Diablo II Necromancer Guide
A Build Strategy for a Nearly Invincible Summoner
While generally panned as one of the weakest classes in the game, most experienced gamers recognize the potential of the Necromancer if constructed properly. A successful build for the class requires focusing most skill points in the summoning category, and most attribute points in the vitality and energy categories. If properly executed, the Necromancer is potentially the best class in the game for single-player action.
The Skill Tree – Focus Points on Summoning
The Necromancer has three skill trees: Summoning Spells, Poison and Bone Spells, and Curses. Each time the character achieves a new level, one skill point is awarded, and the player can allocate it as he or she sees fit. While the methods of allocating these points can vary somewhat in their placement order, it is vital for the Summoner build to focus on the Summoning Spells. And, as the name implies, the “skill tree” requires some prerequisite points to be allocated before other skills can be reached.
All of the summoning spells should be activated as they become available, since each adds a bonus to another spell. “Leftover” points—awarded points that are not used to activate a spell—should initially be divvied up between Skeleton Mastery and Golem Mastery.
Skeleton Mastery adds to the life and damage of revived creatures, and Golem Mastery adds to the speed and life of golems. As the golem is usually the Necromancer’s first line of defense, it is crucial to max its life. Maxing a particular golem’s skill is not necessary, as golems essentially act as “tanks,” and do very little damage. However, once the “Revive” skill becomes available, it should be maxed if possible, since most of the Necromancer’s power comes from his army of revived monsters.
Bone Spear and Amplify Damage as Essential Spells
Only the prerequisite skills necessary to achieve Bone Spear should be activated in the Poison and Bone Spells tree. Bone Spear should be maxed, as it is an effective offensive spell against multiple enemies. Bone Armor can be somewhat effective if the player desires, but maxing this skill can be wasteful since it becomes ineffective against high-level opponents.
Amplify Damage is the most important curse for the Summoner build, as most revived monsters do melee damage. However, it is not necessary to max this skill as the damage effect is not cumulative. If desired, other curses like Lower Resist and Decrepify can be activated; they are useful against certain opponents resistant to Amplify Damage.
Allocating Points to the Summoner’s Attributes
No points should be allocated to Dexterity. This is a skill for melee and ranged combatants, not spell-casters. Only the points needed for wearing certain gear should be placed in Strength. Most of the Necromancer’s attribute points should be placed in Vitality and Energy. Both stats are equally important.
Vitality, which adds stamina and life, is critical for a Necromancer since he is vulnerable to most direct attacks. A high hit point statistic is desirable. Equally important is Energy, which adds to mana. As the Summoner’s army gets larger, more mana is required to keep it running.
Gearing up the Summoner
Diablo II is largely a game of chance; almost all items that can be worn or wielded are dropped randomly by felled monsters. However, the item set called “Trang-Oul’s Avatar” is by far the best armor for any Necromancer build. Weapons and jewelry are a matter of preference.
Diablo II
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Technology
Latest Articles