Considering that the newly introduced especs always seem to be a lovechild of the core profession with another class, we recently have... Reaper, necromancer + warrior, getting GS and shouts focussing on melee damage (power DPS/bruiser type) Scourge, necromancer + mesmer, getting torch and desert shroud being a mix of shroud and phantasms. The utilities are also pretty much manipulation skills by their "good for me, bad for you" philosophy (midrange condi/support type) What necro is still lacking is some kind of ranged spec. Therefore my guess is the new weapon being the longbow.It could be the espec resulting out of an affair between our beloved core necromancer with the ranger class. Class mechanic suggestion: your own, personal jes-... ehm... minion.Shroud is replaced by an "animal companion" like Minion, who's there to protect you and getting in the middle of the fight. The life force mechanic is there to fuel your Minion, making it stronger the more life force you gather. By controlling your Minion you spend said life force. F1-F5 skills could be the attack/come back order, one trait-influenced big hitter and some nifty skills to protect the necromancer.Bow skills could be long ranged dps (either raw power or maybe condi/hybrid damage with condition like torment and bleeding, some CC and one "oh shit, lemme get outta here"-button.Utility skills could be commando skills inspired by the ranger utilities, giving you further options to control your minion(s) for offensive or defensive purposes.Considering this, an overhaul of the already existing minions of core necromancer would be amazing or giving their active skills to the new minion instead (maybe with a reduced CD or further effects).
I would say its closer to necro/guardian. Reaper GS has almost the exact same skills as guard GS.1 Strong auto2 strong spinning move3 mid range ability that applies a debilitating condition4 AOE field5 a pull It also has modifiers off chill, much like guard has modifiers off burning. Also I get everyone's obsession with minions but I hope that is the exactly what the spec doesn't get. On the other hand the shouts are more offensive in contrast to Guardian shouts and similar to warrior shouts. Well, It's not really important at this point, but we can agree on especs being merged versions of two classes ?