Summary
One ofDiablo 4’s most consistently strong classes is the Necromancer, a macabre magic user that relies on the dark arts and their minions for dealing death to foes across Sanctuary. Although the Necromancer’s minions have gone through highs and lows between theDiablo 4beta and its three post-launch seasons, the class itself remains one of the better picks for players starting theirDiablo 4journey. In order to get the best results when playing the Necromancer class, there are a few community-developed rules that players will want to follow as they venture throughDiablo 4’s unforgiving world.
The main draw of the Necromancer inDiablo 4is the class' ability to summon minions likeSkeletal Warriors, Skeletal Mages, and Golemsto support the player in battle. Aside from these minions, the Necromancer also has access to a variety of sinister skills that can drain the health of enemies while restoring the player’s own, making the Necromancer a difficult class to kill. While the combination of these elements makes the Necromancer a solid pick on its own, following these unwritten rules will help the class reach its full potential by the time players reachDiablo 4’s endgame.
Unwritten Rules for Success When Playing a Necromancer in Diablo 4
Utilize the Necromancer’s Wide Pool of AoE Skills
One of the ways the Necromancer stands out from the rest ofDiablo 4’s classes is its great AoE skillsthat help the player deal with Sanctuary’s demon hordes. Skills like Blight, Corpse Explosion, Decrepify, and Iron Maiden all allow the Necromancer to weaken enemies in a wide area, leaving them to be finished off by another of the Necromancer’s skills or minions. As such, most players will want to ensure they have at least one AoE skill on their Necromancer build to maximize the amount of coverage their skills have againstDiablo 4’s monsters.
Corpse Explosion and Blood Mist are Must-Use Skills
A fantastic AoE skill for anyDiablo 4Necromancer build is Corpse Explosionsince players will naturally be creating corpses as a Necromancer. Not only can these corpses be used to summon minions, but Corpse Explosion also allows them to be the source of significant damage with no cooldown. Additionally, Blood Mist is a must-use skill since it allows the Necromancer to become immune for a brief window and absorb incoming damage as health restored, which can be an incredibly helpful skill for escaping tough situations as a class with limited mobility options.
Don’t Discount the Value of the Necromancer’s Shield
The Necromancer is already a tough class to kill thanks to the support of its minions and the health that can be restored from skills like Blood Mist, but it is also the only class inDiablo 4with the ability to wield a shield in the player’s off-hand. While Necromancers can wield a two-handed weapon or one-handed weapon with a focus, it’s worth considering a one-handed weapon with a shield for a build, since shields can improve the Necromancer’s damage reduction and make them even more bulky. Lucky players might even be able to use theNecromancer’s rare Lidless Wall unique shield.
Sacrificing Minions for their Buffs is Usually for the Best
Although the Necromancer’s claim to fame is their ability to summon minions to fight alongside them, these minions have been pretty underpowered inDiablo 4so far, making a full summoner build less than ideal. Luckily,Diablo 4introduced the Book of the Dead mechanicthat allows Necromancers to customize their minions, including sacrificing them entirely to gain different buffs. Given how underwhelming the Necromancer’s minions generally are inDiablo 4, it’s best to sacrifice them for an increased damage or resistance buff, especially as players approach the endgame.
