The Ultimate Guide to Unleashing the Power of Necromancer's Book in Diablo 4

The classes in Diablo 4 each boast a distinctive mechanic that adds excitement to gameplay and encourages players to experiment with different builds. Unlocking their unique class mechanic requires quests for Sorcerers, Druids, and Rogues, but for Barbarians and Necromancers, it's as simple as leveling up.

Necromancers, in particular, have access to the Book of the Dead, which outlines the three types of summons available to the class. As Necromancers progress to Level 25, more skeletons become accessible, leading up to a special quest to learn how to summon a Golem. However, the Book of the Dead is more than just a guide to summoning - it also delves into the concept of sacrificing minions for personal power.

How To Unlock the Book of the Dead

Upon reaching Level 5 in Diablo 4, players can easily unlock the Book of the Dead class mechanic, which can be accessed from the Character/Inventory page. The Book of the Dead consists of three categories: Skeletal Warriors, Skeletal Mages, and Golems, each with three available sub-classes that can be upgraded automatically as the player levels up until Level 25. To summon a Golem, players must complete the unique questline "Call of the Underworld" and learn a new ritual at the Shrine of Rathma in the Fractured Peaks.

Book of the Dead Overview: Minions, Buffs, and Requirements

The Necromancer class relies heavily on minions and summons, which inherit 30% of the player's stats, with a few exceptions. Each of the three summons has three sub-types, allowing for optional upgrades. For example, Skeletal Warriors can become Skirmishers, Defenders, or Reapers, while Skeletal Mages can acquire Shadow, Cold, or Bone abilities. Golems also have the ability to transform into Bone, Blood, or Iron Golems after completing a particular questline. Interestingly, players can opt to forgo summoning minions and instead gain personal power.

To call forth undead minions as a Necromancer, players must allocate the corresponding ability to their bar. This means sacrificing three out of six possible slots. For those not interested in a summoning-focused build, it may be wise to forgo one or two minions and opt for a sacrifice passive instead.

Skeletal Warriors Specs and Upgrades

Skeletal Skirmishers: +30% damage, -15% HealthOption 1: +1 Max Skirmisher

Option 2: Player's Crits cause Skirmishers to Crit on their next hit with 50% extra damage.

Sacrifice Ability: Crit Chance increased by 5%

Skeletal Defenders: +15% lifeOption 1: Direct damage is negated every 6 seconds

Option 2: 40% Thorns inherited instead of 30%

Sacrifice Ability: +15% Non-Physical resist

Skeletal Reapers: Power attack every 10 secondsOption 1: Attacks against Immobile, Slowed, Stunned, or Vulnerable enemies reduce cooldown by 2 seconds

Option 2: +15% chance to form a corpse on hit

Sacrifice Ability: +15% Shadow damage

Skeletal Mages Specs and Upgrades

Shadow Mages: Shadow damageOption 1: +10% chance to Stun

Option 2: Extra Shadow bolt every five bolts

Sacrifice Ability: +15 to Max Essence

Cold Mages: Chill/Freeze enemiesOption 1: Damage regenerates 2 Essence for player

Option 2: Frozen enemies are made Vulnerable on hit for 4 seconds

Sacrifice Ability: +15% Vulnerable damage

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Bone Mages are a formidable force on the battlefield, capable of dealing heavy damage to their enemies. However, this comes at a cost - each attack drains their own life force. To mitigate this drawback, Option 1 reduces the life cost to only 10% per attack. Additionally, after 5 seconds of continued life, the Bone Mage gains a significant boost of 40% to their damage output. Alternatively, Option 2 allows Bone Mages to create a Corpse and Fortify for 11% Health whenever they perish from their own attacks. This offers a unique defensive advantage that can turn the tide of battle in their favor.

Sacrifice Ability: +40% Overpower damage

Golem Specs and Upgrades

Bone Golem: Taunts enemiesOption 1: Creates a Corpse every time it is dealt 20% of its Max Health as damage

Option 2: +10% Max Health, 50% Thorns inherited instead of 30%

Sacrifice Ability: +10% Attack Speed

Blood Golem: Heals itself with attacksOption 1: 15% of player damage is transferred to the Blood Golem

Option 2: +25% Damage Reduction and +50% damage when player is Healthy

Sacrifice Ability: Max Health increased by 10%

Iron Golem: Can stun enemies with slam attacksOption 1: Every five attacks, creates a shockwave dealing 40% damage

Option 2: Attacks make enemies Vulnerable for 3 seconds

Sacrifice Ability: +30% Crit Damage

Diablo 4 is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S