Top 5 Hardcore Necromancer Guide

Necromancer Top 5 Hardcore Guide

1. Bones of Rathma Set (Army of the Dead) Level 110+

The top Necromancer build goes to the Bones of Rathma Army of the Dead Necromancer which was buffed back in Season 25 and is capable of clearing well above 100 Greater Rifts on Hardcore.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Bane of the Powerful

Gain a 20% damage buff after killing an elite and 15% increased damage/reduced damage taken against elites.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Bones of Rathma

(2) Set Bonus:

Your permanent minions reduce the cooldown of Army of the Dead each time they deal damage, your skeletal minions respawn faster, and your revived minions no longer expire.

(4) Set Bonus:

Your minions no longer take damage. You gain 1% damage reduction for 15 seconds each time one of your minions deal damage stacking up to 75 times.

(6) Set Bonus:

Each permanent active minion increases the damage of your Army of the Dead by 1750%, up to 31,500%

Weapon: Jesseth Skullscythe

Set: Command Skeleton targets the next nearby enemy once the target has been killed and increases all damage by 400%.

Shield: Jesseth Skullshield

Set: Command Skeleton targets the next nearby enemy once the target has been killed and increases all damage by 400%.

Belt: Dayntee's Binding

Gain an additional 50% damage reduction when an enemy is afflicted by a curse.

Bracers: Bonds of C'Lena

Army of the Dead deals 100% increased damage and double that amount on the target of Command Skeleton.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: The Compass Rose

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Tower

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional Armor for a large toughness increase.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Amethyst

A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.

Powers

Weapon: Trang'Oul's Corroded Fang

The Cursed Scythe rune for Grim Scythe now has a 100% chance to curse and deals 200% increased damage.

Armor: Fate's Vow

Army of the Dead deals 250% damage and gains the Unconventional Warfare rune.

Ring/Amulet: Krysbin's Sentence

Slowed enemies take 100% increased damage and the bonus is tripled for enemies under crowd control effects.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor

Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor

Waist: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > Life %

Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage %

Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > Armor

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Critical Strike Damage

Bones of Rathma Tips

1. Make sure to keep Bone Armor up at all times for survival.

2. The Rigor Mortis passive will provide the 100% damage increase from the Krysbin's Sentence ring. Use Bone Armor with the Dislocation rune to stun and Ice Golem to freeze for the 300% damage increase from

Krysbin's Sentence.

3. This build is vulnerable when you first enter a new Greater Rift without the damage reduction from Bone Armor, Dayntee's Binding, and Revive minions so try and be cautious when you first enter a new area.

4. The defensive Grisly Tribute passive can be changed to the offensive passive Blood is Power which gives cooldown reduction on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Bones of Rathma Set Necromancer is capable of 110+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

2. Masquerade of the Burning Carnival with Captain Crimson's (Bone Spear) Level 108+

The Masquerade of the Burning Carnival set bonuses received a damage increase in the new Season 28 taking it up to the second place spot for this season.

Legendary Gems

Legacy of Dreams

Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.

Simplicity's Strength

Increase the damage of your primary skills and cause them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Weapon: Trang'Oul's Corroded Fang

The Cursed Scythe rune for Grim Scythe now has a 100% chance to curse and deals 200% increased damage.

Phylactery: Leger's Disdain

Grim Scythe deals an extra 80% damage per Essence it restores.

Helm: Leoric's Crown

Doubles the effect of gems socketed in this item.

Chest: Aquila Cuirass

While above 90% primary resource gain 50% damage reduction.

Shoulder: Razeth's Volition

Skeletal Mage gains the effect of the Gift of Death and Singularity rune. You gain 50% damage reduction if your essence is not full.

Bracers: Ancient Parthan Defenders

Each stunned enemy within 15 yards increases your damage reduction by 12%.

Hands: Stone Gauntlets

Getting hit increases your armor by 50% stacking up to 5 times. Negative effects negated by Ice Climbers.

Legs: Depth Diggers

Primary skills that generate resources deal 100% increased damage.

Belt: Dayntee's Binding

Gain 50% damage reduction when there is an enemy effected by a curse.

Boots: Ice Climbers

Immune to freeze and immobilize effects.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Convention of Elements

Occasional 200% elemental damage increase.

Amulet: Haunted Visions

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Tower

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional Armor for a large toughness increase.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Amethyst

A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.

Powers

Weapon: Nayr's Black Death

Each poison skill you use increases your poison damage by 100% for 15 seconds.

Armor: St. Archew's Gage

The first time you are damaged by an elite pack gain a shield for 150% of your health for 10 seconds.

Ring/Amulet: Krysbin's Sentence

Slowed enemies take 100% increased damage and the bonus is tripled for enemies under crowd control effects.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor

Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Grim Scythe

Waist: Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Grim Scythe > Armor

Bracers: Intellect > Critical Strike Chance > Armor > Poison Damage %

Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > Armor

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Cooldown Reduction

Legacy of Dreams Poison Scythe Tips

1. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets.

2. The Rigor Mortis passive will provide the 100% damage increase from the Krysbin's Sentence ring. Use Bone Armor with the Dislocation rune to stun for the 300% damage increase from Krysbin's Sentence.

3. The Lacuni Prowlers bracers provide attack speed and can be used as an offensive option over the Ancient Parthan Defenders which provide damage reduction against stunned enemies.

4. The Dayntee's Binding belt can be switched to The Witching Hour which provides Attack Speed and Critical Strike Damage on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Legacy of Dreams Poison Scythe Necromancer is capable of 106+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

4. Grace of Inarius Set (Grim Scythe) Level 103+

This Grace of Inarius Set is solid and is ranked fourth on the top builds for Necromancers in Hardcore.

Legendary Gems

Simplicity's Strength

Increase the damage of your primary skills and cause them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.

Bane of the Stricken

Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Grace of Inarius

(2) Set Bonus:

Bone Armor damage is increased by 1000%.

(4) Set Bonus:

Bone armor gains an additional 3% damage reduction per enemy hit.

(6) Set Bonus:

Bone Armor activates a swirling tornado damaging nearby enemies for 1000% weapon damage and increases the damage they take from the Necromancer by 10,000%.

Weapon: Trang'Oul's Corroded Fang

The Cursed Scythe rune for Grim Scythe now has a 100% chance to curse and deals 200% increased damage.

Phylactery: Leger's Disdain

Grim Scythe deals an extra 80% damage for each Essence it restores.

Belt: Dayntee's Binding

Gain an additional 50% damage reduction when an enemy is afflicted by a curse.

Bracer: Ancient Parthan Defenders

Each stunned enemy within 12 yards reduces damage taken by 12%.

Legs: Depth Diggers

Primary skills that generate resources deal 100% increased damage.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Ring of the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

Amulet: Haunted Visions

Simulacrum now drains 1% health per second, last forever, and Simulacrums can now duplicate Grim Scythe.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Tower

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional Armor for a large toughness increase.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Amethyst

A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.

Powers

Weapon: Nayr's Black Death

Each poison skill you use increases your poison damage by 100% for 15 seconds.

Armor: Razeth's Volition

Skeletal Mage gains the effect of the Gift of Death and Singularity rune. In addition, you gain 50% damage reduction when your essence is not full.

Ring/Amulet: Krysbin's Sentence

Slowed enemies take 100% increased damage and the bonus is tripled for enemies under crowd control effects.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Intellect > Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Armor

Body: Sockets > Intellect > Armor > Vitality

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Critical Strike Damage > Vitality

Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor

Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Armor > % Damage to Grim Scythe

Waist: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > % Damage to Grim Scythe

Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Poison Damage %

Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > Armor

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Critical Strike Damage

Grace of Inarius Tips

1. Make sure to keep Bone Armor up at all times for survival.

2. The Rigor Mortis passive will provide the 100% damage increase from the Krysbin's Sentence ring. Use Bone Armor with the Dislocation rune to stun for the 300% damage increase from Krysbin's Sentence.

3. You should prioritize Armor over Vitality on items when using the Haunted Visions amulet to keep the 1% health drain low. Paragon overflow points should be spent on Intellect instead of Vitality as well.

Note: The Grace of Inarius Set Necromancer is capable of 103+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

5. Pestilence Master's Shroud Set

The Pestilence Master's Shroud set and the Trang'Oul's set are too weak defensively for single player Hardcore and have been omitted from the top builds for Hardcore. The Pestilence Master's Shroud set does however have a role in group play where there are plenty of corpses available from other players.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Zei's Stone of Vengeance

Damage increased for every 10 yards between you and the enemy hit and gain a 20% chance to stun enemies.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Masquerade of the Burning Carnival

(2) Set Bonus:

Simulacrums no longer take damage, gain all runes, and their cooldown is refreshed when you die.

(4) Set Bonus:

While you have a Simulacrum your damage is reduced by 50% (yes damage, not damage taken) and your damage taken is split with your Simulacrums.

(6) Set Bonus:

Bone Spears cast by you deal 9000% increased damage. Simulacrums gain triple this bonus.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.

Weapon: Scythe of the Cycle

Your secondary skills deal 400% increased damage while Bone Armor is active and reduce the remaining duration of Bone Armor by 4 seconds.

Phylactery: Lost Time

Your cold skills reduce enemy movement speed by 30% and increase your speed by 10% stacking up to 5 times.

Bracers: Gelmindor's Marrow Guards

Bone Spears cast from Simulacrums deal 400% increased damage.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Ring of the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

Amulet: Haunted Visions

Simulacrum now drains 1% health per second, last forever, and Simulacrums can now duplicate Grim Scythe.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Tower

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional Armor for a large toughness increase.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Topaz

Provides a toughness increase when using the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set with the added offensive benefit of having resource cost reduction.

Powers

Weapon: Maltorius' Petrified Spike

Bone Spear now costs 40 Essence and deals 700% increased damage.

Armor: Dayntee's Bindings

Gain an additional 50% damage reduction when there is an enemy afflicted by any of your curses.

Ring/Amulet: Krysbin's Sentence

Slowed enemies take 100% increased damage and the bonus is tripled for enemies under crowd control effects.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Reduced Damage From Elites

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Critical Strike Damage > Vitality

Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Resource Cost Reduction > Area Damage

Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Armor > Vitality

Waist: Intellect > Armor > All Resistance > Vitality

Bracers: Intellect > Armor > Critical Strike Chance > Poison Damage %

Feet: Intellect > Movement Speed > Armor > % Damage to Bone Spear

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Critical Strike Damage

Masquerade of the Burning Carnival Tips

1. Make sure to keep Bone Armor up at all times for survival.

2. The Rigor Mortis passive will provide the 100% damage increase from the Krysbin's Sentence ring. Use Bone Armor with the Dislocation rune to stun for the 300% damage increase from Krysbin's Sentence.

3. You don't need large amounts of health with this build when using the Haunted Visions amulet to keep the 1% health drain low. Paragon overflow points can be spent on Intellect instead of Vitality as well.

4. Bone Spear is considered a projectile skill and some enemies such as Malthael, Sand Dwellers, and Dune Dervishes can reflect projectiles back at you so be very cautious around these enemies on hardcore or your character could die in a few short casts of a projectile skill.

5. Final Service which is a cheat death passive can be changed to Spreading Malediction for 1% damage for each enemy that is cursed on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Masquerade of the Burning Carnival Set Necromancer is capable of 108+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

3. Necromancer Legacy of Dreams (Grim Scythe) Level 106+

This build is quite strong offensively and defensively and takes the number three spot.