Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer Build Guide For Diablo 2 Pit 90+ Runs

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Introduction to the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer Build

Are you ready to delve into the dark arts and command an undead army? The Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build is a powerful and versatile option for players looking to conquer the Pits and other high-level areas in the game. This Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build focuses on maximizing the damage output of your Skeletal Mages while utilizing a variety of curses and summons to control the battlefield. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from skill allocation and gear choices to mercenary selection and gameplay strategies, ensuring your Necromancer is ready to dominate Pit 90+ runs and beyond. This build truly shines in areas densely populated with monsters, making it ideal for farming high-level zones efficiently. The core of the build revolves around the Skeletal Mage skill, which summons ranged undead attackers that deal significant elemental damage. By investing heavily in this skill and its synergies, you'll create a formidable army capable of dispatching enemies with ease. The beauty of the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer lies in its adaptability. While Skeletal Mages form the primary damage source, the build incorporates a diverse range of curses and summons, allowing you to tailor your approach to different situations. For instance, Amplify Damage greatly enhances the physical damage dealt by your summons and mercenary, while Decrepify slows down enemies, making them easier to manage. The flexibility of the build extends to gear choices as well. While certain items are highly sought after, there are viable alternatives that can be used until you acquire the optimal setup. This makes the build accessible to players with varying levels of gear. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Necromancer class, this guide will provide the knowledge and insights you need to master the Skeletal Archmage Summoner and conquer the toughest challenges the game has to offer. Get ready to raise your undead legions and unleash the power of the skeletal mages upon your foes!

Skill Allocation: Mastering the Necromantic Arts

Skill allocation is the cornerstone of any successful build, and the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer is no exception. Proper investment in key skills will determine your damage output, survivability, and overall effectiveness. Let's break down the essential skills and how to allocate your points:

Summoning Spells

  • Skeletal Mage (20 points): This is your primary damage dealer. Maximize this skill to unleash the full potential of your Skeletal Mages. Each point increases their damage and number. The elemental damage they deal is crucial for overcoming various enemy resistances.
  • Skeleton Mastery (20 points): This skill boosts the life and attack rating of your Skeletal Mages, making them more durable and accurate in combat. Maxing this skill is essential for ensuring your summons can withstand enemy attacks and consistently hit their targets.
  • Raise Skeleton (1 point): While not your primary damage source, having a few Skeletal Warriors can provide a valuable meat shield to protect you and your Skeletal Mages. One point is sufficient for this purpose, as the synergies from Skeletal Mage and Skeleton Mastery will significantly enhance their survivability.
  • Golem Mastery (1 point): This skill increases the life and attack rating of your Golem. A single point here will make your Golem a more reliable tank, drawing enemy attention away from your other summons and yourself. The Golem's ability to absorb damage is invaluable in chaotic combat situations.
  • Clay Golem (1 point): The Clay Golem's slowing ability is incredibly useful for controlling enemy movement and making them easier to target with your Skeletal Mages. One point is all you need to access this valuable utility. The slow effect can be a lifesaver in dangerous situations.
  • Summon Resist (1 point): This skill increases the elemental resistances of your summons, making them more resilient to elemental attacks. A single point here provides a significant boost to their survivability, especially against enemies that deal elemental damage.

Curses

  • Amplify Damage (1 point): This curse drastically increases the physical damage taken by enemies, making them much easier to kill with your summons and mercenary. One point is essential for maximizing your damage output against physically resistant foes. The area-of-effect of this curse also makes it highly efficient for clearing large groups of enemies.
  • Decrepify (1 point): Decrepify slows down enemies, reduces their damage output, and lowers their physical resistance. This curse is invaluable for controlling dangerous foes and enhancing your survivability. The reduced enemy speed makes them easier to kite and avoid their attacks.
  • Corpse Explosion (1 point or more): This skill allows you to detonate corpses, dealing area-of-effect physical and fire damage. While not a primary damage source, Corpse Explosion can be highly effective for clearing out large groups of weaker enemies. You can invest more points here if you enjoy using this skill frequently.

Poison and Bone Spells

  • Teeth (1 point): This skill can be used as a low-level crowd control option in the early game. However, it becomes less effective as you progress. One point is sufficient for its limited utility.
  • Bone Armor (1 point): Bone Armor provides a protective shield that absorbs physical damage. A single point here can significantly enhance your survivability, especially in situations where you are surrounded by enemies.

Skill Allocation Strategy

Prioritize maxing Skeletal Mage and Skeleton Mastery as soon as possible. These two skills form the core of your build's damage output and survivability. Next, invest one point in each of the utility skills mentioned above (Clay Golem, Golem Mastery, Summon Resist, Amplify Damage, Decrepify, Corpse Explosion, Bone Armor). After these core skills are maxed and the utility skills are secured, you can choose to invest additional points in Corpse Explosion for increased AoE damage or in other supporting skills as desired. Adapt your skill allocation based on your playstyle and the challenges you encounter. Remember, flexibility is key to mastering the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build.

Gear Selection: Equipping Your Necromancer for Success

Gear plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of your Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer. The right equipment can significantly boost your damage output, survivability, and mana pool. Let's explore the optimal gear choices for this build:

Weapon

The ideal weapon for this build is "Beast" Runeword in a Berserker Axe. Beast provides a significant boost to your summons' damage and attack speed thanks to the Fanaticism aura. This aura is a game-changer for summoner builds, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of your undead army. The additional strength and other stats provided by Beast further enhance your overall capabilities. However, the high rune cost of Beast can be a barrier for some players. A more budget-friendly alternative is a wand with +skills to Necromancer skills and Summoning skills. Look for modifiers like +3 to Summoning Skills and +3 to Skeletal Mage. These wands can be surprisingly effective and are a great option while you save up for Beast.

Shield

The "Homunculus" unique shield is the top choice for this build. It provides +2 to all Necromancer skills, mana regeneration, resists, and a significant block chance. The +skills are invaluable for boosting your summon damage and survivability, while the other stats contribute to your overall effectiveness. Another excellent option is the "Spirit" Runeword shield (Tal Thul Ort Amn) in a Necromancer shield with desirable base stats, such as increased block chance or all resistances. Spirit offers +2 to all skills, faster cast rate, mana, and resists, making it a well-rounded choice. The Faster Cast Rate is particularly useful for teleporting with Enigma.

Armor

The "Enigma" Runeword (Jah Ith Ber) is the undisputed best-in-slot armor for nearly all Necromancer builds, including the Skeletal Archmage Summoner. Enigma provides +2 to all skills, faster run/walk speed, teleport, and other valuable stats. The teleport skill is essential for efficient farming and positioning your summons effectively. The +skills boost your damage and survivability, while the faster run/walk speed enhances your mobility. If Enigma is beyond your budget, consider using the "Skin of the Vipermagi" unique armor. It offers +1 to all skills, faster cast rate, and resists, making it a solid budget option. Another alternative is a rare or crafted armor with +skills, resistances, and life or mana.

Helm

The "Harlequin Crest" unique Shako is a fantastic choice for its +2 to all skills, life, mana, and damage reduction. The +skills significantly boost your damage and survivability, while the other stats contribute to your overall effectiveness. Another excellent option is a rare or crafted circlet with +skills, resistances, and other desirable modifiers. Look for modifiers like +2 to Necromancer skills, +20% Faster Cast Rate, and resistances. Socketing your helm with a Perfect Topaz or an Ist rune can further enhance your magic find or item drop rates.

Gloves

"Trang-Oul's Claws" unique gloves are the preferred choice for their +2 to Curses skills, faster cast rate, and other useful modifiers. The +Curses skills boost the effectiveness of your curses, while the faster cast rate helps you cast spells more quickly. Another viable option is "Magefist" unique gloves for the faster cast rate and mana regeneration. These gloves are a good budget alternative.

Boots

"Sandstorm Trek" unique boots are highly recommended for their faster hit recovery, strength, vitality, and poison resistance. The faster hit recovery helps you recover from stuns more quickly, while the other stats contribute to your survivability and damage. "War Traveler" unique boots are also a good option for the magic find bonus.

Belt

"Arachnid Mesh" unique spiderweb sash is the best-in-slot belt for its +1 to all skills and faster cast rate. The +skills boost your damage and survivability, while the faster cast rate helps you cast spells more quickly. Another option is "Verdungo's Hearty Cord" unique belt for the vitality, life, and damage reduction.

Amulet

A Mara's Kaleidoscope unique amulet is the ideal choice for its +2 to all skills and all resistances. The +skills significantly boost your damage and survivability, while the all resistances help you cap your resists. A crafted amulet with +Necromancer skills, faster cast rate, and other desirable modifiers is also a strong option.

Rings

Two Stone of Jordan unique rings are excellent choices for their +1 to all skills and increased mana. The +skills boost your damage and survivability, while the increased mana helps you cast spells more frequently. Alternatively, you can use rings with faster cast rate, resistances, and life or mana. A combination of Stone of Jordan and a faster cast rate ring is often ideal.

Charms

Fill your inventory with Annihilus unique small charm, Hellfire Torch large charm, and skill grand charms with life or faster hit recovery. These charms provide significant boosts to your skills, stats, and resistances. Small charms with life, mana, or resistances are also valuable additions. Aim for charms that complement your gear and fill any gaps in your resistances or other stats.

Gear Optimization Strategy

Prioritize +skills on your gear as they directly boost the damage and effectiveness of your summons. Faster cast rate is also important for teleporting and casting curses quickly. Resistances are crucial for survivability, so aim to cap your resists. Life and mana are also important stats to consider. As you acquire better gear, prioritize upgrades that provide the most significant benefits to your build. Remember to adapt your gear choices based on your playstyle and the challenges you encounter. The Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build is flexible, and there are often multiple viable gear options.

Mercenary Selection: Your Undead Ally

A well-equipped mercenary can significantly enhance your survivability and damage output. For the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build, the Act 2 Nightmare Defensive Mercenary is the optimal choice. This mercenary provides the Holy Freeze aura, which slows down enemies and makes them easier to manage. Let's delve into the ideal gear and role of your mercenary:

Mercenary Role

The primary role of your mercenary is to provide support and survivability. The Holy Freeze aura is invaluable for slowing down enemies, making them easier to target with your Skeletal Mages and reducing the likelihood of being overwhelmed. Your mercenary can also serve as a meat shield, drawing enemy attention away from you and your summons. Additionally, they can contribute to your damage output, particularly against single targets or bosses.

Mercenary Gear

  • Weapon: The "Insight" Runeword (Ral Tir Tal Sol) in an elite polearm is the best choice for providing mana regeneration. This is crucial for the Necromancer, who can be mana-intensive when casting spells frequently. The Meditation aura granted by Insight significantly boosts your mana regeneration, allowing you to cast more spells without running out of mana. Other viable options include weapons with high damage output, such as "The Reaper's Toll" unique thresher for its Decrepify proc.
  • Armor: "Fortitude" Runeword (El Sol Dol Lo) in an elite ethereal armor is the top choice for its enhanced damage, life, and resistances. The enhanced damage significantly boosts your mercenary's damage output, while the life and resistances contribute to their survivability. An ethereal base is preferred for the increased defense, as mercenaries do not suffer durability loss. Another strong option is "Treachery" Runeword (Shael Thul Lem) in an ethereal armor for the attack speed bonus and Fade proc, which provides additional resistances and damage reduction.
  • Helm: "Andariel's Visage" unique helm is the ideal choice for its +skills, attack speed, life leech, and strength. The life leech helps your mercenary stay alive, while the +skills and attack speed boost their damage output. The strength is also beneficial for equipping heavier gear. Socketing Andariel's Visage with a Ral rune can help offset the fire resistance penalty. Another option is "Crown of Thieves" unique helm for life leech and other useful stats.

Mercenary Stat Allocation

Your mercenary's stats will increase automatically as they level up. However, it's essential to understand the key stats to look for. Strength is needed to equip heavier gear, so ensure your mercenary has enough strength to wear their armor and weapon. Dexterity increases their attack rating and block chance, contributing to their damage output and survivability. Vitality increases their life, making them more durable in combat. Energy is not a crucial stat for mercenaries.

Mercenary Positioning and Tactics

Proper positioning of your mercenary is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. Ideally, you want your mercenary to be engaged with enemies, drawing their attention away from you and your summons. However, you also need to ensure they are not taking excessive damage. Use teleport (from Enigma) to reposition your mercenary as needed. Teleporting onto your mercenary will bring them to your location, allowing you to quickly move them out of danger or into a more advantageous position. Be mindful of enemy attacks and try to keep your mercenary alive. A dead mercenary provides no support, so prioritize their survivability.

Mercenary Survival Tips

  • Use potions to heal your mercenary when necessary. Healing potions can be fed to your mercenary by shifting right-clicking on them.
  • Teleport away from dangerous situations to reposition your mercenary and allow them to recover.
  • Consider using a Rejuvenation Potion if your mercenary is taking heavy damage. These potions instantly restore a significant amount of life and mana.
  • Be aware of enemy elemental attacks and ensure your mercenary has sufficient resistances to survive them.

By carefully selecting your mercenary and equipping them with the appropriate gear, you can create a powerful ally that significantly enhances your Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build. The Holy Freeze aura, combined with a strong weapon and armor, will make your mercenary a valuable asset in any situation.

Gameplay Strategies: Mastering the Art of Summoning

Effective gameplay is crucial for maximizing the potential of your Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your build, as well as employing the right tactics, will allow you to conquer even the most challenging areas. Let's explore the key gameplay strategies for this build:

Pre-buffing

Before engaging in combat, it's essential to pre-buff your character and summons. This involves casting certain spells that provide temporary buffs, enhancing your damage, survivability, and overall effectiveness. The primary pre-buffs for the Skeletal Archmage Summoner include:

  • Raise Skeleton: Summon a few Skeletal Warriors to act as meat shields. These skeletons will draw enemy attention away from you and your Skeletal Mages, increasing your survivability.
  • Skeletal Mage: Summon your Skeletal Mages. These are your primary damage dealers, so having a full complement of them is essential.
  • Golem: Summon your Clay Golem. The Clay Golem's slowing ability is invaluable for controlling enemy movement.
  • Bone Armor: Cast Bone Armor to provide a protective shield that absorbs physical damage.

These pre-buffs will ensure you are prepared for any encounter. Reapply them as needed during combat to maintain your advantage.

Curses

Curses are a vital part of the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer arsenal. They allow you to debuff enemies, making them more vulnerable to your attacks and enhancing your survivability. The primary curses for this build are:

  • Amplify Damage: This curse drastically increases the physical damage taken by enemies. Cast Amplify Damage on groups of enemies to significantly boost the damage dealt by your summons and mercenary.
  • Decrepify: Decrepify slows down enemies, reduces their damage output, and lowers their physical resistance. Use Decrepify on dangerous foes, such as bosses or unique monsters, to control them and enhance your survivability.
  • Corpse Explosion: This skill allows you to detonate corpses, dealing area-of-effect physical and fire damage. Use Corpse Explosion to clear out large groups of weaker enemies quickly.

Mastering the use of curses is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of your build. Apply the appropriate curse based on the situation and the enemies you are facing.

Positioning

Proper positioning is crucial for both your character and your summons. You want to position yourself in a safe location, away from enemy attacks, while ensuring your summons are engaged with the enemies. Use teleport (from Enigma) to reposition yourself and your summons as needed. Teleporting onto your summons will bring them to your location, allowing you to quickly move them into a more advantageous position. Be mindful of enemy attacks and try to avoid being surrounded. Kiting enemies, or moving away from them while your summons attack, is an effective tactic for maintaining your survivability.

Mana Management

Mana management is essential for the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build, as casting spells frequently can quickly deplete your mana pool. The "Insight" Runeword on your mercenary is crucial for providing mana regeneration. Additionally, consider using mana potions when necessary. Skills and gear that provide increased mana or mana regeneration are also valuable. Avoid casting unnecessary spells and prioritize the most effective skills for each situation. For example, use Amplify Damage on groups of enemies rather than repeatedly casting weaker curses.

Combat Tactics

  • Prioritize dangerous enemies: Focus your curses and attacks on the most dangerous enemies first, such as those with high damage output or disruptive abilities. Decrepify is particularly effective against these foes.
  • Control the battlefield: Use your Clay Golem and Decrepify to slow down enemies and control their movement. This will make them easier to target with your Skeletal Mages and reduce the likelihood of being overwhelmed.
  • Clear corpses: Corpse Explosion is highly effective for clearing out large groups of weaker enemies. Use it to quickly eliminate mobs and prevent them from overwhelming you.
  • Maintain your summons: Keep your Skeletal Mages and Golem alive by recasting them as needed. A full complement of summons is essential for maximizing your damage output and survivability.
  • Adapt to the situation: Be prepared to adapt your tactics based on the enemies you are facing and the environment. The Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build is versatile, so take advantage of its flexibility.

Farming Strategies

The Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer is well-suited for farming high-level areas, such as the Pits, Chaos Sanctuary, and Worldstone Chamber. When farming, prioritize areas with high monster density and valuable item drops. Use teleport to quickly navigate through the area and locate enemy packs. Apply Amplify Damage to groups of enemies and let your Skeletal Mages do the work. Corpse Explosion can be used to clear out large groups of weaker enemies quickly. Be efficient in your farming runs by minimizing downtime and maximizing the number of enemies you kill per run.

By mastering these gameplay strategies, you can unlock the full potential of your Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer and conquer even the most challenging content. Remember to practice and refine your tactics to become a true master of summoning.

Pit 90+ Runs: Conquering the Depths

The Pits are a popular farming location for high-level players due to their high monster density and valuable item drops. Running Pit 90+ requires a well-optimized build and effective gameplay. The Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer can excel in the Pits with the right setup and tactics. Let's explore the key considerations for Pit 90+ runs:

Pits Overview

The Pits are located in the Tamoe Highland, accessible from the Outer Cloister in Act 1. They consist of two levels, Pit Level 1 and Pit Level 2, both of which are filled with a variety of monsters, including Fallen, Overseers, and various unique monsters. The Pits are an 85 area, meaning that all items in the game can drop there. This makes them an excellent location for farming high-level items, such as runes, unique items, and set items.

Build Optimization for Pits

To effectively run Pit 90+, your Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer build needs to be optimized for both damage output and survivability. Ensure you have maxed Skeletal Mage and Skeleton Mastery, as these are your primary damage skills. Amplify Damage is essential for boosting your damage output against the monsters in the Pits. Decrepify is valuable for controlling dangerous foes. Maximize your resistances to reduce the damage you take from enemy attacks. Life and mana are also important stats to consider. Gear with +skills, faster cast rate, and magic find will further enhance your effectiveness in the Pits.

Pit 90+ Tactics

  • Clear efficiently: Use teleport to quickly navigate through the Pits and locate enemy packs. Apply Amplify Damage to groups of enemies and let your Skeletal Mages do the work. Corpse Explosion can be used to clear out large groups of weaker enemies quickly. Focus on clearing the areas quickly and efficiently to maximize your farming speed.
  • Prioritize dangerous enemies: Focus your curses and attacks on the most dangerous enemies first, such as Overseers and unique monsters. These enemies can pose a significant threat, so controlling them is essential.
  • Control the battlefield: Use your Clay Golem and Decrepify to slow down enemies and control their movement. This will make them easier to target with your Skeletal Mages and reduce the likelihood of being overwhelmed.
  • Maintain your summons: Keep your Skeletal Mages and Golem alive by recasting them as needed. A full complement of summons is essential for maximizing your damage output and survivability.
  • Be aware of elemental resistances: Some monsters in the Pits have elemental resistances, so be prepared to adapt your tactics. Amplify Damage is particularly effective against physically resistant monsters.

Magic Find Considerations

Magic find (MF) increases the chances of finding unique and set items. While it's tempting to stack as much MF as possible, it's essential to balance MF with damage output and survivability. Too much MF can reduce your clear speed, while too little can reduce your item drop rates. A good starting point is around 200-300% MF. Experiment to find the optimal balance for your build and playstyle. Charms, gear, and socketing items with Ist runes can increase your MF.

Pit 90+ Run Strategy

  1. Pre-buff: Before entering the Pits, pre-buff your character and summons. This includes casting Raise Skeleton, Skeletal Mage, Golem, and Bone Armor.
  2. Enter the Pits: Teleport into Pit Level 1 and begin clearing the area. Apply Amplify Damage to groups of enemies and let your Skeletal Mages do the work. Use Corpse Explosion to clear out large groups of weaker enemies quickly.
  3. Navigate efficiently: Use teleport to quickly navigate through the area and locate enemy packs. Be mindful of dangerous enemies and prioritize them.
  4. Clear Pit Level 1: Clear all of Pit Level 1, ensuring you have killed all the monsters and opened all the chests.
  5. Descend to Pit Level 2: Once Pit Level 1 is clear, descend to Pit Level 2.
  6. Clear Pit Level 2: Clear Pit Level 2, using the same tactics as Pit Level 1.
  7. Repeat: Once both levels are clear, exit the Pits and repeat the process.

Pit 90+ Survival Tips

  • Be cautious: The Pits can be dangerous, so be cautious and avoid pulling too many enemies at once.
  • Use teleport defensively: Use teleport to reposition yourself and your summons if you are surrounded or taking heavy damage.
  • Monitor your life and mana: Keep an eye on your life and mana and use potions as needed.
  • Stay mobile: Stay mobile and avoid standing still for too long. This will make you a more difficult target for enemies.
  • Know your limits: Don't be afraid to retreat if you are overwhelmed. It's better to retreat and regroup than to die.

By following these strategies and tips, you can effectively run Pit 90+ with your Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer and farm valuable items. The Pits are an excellent location for this build, and with practice and optimization, you can conquer the depths and reap the rewards.

Conclusion: Mastering the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer

The Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer is a powerful and versatile build capable of conquering a wide range of content. This comprehensive guide has covered everything you need to know to master this build, from skill allocation and gear selection to mercenary selection and gameplay strategies. By following the advice and tips outlined in this guide, you can create a formidable Necromancer capable of dominating the Pits, Chaos Sanctuary, Worldstone Chamber, and other high-level areas. The key to success with this build lies in understanding its strengths and weaknesses, optimizing your gear and skills, and employing effective gameplay tactics. Remember to prioritize your summons, control the battlefield with curses, and maintain your survivability. With practice and dedication, you can become a true master of the Skeletal Archmage Summon Necromancer and unleash the power of the undead upon your foes. The flexibility of this build allows for adaptation to various playstyles and content, making it a rewarding choice for both solo players and those who prefer to play in groups. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Necromancer class, the Skeletal Archmage Summoner offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience. So, summon your undead legions and prepare to conquer the darkness!