User:Rastamon/buildarchive/Build:N/Me SS Nuker

The SS Nuker is a popular PvE build, used in both farming groups and storyline progression. With proper aggro control, an SS Nuker is a devastating weapon against computer-controlled groups.

Equipment

 * Necromancer armor of personal preference.
 * a 20/20 cold damage weapon and 20/20 offhand, such as the Wailing Wand from Gertrud or Telamon and Villnar's Glove or The Shadestone (as long as you have 9 blood magic).
 * The Stonereaper is also good for this build, however it deals dark damage that will not trigger Spinal Shivers. Therefore you might also consider its collector counterparts.

Usage

 * Be conscious of the aggro distribution around the tanking characters. The success of this build relies on proper placement of Spiteful Spirit, and poor placement can be the difference between eliminating the group and a wasted spell.
 * Before battle, cast Awaken the Blood, followed by Arcane Echo.
 * Choose a target and cast Spiteful Spirit, followed by Reckless Haste. Assassins are ideal targets, due to their higher attack speed.
 * Select a second nearby target and cast a second Spiteful Spirit.
 * Cast Spiteful Spirit on any remaining foes as energy and recharging skills allow.
 * Cast Spinal Shivers on any monk targets standing after the initial hexes, and attack them with a cold-damage weapon.
 * Blood Ritual is used as a quick supply of energy for the party.
 * Enfeebling Blood should be used as a protective measure.

Variants

 * Replace Enfeebling Blood, Spinal Shivers, or Blood Ritual with:
 * Parasitic Bond should you need a cover hex or healing.
 * Suffering for additional degeneration.
 * Defile Enchantments or Desecrate Enchantments for additional spike damage.
 * Putrid Explosion and move some points to Death Magic for a strong finishing spike.
 * Consume Corpse for Corpse control.
 * Price of Failure for additional damage with Reckless Haste.
 * Strip Enchantment or Revealed Enchantment for control of strong enchanted foes.
 * Mark of Pain for additional pressure when your party deals physical damage.
 * Insidious Parasite or Vampiric Gaze for dealing with one or sometimes two scattering enemies.
 * Enfeebling blood and Oppressive Gaze combine well for spike damage and life stealing.
 * When farming The Deep, bring Blood Renewal instead of Awaken the Blood for self healing.
 * For Prophecies only characters, replace Reckless Haste with Parasitic Bond for additional self-healing.
 * Move a few points from Soul Reaping and Blood Magic to Inspiration Magic and use Auspicious Incantation on the echoed version of SS for better energy management.