The Necromancer’s Army build in POE2 is a classic minion-focused playstyle that allows you to command an army of undead minions to dominate both mapping and bossing content. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the build, including ascendancy choices, skill gems, gear recommendations, passive tree priorities, and playstyle tips.
1. Introduction to the Necromancer’s Army Build
The Necromancer’s Army build revolves around summoning and empowering an army of minions, including skeletons, zombies, and specialized minions like Skeletal Arsonists and Skeletal Storm Mages. This build excels in both clear speed and single-target damage, making it a versatile choice for all content in Path of Exile 2. The Witch class, particularly the Infernalist ascendancy, is the ideal choice for this build due to its strong synergy with minion mechanics and fire-based damage.
2. Ascendancy Choices
The Infernalist ascendancy offers unique nodes that enhance minion damage and survivability. Here are the key nodes for this build:
| Ascendancy Node | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Loyal Hellhound | Summons a powerful Hellhound minion that reduces damage taken by 20%. | Adds an extra minion and improves survivability. |
| Altered Flesh | Converts cold and lightning damage to fire damage, allowing you to stack maximum fire resistance. | Enhances minion survivability and damage output. |
| Beidat’s Will | Increases maximum Spirit, allowing you to summon more minions. | Improves minion army size and overall damage. |
| Beidat’s Hand | Grants additional minion damage and attack speed. | Boosts minion DPS significantly. |
3. Skill Gems and Links
The Necromancer’s Army build relies on a combination of minion skills, support gems, and utility spells. Below are the recommended skill setups:
Primary Minion Skills
- Skeletal Arsonist: High-damage minions that throw fire grenades.
- Skeletal Storm Mage: Applies shock to enemies, increasing damage taken.
- Skeletal Cleric: Heals and revives other minions.
- Raging Spirits: Temporary minions that deal high fire damage.
Support Gems
- Minion Damage Support: Increases minion damage output.
- Feeding Frenzy: Boosts minion attack and movement speed.
- Infernal Legion: Adds fire damage over time to minions.
- Elemental Focus: Increases elemental damage at the cost of ailments.
Utility Skills
- Flame Wall: Buffs ranged projectiles with fire damage and ignites enemies.
- Flammability: Curse that reduces enemy fire resistance.
- Pain Offering: Sacrifices a minion to boost the damage of others.
4. Necromancer’s Army build Gear Recommendations
Gear is crucial for maximizing minion damage and survivability. Below is a table of recommended gear:
| Gear Slot | Item | Modifiers to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Rattling Sceptre | +Minion Skill Levels, +Spirit, +Minion Damage |
| Helmet | High Energy Shield Helmet | +Minion Life, +Elemental Resistances |
| Body Armor | Expert Keth Raiment | +Spirit, +Energy Shield, +Minion Damage |
| Gloves | Blueflame Bracers | +Minion Attack Speed, +Fire Resistance |
| Boots | Kaom’s Roots | +Movement Speed, +Life, +Minion Life |
| Amulet | The Everlasting Gaze | +Minion Damage, +Energy Shield, +Spirit |
| Rings | Steel Rings | +Minion Damage, +Elemental Resistances |
5. Necromancer’s Army build Passive Skill Tree
The passive skill tree for this build focuses on:
- Minion Damage: Boosts the raw power of your minions.
- Minion Life and Resistances: Keeps your minions alive in tough encounters.
- Spirit and Mana: Ensures you can summon and sustain your minion army.
- Elemental Damage: Enhances the fire-based damage of your minions.
Key nodes include Power of the Dead, Crystalline Flesh, and Restless Dead.
6. Playstyle and Tips
- Mapping: Use Skeletal Arsonists and Raging Spirits to clear packs quickly. Maintain Flame Wall and Flammability for increased damage.
- Bossing: Focus on Skeletal Storm Mages and Skeletal Clerics for sustained damage and survivability. Use Pain Offering to boost minion damage during boss fights.
- Positioning: Stay behind your minions and avoid direct engagement with enemies. Use Flame Dash for mobility and repositioning.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the best weapon for this build? | A Rattling Sceptre with +Minion Skill Levels and +Spirit is ideal. |
| How important is Spirit? | Spirit is crucial for summoning and sustaining your minion army. Prioritize gear with +Spirit modifiers. |
| Can this build handle endgame content? | Yes, the Necromancer’s Army build excels in both mapping and bossing due to its high damage and survivability. |
| What are the best defensive layers? | Minion life, resistances, and Altered Flesh conversions are the core defensive layers of this build. |
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Necromancer’s Army build in Path of Exile 2 (POE2)
You can explore more about POE2 builds.