Build:Scourge - LI Necromancer

The community gave this build a rating, making it top-tier: Great

Focused on: Condition damage and Low intensity

Designed for: Open World and [[|]]

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

TBD

This build was last updated on January 13, 2023 and is up to date for the October 8, 2024 patch.

Overview

A minion centric condition damage necromancer build featuring really high defense and decent sustain. Can be played as scourge or core necromancer.

Scourge does more damage but has to use ground target abilities often, which can be problematic for LI. While core necromancer is more LI friendly.

What is LI?

LI stands for "Low-Intensity". LI builds are a class of builds that work to slow the game down drastically by using passive defense and builds that require very low input to function. These builds are designed primarily for players that have disabilities that may prevent them from playing higher intensity builds, though they are here for any player who wishes to play them.

LI builds function quite well on their own and are created to be equivalent to our General or Roaming build section. They typically do not output especially high DPS and focus on gear with passive defense

Skill Bar

Scepter/Torch

Staff

Utility

Template Code

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Specializations

Spec Variant

If using Core Necromancer, replace Scourge with Soul Reaping. Some may prefer this variant due to its lack of reliance on Ground-Target abilities. If using this variant, replace your Torch with an offhand Dagger.

Equipment

Ascended gear is not required. This set up has incredibly high toughness and also decent damage.

Head
Trailblazer

Shoulders
Trailblazer

Chest
Trailblazer

Hands
Trailblazer

Legs
Trailblazer

Feet
Trailblazer

Backpiece
Trailblazer

Accessory
Trailblazer

Accessory
Trailblazer

Amulet
Trailblazer

Ring
Trailblazer

Ring
Trailblazer

Scepter
Trailblazer

Torch
Trailblazer

Sigil

Sigil

Staff
Trailblazer

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

• Budget: Dire is a very cheap alternative which is just as tanky. However, it lacks expertise to increase the duration (and thus damage) of your skills. If you are capable of using your damage skills, upgrading to Trailblazer should be your goal.
• Damage: Mix in Viper for increased DPS. Additionally, feel free to change the runes to Rune of Superior Rune of the Lich or Rune of Superior Rune of the Nightmare for a large damage increase.
• You could also use Rune of Superior Rune of Vampirism which works great when killing trash mobs and has great synergy with Blood Bank, but it has less defense than Undead runes.

Consumables

You should consider consumables that increase your defense, such as , or use consumables that increase your damage, such as and . When farming for profit, use and . In general, you should always use Ascended Food over non-ascended consumables when it is available.

Usage

This build offers usage based on tiers of comfort. Find a tier that works for you.

Tier 1

Auto-attack with scepter and use Manifest Sand Shade to benefit from Sand Sage and Blood as Sand. Since Manifest Sand Shade is a very good skill, consider changing your keybinds to put this skill on a key you are capable to comfortably press relatively often. If you struggle using this ground targetted skill, you can try activating Snap Ground Target to Current Target in the Combat/Movement section of the General Options, which places all your ground targeted skills directly on your target.

If using core necromancer, instead use Death Shroud and use your shroud autoattack which is empowered by Dhuumfire. Consider changing your keybinds to put Death Shroud on a key you can use comfortably or click it with the mouse if possible.

Tier 2

As in Tier 1, but add Desert Shroud off cooldown, ensuring you or one of your shades is next to the enemy when it is cast.

If using Core Necromancer, instead add Tainted Shackles to your shroud rotation.

Tier 3

As in Tier 2, but use Feast of Corruption off cooldown for damage and life force. Don't start fights with Feast of Corruption because it works best when the enemy is already suffering from conditions.

Tier 4

As in Tier 3, but use Harrowing Wave and Oppressive Collapse off cooldown.

If using Core Necromancer, instead add Dark Path to your Shroud rotation, but don't use the follow up skill Dark Pursuit.

Tier 5

As in Tier 4, but use Grasping Dead off cooldown. When low on life force, command your Shadow Fiend to use Haunt.

Other Builds

If comfortable with the tiers above, consider Scourge - Condi Scourge