Necro needs a class identity refresh much more than any other class after DK

vadritox2 · January 31

I play all type of content in the game (PvE DD, tank, healer, PvP dueling, brawler, bash, WW, HA, bomber, support, pure, subclassed builds), and I recently noticed that Necro is BY FAR the least playable class in the game at the moment. It was already close to that spot prior to subclassing, but with that update it got even worse. Literally the only 2 skills even worth considering to pick from Necro's skillset is Blastbones for PvP brawler/duelling builds and Colossus for bomber builds. Bomber builds are very niche anyways, and Blastboness isn't even that strong, Shalks and Bow Proc are probably better combo/delayed dmg skills anyways.

So, 2 okay-ish skills out of 18 in the class, the rest 16 are mostly useless, because for each one there's already a different and objectively better option in the game. This current state is extremely problematic because due to the corpse mechanic present in all 3 of the Necro skill lines, picking a single line from Necro to subclass makes it already suboptimal as you loose the strong corpse synergy; but on the other hand, a pure Necro build is objectively terrible in all types of content (across both PvP and PvE) as its numbers are simply too low to make it work.

If the Necro identity refresh will take a lot of time, as per the current timeline, I think the class deserves some significant buffs in the very near future at least. However, personally I think it should be the next class to be looked into thoroughly after DK. As things currently stand, all 3 Necro skill lines are one of the worst across all type of content. All other class skill lines in the game (especially in the world post DK update) will have at least 2-3 good skills and be competitive in SOME type of content.

vadritox2 · February 2

The main problem is that even if you assemble an optimized pure necro PvP build which maximizes synergies:
- 4-5 corpse generating skills,
- 2-3 corpse consuming skills,
- Corpsebuster set,
- Nobility in Decay set,
- Vamp spammable,
then its performance is simply AVERAGE, not terrible but also not strong at all - simply painfully average damage, survivability and sustain, all while requiring a very APM-heavy and difficult playstyle (positioning corpses, strategically consuming them). And why would anyone spend effort farming these sets or bothering with such a weird playstyle just to achieve AVERAGE performance at best. Everyone will instead use a generic Assassination / Animal Companion / Storm Calling build and achieve way better damage and sustain, while having a super simple playstyle.

nightbringer1993 · February 2

Four years of necro nerfs, now the class feels like a scam.

This summer once warden and DK would have their refresh, nobody will want a necro tank.

For DD, well poeple don't want them in trial groups, got kicked as a necro but not as an arca or hvy atack sorc.

Then in terms of PvP necro is just dead. I stopped using my necro in pvp since the blastbone nerf in 2024. Oumatched by all other classes, especial ZOS's beloved warden.

Cropseburster got nerfed when they introduced the corpse/pet limitation last year. Now corpses keep on dissappearing and blastbone sometimes won't spawn.

Only grave lord has some worth, but the other two skill lines are outmatched by other classes"s skill lines.

This 12.99€ class is a huge scam nowadays, and ZOS should be ashamed of letting this class in such condition. New players who are paying this class thinking they'll have a necromancer but then end up with a completely messed up "mage". A class that is being discriminated in the game because nobody wants them and the class refresh order will make things worst.

Necro refresh should have been this year, and ZOS once again seriously insuled the players who bought the class or the Elsweyr DLC. Some players have placed a lot of effort all those years on their necros to ultimatly get trashed and unnable to play. So we got scammed and if their are no necro buffs this summer and that I see this game full of wardens, the class I hate the most, I guess I will seriously reduce my play time in ESO.

Silvains_Demon · February 7

This was my attempt at fixing the class:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/683786/necromancer-rework-idea-consumable-minions#latest

i_azazei_i · February 24

My biggest fear for the rework is that they'll lean even harder into tanking. Almost every time they've added something to necro over the past few years its been tank related. Even the class mastery teaser showed a tank skill. Like cmon zos I dont want to play tank its boring. Let my master of arcane necro do good damage with summons and corpses with a staff instead of being laughed out of trial groups for playing a tank class as dps.

i_azazei_i · February 24

Silvains_Demon wrote: »

This was my attempt at fixing the class:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/683786/necromancer-rework-idea-consumable-minions#latest

After giving your post a thorough read I have to say, no notes, if zos copy pasted your ideas as the rework id have no complaints at all. It looks eclxactly like a necromancer should look in practice.

@ZOS_Kevin reach out to this player, they have a very solid idea on how necro should work without simply copy pasting other games takes on them.

Silvains_Demon · February 25

i_azazei_i wrote: »

Silvains_Demon wrote: »

This was my attempt at fixing the class:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/683786/necromancer-rework-idea-consumable-minions#latest

After giving your post a thorough read I have to say, no notes, if zos copy pasted your ideas as the rework id have no complaints at all. It looks eclxactly like a necromancer should look in practice.

@ZOS_Kevin reach out to this player, they have a very solid idea on how necro should work without simply copy pasting other games takes on them.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! That means a lot to hear

React · February 25

Can't help but agree that Necro was in need of the rework more than any other class, by a wide margin. It really is a shame to see it so late on the schedule for reworks.

i_azazei_i · February 25

Silvains_Demon wrote: »

i_azazei_i wrote: »

Silvains_Demon wrote: »

This was my attempt at fixing the class:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/683786/necromancer-rework-idea-consumable-minions#latest

After giving your post a thorough read I have to say, no notes, if zos copy pasted your ideas as the rework id have no complaints at all. It looks eclxactly like a necromancer should look in practice.

@ZOS_Kevin reach out to this player, they have a very solid idea on how necro should work without simply copy pasting other games takes on them.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! That means a lot to hear

No problem! I always want to give excellent ideas the praise they deserve and your idea is fantastic!

Urzigurumash · February 25

React wrote: »

Can't help but agree that Necro was in need of the rework more than any other class, by a wide margin. It really is a shame to see it so late on the schedule for reworks.

Fingers crossed it gets Deep Fissure and Surprise Attack

i_azazei_i · February 25

React wrote: »

Can't help but agree that Necro was in need of the rework more than any other class, by a wide margin. It really is a shame to see it so late on the schedule for reworks.

My only hope is that its so far back is because they know it needs the most work

Wup_sa · February 25

i_azazei_i wrote: »

React wrote: »

Can't help but agree that Necro was in need of the rework more than any other class, by a wide margin. It really is a shame to see it so late on the schedule for reworks.

My only hope is that its so far back is because they know it needs the most work

Prepare to be disappointed

i_azazei_i · February 26

Wup_sa wrote: »

i_azazei_i wrote: »

React wrote: »

Can't help but agree that Necro was in need of the rework more than any other class, by a wide margin. It really is a shame to see it so late on the schedule for reworks.

My only hope is that its so far back is because they know it needs the most work

Prepare to be disappointed

Im always ready for disappointment with these updates. Have been since 35.

Jestir · February 27

I'm pretty sure it's so late in the reworks because like arc it already has a dedicated "class mechanic" in the corpse mech and summons....... ignoring that doesn't work correctly half the time for various reasons

GloatingSwine · 9:57AM

nightbringer1993 wrote: »

Four years of necro nerfs, now the class feels like a scam.

This summer once warden and DK would have their refresh, nobody will want a necro tank.

Until any other class can provide both major and minor vulnerability in an AoE that all comes off of frost damage so it has a chance of also producing Chilled when you stack it into Blockade, Grave Lord is going to remain a valued skill line for tanks.

DK is going to be yeeted from tanks after the rework because they've broken up the utility Earthen Heart used to provide and made some of it much more annoying to activate.

Likewise the relatively strong AoE of Renewing Undeath and the passives that give ult and a chance to crit heal at low health are going to keep Living Death in the fight for healers.

In terms of providing good value and utlity to support classes, Necro is actually about as valuable as Warden.

The class that needed rework the most was Sorcerer. Partly because finding a better path for permanent summons than having to double bar them and giving up all your slots would also have provided a foundation for a better Warden and Necromancer, and because Dark Magic is a nonexistent skill line with no value for anyone anywhere.

YandereGirlfriend · 6:53PM

I think that ZOS has been made to understand that players want more self-corpses, and, ideally, placing corpses on enemies as well, to better make use of the otherwise terminally clunky corpse abilities.

It is highly unlikely that they scrap the entire corpse mechanic but moving away from the restrictive ground-based targeting system for them opens up a lot of improved gameplay possibilities for all modes.