Build:Team - GvG Necromancer Balanced

A team with high pressure in 8v8 situations, solid flag pushing abilities and good options to counter splitting. It can adapt to most opponent's builds and tactics.

Frontline
Combine two frontline builds of your choice, picking what your players use best.
 * Avatar of Balthazar Dervish
 * Devastating Hammer Warrior
 * Enraged Smash Warrior
 * Axe Warrior
 * Forceful Blow Warrior

Common combinations:
 * 1: Avatar of Balthazar Dervish with Devastating Hammer Warrior.
 * Ideal mix of pressure, NPC obliteration potential and lineback capacities.
 * 2: Enraged Smash Warrior with Devastating Hammer Warrior.
 * Good potential to knock the opposing team out of their position with two sources of knockdowns. Great lineback potential, not quite good against NPCs.
 * 3: Axe warrior with Devastating Hammer Warrior.
 * Best spikes, but mediocre against NPCs.

AoB Dervish
[build prof=Dervish/Ritualist Mysticism=11+1 ScytheMastery=10+1+1 WindPrayers=10+2][Avatar of Balthazar][Harrier's Grasp][Radiant Scythe][Wearying Strike][Rending Aura][Optional][Whirling Charge][Resurrection Signet][/build] Variable skill slot Equipment

Runes and insignias
 * 5 blessed insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * Vampiric scythe of defense, 15^50.
 * Insightful staff of enchanting, +5e^ench.
 * Crippling long bow of defense, 10%hrt.
 * Crippling spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% blind duration.
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main Article: Avatar of Balthazar

Devastating Hammer Warrior
[build prof=Warrior/Ritualist HammerMastery=12+1 Strength=12+1+1 RestorationMagic=3][Enraging Charge][Devastating Hammer][Hammer Bash][Crushing Blow][Protector's Strike][Bull's Strike][Flail][Death Pact Signet (PvP)][/build] Equipment

Runes and insignias
 * 4 sentinel's insignia.
 * Stonefist insignia (not on chest or leg armor).
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * 2 runes of vitae.

Weapons
 * Vampiric hammer of defense with "Strength and Honor".
 * Sundering hammer of defense with "Strength and Honor" for accumulating lord damage.
 * Elemental hammer of defense with "Strength and Honor" against warriors.
 * Furious or zealous axe/sword of defense with "I have the power!".
 * Furious spear of fortitude with "I have the power!" and
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% blind duration.
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main Article: Devastating Hammer Warrior

Variant
 * Replace with an Enraged Smash Warrior.

Melshot Ranger
[build prof=Ranger/any Expertise=11+1+2 WildernessSurvival=10+1 Marksmanship=10+1][Melandru's Shot][Distracting Shot][Savage Shot][Lightning Reflexes][Optional][Apply Poison][Natural Stride][Optional][/build] Variable skill slot 1 Variable skill slot 2 Equipment
 * – for general use.
 * – if anticipating to play against a [[Lightning Surge@16] elementalist.
 * – anti elementalist skill both for split and main team purposes.
 * – if you plan to split or fight splits a lot with the ranger and need the healing.
 * – if you plan to split or fight splits a lot with the ranger and need the healing.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 scout's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of restoration.

Weapons
 * Crippling recurve bow of defense.
 * Crippling long bow of defense.
 * Poisonous recurve bow of defense.
 * 40/40 protection prayers.
 * Poisonous spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main Article: Melshot Ranger

Necromancer
[build prof=Necromancer/Assassin BloodMagic=12+1+1 SoulReaping=12+1][Signet of Suffering][Life Siphon][Oppressive Gaze][Dark Pact][Angorodon's Gaze][Strip Enchantment][Dash][Optional][/build] Variable skill slot Equipment
 * – for easier survival in split defense situations or when a ranger pushes on you while you're flag running.
 * – if anticipating elementalist heavy 8v8 builds.
 * – if anticipating elementalist heavy 8v8 builds.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 tormentor's or undertaker's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * 2 runes of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/40 blood magic.
 * High energy set blood magic.
 * 40/40 soul reaping.
 * Barbed or heavy spear of defense, 10%hct with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main Article: SoS Necromancer

Domination Mesmer
[build prof=Mesmer/Ritualist DominationMagic=12+1+1 InspirationMagic=8+1 Fastcasting=10+1 RestorationMagic=2][Complicate][Power Leak][Diversion][Shame][Energy Surge][Shatter Enchantment][Drain Enchantment][Death Pact Signet (PvP)][/build] Variants Equipment
 * Take [[Power Drain@9] over [[Power Leak@14] or [[Complicate@14] for easier energy management.
 * Drop [[Diversion@14] or [[Shame@14] for [[Power Spike@14] or a wastrel's cancel skill like [[Wastrel's Demise@14] or [[Mind Wrack@14].
 * Switch to a Power Block mesmer.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 prodigy's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/40 domination magic.
 * 40/40 inspiration magic.
 * High energy set domination magic.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main article: Energy Surge Spike Mesmer

Restore Condition Prot
[build prof=Monk/Warrior Prot=12+1+1 Divine=8+1 Tactics=10][Restore Condition][Spirit Bond (PvP)][Aegis (PvP)][Guardian][Shielding Hands][Holy Veil][Aura of Stability][Balanced Stance][/build] Variants Equipment
 * Pick Necromancer Balanced.
 * This makes you more vulnerable to [[Power Block] and [[Power Leak].

Runes and insignias
 * 5 disciple's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * 2 runes of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/20/20 protection prayers.
 * Spear of enchanting, +5 energy, protection prayers focus of fortitude, +15/-1 energy.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Tactics shield of fortitude, -20% crippled duration.
 * Tactics shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.
 * Low energy shield set.

Usage
 * Main article: Restore Condition Monk

Healing Burst Fuse
[build prof=Monk/Assassin HealingPrayers=12+1+1 ProtectionPrayers=9+1 DivineFavor=9+1 ShadowArts=3][Healing Burst][Patient Spirit][Infuse Health][Guardian][Shield Guardian][Cure Hex][Draw Conditions][Dark Escape][/build] Variant Equipment
 * Take [[Signet of Rejuvenation@14] over [[Infuse Health@14] against pressure builds.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 disciple's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons Usage
 * 40/20/20 protection prayers.
 * 40/40 healing prayers.
 * High energy sets healing prayers.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hct with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% crippled duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.
 * Low energy shield set.
 * Main article: Healing Burst Monk

Healing Burst Runner
[build prof=Monk/Assassin HealingPrayers=11+1+1 ProtectionPrayers=10+1 DivineFavor=10+1][Healing Burst][Patient Spirit][Spirit Bond (PvP)][Guardian][Shield Guardian][Cure Hex][Draw Conditions][Dash][/build] Variants Equipment
 * Replace [[Spirit Bond (PvP)@11] with [[Protective Spirit@11] against spike builds or [[Shield of Absorption@11] against pressure builds.
 * Replace [[Shield Guardian@11] with [[Shielding Hands@11] and [[Guardian@11] with [[Mending Touch@11] if anticipating a dedicated split build.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 disciple's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/20/20 protection prayers.
 * 40/40 healing prayers.
 * High energy sets healing prayers.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hct with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% crippled duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.
 * Low energy shield set.

Usage
 * Main article: Healing Burst Runner

Playing this team
Game Plan Necromancer balanced is flexible. Do whatever hurts your opponent most. Stay in an 8v8 if your shutdown and pressure are superior, split if their team requires an intact main team, flag push if they can't respond well to it.

8v8 Flag Split Lategame
 * Don't call spikes.
 * Everyone applies damage on his own. The mesmer support the frontline with removing [[Guardian].
 * Drain the enchantments of elementalists and interrupt casters in general so they drop low on energy, allowing you to play aggressively.
 * Run on the necromancer.
 * Push their flag with ranger and possibly your frontline.
 * Split your ranger if necessary.
 * Defend splits with runner, ranger or necromancer.
 * Ranger, necromancer and runner back. Prot where needed. Rest is the assault team.

Playing against this team
8v8 Situations Flag Split Lategame
 * Take out poison.
 * Anti caster skills should be directed towards the mesmer.
 * Kill the dervish with dual shatter if possible.
 * Neutralize their condition pressure with a flesh wound paragon.
 * Avoid falling behind on flags too far, else their flag pushing will give them the opportunity to play aggressively in an 8v7 situation.
 * Don't attempt dervish splits.
 * Elementalists can be defended effectively, collapse and re-split frequently.
 * If their pit NPCs are still up you need two monks for the offensive team.