New Necro questions

[Brpster0518]

Hi, I am returning to EQ and haven't played since 2007. There is so much that has changed and I have many questions. I have looked up things online, looked through the forums and most of the info online anyway is outdated. I know I should specialize in Conjuration at 20, until I get higher level and then change to Alteration with conjuration secondary. I have also never played a necro before, but given the state of the game, I know I will have to go it alone for awhile until I catch up. Mercs are new to me, all this new armor stuff is new, and everything is old, but new. So how does one go about being a necro with mercs? I currently have a healer merc out, but on passive, except for buffs. I read somewhere to keep one out to get their AAs built up so that they are still useful at higher levels. I have also read that kiting and root rot are long gone. I've heard that as I get higher that crafted gear is better than mage summoned gear, so what trade skills should I focus on? I've heard defiant gear is horrid after level 70, but I don't understand the armor after level 70, how do I get gear after 70? Can my pet and I handle names if only group geared. (I'm on FV so I should be able to get some decent pet focus to help out), so much to learn, and not a lot of help online anymore. What spell rotation? How many dang AAs does one have these days, and which AAs are best to use? Where do you get gear for your merc? Which merc is best for a necro? I'm sure I have many more questions, but I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet, so brain isn't at full functioning power. As I said, I play on FV, name is Xandrilla, currently level 12 and hollowing the heroic quests in Crescent Reach. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ravanta Suffer]

Tank mercs are definitely the way to go at lower levels if you want the "best" merc. I'm not sure on the exact level where it starts becoming not as good, but it's something like level 60.

A lot of the comments you're talking about are for the higher level game. For example you mentioned that kiting and root rot are long gone. That doesn't really change until you level up. Exp wise, root rot is still completely viable and in many respects better than anything else at several points of the game, even a relatively high level. It all depends on many factors really. Above everything else, if you're able to group with people for experience, do that, it's always best. The grouping exp bonus absolutely makes it worth it, and it's more fun anyway. But since you're playing FV EQ is likely going to be a solo game for quite a while, unless you can get lucky and come across someone that is leveling up an alt.

I wouldn't sweat the pet focuses at the level ranges you're talking about. Sure, they are technically better but you'll never see any actual difference with them until around level 85 or so.

Don't worry about aa until much later. At your level range you're going to be for a while you will be autogranted all the aa you need for a very long time.

 

[Iven]

Hi, I am returning to EQ and haven't played since 2007.

WeLcOmE bAcK !!1

I have looked up things online, looked through the forums and most of the info online anyway is outdated.

You should check out my website and the Newbie Quick Start Guide there.
It got made by a n00b for n00bz.
ZAM (Allakhazam's Magic Realm), EQ Resource, Fanra's, and Bonzz's
EverQuest encyclopedia sites are also up to date.

I know I should specialize in Conjuration at 20, until I get higher level and then change to Alteration with conjuration secondary.

Stick to Alteration right from the start. Conjuration is secondary.

I have also never played a necro before, but given the state of the game, I know I will have to go it alone for awhile until I catch up.

Even after you catch up, this can still happen. Aside from the raids,
the game is pretty much a single player game now.

So how does one go about being a necro with mercs? I currently have a healer merc out, but on passive, except for buffs. I read somewhere to keep one out to get their AAs built up so that they are still useful at higher levels.

Stay with the healer, as you can only heal your pet, not a merc, without boxing.
You can use a DPS Merc later when your pet gets stronger.

I have also read that kiting and root rot are long gone.

Both still work, but are less effective at higher levels as the pet gets stronger.

I've heard that as I get higher that crafted gear is better than mage summoned gear, so what trade skills should I focus on? I've heard defiant gear is horrid after level 70, but I don't understand the armor after level 70, how do I get gear after 70? Can my pet and I handle names if only group geared.

These are two different pairs of shoes. Crafted gear is usually for the PC,
and summoned gear is for the pet. However, there are players who use
crafted gear for their pets. Defiant gear can be a cheaper way to equip pets.
Most power will come from AAs, pet focus earrings, and PC gear, not pet gear.

Where do you get gear for your merc?

Bazaar. You can also buy your first merc gear in Ethernal Tainted West Karana
with the correct alternative currency at about level 75. It's tradeable I think,
especially on FV, so check the bazaar for it or grind Heroic Adventures at lvl 75
and higher.

Which merc is best for a necro? I'm sure I have many more questions, but I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet, so brain isn't at full functioning power. As I said, I play on FV, name is Xandrilla, currently level 12 and hollowing the heroic quests in Crescent Reach. Thanks in advance.

Coffee can be good against big walls of text.

 

[Ravanta Suffer]

I think you got confused on what level they are. They say at the end of their post they are currently level 12. They definitely want a tank merc. They don't even need to use a pet for a while, the tank merc is hilariously OP at low levels.

 

[Nira]

Tank merc can solo into the 60s easily. When you hit TSS or so you’ll probably have to start kiting. From there on it’s healer merc if you have one out.

Also try mischief, it’s like fv but better

 

[fransisco]

After your tank merc wears out and your soloing, see if you can avoid a merc. They will take 50% of your experience, so if you are not killing twice as fast with the merc - then its slowing you down.