The Ultimate Guide to the Best Necro Builds in D2R
Last updated: 4/9/2024
The Necromancer, summoning undead minions and cursing his enemeies are his specialties. Master of the dark arts and commander of the undead, harnesses the power of death itself to overcome the forces of evil in Diablo 2. This guide will delve into the top Necromancer builds - Summoner, Poison Nova, and Bone - detailing the best farming spots, essential gear, and strategies to dominate the battlefield with your undead horde.
Summoner Necro Build
The Summoner Necromancer commands an army of skeletons and other minions to overwhelm enemies with sheer numbers and relentless attacks.
Key Skills
Suggested Items
Helmet: Harlequin Crest Shako Defense: 98-140 Durability: 12 of 12 Required Strength: 50 Required Level: 62 +2 to All Skills +2 to all Attributes +1.5 to Life (Based on Character Level) +1.5 to Mana (Based on Character Level) Damage Reduced by 10% 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shield: Homunculus Hierophant Trophy Defense: 177-212 Chance to Block: 72% Durability: 20 of 20 (Necromancer Only) Required Strength: 58 Required Level: 42 +2 to Curses (Necromancer Only) +2 to Necromancer Skill Levels +30% Faster Block Rate 40% Increased Chance of Blocking +150-199% Enhanced Defense +20 to Energy Regenerate Mana 33% All Resistances +40 +5 to Mana after each Kill
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope Amulet Required Level: 67 +2 to All Skills +5 to all Attributes All Resistances +30
Sunder Charm: Bone Break Grand Charm Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus Required Level: 75 Monster Physical Immunity is Sundered Physical Damage Received Reduced by -11-20%
Summoner Necromancer Tips
Your undead army is your shield and sword. Use Golems and Skelebobs to take and give damage.
Boom with
Curse your enemies with
Stay Alive. Gear up for survival. Faster casting, more mana, better resistances.
A tough mercenary is a game-changer. Equip them to last.
Best Farming Areas for a Summoner Necro in D2R
Act 2 - Ancient Tunnels in the Lost City - No Cold Immune enemies here, making it perfect for your minions. The area is known for its high-level loot possibilities.
Act 1 - The Mausoleum in the Burial Grounds - With easy-to-kill enemies and a chance for high-level drops, The Mausoleum is a great spot for loot hunting with your undead army.
Act 3 - Travincal - Excellent for summoners looking to take on the Council Members packed with loot. Your minions can easily handle them, making it an ideal spot for wealth and experience.
Act 4 - River of Flame & Chaos Sanctuary - These areas offer a mix of challenges and rewards. Perfect for summoners to showcase their might against hordes of demons and Diablo himself, while securing some serious loot.
Raise Skeleton
Corpse Explosion
Poison Necro Build
The Poison Nova Necromancer spreads deadly toxins, causing enemies to wither away over time, while also utilizing curses to weaken and control foes.
Key Skills
Suggested Items
Weapon: Death's Web Unearthed Wand One-Hand Damage: 22 to 28 Durability: 18 of 18 Required Strength: 25 Required Level: 66 Staff Class - Fast Attack Speed +2 To All Skills +2 To Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only) -40-49% To Enemy Poison Resistance +7-12 To Mana After Each Kill +7-12 Life After Each Kill +50% Damage to Undead
Helmet: Harlequin Crest Shako Defense: 98-140 Durability: 12 of 12 Required Strength: 50 Required Level: 62 +2 to All Skills +2 to all Attributes +1.5 to Life (Based on Character Level) +1.5 to Mana (Based on Character Level) Damage Reduced by 10% 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope Amulet Required Level: 67 +2 to All Skills +5 to all Attributes All Resistances +30
Ring: The Stone of Jordan Ring Required Level: 29 +1 to All Skills Adds 1-12 lightning damage +20 to Mana Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Sunder Charm: Rotting Fissure Grand Charm Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus Required Level: 75 Monster Poison Immunity is Sundered Poison Resist -71-80%
Poison Necro Tips
Maximize your poison damage and synergies to ensure
Best Farming Areas for a Poison Necro in D2R
Act 3 - The Lower Kurast Super Chests - The Super Chests here can drop high runes for crafting or trading. Plus, with a relatively low monster density, it's a walk in the park (or jungle) for your necro.
Act 1 - The Pit in the Tamoe Highland - This area is fantastic for magic find runs. High-level item drops make it a lucrative spot for your necro's farming routine.
Act 4 - Chaos Sanctuary - It's a great place to farm not only for the sheer variety of items but also for the experience. Just remember to bring your A-game.
Act 1 - Andariel's Lair - Andariel herself. She's got a thing for poison, but ironically, she's quite vulnerable to it. Farming Andariel can be especially profitable for finding unique and set items.
Bone Necro Build
The Bone Necromancer harnesses the power of bone magic to deal devastating ranged damage and control the battlefield with bone walls and prisons.
Key Skills
Suggested Items
Helmet: Harlequin Crest Shako Defense: 98-140 Durability: 12 of 12 Required Strength: 50 Required Level: 62 +2 to All Skills +2 to all Attributes +1.5 to Life (Based on Character Level) +1.5 to Mana (Based on Character Level) Damage Reduced by 10% 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope Amulet Required Level: 67 +2 to All Skills +5 to all Attributes All Resistances +30
Ring: The Stone of Jordan Ring Required Level: 29 +1 to All Skills Adds 1-12 lightning damage +20 to Mana Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Sunder Charm: Black Cleft Grand Charm Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus Required Level: 75 Monster Magic Immunity is Sundered Magic Resist -46-55%
Bone Necromancer Tips
Focus on boosting your bone spells and synergies to increase their damage and effectiveness. Utilize
Best Farming Spots for a Solo Bone Necro
Act 2 - The Ancient Tunnels - Low immunity to magic, making it ripe for your Bone Spear and Bone Spirit spells.
Act 1 - The Pit - High monster density with minimal magic immunes, perfect for leveling and loot hunting.
Act 3 - Lower Kurast (LK) - Fast and efficient for targeting Super Chests, with easy enemies for quick Bone spell farming.
Act 5 - Pindleskin - Near the Nihlathak's Temple waypoint, Pindleskin is easy to reach and can be quickly taken down with your bone spells, offering high-quality drops.
Necromancer Mercenary
For a Necromancer, especially one focusing on a summoning build, the
If you're focusing on a build that requires better crowd control or if you find yourself needing more survivability, the
Helmet: Andariel's Visage Demonhead Defense: 310-387 Durability: 20 of 20 Required Strength: 102 Required Level: 83 15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck +2 to All Skills +20% Increased Attack Speed 10% Life stolen per hit +100-150% Enhanced Defense +25-29 to Strength +10% to Maximum Poison Resist Fire Resist -30% Poison Resist +70% Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges) Vampire Gaze Grim Helm Defense: 252 Durability: 40 of 40 Required Strength: 58 Required Level: 41 Adds 6-22 cold damage 6-8% Mana stolen per hit 6-8% Life stolen per hit +100% Enhanced Defense 15% Slower Stamina Drain Damage Reduced by 15-19% Magic Damage Reduced by 10-15 Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest Death Mask Defense: 99-131 Durability: 20 of 20 Required Strength: 55 Required Level: 66 10% Mana stolen per hit 10% Life stolen per hit +45 Defense +60 to Life +30 to Mana All Resistances +15
Playstyles & Strategies
Early on, focus on building a strong base of minions to tank and deal damage for you.
Use curses strategically to debuff groups of enemies or tough bosses, making them easier for your minions to handle.
Positioning is key; stay behind your minions and use your spells to support them or deal damage from a distance.
When playing with others, the Necromancer can play a supportive role with curses and minions, or focus on dealing damage with Poison and Bone spells.
Always consider allocating some points into Golem skills for additional tanking options and utility.
