Overview
Necromancers are considered by most to be the best PvE class in the game. For group RvR, they can be situationally good. At a high level, the Necromancer in DAoC group play is a pressure amplifier and utility disruptor. They aren’t the centerpiece of a group the way a Sorcerer or Cleric is, but when played well, they make the rest of the group much more lethal. Necromancer is a good choice for players who enjoy playing unusual or mechanically sophisticated classes, or for those who enjoy being a PvE machine on the side.
Group Playstyle
In classic DAoC 8v8, the Necromancer is one of Albion’s most unusual and oppressive disrupt/support hybrids when played in a Necro Tanker setup. They aren’t a primary nuker like a Cabalist or Wizard. Their job is to amplify the tank train and create kill windows. Necromancers shine in a traditional “necro tanker” setup, consisting of Necromancer + 2 melee dps + sorc + theurg + minst + 2 support.
Damage Potentiation
Necromancers applying spec AF debuff to a target means that target is going to die in 3-4 hits. There’s simply no way to outheal this damage unless two free support are spamming Greater Heals into said target. AF Debuff synergizes extremely well with Albion groups which already overwhelm enemy’s with longrange disruption and pets.
In additon to AF debuff, Necros get a baseline con debuff. Both together make alb tank damage insane.
A typical fight progression looks like:
Opening:
- Sorc establishes CC
- Theurg floods pets
- Minstrel starts interrupts
- Tanks identify pressure target
- Necro prepares AF debuff
Midfight:
- Stay synced with assist
- Maintain AF and con debuff
- Use quickcasts to force pressure
- Interrupt when kill isn’t viable
Endgame:
- Collapse on supports
- Use remaining quickcasts aggressively
- Keep debuffs rolling
In most of the above scenarios, enemy support can not outheal AF debuff’ed tank train damage, let alone cast at all if the theurg/sorc/minst are doing their job.
A good Necro is constantly thinking of this mental loop:
- Who is the current kill target?
- Is AF debuff on them?
- Is it about to drop?
- Is a swap coming?
Facilitate Painworking & Concentration
Facilitate Painworking is the Necromancer’s quickcast which essentially gives the necro pet up to 3 free casts. When combined with the RA Concentration, which resets Facilitate Painworking, the Necro pet gets 6 free casts. For this reason, Necro can guarantee spell delivery under pressure even when rupted. In 8v8 where windows are small, this can turn a fight if the Necro is able to apply pressure even while rupted. On top of all of these free casts, the Necro shade is always 100% free to cast shade-casted spells. As you can imagine, this combo can be quite powerful.
Group Spec Options:
Necromancer character builder:
https://blackthorn-daoc.com/class/Necromancer
50 Deathsight, 19 Painworking, 7 Death Servant
- Most common spec
- 50 Deathsight is mandatory for necro tanker groups
- Gives you the best spec AF debuff
- Baseline painworking snare nuke can be used to catch enemies out of place, for your tanks to collapse on before AF debuff is applied
Group Realm Ability Builds:
- First priority: Long Wind, Purge, Wild Arcana
Wild Arcana is very strong because it directly amplifies what the class already does best: debuffing, crippling, and fight disruption. Wild Arcana allows AF debuff, snares, and con debuffs to crit.
- Second priority: Concentration
Discussed above, Concentration on a Necro = 6 free quickcasts.
- Third priority: Passives (e.g., Wild Power) and other Actives
Solo Playstyle
Necromancers are considered the best solo class to stand toe-to-toe with an enemy melee in the entire game. Their pets are inherently resistant to melee damage. Uninterruptible (shade-casted) lifetap spam creates incredible amounts of sustain. Facilitate Painworking +/- Concentration means the pet will typically layer an additional 3-6 lifetap casts on top of the shade-casted lifetaps. Simply put, there is no way to out damage the lifetap-based healing a Necro will force upon you.
PvE/Leveling
Necromancer is one of Albion’s most unique PvE classes. While many players think of Necromancers as solo powerhouses, in leveling groups they play a very different role: support utility, sustained damage, and power management.
During the Fight: Support the Kill
Necromancers contribute respectable damage, but your damage should fit the group type.
If your group is melee-heavy, one of your best tools is Armor Factor debuff. Apply it early.
Why:
- Makes mobs easier for melees to kill
- Increases physical damage output across the group
- Speeds up kill times significantly
This is especially strong with:
- Armsman
- Paladin
- Mercenary
Think of AF debuff as multiplying your group’s melee damage.
In Caster-Oriented Groups: Add Damage
If your group is caster-focused:
- contribute your own damage
- assist on burn targets
- help finish mobs quickly
Your role shifts from debuff utility to supplemental DPS. You are flexible depending on composition.
Your Most Important Job: Power Transfer
This is what makes Necromancers exceptional in groups. Your power transfer (deathsight spec) ability keeps key classes running with far less downtime. Priority targets:
First: Healers
Cleric/Friar always comes first.
If the Cleric/Friar has power:
- pulls continue
- mistakes can be recovered
- group stays alive
Second: Bomb casters
Wizard or other mana-intensive DPS.
More mana means:
- faster kills
- more efficient pulls
- less resting
Third: Utility casters
Sorcerer or Theurgist. Keeping control classes powered helps prevent bad pulls. A good Necromancer keeps the engine fueled.