Understanding the Necromancer Class
Before diving into the leveling process, it’s essential to understand what makes the Necromancer unique.
Class Overview
Necromancers are masters of death and decay, capable of summoning the undead and utilizing powerful damage-over-time spells. They excel in solo play and provide valuable utility to groups. Key characteristics of the Necromancer include:
- Pet Summoning: Necromancers can summon powerful undead pets that tank for them and deal damage.
- Damage-over-Time Spells: They wield strong DOT spells that can wear down enemies over time.
- Lifetap Spells: These spells allow Necromancers to convert a portion of the damage dealt into health, enhancing their sustainability.
- Feign Death: A unique ability that allows Necromancers to drop aggro and escape dangerous situations.
Key Attributes for Leveling
For an effective leveling experience, focus on the following attributes:
1. Intelligence (INT): Increases spell damage and the number of spells you can learn.
2. Wisdom (WIS): Helps with mana regeneration, which is crucial for casting spells.
3. Stamina (STA): Provides additional health, which is beneficial for survivability.
Leveling Path Overview
Leveling your Necromancer effectively involves understanding where to hunt, which spells to prioritize, and how to manage your resources. Below is a structured approach to help you navigate through the levels.
Levels 1-10: The Early Grind
During the initial levels, focus on acquiring experience points and learning the basic mechanics of the game.
- Starting Zone: Begin your journey in the starting zone for your race; for example, if you’re a Dark Elf, you’ll start in Neriak.
- Quests: Complete beginner quests in your starting area to gain experience and items.
- Spells: Purchase your initial spells from spell merchants. Key spells to get early on include:
- Creeping Darkness (Level 1)
- Dooming Darkness (Level 4)
- Lifetap (Level 8)
Hunting Locations:
- Level 1-5: Hunt in the immediate area around your starting zone, focusing on low-level creatures like rats or bats.
- Level 6-10: Move to nearby zones like the Commonlands or Nektulos Forest to find more challenging prey, such as spiders and skeletons.
Levels 11-20: Gaining Momentum
At this stage, you will start to feel the power of your spells and pets.
- Spells: Acquire new spells that enhance your damage capabilities. Key spells to look for include:
- Animate Dead (Level 15) – Summons a pet from a corpse.
- Malignant Touch (Level 14) – A strong DOT spell.
Hunting Locations:
- Level 11-15: The Nektulos Forest is a good area, especially near the Kithicor Forest zone line.
- Level 16-20: Transition to the East Karana, where you can find various animal enemies.
Levels 21-30: Embracing the Dark Arts
As you advance, your spells become more potent, and your ability to manage your pet improves.
- Group Play: Consider joining small groups to tackle harder content. Your ability to provide mana regeneration with your spells can be invaluable.
- Spells: Focus on obtaining:
- Shadowbind (Level 24)
- Dark Pact (Level 29)
Hunting Locations:
- Level 21-25: The South Ro region offers good hunting grounds, with opportunities to fight tougher mobs.
- Level 26-30: Move to Lake of Ill Omen for better experience and loot.
Levels 31-40: Mastering Your Craft
At this point, you'll have access to some of the Necromancer’s most powerful spells and abilities.
- Spells: Prioritize acquiring:
- Enslave Death (Level 34) – A powerful lifetap.
- Summon Corpse (Level 34) – Useful for retrieving your pet's corpse if it dies.
Hunting Locations:
- Level 31-35: The City of Mist is a great option for hunting tougher undead.
- Level 36-40: The Karnor's Castle area is filled with enemies that provide excellent experience.
Advanced Leveling Strategies
Once you reach higher levels, optimizing your playstyle and employing advanced strategies will significantly enhance your leveling experience.
Utilizing Your Pet
- Pet Management: Always keep your pet summoned and buffed. Use spells like Strengthen on your pet to increase its damage output.
- Feign Death: Use this ability strategically to drop aggro and allow your pet to tank longer.
Efficient Grinding Techniques
1. Kiting: Utilize your DOT spells while keeping your distance from enemies, allowing them to take damage over time while you avoid taking hits.
2. Zoning: If you find yourself overwhelmed, use the zoning mechanic to escape. Your Feign Death ability can also create opportunities for you to recover.
Joining a Guild
Consider joining a guild that aligns with your goals. A supportive guild can offer advice, assistance with difficult quests, and a sense of community.
Conclusion
Leveling as a Necromancer in Project 1999 can be an incredibly rewarding experience if approached with the right mindset and strategies. By understanding your class mechanics, optimizing your spell selection, and choosing effective hunting locations, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the dark arts. Remember to adapt your strategies as you progress and enjoy the unique journey that being a Necromancer offers in the classic world of EverQuest. Happy hunting, and may the shadows guide you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starting zone for a necromancer leveling in P99?
The best starting zone for a necromancer in P99 is the Necromancer guild in Neriak, as it provides easy access to spells, vendors, and quests tailored for your class.
What spells should I prioritize while leveling my necromancer?
Focus on acquiring damage-over-time spells like 'Necrotic Realm' and 'Life Tap' early on, and later prioritize 'Fear' spells to control encounters and 'Summon Skeleton' to utilize your pets effectively.
How can I maximize my experience gain as a necromancer?
To maximize experience gain, use your pet to tank while you cast damage spells from a safe distance. Additionally, grouping with others can help speed up kills and increase experience gain.
What are the best places for soloing as a necromancer in P99?
Good solo spots include the Kurn's Tower, the Feerott, and the lower levels of the Unrest zone, where you can find plenty of undead mobs to farm efficiently.
How should I manage my mana while leveling as a necromancer?
Utilize 'Life Tap' spells to regain health while dealing damage, and avoid overcasting to conserve mana. Regularly rest between fights to recover your mana for tougher encounters.
What are some effective leveling strategies for necromancers in groups?
In groups, focus on crowd control with fear spells and managing your pet's aggro. Additionally, use your damage-over-time spells to contribute to overall DPS while allowing your tank to handle damage.
When should I start participating in raids with my necromancer?
You should consider participating in raids once you reach level 50 and have acquired key spells and gear, as well as understanding your role in managing DPS and crowd control.
Are there any specific gear recommendations for leveling a necromancer?
Look for gear that enhances your intelligence and wisdom stats, as well as items that provide mana regeneration. Key pieces include the Robe of the Oracle and various jewelry that boosts your spell casting.
