User:Nova/Cryonics

The Cryogenic Nuker relies on the Necromancer skill Spinal Shivers and powerful Water Magic spells to completely devastate the enemy, and suppressing most (if not all) casting from your victim. The Cryogenic Nuker works best in PvP, especially Team Arenas, where battles are shorter and not as energy-consuming.

Equipment

 * Radiant Armor, with a Rune of Vigor and 2 Runes of Attunement.
 * PvP Water Wand of Memory with the "Hale and Hearty" Inscription
 * PvP Frost Artifact of Aptitude with the "Live for Today" Inscription

Usage

 * Before the battle, cast Water Attunement.
 * Select an important enemy spellcaster. Stay back, and when they get close, use Glyph of Lesser Energy and Spinal Shivers, immediately followed by Mind Freeze and Maelstrom.
 * Spam Ice Spear, and use the Glyph of Lesser Energy -> Mind Freeze -> Maelstrom combo as energy and recharge times permit. Don't forget to keep hitting the target with your wand. Renew Spinal Shivers if needed, and try to follow it with Mind Freeze (as a "cover hex") and Maelstrom.
 * If you are beginning to get targeted, use Armor of Mist.

Counters

 * Spikes and focused fire from ranged opponents. This build has little defense.
 * Heavy Hex removal. The danger is the removal of Spinal Shivers. Although Spinal Shivers is your main casting suppressant, Maelstrom, chained with Mind Freeze, can still act as an interrupt. The reason for Spinal Shivers is to stop any defensive casting from the target while you hit it with spells. You still have a chance to kill the target without Spinal Shivers if you're quick enough.
 * Interrupts.
 * Energy Denial, especially from Mesmers, or in the form of Quickening Zephyr.
 * Mantra of Resolve will effectively ruin all interrupting. However, again, if you hit the target fast enough, you may deplete their energy supply, which can be just as effective as interrupts.
 * Stone Striker and similar skills.

Variants

 * Switch out Armor of Mist for Armor of Frost if you are getting hit more by Warriors or Rangers.
 * Replacing Armor of Mist with Swirling Aura can protect against Rangers' Interrupts.
 * Replace Mind Freeze with Shard Storm and Ice Spear with Water Trident. This can add to Knockdowns at the cost of faster snares.
 * Shivers of Dread can replace Spinal Shivers.
 * In Alliance Battles, replace Resurrection Signet with Verata's Aura to wreak havoc for Minion Masters, any spell variant listed here, any other Water Magic spells, Aura of Restoration for self-healing/cover enchantment, etc.
 * Replace Mind Freeze with Deep Freeze for a huge snare if you have the energy, or Ice Prison in TA (since you know no-one else will use Fire Damage). This also frees up an Elite Spot, which you could replace with Water Trident or anything else.
 * If there is heavy Hex removal, replace Ice Spear with Parasitic Bond for a longer and quickly recharging cover hex. Be aware this may not be completely effective, as you don't do damage as often.