Understanding the Necromancer Class
Before diving into the leveling specifics, it’s important to understand what makes the Necromancer a unique and powerful class in EverQuest. Necromancers are primarily spellcasters who harness the dark arts to summon undead minions, drain life from their enemies, and manipulate the battlefield.
Key Attributes of a Necromancer
- Damage Over Time (DoT) Spells: Necromancers excel in dealing damage over time, allowing them to weaken their foes before finishing them off.
- Life Tap Spells: These spells not only deal damage but also heal the Necromancer, making them sustainable in long fights.
- Undead Minions: The ability to summon pets provides both extra damage and a buffer against incoming attacks.
- Feign Death: This skill allows Necromancers to escape dangerous situations, making them excellent solo players.
Leveling Strategies for Necromancers
Leveling your Necromancer efficiently in P99 requires a combination of proper spell management, strategic grinding, and an understanding of your class abilities. Here are some strategies to help you maximize your leveling experience.
1. Choosing the Right Race
Your choice of race can slightly influence your leveling experience. Here are the two best races for Necromancers:
- Dark Elf: Starting in Neriak, Dark Elves have high intelligence and charisma, beneficial for spellcasting and charm spells.
- Human: While they lack the racial benefits of Dark Elves, Humans have a more balanced attribute spread.
2. Optimal Leveling Zones
Selecting the right zones is crucial for efficient leveling. Here’s a breakdown of recommended zones for different levels:
- Levels 1-5:
- Neriak: Start in the city and hunt in the nearby areas for low-level mobs.
- Freeport: Alternatively, Freeport is a good option for Human Necromancers.
- Levels 6-10:
- The Commons: Great for soloing; look for low-level animals and undead.
- Nektulos Forest: Ideal for finding groups.
- Levels 11-20:
- Unrest: A famous haunted mansion filled with undead, perfect for Necromancers.
- Paineel: The city of the Erudites has plenty of undead to slaughter.
- Levels 21-30:
- Misty Thicket: While primarily a zone for grouping, the gnolls and other mobs yield good experience.
- Karnor’s Castle: A dangerous but rewarding location for high-level Necromancers.
- Levels 31-40:
- Sebilis: An excellent zone for both soloing and grouping.
- Chardok: A high-risk, high-reward area loaded with undead.
- Levels 41-50:
- The Hole: Known for its high XP, this zone is ideal for solo Necromancers.
- Karnor’s Castle: Continue to farm here for great XP and loot.
- Levels 51-60:
- Veeshan’s Peak: A raid zone perfect for high-level Necromancers seeking experience and gear.
- Plane of Fear: For those in a group, this zone provides excellent rewards.
3. Efficient Grinding Techniques
To maximize experience gain, consider the following grinding techniques:
- Use Damage Over Time Spells: Stack your DoTs on mobs and let them tick down while you continue to cast other spells or drain life.
- Pet Management: Use your summoned pet to tank while you cast spells from a distance.
- Kiting: This technique involves running away from a mob while casting spells, allowing you to deal damage without taking hits.
- Lifetap Spells: Use life taps to maintain your health while fighting; this is especially useful when soloing.
Spell Management and Equipment
Spell management is crucial for a Necromancer's success. Understanding which spells to acquire and how to use them effectively can greatly enhance your leveling experience.
Key Spells to Acquire
- Level 1-10:
- Cure Disease: Essential for dealing with poison and disease.
- Dooming Darkness: A strong DoT spell that is useful early on.
- Level 11-20:
- Agonizing Scorn: A powerful early DoT that can deal considerable damage.
- Lifetap: A must-have to maintain health during fights.
- Level 21-30:
- Soulbind: Allows you to bind yourself to a location for quick travel.
- Harmshield: Great for keeping mobs away.
- Level 31-40:
- Withering Deception: An effective DoT that can be combined with other spells.
- Summon Skeleton: Essential for increasing your pet's strength.
- Level 41-50:
- Creeping Terror: High-damage DoT spell that ramps up your damage output.
- Parasitic Affliction: Excellent for healing while damaging.
- Level 51-60:
- Terror of Death: One of the strongest necromancer spells, providing a significant edge in high-level content.
- Call of the Grave: Useful for summoning powerful undead allies.
Equipment Recommendations
As a Necromancer, your equipment should focus on increasing your intelligence, wisdom, and stamina. Here are some key items to consider:
- Robes of the Oracle: Provides good AC and intelligence.
- Jewel of the Shissar: Increases intelligence for better spell damage.
- Blackened Iron Plate: Offers good AC and is relatively easy to acquire.
Conclusion
In summary, the Necro Leveling Guide P99 provides an insightful roadmap for players eager to master the Necromancer class in EverQuest. By understanding the strengths of the class, choosing the right zones, and utilizing efficient grinding techniques, players can race to level 60 while enjoying the unique challenges that come with being a Necromancer. Armed with the right spells and equipment, you’ll be well on your way to conquering the world of Norrath. Happy hunting!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starting race for a necromancer in Project 1999?
The best starting race for a necromancer in Project 1999 is the Dark Elf due to their high intelligence and starting location in Neriak, which offers easy access to various spells and resources.
What are the essential spells to prioritize for leveling a necromancer?
Key spells to prioritize include 'Darkness', 'Lifeburn', 'Shadowbond', and 'Vampiric Curse' as they significantly enhance damage output and survivability.
How should a necromancer manage their pet for optimal leveling?
A necromancer should ensure their pet is properly buffed with spells like 'Armor of the Decayed' and 'Resistant Skin', while also managing its health and aggro to maximize damage and minimize downtime.
What zones are recommended for leveling a necromancer from 1 to 50?
Recommended zones include the Crushbone, Unrest, and the Lower Guk dungeons, which provide ample experience through solo and group opportunities.
What is the best way to handle death as a necromancer in Project 1999?
As a necromancer, utilizing the 'Feign Death' ability can help avoid death penalties. If you do die, use your corpse summon ability to retrieve your body quickly.
How important is faction for a necromancer in Project 1999?
Faction is quite important for necromancers as it affects access to certain quests and vendors. Working on improving your faction with dark races can enhance your gameplay experience.
What are some effective leveling strategies for solo necromancers?
Effective solo leveling strategies include finding camps with low health mobs to efficiently drain life and utilizing your pet to tank while you cast spells.
What gear should a necromancer focus on for leveling?
A necromancer should focus on gear that enhances intelligence, stamina, and spell damage. Look for items like 'Robes of the Oracle' and 'Crown of the Mistwalker' to boost your effectiveness.
