Build Introduction
This guide is a collaboration between GhazzyTV and community member Garm Z. The Mendeln Summoner Necromancer build focuses heavily on minion attacks triggering the 
Ring of Mendeln. We do this with massive Skeletal Arch-Mages via 
The Hand of Naz!
Have questions or feedback on the guide? Join the livestream and ask me!
To see how this build compares to the other builds on our site, you can check out our build tier lists.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Extremely effective minion build for end-game play
- Safe to play
- One of the top builds for Season 9 from the Necromancer
- Slightly squishy so careful positioning is required in harder endgame content
- Relies on minion AI for your damage output
Build Requirements
Ring of Mendeln
Blood Moon BreechesThe Hand of NazQuick Navigation
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Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar
Blight
Bone Prison
Decompose
Army of the Dead
Raise Skeleton
Corpse TendrilsFollow the points allocated in the Skill Tree above for the complete 71-point build. The additional 12 skill points are completed using the Renown system.
Necromancer Class Mechanic – Book of the Dead
This build is all about having have as many as possible minion attacks to trigger Ring of Mendeln. However, we will not be using the golem as we benefit more from sacrificing him.
- Melee Skeletons: Skirmisher [Sacrifice] – Increased Critical Strike Chance. (If you equip
Heir of Perdition or have over 100% Critical Strike Chance – sacrifice Reapers instead for increased Shadow Damage) - Mage Skeletons: Shadow [Upgrade #1] – We get x3% multiplicative damage scaling per Shadow Mage.
- Golem: Iron [Sacrifice] – Increased Critical Strike Damage.
Horadric Spells and Jewels (Season 9)
During Season 9, you will unlock Horadric Spellcraft, letting you build and bind your own spell to one of your active skills. You can upgrade your spell’s power using Horadric Phials, increasing its impact on your build.
Horadric Spell
| Type | Power | Description |
| Catalyst |  Cosmic Anomaly + Blight | Lucky Hit: 20%. Passive: Manifest up to 5 Anomalies that emit particles which deal x% damage over 4 seconds. Active: Command your Anomalies to converge and implode, dealing x% damage per detonation. At Rank 10 while at 5 Anomalies, you are Unstoppable and the next implosion will deal double damage. |
| Infusion |  Nebulous Extract | Your Spell Catalyst now deals Shadow and or Corrupting damage. Enemies hit by it deal x% reduced damage for 7 seconds. While equipped, your Shadow Damage Bonus is equal to that of your highest Damage Type Bonus. At Rank 5 it will deactivate enemy monster summoner effects for 5 seconds. |
| Arcana |  Bloody Charm | Your Catalyst gains a specialized Execute effect for non-Boss enemies with 20% or less Life. Bloody Charm will also execute non-boss enemies with Cosmic Anomaly implosions. Successful executions increase your Attack Speed by 20% for 8 seconds. |
| Arcana |  Tranquil Stone | Invoking your Catalyst grants Unstoppable for 5 seconds whenever it activates. |
| Arcana |  Fractured Core | Your Catalyst deactivates monster Damage Resistance Aura effects for 5 seconds, but you take 15% more stacking damage for the same time. |
Horadric Jewels
Use these Jewels over regular gems in your jewelry slots to further enhance the build:
Idol From Below- Reverie Horn
- Willbreaker
Mercenaries
During the Vessel of Hatred campaign, you will unlock Mercenaries to assist you. While you can choose freely early on, we recommend Raheir as your main merc, and Varyana as a Reinforcement once you reach endgame.
For the reinforcement, stick with Varyana, utilizing her Bloodthirst skill being cast when the player casts Blight.
Season 9 Updates
For a full overview of what is new in Season 9, please take a look at our comprehensive season hub.
- Introduction of The Hand of Naz makes us focus on Skeletal Arch-Mages.
Affliction got a big buff so we’ll use that now as well. Other than that there are no major notable changes to the build.
Navigation to other pages:
Changelog
- June 29th, 2025: Guide updated for Season 9.
- May 5th, 2025: Optimized and updated post launch for Season 8.
- April 26th, 2025: Guide updated for Season 8.
- February 24th, 2025: Mendeln bug fix seemingly fixed, removed disclaimer.
- February 18th, 2025: Mendeln bug fix isn’t working, re-added disclaimer.
- February 18th, 2025: Mendeln unique bug fix patched, removed disclaimer.
- January 25th, 2025: Minor adjustments.
- January 16th, 2025: Guide split into 4 pages and updated for Season 7.
- October 12th, 2024: Major guide changes due to an in-game bug.
- October 7th, 2024: Paragon board updated.
- October 2nd, 2024: Guide updated for Season 6.
- August 5th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 5, Infernal Hordes.
- May 16th, 2024: Complete rework of the guide due to undocumented changes in the patch notes demanding heavy improvements on the guide.
- May 15th, 2024: Tempering gear updates.
- May 11th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 4 Loot Reborn.
- January 22nd, 2024: Guide updated for Season 3 Season of the Construct.
- October 22nd, 2023: Minor Skill-Tree Adjustments.
- October 21st, 2023: Paragon Board updated.
- October 15th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 2 Season of Blood, Patch 1.2.
- August 7th, 2023: Guide updated for Patch 1.1.1.
- July 26th, 2023: Big rework on the structure of the guide.
- Changes entire Paragon Board, Aspects, skill tree.
- Finalized decision of the Season 1 Heart choices.
