Necro or Demonologist?

**SharinganTH1422** · 05-24-2008, 09:36 PM

I'm just wondering, a lot of guys have been testing out multiple characters, and I'm hoping someone (or more than one) has tried out both the necro and demo classes as they are kinda similar. Necro controls the dead and demo uses the power of demons in hell or something or other, but they seem to be kinda similar, and just wondering which is the better choice (or what is the (main) difference in terms of their style of play).

**Gambit7** · 05-25-2008, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by SharinganTH1422

I'm just wondering, a lot of guys have been testing out multiple characters, and I'm hoping someone (or more than one) has tried out both the necro and demo classes as they are kinda similar. Necro controls the dead and demo uses the power of demons in hell or something or other, but they seem to be kinda similar, and just wondering which is the better choice (or what is the (main) difference in terms of their style of play).

They're totally different. Necro gives you a veritable army of NPCs to control and maintain (and not just 1 type... MANY types all having different point values). Necro is more DoT type damage and Demonologist is basically your hardcore direct uber-dps mage, with shapeshifting qualities... although Necro can take "lich form" in one part of its feat tree.

If you like pets and tactics involving LOTS of them then choose Necro... but get used to DoT damage. If you like direct damage [specifically fire] (and maybe 1 minion and shapeshifting) then Demo is for you. Technically, Demo is supposed to be the most powerful spellslinger.

I'd say take a look at the feat trees and see what interests you. Many of these classes can do the same as opposing classes if specced a certain way.

**SharinganTH1422** · 05-25-2008, 05:10 PM

Understood mainly except these terms:

DoT?
dps?
lich form?

**Unload** · 05-25-2008, 07:34 PM

DoT = Damage over time. This would be considered a bleed effect, or a spell that stays active for some time on a target until it completes its total time or damage. For instance, 300 damage total, spread out from 50 damage every 2 seconds for 12 seconds total (hypothetical, I haven't played any mages in AoC yet).

DPS = damage per second. This is just a number that may appear on a weapon per say. So the weapon may say 46.7 damage per second, but you really only swing it every 1.2 seconds and hit for like 65 damage. Higher DPS = more damage you can do.

Lich form = Not entirely sure what it does, but it probably changes your character appearance and boosts some stats for a given amount of time, ie 30 seconds Lich form, but then the cooldown (time until you can cast again) may be like 2 minutes.

**Zoopy** · 05-26-2008, 11:18 AM

Necromancer at the moment is the weakest character in game since they have no real Direct Damage spell and only two crowd control spells (depending on what feats you get). Also, unlike other games, pets hold zero aggro. When you send your pets to attack someone the enemy will run straight to you. You do have a spell that increases the aggro of one pet by a huge amount, but it doesn't last long and is on a 2 minute cooldown. Its good for bosses though.

Demonologist is stronger then a Necromancer but are still weak overall.

The Tempest of Set out damages both in terms of spell power.

**Gambit7** · 05-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Zoopy

Necromancer at the moment is the weakest character in game since they have no real Direct Damage spell and only two crowd control spells (depending on what feats you get). Also, unlike other games, pets hold zero aggro. When you send your pets to attack someone the enemy will run straight to you. You do have a spell that increases the aggro of one pet by a huge amount, but it doesn't last long and is on a 2 minute cooldown. Its good for bosses though.

Demonologist is stronger then a Necromancer but are still weak overall.

The Tempest of Set out damages both in terms of spell power.

I heard they're weak until lvl 30. I'll admit, I had problems with my Necros but that's usually because I didnt manage my minions very well, nor time my spells. Ideally, you throw DoTs, have your minions attack, and then run around in circles so you dont get hit (or actively block). I'd say if you wanted more damage in your necro you'd go Reanimation (lots of gnasty DoTs), but if you wanted more survivability (and rooting) you'd go Nightfall (ice).

It's all in how you spec and use your spec. There are tricks to the class obviously:
1) Always send your minions to attack first (some of them have ranged damage by the way; they spit crap out of their mouths)
2) Cast a DoT, THEN root, then cast a direct damage spell... followed by more DoTs while actively blocking or running.
3) Dont take the aggro off a frenzied mob (use DoTs)

and on and on... It's a fun class for sure - not as powerful directly as the Demonologist, but I've heard Demo. is quite "wack-a-mole" at the lower levels. Dunno if that changes at higher lvls.

Btw; ToS does indeed do great damage, but that's only AoE and really only if lightning specced. Demo. have the highest direct dmg.

**SharinganTH1422** · 05-26-2008, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the translations Unload, and the other input from the other guys, but Gambit's left me with more questions:

Root?
AoE?

**daithi1** · 05-26-2008, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by SharinganTH1422

Thanks for the translations Unload, and the other input from the other guys, but Gambit's left me with more questions:

Root?
AoE?

Root them too the spot e.g. freezing/trapping
AoE - Area of Effect - e.g. targeting is a circle and things within circle get hurt. There are other examples.

**Zoopy** · 05-26-2008, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Gambit7

I heard they're weak until lvl 30. I'll admit, I had problems with my Necros but that's usually because I didnt manage my minions very well, nor time my spells. Ideally, you throw DoTs, have your minions attack, and then run around in circles so you dont get hit (or actively block). I'd say if you wanted more damage in your necro you'd go Reanimation (lots of gnasty DoTs), but if you wanted more survivability (and rooting) you'd go Nightfall (ice).

It's all in how you spec and use your spec. There are tricks to the class obviously:
1) Always send your minions to attack first (some of them have ranged damage by the way; they spit crap out of their mouths)
2) Cast a DoT, THEN root, then cast a direct damage spell... followed by more DoTs while actively blocking or running.
3) Dont take the aggro off a frenzied mob (use DoTs)

and on and on... It's a fun class for sure - not as powerful directly as the Demonologist, but I've heard Demo. is quite "wack-a-mole" at the lower levels. Dunno if that changes at higher lvls.

Btw; ToS does indeed do great damage, but that's only AoE and really only if lightning specced. Demo. have the highest direct dmg.

Well my main is a level 40 Necromancer with most points in Nightfall focusing on Unholy damage. Here are the problems I see:

The Frost side of the Nightfall tree is ridiculously weak. It has a nice ranged AoE, thats it. Ice Strike though is the strongest direct damge spell though (Pestilential Blast does nothing). It may get better once your ice DoT gets a movement penalty feat at level 50. The ice root doesn't work at all and is self centered AoE.
Too many self centered AoEs: The Necromancer is squishy, why should he run into melee range?
Mana problems: Fighting two enemies brings me down 2000 mana. I have to rest after every engagement.
The only thing that saves you from being beaten to death in one second is a defensive buff that only lasts 5 minutes.
The Necromancer has 7 buffs at my level. Very annoying.
Your only source of damage really is DoTs, which would be ok if your pets could tank, but they cannot (well, they can every 2 minutes for about 8 seconds).

**SharinganTH1422** · 05-26-2008, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by daithi1

Root them too the spot e.g. freezing/trapping
AoE - Area of Effect - e.g. targeting is a circle and things within circle get hurt. There are other examples.

Thanks, and understood.

**Dr.Zelenka** · 05-27-2008, 05:55 AM

Id say go Demonologist, because the NPC's arent that great when It comes to PvP and as for raids, well if there is a tanker, the NPC's will be kinda useless.

**SharinganTH1422** · 05-27-2008, 07:09 AM

Good input guys, but damn Zoopy, you've confused me with your talk about Tempest of Set being more powerful than a Demonologist, supposedly the most powerful mage, whereas the ToS is just a priest, and if it has better attacking damage, paired with it's healing powers, that would be a potent combination and a half...

I know you're a HoX enthusiast right Zoopy? I was definitely considering that as well...how's that working for you?

**Dr.Zelenka** · 05-27-2008, 08:32 AM

I think the reason they say ToS's are powerfull was because they can throw down infinite totems and do AoE damage, but that will be patched very soon, so I am uncertain.

**h0rcrux** · 11-28-2008, 09:32 PM

Choosing a class in Age of Conan was pretty tough(imo). I considered picking a demonologist but at the second thought, i picked a necro. Demonologist are the most powerful caster class but as someone who likes to solo, having a bunch of minions on your tail is handy. This provides you more options in setting up an encounter.

**Gambit7** · 11-28-2008, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by h0rcrux

Choosing a class in Age of Conan was pretty tough(imo). I considered picking a demonologist but at the second thought, i picked a necro. Demonologist are the most powerful caster class but as someone who likes to solo, having a bunch of minions on your tail is handy. This provides you more options in setting up an encounter.

Demo is pretty "whack-a-mole" until way later in the game when you've got your full skillset. Necro I found engaging from lvl 1, since managing all those minions, DoTs, and buff/debuffs keeps you pretty busy.

If you want a more relaxing playstyle then demo is good. If you want a more battlefield controlling style, necro is the way.