Diablo 4: Unlocking the Power of the Necromancer's Book of the Dead
How to Unlock the Book of the Dead
Unlocking the Book of the Dead is straightforward. Once a Necromancer reaches Level 5, the Book becomes accessible in the character's interface, under a tab next to the Character/Inventory page. The system grants control over three types of summons: Skeletal Warriors, Skeletal Mages, and Golems, with each minion type offering distinct sub-classes and upgrades. As you continue to level up, these minions gain new abilities, culminating in the ability to summon a Golem through the "Call of the Underworld" quest at Level 25.
Overview of the Book of the Dead
The Book of the Dead is more than just a summoning system; it also lets players sacrifice minions for personal buffs, allowing for more flexible builds. Each summon type – Warriors, Mages, and Golems – features three distinct sub-classes, each with unique abilities and upgrades. For example, Skeletal Warriors can be tailored into Skirmishers, Defenders, or Reapers, each offering different combat roles and bonuses. Sacrificing any summon grants powerful passive stat boosts, which can be critical for players who prefer a more direct combat style.
Necromancer minions automatically inherit 30% of the player's stats, making it essential to invest in gear and Diablo 4 Items that boost core attributes. Players should also consider the gold cost of respeccing, as changing builds or reallocating skill points may require significant amounts of Diablo 4 Gold.
Skeletal Warriors
Skeletal Warriors come in three varieties, each with its own strengths and upgrade options:
Skirmishers: These agile fighters deal +30% extra damage but have -15% reduced health. Players can choose to gain an additional Skirmisher, boosting their minion count, or allow their own critical hits to empower the Skirmishers' next attack for 50% more damage. Sacrificing the Skirmishers increases your critical strike chance by 10%.
Defenders: With +15% more health, Defenders are sturdy front-liners. They can taunt enemies to draw aggro or take significantly reduced damage. Sacrificing Defenders grants a 25% resistance to non-physical damage.
Reapers: These minions specialize in area-of-effect attacks. Upgrades can reduce cooldowns when they perform power attacks or increase corpse generation. Sacrificing Reapers boosts shadow damage by 25%.
Using Diablo 4 Items that improve survivability, such as gear with increased minion life or defensive stats, can make these summons even more effective in battle.
Skeletal Mages
The Skeletal Mages provide powerful ranged support and come in three varieties:
Shadow Mages: They cast Shadow Bolts that deal shadow damage and can be upgraded to stun enemies or fire additional bolts. Sacrificing Shadow Mages increases maximum Essence by 15.
Cold Mages: These Mages apply chill and freeze effects to enemies, making them invaluable for crowd control. Upgrades allow their attacks to generate Essence or make targets vulnerable. Sacrificing Cold Mages grants 20% extra damage to vulnerable enemies.
Bone Mages: These minions sacrifice their own lives to deal massive damage. They can cast Bone Splinters or Bone Spear, and when they perish, they create a corpse for additional utility. Sacrificing Bone Mages increases overpower damage by 30%.
Balancing these mage options with well-chosen Diablo 4 Items that boost damage output or improve Essence regeneration can significantly enhance your build.
Golem
The Golem is a formidable ally with three variations, each offering unique benefits:
Bone Golem: It can taunt enemies and generate corpses upon activation. Upgrades include casting empowered Bone Spikes or gaining additional defensive benefits. Sacrificing the Bone Golem increases attack speed by 15%.
Blood Golem: Known for its self-healing abilities, this Golem can transfer damage from the player and heal itself by draining nearby enemies. When sacrificed, it boosts the player's maximum health by 20%.
Iron Golem: Capable of stunning enemies with a slam attack, it can create shockwaves or pull in foes for better crowd control. Sacrificing the Iron Golem grants a significant 35% increase in critical damage.
Leveraging the power of Diablo 4 Gold, players can buy gear or upgrade items to maximize the Golem's potential, ensuring that these powerful summonses contribute effectively to combat.
Using Sacrifices and Minions Together
The flexibility of the Book of the Dead system allows players to adapt their Necromancer builds based on playstyle. Summoning-focused builds can prioritize Diablo 4 Items that enhance minion life and damage, while sacrificing one or more minion types can free up ability slots for offensive or defensive spells. Players who sacrifice all their summons will benefit from powerful passive bonuses, effectively shifting their build away from minion reliance.
Maximizing Rewards with the Right Gear
To fully exploit the benefits of the Book of the Dead, obtaining high-quality gear and Diablo 4 Items is crucial. Investing in gear upgrades using Diablo 4 Gold will make minions tougher and spells more potent, creating a balanced and versatile Necromancer. By understanding the interactions between summons, sacrifices, and gear, players can achieve optimal performance in both solo and group content.
The Book of the Dead provides an engaging system for customizing a Necromancer's power. Whether focusing on summoning a loyal army or sacrificing minions for personal gain, players have the tools to create a build that fits their style, leveraging the right gear and resources to dominate in Diablo 4.