Diablo 4 Necromancer Build Guide

The Necromancer build in Diablo 4 is one of the most popular – and let’s face it: the coolest – builds in the game. The Necromancer stands alongside the Sorcerer as one of the most formidable classes. It possesses the ability to cast spells, inflict debilitating debuffs on enemies, and raise a formidable army of skeletons. This class offers an accessible playstyle, as your skeletons will largely carry out your commands.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more active approach, you can opt to forego the use of minions and instead use the blood and corpses of your foes to unleash devastating attacks. The Necromancer excels at dealing significant damage both to single targets and in area-of-effect situations, making it a versatile class. However, it lacks a clear escape mechanism, which should be taken into account when devising your own builds.

Here are the top Necromancer skills to acquire in Diablo 4.

Best Diablo 4 Necromancer Build: The Minions Build!

How to create the best Diablo 4 Skeleton and Minion Necromancer build:

Bone Splinters → Enhanced Bone Splinters → Initiates Bone Splinters
Bone Spear → Enhanced Bone Spear → Supernatural Bone Spear
Skeletal Warrior Mastery 3/3 (Skeletal Warriors – Reaper: Reapers have a 15% chance to carve the flesh off of enemies, forming a Corpse)
Iron Maiden → Enhanced Iron Maiden → Horrid Iron Maiden
Amplify Damage 3/3
Skeletal Mage Mastery 3/3 (Skeletal Mages – Bone: Reduce the Life cost of your Bone Mages’ attack from 15% to 10%. After being alive for 5 seconds, Bone Mages deal 40% increased damage.)
Serration → Compound Fracture → Evulsion
Army of the Dead → Prime Army of the Dead → Supreme Army of the Dead
Golem Mastery 3/3 (Golem – Bone: Each time your Bone Golem takes 20% of its Maximum Life as damage, it sheds a Corpse)
Kalan’s Edict

Best Diablo 4 Necromancer Build: The Solo Build

How to create the best Diablo 4 Necromancer solo build:

Bone Splinters → Enhanced Bone Splinters → Initiates Bone Splinters
Bone Spear → Enhanced Bone Spear → Supernatural Bone Spear
Blood Surge → Enhanced Blood Surge → Paranormal Blood Surge (Skeletal Warriors – Skirmishers: Your Critical Strike is increased by 5%, but you can no longer raise Skeletal Warriors)
Corpse Explosion → Enhanced Corpse Explosion → Blighted Corpse Explosion
Iron Maiden → Enhanced Iron Maiden → Abhorrent Iron Maiden
Decrepify → Enhanced Decrepify
Serration → Compound Fracture → Evulsion (Skeletal Mages – Bone Mages: Your Overpower damage is increased by 30%, but you can no longer raise Skeletal Mages.)
Bone Storm → Prime Bone Storm → Supreme Bone Storm (Golem – Iron: You deal x30% Critical Strike Damage, but lose the ability to summon a Golem)
Ossified Essence

Making a Kick-Ass Necromancer Build in Diablo 4

A Necromancer lives and dies on their master over the dead. So, to build a strong Necromancer character, investing in Skeleton Warrior and Skeleton Mage Mastery should be a priority. Among the basic skills, Bone Splinters is particularly effective for inflicting Vulnerable on enemies, causing them to take 20% more damage from both you and your skeletons.

Skeletons not only act as a shield against bosses but can also serve as effective tanks, depending on how you specialize them, especially when you venture alone. There are three distinct specialization paths for Skeletal Warriors and Mages, each offering unique benefits. Experimenting with these paths will play a crucial role in tackling World Events in Sanctuary.

Debuffs play a significant role for the Necromancer. Utilizing skills like Iron Maiden to increase the damage inflicted by you and your army of undead is highly advantageous. Combining this skill with Amplify Damage will greatly enhance your overall damage output.

As previously stated, Necromancers have the option to get rid of their reliable skeletons. In such cases, it is advisable to create a build resembling that of a Sorcerer and employ debuffs like Decrepify and Iron Maiden alongside Corpse Explosion. Moreover, acquiring Enhanced Blood Surge will provide some additional survivability. Although the Necromancer can withstand more damage than a Sorcerer, it is not as resilient as a Barbarian and possesses fewer escape options compared to a Rogue.

Necromancers could be proactive as well!

You can augment the effectiveness of your skills by utilizing aspects, which are passive abilities found on gear that can be removed and applied to better equipment. Here’s how the process works.

When it comes to Glyphs, it is crucial to choose appropriate Glyphs for each specific build. For builds centered around Skeletons or Minions, prioritizing Rare Glyphs like Corporeal, Warrior, and Dead Raiser is recommended.

For those opting to play without Minions, investing in Sacrificial and Exploit Glyphs is advised. Exploit, in particular, is generally a good choice as it increases damage against Vulnerable enemies, which is a crucial status effect in Diablo 4 for any build. As for Legendary Glyphs, a similar approach applies. Selecting Legendary Glyphs such as Bone Graft for Bone-focused builds and Cult Leader for Minion-based builds is a logical decision.

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FAQs

What is the role of skeletons in a Necromancer build in Diablo 4?

Skeletons play a vital role in a Necromancer build, acting as allies that can deal damage and provide a buffer against bosses.

Can I choose to play without skeletons in a Necromancer build?

Yes, you have the option to forgo using skeletons in a Necromancer build. You can focus on utilizing debuffs and skills like Corpse Explosion for a different playstyle.

How can aspects enhance the power of my Necromancer skills in Diablo 4?

Aspects are passive abilities found on gear that can be transferred to better equipment. By using aspects, you can further enhance the effectiveness of your Necromancer skills.