Embark on a journey to master the Necromancer in Diablo 2 Resurrected! This guide details skills, stats, gear, and farming for efficient leveling to 99.
Overview of the Necromancer Class
The Necromancer in Diablo 2 is a master of the dark arts, commanding armies of the undead and wielding potent bone and poison spells. This class excels at both summoning and direct damage, offering versatile gameplay. Necromancers thrive on controlling the battlefield, utilizing minions to tank damage while delivering ranged attacks. They are particularly strong against physical-immune monsters, thanks to their poison and bone skills.
Leveling a Necromancer involves choosing a specialization – Summoner or Bone – each with unique strengths. Effective Necromancer play requires strategic minion management and understanding enemy weaknesses.
Why Choose a Necromancer for Leveling?
The Necromancer offers a relatively safe and efficient leveling experience in Diablo 2. Summoners can create a protective barrier with minions, reducing direct player risk. Bone Necromancers boast strong ranged damage, allowing for clear speeds.
This class doesn’t heavily rely on finding exceptional gear early on; summoned creatures compensate for equipment deficiencies. The Necromancer’s ability to bypass physical immunities with poison and bone spells provides access to a wider range of farming locations. It’s a forgiving class, ideal for players new to Diablo 2.
Early Game Leveling (Levels 1-30)
Focus on Raise Skeleton and Corpse Explosion for swift clearing. Prioritize vitality and energy, then strength for gear. Farm Act I & II efficiently.
Skill Allocation ⎯ Early Focus
Initially, invest heavily in Raise Skeleton, aiming for at least 10 points by level 20. This forms the core of your early damage output. Simultaneously, put points into Corpse Explosion; even a single point unlocks its potential, scaling with skeleton kills. Don’t neglect Skeleton Mastery, adding 1-2 points to boost minion life and damage. A point or two in Clay Golem provides valuable slowing and damage absorption.
Avoid spreading points too thinly. Prioritize these core skills over others until level 30, ensuring a solid foundation for summoning and efficient corpse clearing. Resist the temptation to experiment with bone skills prematurely.
Stat Allocation ⎯ Initial Priorities
Strength should be raised only to meet gear requirements – avoid excessive investment. Dexterity is largely unnecessary for a summoner Necromancer; ignore it initially. Prioritize Vitality for maximum survivability, allocating the majority of your points here. This ensures your Necromancer can withstand early-game damage.
Energy is less crucial, as mana can be managed with potions. A small investment (around 10-20 points by level 30) can be helpful, but don’t overcommit. Focus relentlessly on Vitality to create a durable character capable of withstanding frequent attacks.
Essential Gear for Levels 1-30
Prioritize gear with +Skills, especially to Summoning or Bone skills, depending on your chosen build. Look for items with Faster Cast Rate to speed up spellcasting. Early on, any armor offering resistances is valuable. A Staff or Wand with +Skills or mana regeneration is beneficial.
Don’t hesitate to use vendor items until better drops appear. Rings and amulets with life or mana are helpful. Focus on survivability and boosting your core skill damage. Remember, consistent upgrades are key during this leveling phase.
Effective Farming Locations ─ Act I & II
Act I’s Blood Moor and Dark Wood are excellent for early experience, focusing on Fallen and Ghouls. The Cemetery and Burial Grounds offer more challenging encounters. In Act II, the Tal Rasha’s Tombs provide good monster density and potential for rune drops.
Arcane Sanctuary is also effective, but beware of the ghosts. Prioritize areas with manageable monster levels and quick clear times. Efficient farming maximizes experience gains and gear acquisition during these crucial early levels.
Mid-Game Leveling (Levels 30-60)
Transitioning between builds is key! Focus on refining your Summoner or Bone skills, optimizing stats, and acquiring key runewords for increased efficiency.
Transitioning Skill Builds ⎯ Summoner vs. Bone
At level 30, a crucial decision arises: commit to Summoner or Bone Necromancer. Summoner excels with Skeleton Mastery and Raise Skeleton, creating a resilient army. Bone builds thrive on Bone Spear and Bone Spirit, offering potent ranged damage.
Consider your playstyle. Summoner is safer, relying on minions to tank, while Bone demands precise positioning and timing. Synergies matter; invest in skills that amplify your chosen path. A hybrid approach is possible, but dilutes focus. Prioritize one specialization for optimal leveling speed and efficiency during this mid-game phase.
Stat Allocation ⎯ Adjusting for Mid-Game
From levels 30-60, adjust stat allocation based on your build. For Summoners, prioritize Vitality for minion survivability and your own. Bone Necromancers still need Vitality, but can invest more in Energy for frequent spellcasting.
Strength should only be raised to gear requirements. Dexterity is generally unnecessary. Focus on maximizing Life to withstand increased monster damage. Resistances become crucial; allocate points as needed to cap key defenses. Remember, a balanced approach ensures both survivability and damage output throughout the mid-game progression.
Key Runewords for Levels 30-60
During mid-game, several runewords significantly boost a Necromancer’s power. “Leaf” (Tir + Ral) in a staff provides increased mana regeneration, vital for Bone builds. “Stealth” (Tal + Eth) in armor offers faster run/walk speed and enhanced defense.
For summoners, “Spirit” (Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn) in a shield grants resistances and mana. Prioritize finding bases for these runewords. These runewords offer substantial improvements to survivability, mana management, and overall efficiency, accelerating your leveling process through challenging areas.
Farming Strategies ─ Countess, Andariel, Mephisto Runs
Efficient leveling relies on targeted farming. Countess runs (Normal/Nightmare) provide runes for early runewords like “Leaf” and “Stealth”. Andariel (Nightmare) is a quick source of experience and items, especially for summoners needing early gear.
Mephisto runs (Nightmare) offer excellent experience and valuable magic items. Prioritize these locations, optimizing your route for speed. Utilize Town Portals frequently to maximize efficiency. These focused farming strategies will dramatically accelerate your progress through the mid-game levels.
Late-Game Leveling (Levels 60-90+)
Maximize efficiency by focusing on Baal, Diablo, and Pindleskin runs. Optimize your build—summoner or bone—and refine stat allocation for peak performance.
Optimizing Summoner Build
For the Summoner Necromancer, maximizing minion strength is paramount in the late game. Prioritize skills like Raise Skeleton, Skeleton Mastery, and Clay Golem. Invest heavily in synergies to amplify their damage and survivability. Corpse Explosion becomes crucial for clearing large packs quickly, utilizing the corpses your minions create.
Consider the +Skills gear to boost minion stats significantly. A well-managed army, combined with strategic positioning, allows for safe and efficient farming of high-level areas. Don’t neglect curses like Amplify Damage to further enhance your minions’ offensive capabilities, turning them into a formidable force.
Optimizing Bone Build
The Bone Necromancer excels with Bone Spear and Bone Spirit as primary damage dealers. Maximize these skills alongside their synergies – Bone Wall and Teeth. Bone Armor provides essential survivability, absorbing significant damage. Focus on +Skills gear to amplify spell potency and reduce mana costs, crucial for sustained spellcasting.
Efficiently managing mana is key; consider items with mana leech or regeneration. Utilize Decrepify curse to slow enemies and amplify physical damage taken, enhancing your overall effectiveness in high-level farming locations like Baal runs and Pindleskin.
Advanced Stat Allocation
Beyond initial priorities, advanced stat allocation refines your Necromancer. Vitality remains paramount, aiming for substantial life to withstand high-level encounters. Strength should only be invested to meet gear requirements; avoid excess points. Dexterity is generally unnecessary for Bone or Summon builds.
Energy is crucial for mana-intensive Bone builds, but consider mana leech and regeneration on gear to minimize reliance on stat points. Prioritize Faster Cast Rate (FCR) breakpoints on equipment, significantly improving spellcasting speed and overall efficiency during intense battles.
High-Level Farming Locations ─ Baal, Diablo, Pindleskin
For endgame experience, Baal runs in the Worldstone Keep offer exceptional rewards and density. Diablo in Hell mode provides consistent drops, though competition can be fierce. Pindleskin, located in the Monastery, is a quick and efficient farming spot for high-level items and experience, especially with a teleporting character.
These locations demand optimized gear and a solid build. Prioritize magic find (MF) to increase the chance of finding valuable items. Coordinate with others for faster clears and improved efficiency, maximizing your leveling gains.
Summoner Necromancer Specifics
Summoners excel through minion strength, utilizing skills like Raise Skeleton and Clay Golem. Synergies amplify minion power, creating a resilient and damaging army;
Core Skills for Summoner Build
For a potent Summoner Necromancer, prioritize Raise Skeleton and Skeleton Mastery. Maxing these dramatically boosts your skeletal army’s survivability and damage output, forming the core of your strategy. Clay Golem provides a durable tank and slows enemies, enhancing control. Invest in Golem Mastery to improve golem effectiveness.
Summon Resist is crucial for minion survival, mitigating elemental damage. Consider points in Revive for temporary powerful allies, though it’s less central to the core build. Don’t neglect Corpse Explosion; it’s a fantastic area-of-effect skill that synergizes beautifully with your minions clearing enemies.
Minion Management Techniques
Effective minion control is vital. Utilize the ‘Raise Skeleton’ skill frequently to replenish losses, maintaining a full army; Position your minions strategically – skeletons in front to absorb damage, Clay Golem to slow enemies. Regularly recast your Clay Golem to maintain its slowing aura.
Be mindful of minion pathing; sometimes, they get stuck. Use the ‘Command Skeleton’ skill to direct them around obstacles. Don’t be afraid to let minions die; they are expendable. Focus on maximizing their numbers and utilizing Corpse Explosion for efficient clearing.
Synergies and Skill Combinations
Maximize damage with strategic synergies. ‘Corpse Explosion’ benefits immensely from ‘Teeth’ and ‘Bone Spear’ investments, even in a summoner build. ‘Skeleton Mastery’ significantly boosts skeleton damage, making it a core synergy. Combine ‘Clay Golem’ with ‘Golem Mastery’ for increased survivability and slowing power.
Utilize ‘Amplify Damage’ to break enemy immunities, opening them up to your minions’ attacks. ‘Decrepify’ further weakens enemies, enhancing minion effectiveness. Remember, synergy points don’t need to be maxed; even a few points can provide substantial benefits.
Bone Necromancer Specifics
Bone Necromancers excel with ‘Bone Spear’ and ‘Bone Wall’, offering ranged damage and control. Prioritize safety and efficient corpse clearing for optimal gameplay.
Core Skills for Bone Build
For a potent Bone Necromancer, prioritize ‘Bone Spear’ as your primary damage dealer, maximizing its synergy with other skills. ‘Bone Spirit’ provides excellent area-of-effect damage, especially against tightly packed enemies, complementing the single-target focus of Bone Spear. ‘Bone Wall’ is crucial for creating chokepoints and controlling enemy movement, enhancing survivability. Don’t neglect ‘Bone Armor’ for increased defense and damage absorption. Invest in ‘Corpse Explosion’ to capitalize on fallen foes, creating chain reactions of destruction. Finally, ‘Decrepify’ significantly weakens enemies, boosting your damage output and control capabilities, making it a cornerstone of the build.
Bone Armor and Safety
Bone Armor is paramount for a Bone Necromancer’s survival, providing a substantial defensive layer. Maximize its effectiveness by investing in the ‘Improved Bone Armor’ synergy, increasing its durability. Prioritize resistances, especially against Lightning, as Bone Necromancers can be vulnerable. Utilize ‘Teleport’ (via Enigma runeword later) for quick escapes and repositioning. Employ ‘Decrepify’ to slow enemies, creating distance and reducing incoming damage. Carry ample health and mana potions for emergencies. Consider a defensive mercenary to draw aggro, enhancing your safety during challenging encounters.
Maximize Bone Spear’s damage by synergizing with ‘Bone Spirit’ and ‘Bone Wall’. ‘Corpse Explosion’ is crucial, detonating fallen enemies for massive area damage, especially when combined with Bone Spear’s single-target focus. ‘Amplify Damage’ curses significantly increase physical damage taken by enemies, boosting overall effectiveness. Utilize ‘Decrepify’ to slow foes, enhancing safety. Combine Bone Armor with ‘Shackle Undead’ to control undead hordes. Master these synergies for a potent and versatile Bone Necromancer build, dominating both leveling and endgame content.
Gear Progression
Prioritize items with resistances, faster cast rate, and skill bonuses. Gradually upgrade to runewords like ‘Stealth’ and ‘Spirit’ for enhanced power and survivability.
Helm, Armor, Weapon, and Shield Choices
Early game, focus on items with resistances and life. A Tal Rasha’s Horadric Crest is a solid helm option. For armor, consider Stealth runeword (TalEth) offering faster run/walk and defense. Weapons benefit from faster cast rate; look for wands or staves with this modifier.
Shields should prioritize resistances. Spirit runeword (TalThulOrtAmn) is excellent for mid-game, providing mana, resistances, and faster cast rate. Later, consider upgrading to a Necromancer-specific shield with +skills. Prioritize gear that complements your chosen build – summoner or bone – enhancing minion strength or spell damage respectively.
Rings, Amulets, and Charms
Rings should prioritize resistances, mana regeneration, and life. A Stone of Jordan (SOJ) is a valuable find for +skills. Amulets benefit from +skills, faster cast rate, or resistances. Mara’s Kaleidoscope is a powerful endgame amulet. Charms are crucial for boosting stats!
Grand Charms with +skills are highly sought after. Small Charms should focus on resistances, life, or mana. Organize charms strategically in your inventory to maximize benefits. Prioritize charms that synergize with your build, enhancing minion power or bone spell effectiveness for optimal leveling.
Mercenary Gear ⎯ Act 2 Nightmare
An Act 2 Nightmare Mercenary provides invaluable support. Equip them with a weapon offering life leech and damage. Insight runeword (Ral Tir Tal Sol) in a polearm is exceptional for mana regeneration. For armor, Treachery (Shael Thul Lem) boosts attack speed and defense. A helm with life leech is also beneficial.
Prioritize survivability for your mercenary. Resistances are key; consider equipping items with resistance bonuses. Regularly repair their gear to maintain effectiveness. A well-equipped mercenary significantly enhances your leveling speed and safety, acting as a durable frontline fighter.
Resistances and Immunities
Maximize resistances to Fire, Cold, Lightning, and Poison! Overcome immunities with breaking items or skills, crucial for efficient monster elimination and survival.
Understanding Resistance Caps
Resistance caps in Diablo 2 are vital for end-game survival. While leveling, prioritize reaching 75% resistance to all elements – Fire, Cold, Lightning, and Poison. This significantly reduces incoming damage from most monsters. Achieving 75% is often sufficient for Normal and Nightmare difficulties. However, in Hell difficulty, the resistance cap is 75%, meaning further investment yields no additional benefit.
Stacking resistances beyond 75% is inefficient; focus on other defensive stats like life or faster hit recovery. Charms, gear, and skills contribute to resistance values. Carefully balance your equipment to maximize overall protection while maintaining effective damage output during your leveling progression.
Dealing with Immunities
Monster immunities pose a significant challenge in Diablo 2. The Necromancer, relying heavily on elemental damage, frequently encounters immune foes. Employing a diverse strategy is crucial. Utilize minions – they often bypass immunities affecting the player. Consider switching to physical damage sources, like Bone skills, when facing elemental resistance.
Lower Resistances curses weaken enemy defenses, potentially breaking immunities. Break immunities with items like Griffon’s Eye. Adapt your tactics based on the encounter; don’t stubbornly rely on a single damage type. Careful planning minimizes frustration during leveling.
Leveling Tips and Tricks
Maximize efficiency by mastering potion use, strategic town portal placement, and swiftly identifying valuable items for trade or personal use during leveling.
Potion Management
Effective potion use is crucial for Necromancer survival, especially during early leveling. Always carry a balanced supply of health, mana, and stamina potions. Prioritize health potions, as the Necromancer can be fragile; Don’t hesitate to use potions proactively, rather than waiting until critically low on health or mana.
Stamina potions are useful for quickly navigating areas and escaping dangerous situations. Consider pre-potting before challenging encounters. Regularly check your potion supply and replenish at town. Efficient potion management minimizes downtime and maximizes leveling speed, ensuring a smoother progression through the game’s challenges.
Town Portal Usage
Mastering town portal (TP) usage dramatically speeds up leveling. Create a TP before engaging bosses or dangerous areas, allowing for quick escapes to sell items, replenish potions, and repair gear. Don’t waste time running back to town frequently; strategically placed TPs save valuable time.
Always have scroll(s) readily available. Utilize TPs to efficiently clear areas, returning to town only when necessary. Coordinate with other players for shared TPs in multiplayer games. Efficient TP usage minimizes downtime and maximizes leveling efficiency, contributing to a faster and more enjoyable Diablo 2 experience.
Identifying Valuable Items
Efficient item identification is crucial for maximizing profits and gearing up. Prioritize identifying items with sockets, as they offer significant upgrade potential through runes and jewels. Look for items with high stat rolls, especially those beneficial to the Necromancer, like +skills or faster cast rate.
Pay attention to unique and set items, researching their value online. Don’t dismiss seemingly ordinary items; some can be valuable bases for crafting. Utilize the Horadric Cube to upgrade normal items. Knowing what to keep and sell streamlines the leveling process.