if it isn’t as powerful as its elite specializations, it can still hold its own in the arena.

Why Core Necromancer is great

• The build features some unblockable attacks like the marks the staff uses in its weapon skills to apply pressure in an area and can deal middle to long-range condition damage.
• Core Necromancer can easily corrupt their opponents’ boons, turning them into conditions that can sway the tide to your favor.
• While on the defensive, their core Shroud form can act as a second life bar, protecting you until the life force meter is fully drained.

Choose this build if...

• You don’t have any of the expansion packs but still want a viable PvP profession with a history of making it to the top.
• You can occasionally switch between offense and defense by staying with a teammate and helping them out.
• You can prove that core Necromancer can still go toe-to-toe against its elite specialization brethren.

Full build details

Traits and Major Perks

• Curses - Plague Sending, Terror, Weakening Shroud
• Blood Magic - Quickening Thirst, Vampiric Presence, Unholy Martyr
• Soul Reaping - Soul Marks, Fear of Death, Dhuumfire

Equipment

• PvP Amulet with Carrion stats (condition damage + power + vitality)
• Superior Runes of Orr (increase in condition damage while reducing incoming condition duration)
• Main hand scepter and offhand dagger with Superior Sigil Doom (after swapping from staff, next attacks will inflict Poison debuff) and Exposure (after swapping from staff, next attacks will inflict Vulnerability debuff)
• Switch to main hand two-handed staff with Superior Sigil of Energy (after swapping from scepter/dagger, gain some Endurance) and Intelligence (after swapping from scepter/dagger, your next three attacks will be critical hits)

Consumables

• Not applicable in PvP

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Consume Conditions - A Corruption heal from conditions on top of additional healing you get from the skill. Inflicts Vulnerability debuff on you, however.
• Skill 1 - Spectral Ring - A Spectral skill that drops a ring to protect allies while inflicting Fear debuff on enemies.
• Skil 2 - Summon Flesh Wurm - A Minion skill that summons an undead minion that functions as a stationary turret. When you activate it, you can use it to teleport to its location up to a certain range.
• Skill 3 - Spectral Walk - A Spectral skill that breaks you out of a stun while taking a spectral form temporarily to consume debuffs on yourself for life force. Use the skill again to go back to where you used the skill.
• Elite Skill - Lich Form - A core Spectral elite skill that transforms you into a Lich, giving you a new weapon kit temporarily and gaining Stability boons and increased precision and vitality.

For more information on this build, click this link: Metabattle.com

4. Necromancer Leveling - Open World PvE

Everyone has to start somewhere, and the Necromancer Leveling build is a great place to begin.

A Levelling build is always helpful for players looking to create a brand new Necromancer from scratch. The build focuses on teaching players how to use the various mechanics of Necromancers and how to properly use Death Shroud. It can be considered an open-world PvE easy mode since the profession is innately hard to kill.

Why Necromancer Levelling Build is great

• It teaches the core mechanics of Necromancer to would-be players.
• Thanks to their core mechanics and using Death Shroud, the Necromancer tends to be very tanky, even while it is still being leveled up.
• Despite being relatively slow, the build allows it to hit hard while still being capable of taking hits like a champion.

Choose this build if...

• You are looking to become a Necromancer-main and want to have a beginner-friendly build you can use while leveling up.
• You don’t mind not being the strongest as long as you can survive in the open world.
• You know that every player has to start somewhere, and you are willing to work to enhance your Necromancer.

Full build details

Traits and Major Perks

• Spite - Spiteful Talisman, Signets of Suffering, Close to Death
• Soul Reaping - Unyielding Blast, Soul Barbs, Death Perception
• Blood Magic - Quickening Thirst, Vampiric Presence, Blood Bank

Equipment

• Armor with Berserker stats (power + precision + ferocity)
• Superior Runes of Vampirism (increases power, vitality, maximum health, and heals you minimally whenever you kill an enemy)
• Main hand Berserker stat axe and off-hand focus with Superior Sigils of Energy (after swapping from axe/warhorn, gain some Endurance) and Hydromancy (after swapping from axe/warhorn while in combat, inflict Chill debuff while damaging opponents)
• Switch to main-hand Berserker stat dagger and offhand warhorn with Superior Sigil of Blood and Fire
• Trinkets with Berserker stats

Consumables

• Not applicable for leveling builds.

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Signet of Vampirism - A core Signet skill that passively steals health from enemies, and upon activation will mark a foe that lets you siphon health from enemies whenever you attack them. It also grants additional healing when activated.
• Skill 1 - Summon Bone Fiend  - A Minion skill that summons a bone fiend that inflicts ranged attacks that periodically immobilizes enemies.
• Skil 2 - Signet of Undeath - A core Signet skill that provides life force for your shroud while in combat passively. Activate the skill to revive a downed ally.
• Skill 3 - Spectral Walk - A core Spectral skill that breaks you out of stun and then converts conditions on you into Life Force for Shroud. Activate it again to return to your starting area.
• Elite Skill - Summon Flesh Golem - A core Minion elite skill that summons a Flesh Golem that can a crowd control charge toward your enemy and deals damage to its defiance bar.

For more information on this build, click this link: GuildJen.com

3. Core Minion Necromancer - PvE

The Core Minion Necromancer build lets you hang out with the gang and make quick work of most of the content in open-world PvE.

Minion Master Necromancers have been a mainstay for the game in various game modes, but they have always found their place in PvE. They let their minions do all the work for them while the Necromancer steps back and chills. In some circles, the Minion Master build can also be called a Low-Intensity Build due to its simplicity and lack of need for input.

Why Core Minion Necromancer is great

• The build is very great for players with limitations in their movement since they don’t have to use area-of-effects skills much apart from their weapon skills.
• The minions can easily make short work of most enemies and can be a very chill build.
• The innate tankiness of Necromancers plus the minions and sand shrouds make the Core Minion Master Necromancer a tanky build.

Choose this build if...

• You want a highly-defensive build while roaming the open world.
• You currently struggle with limited movement and find Low-Intensity builds a great alternative.
• You are looking for another nice variation to Minion Master builds but have no expansion packs.

Full build details

Traits and Major Perks

• Curses - Insidious Disruption, Terror, Lingering Curse
• Death Magic - Flesh of the Master, Necromantic Corruption, Corruptor’s Fervor
• Soul Reaping - Unyielding Blast, Soul Barbs, Dhuumfire

Equipment

• Armor with Viper stats (power + condition damage + precision + expertise)
• Superior Runes of the Nightmare (increases condition damage, outgoing Fear and Condition debuffs, and deliver a blinding attack whenever you use your elite skill))
• Main hand Viperstat scepter and dagger with Superior Sigil of Demons (increases outgoing Torment debuff duration)) and Bursting (increases condition damage)
• Switch to off-hand warhorn with Superior Sigil of Demons.
• Trinkets with Viper stats

Consumables

• Food - Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew (gain Might boons while dodging, increased Endurance and experience from killing enemies)
• Utility - Sharpening Skull (gain Feline Fury for you and revived ally while increasing experience from killing enemies and a boost to Magic Find)

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Summon Blood Fiend - A minion skill that summons a minion that transfers health to you whenever it attacks. Activate it again to activate Taste of Death to sacrifice your Blood Fiend for health.
• Skill 1 - Summon Shadow Fiend - A minion skill that summons a minion to deal damage. Activate Haunt to teleport the minion toward an enemy, inflicting conditions.
• Skil 2 - Summon Bone Minions - A minion skill that summons 2 small minions that deal damage and can cause Cripple debuff. Activate Putrid Explosion to explode a bone minion one at a time.
• Skill 3 - Summon Bone Fiend - A minion skill that summons a minion that deals ranged condition damage. Activate Rigor Mortis to inflict Immobilize on both your minion and a targeted enemy.
• Elite Skill - Summon Flesh Golem - A core elite minion skill that summons a Flesh Golem that deals damage. Activate Charge to make the Flesh Golem charge at enemies and knock them down or launch them. It also grants the Necromancer Stability buffs.

For more information on this build, click this link: Metabattle.com

2. Core Power Curses - World versus World

You have no power here, invaders. The CPC build makes sure to keep your enemies boonless.

No matter the game mode, the Necromancer will always be there to wreck their opponents. In a zerg, the Core Power Curses Necromancer will make their enemies feel naked when they realize their boons get stolen as your team hails heavy damage upon them. They are experts in dealing condition damage over a wide area and in WvW, that is a big deal.

Why Condition Power Curses Necro is great

• The CPC Necromancer can strip their opponents’ boons, leaving them wide open for attacks. 
• Despite being a bit underpowered unlike its elite expansion brethren, it can still deal constant condition damage from a far.
• It becomes hilarious when a CPC Necromancer can effectively take away the boons off of enemies with elite specializations and then get stomped on by your team.

Choose this build if...

• You preferably have the Warclaw mount so you can keep with the zerg.
• You are an experienced in World vs World and are used to fighting in a zerg or are knowledgeable with the maps so you can be proactive in dealing with certain objectives.
• You are confident in your ability to take strip the boons off of enemies efficiently.

Full build details

Traits and Major Perks

• Spite - Spiteful Talisman, Signets of Suffering, Spiteful Spirit
• Curses - Plague Sending, Path of Corruption, Lingering Curse
• Soul Reaping - Speed of Shadows, Soul Barbs, Death Perception

Equipment

• Armor with Marauder stats (power + precision + ferocity + vitality))
• Superior Runes of the Scholar (increases power, ferocity, and outgoing strike damage while over 90% health)
• Main hand Marauder stat axe and off-hand focus with Superior Sigils of Absorption (whenever you interrupt a foe with a CC, steal boons from them) and Energy (after swapping from specter/dagger, gain some Endurance)
• Switch to main hand  scepter and off-hand dagger with Superior Sigils of Absorption and Bloodlust (whenever you kill a foe, gain a charge that increases your power with a maximum capacity of 25 charges)
• Trinkets with Marauder stats

Consumables

• Food - Fried Oyster Sandwich (decreases incoming damage, increases power and experience gained from killing foes))
• Utility - Superior Sharpening Stone (increases power based on your precision and ferocity, and experience gained from killing foes)

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Signet of Vampirism - A core Signet skill that passively steals health from enemies, and upon activation will mark a foe that lets you siphon health from enemies whenever you attack them. It also grants additional healing when activated.
• Skill 1 - Well of Suffering - A core Well skill that drops an AoE that pulses damage and Vulnerability debuffs.
• Skil 2 - Well of Corruption - A core Well skill that drops an AoE that converts opponents’ boons into conditions.
• Skill 3 - Signet of the Locust - A core Signet skill that passively increases your movement speed, and when activated, strikes nearby opponents to remove their boons and heal yourself for every boon removed.
• Elite Skill - Lich Form - An elite Spectral skill that transforms you into a Lich and grants you new weapon skills temporarily along with other powerful benefits.

For more information on this build, click this link: Metabattle.com

1. Condi Minion Master - Structured PvP

It's always more fun to play with friends, even if they are the undead who are willing to do your bidding.

The core Necromancer has tons of fun in PvP, so it decides to bring along its Minion buddies along to enjoy some action. The Condi Minion Master keeps things simple: let the minions do their thing while you drop enemies with additional condition damage. It is a simple build that is quite effective for a basic core profession.

Why Condi Minion Master is great

• It is very similar to Core Minion Necromancer build where it features its Minions, but replaces one of them depending on what you need for the current battle.
• It is an old favorite from early Guild Wars 2 PvP and is still played today. Just because tons of people play it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t good.
• Minion Master Necromancers tend to be highly tanky, making them great bunkers for protecting nodes.

Choose this build if...

• You want to support your teammates by using the power of death to defend your team’s nodes.
• You aren’t too keen on facing too many opponents head-on and know when to just run.
• You are confident in your defensive abilities and can hold your own in a fight.

Full build details

Traits and Major Perks

• Curses - Plague Sending, Path of Corruption, Weakening Shroud
• Blood Magic - Quickening Thirst, Vampiric Presence, Unholy Martyr
• Death Magic - Flesh of the Master, Necromantic Corruption, Death Nova

Equipment

• PvP Amulet with Carrion stats (condition damage + power + vitality)
• Superior Runes of Orr (increases outgoing condition damage, maximum health, and decreases incoming condition duration)
• Main hand scepter and offhand dagger with Superior Sigils of Purging (whenever you hit an enemy, remove a condition) and Exposure (after swapping from staff, your next attack inflicts Vulnerability debuff).
• Switch to offhand staff with Superior Sigils of Energy (after swapping from scepter/dagger, gain some Endurance) and Intelligence (after swapping from scepter/dagger, your next 3 attacks will be critical hits).

Consumables

Not applicable in PvP.

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Summon Blood Fiend - A minion skill that summons a minion that transfers health to you whenever it attacks. Activate it again to activate Taste of Death to sacrifice your Blood Fiend for health.
• Skill 1 - Optional - Depending on what you need, use whatever skill here.
• Skil 2 - Summon Bone Minions - A minion skill that summons 2 small minions that deal damage and can cause Cripple debuff. Activate Putrid Explosion to explode a bone minion one at a time.
• Skill 3 - Summon Shadow Fiend - A minion skill that summons a minion to deal damage. Activate Haunt to teleport the minion toward an enemy, inflicting conditions.
• Elite Skill - Summon Flesh Golem - A core elite minion skill that summons a Flesh Golem that deals damage. Activate Charge to make the Flesh Golem charge at enemies and knock them down or launch them. It also grants the Necromancer Stability buffs.

For more information on this build, click this link: Metabattle.com

Closing Thoughts

The core Necromancer proves that despite not using its elite specializations, it can still have some fun in every game mode. What it lacks in power and utility, it makes up for with its ingenuity and tankiness. Know of any other core Necromancer builds that we haven't mentioned? Let us know so we may do a follow-up in the future.

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