One of the best aspects ofDiablo 4is all of the different build types players can create among the game’s five classes. Within each class' skill tree, players have numerous options to choose from when leveling up their character to create the best build possible, and while some types of builds are better than others, players can usually create a build that works for them no matter what skills they invest in. However, players opting to play the Necromancer inDiablo 4should avoid going all in on one type of build infamous for being underpowered in the ARPG genre.
The Necromancer’s minions inDiablo 4have undergone a series of changes between the game’s pre-release betas and its full launch. During the first open beta forDiablo 4, the Necromancer’s skeletal minions were grossly overpowered, making the class one of the best in the game at the time, but they were nerfed going into the Server Slam beta to the point where the pendulum swung too far in the opposite direction and the minions were far too frail to be useful.Blizzard issued a hotfixfor the class during the Server Slam that brought some of the minions' power back, but not enough that a dedicated summoner build is worthwhile inDiablo 4’s current state.
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Pure Necromancer Summoner Builds are Underpowered in Diablo 4
A core facet of theNecromancer class inDiablo 4is their ability to summon skeletal minions to fight for them, which received a major upgrade thanks to the addition of the Book of the Dead mechanic in this latest entry. As Necromancers, players are able to summon three types of minions inDiablo 4: Skeletal Warriors, Skeletal Mages, and a Golem, but the Book of the Dead allows players to customize these minions and choose one of three subcategories for their minions as well as upgrade their abilities. Despite this overhaul of minion customization,Diablo 4’s minions are still too frail to be the focal point of a Necromancer build.
There are a variety of betterbuild options available to Necromancers inDiablo 4that don’t rely on minions for their strength. Other branches of the Necromancer’s skill tree like Bone, Blood, and Shadow offer players powerful skills like Bone Spear, Sever, and Blood Lance that are better investments than upgrading Skeletal Warrior Mastery, Skeletal Mage Mastery, and Golem Mastery. Additionally, most of the skills that buff minions aren’t available until later on the skill tree, making them less desirable than other skills on the same branch.
Rather than going for a pure summoner build, Necromancers are better off utilizing minions as early-game tools to help wear down weaker enemies before finishing them off with a stronger skill like Bone Spear. Later in the game, players should take advantage of theBook of the Dead’s ability to sacrifice minionsin order to grant buffs to the player. These buffs include things like greater physical resistance, higher max Essence, and higher HP that can end up being more useful than the abilities minions offer in the late game.
Diablo 4’s minions never quite made it back to the same power level they were in the initial beta even after a series of rebalances, keeping theNecromancer’s summonercapabilities in line with other ARPGs as an underpowered option compared to other potential builds. Luckily, the Book of the Dead allows players to sacrifice their minions to give their character bonus effects that can make up for the weaker aspects of minions. While it’s possible Blizzard could release a future update forDiablo 4that buffs the power of the Necromancer’s minions, for now the class is better off utilizing a different build and sacrificing their minions when they’re no longer useful.
Diablo 4is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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