Raise Spectre
Necromancer build

Updated for Patch 3.26

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Raise Spectre is a Minion Spell that allows you to resurrect slain enemies to fight for you and Support them with Gems that benefit their abilities. Their skills and damage vary a lot, and the variety of enemies you can resurrect is overwhelming. This guide will focus on a Lightning Spell Damage Minion called Wretched Defiler. It's a spider-like creature that fires Projectiles with extremely high base damage and Far Shot, meaning their damage is much higher at a distance. They also summon their own Minions - charred bears and Rhoas, but this is not something worth expanding upon. You can find Wretched Defilers in T17 maps. The build guide can be used for other similar Spectres; you just have to adjust a few parameters to fit your type of Minion.

Increasing the maximum number of summoned Spectres is an essential part of improving your Damage output. You will have a baseline of 3 Spectres at 25 Gem Level, and one additional from the Passive Tree. The Bitterbind Point Shield grants +1 Spectre, but also grants them the Arcane Surge Buff. Currently, there are two very competitive Helmets to choose from. You should start with the Wraithlord Helmet, which simply grants 4 additional Spectres, +2 to all Minion Gems, and provides 4 Abyssal Sockets. At a significantly higher investment level you can switch to the Dark Monarch Helmet, which Doubles your maximum limit instead. The final Spectre comes from a rare, Delve-only modifier on a Rare Armour. This step is very expensive, thus not included in this Guide. 

With the introduction of Mercenaries, the Build became stronger and more accessible than ever. You can utilise the Doryani's Prototype Armour to make your enemies extremely vulnerable to Lightning Damage, and make all Damage Lucky. The Fallen Reverend Mercenary will also provide two important Auras: Wrath and Zealotry, saving you a lot of Mana and allowing you to use a more defensive setup. 

For defence, you will rely on high Energy Shield and Block. Your Recovery comes from your Minion's Leech, which is possible only for the Necromancer Ascendency, but you will need to pick the Ghost Reaver Keystone first to convert Life Leech into Energy Shield Leech. Thanks to the big army of Minions, you will rarely be targeted by enemies - the ground Damage over time effects are usually the most dangerous to you.  

You may also check Best PoE Builds by Odealo if you are looking for other Path of Exile builds

1. Gameplay

Spectre Summoner is somewhat similar to other summoner builds. Your main role is to support your Minions with Auras and position yourself to avoid enemy Attacks to stay alive. The Spectres will obliterate anything on your Map within seconds. Initially, we suggest using Slave Drivers as your Spectres, which have insane Lightning AoE Damage and are very easy to find. You can Summon them in Act's 5 Control Blocks. This is the optimal Spectre for levelling and Starter builds, whereas you should "upgrade" to Wretched Defilers as you progress through content and finding/obtaining them becomes easier. 

Gameplay videos:

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

Follow our Witch Leveling Guide using Minions. You can switch to Slave Drivers as soon as Act 5, but we recommend doing so only after putting on the Wraithlord, which won't be accessible that early at the league start. Your Spectres may often die if their Gem Level is low and if you haven't invested in additional Minion Life on your Skill Tree, which is bad for Spectres as you cannot re-summon them on a whim, you have to Desecrate first and look for the ones who died (in the right order if you use more than one type of them). The best Spectres are accessible on T17 maps so it can take a while until you get the ones you want.

Bandits:

We recommend killing all the Bandits for two additional Passive Points

4. Final Skill Trees, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

91 Points Final Skill Tree  (doesn't include Unique or Cluster Jewels)
120 Points Path of Building (PoB) link
Mercenary Setup Path of Building (PoB) link

Ascendancy points: 

Preferably in that order:

1. Mindless Aggression
2. Bone Barrier
3. Mistress of Sacrifice
4. Plaguebringer

Pantheon:

Major God: Soul of Arakaali: 10% reduced Damage taken from Damage Over Time; Debuffs on you expire 20% faster

Minor God: Soul of Yugul: You and your Minions take 50% reduced Reflected Damage; 30% reduced Effect of Curses on you

5. Final Gems links

[UTILITY] Raise Spectre setup
	Raise Spectre - This build is centred around the Wretched Defiler, it deals Lightning Damage with a Projectile Spell. At Gem Level 25, you can summon one additional Spectre.
	Minion Damage Support
	Spell Echo Support
	Elemental Focus Support
	Controlled Destruction Support
	Pierce Support

[UTILITY] Auras setup
	Grace - a defensive Aura that improves your Evasion Rating. It can also be replaced by Haste.
	Discipline - another defensive Aura, it improves your Energy Shield.
	Tempest Shield - grants you Spell Block Chance and makes you immune to Shock.
	Arctic Armour - makes you immune to Freeze and reduces Physical and Fire Damage taken while stationary.

[UTILITY] Various Gems (can be triggered automatically by Wand affix)
	Bone Offering - grants a massive amount of Block Chance for your Minions. It will also apply to you at 50% effectiveness.
	Desecrate - Creates Corpses to consume with Flesh Offering.
	Sniper's Mark - increases the Damage taken from Projectiles.

[UTILITY] Guard setup
	Immortal Call - greatly reduces incoming Damage while it lasts. Keep it on a low level.
	Cast when Damage Taken Support - It will trigger your Guard Skill as soon as you start taking Damage.

[MOBILITY] Shield Charge
	Shield Charge - it is your main Movement Skill. You can anoint the Spiritual Command to make it much faster, but you will need to get Reservation Efficiency elsewhere.
	Faster Attacks Support

[MOBILITY] Frostblink
	Frostblink - you should use this Skill for extra mobility and the Arcane Surge Buff, which will be applied to your Spectres as well.
	Arcane Surge Support - keep it on a low level to trigger with every use.

5. Gear Setup

The Spectre Summoner requires good Items to feel comfortable, but also scales better than other Minions once you pass a certain level of investment. Thanks to the Mercenaries, the entry level is significantly easier and affordable to access. You will need Wraithlord and Bitterbind Point to increase the maximum amount of Spectres. You will also need to achieve level 25 on your main Gem, which thankfully can be achieved without the very expensive Replica Dragonfang's Flight. Gem levels also raise the maximum Life and base Damage of your Minions. Other than that, you will need only modifiers that increase their Damage and Cast Speed. On the remaining pieces, you should aim for Energy Shield, Resistances, and Attributes. The Build includes 13 Rare Jewels - try to cover lacking Resistances and Attributes there, it quickly adds up.  

Also, remember that you can always visit our Path of Exile marketplace and restock any type of PoE Currency required to complete your build.

(Helmet) Wraithlord - It lets you have up to four additional Specres and increases the Gem Level of all your Minion Skill Gems. Remember to put Ghastly Abyss Jewels there.

Has 4 Abyssal Sockets (120-150)% increased Energy Shield +(1-2) to Level of all Minion Skill Gems +1 to maximum number of Spectres per Socketed Ghastly Eye Jewel You cannot have Non-Spectre Minions

(Weapon) Convoking Wand - It's the best Wand type which can roll Minion Modifiers. You're looking for generic Minion Damage, Minion Cast Speed, and Gem Level for Minion Spells. An 8-second Trigger can be crafted; it's a Suffix.

Min. requirements: 80% Minion Damage +1 to Level of All Minion Gems Trigger Socketed Spell when you use a Skill with an 8-second cooldown Optional affixes: Minion Attack/Cast Speed +1 to Level of All Spell Skill Gems

(Off-hand) Bitterbind Point - this Shield increases the maximum number of Spectres you can summon, but only if it has the correct Unveiled modifier. It also boosts their maximum Life and grants them Arcane Surge Buff.

(180-220)% increased Energy Shield Raised Spectres have (50-100)% increased maximum Life Gain Arcane Surge when you deal a Critical Strike Your Raised Spectres also gain Arcane Surge when you do (50-100)% increased Spell Critical Strike Chance per Raised Spectre Mandatory unveil:  +1 to maximum number of Spectres

(Body Armour) Rare Armour -  look for high ES, Resistances, and a possibility to craft Block Chance. Special Delve-only Armours can appear with an additional Spectre limit, but pairing it with a good defence is very expensive.

Min. requirements: +800 to Energy Shield 10% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Chaos Damage (Eater) Optional affixes: #% Chance to Block Attack Damage Crafting Bench) +#% to all maximum Resistances (Exarch) +1 to maximum number of Spectres (Delve) Resistances

(Boots) Rare Boots - here you should look for high Energy Shield, Movement Speed, and Bleed Avoidance. The Elder-influence can be used to raise Spectre Gem Levels, but it is very expensive.

Min. requirements: +150 to Energy Shield 30% increased Movement Speed 80% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: % chance to Avoid Bleeding +# to Level of all Raise Spectre Gems (Elder)

(Belt) Darkness Enthroned - Due to the potency of Ghastly Abyss Jewels, we recommend this Belt. Socket your best Jewels in its sockets.

Has 1 Abyssal Socket Has 1 Abyssal Socket (50-100)% increased Effect of Socketed Abyss Jewels

(Amulet) Replica Dragonfang's Flight - it is probably the most expensive variant of this Amulet, but you won't need it to reach the additional Spectre. Get it once you run out of other upgrades to make.

+(10-16) to all Attributes +3 to Level of all <Random Skill> Gems +(5-10)% to all Elemental Resistances (5-10)% increased Reservation Efficiency of Skills Items and Gems have (10-5)% reduced Attribute Requirements

(Amulet) Uul-Netol's Vow - it is rare to list this Amulet as a cheaper alternative, but it is true in this case. It will grant you roughly 35% more Damage if you socket the Returning Projectiles Support Gem here.

Has 1 Socket Socketed Support Gems can also Support Skills from Equipped Body Armour +(-30-30)% to Fire Resistance +(-30-30)% to Cold Resistance +(-30-30)% to Lightning Resistance +(-23-23)% to Chaos Resistance

(Amulet) Rare Amulet - at first, a Rare Amulet will greatly help cap the necessary Resistances and Attributes. It can increase the Gem level of your Spectres by 1.

Min. requirements: +1 to Level of all Skill Gems +50 Attributes 80% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Mana costs Energy Shield

(Rings) Rare Rings - the Bone Rings can roll special Minion-themed modifiers that increase their Damage and Cast Speed. Try to get some Resistances and Attributes here as well.

Min. requirements: Minions deal 30% increased Damage Minions have 10% increased Attack and Cast Speed 30% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: +# to Attributes #% Total Elemental Resistances Reduced Mana Cost of Skills

(Gloves) Rare Gloves - on the Rare Gloves aim for high defensive stats and Attributes. For Eldritch mods, get Increased Minion Damage and the Effect of your Mark.

Min. requirements: +150 Energy Shield Minions have #% increased Damage  80% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Attributes

(Jewel) Unending Hunger - with this Jewel, your Spectres will occasionally gain Souls that increase their Cast Speed even more. Try to get Corrupted Blood immunity here.

Minions have (6-8)% increased Area of Effect of Area Skills With at least 40 Intelligence in Radius, Raised Spectres have a 50% chance to gain Soul Eater for 30 seconds on Kill

(Jewels) Abyss Jewels - Aim for increased Damage or Cast Speed for your Minions. You should also get at least one Jewel that gives them a chance to Taunt and Blind on Hit. For your character, look for Energy Shield and Resistances or Attributes.

Recommended affixes: +30 to maximum Energy Shield Minions deal #% increased Damage if you've used a Minion Skill Recently Minions have #% increased Attack/Cast Speed Minions have #% chance to Taunt on Hit with Attacks Minions have #% chance to Blind on Hit with Attacks Resistances Attributes #% chance to Avoid Bleeding

(Jewels) Rare Jewels - you can also use Rare Jewels that provide a bit less Damage, but more Energy Shield and other utility.

Recommended affixes: #% increased maximum Energy Shield Minions deal #% increased Damage Resistances Attributes % increased Mana Reservation Efficiency of Skills

(Jewels) Large Cluster Jewels - Use two of these with 12 passives, each with an increased passive Effect. The small nodes shall increase your Minions' Attack and Cast Speed, grant you Energy Shield, and Attributes or Elemental Resistances. Avoid big Notables; most of them are bad.

Recommended affixes: Added Small Passive Skills also grant: Minions have 3% increased Attack and Cast Speed Added Small Passive Skills have 35% increased Effect Added Small Passive Skills also grant: +#% to Resistances or Attributes Added Small Passive Skills also grant: +# to maximum Energy Shield

(Jewels) Watcher's Eye - You can get additional Spell and Attack Evasion Chance via Grace and Discipline modifiers. Optionally, if you use Haste Aura instead, you can get permanent Phasing.

(4-6)% increased maximum Energy Shield (4-6)% increased maximum Life (4-6)% increased maximum Mana <Two or Three random aura modifiers> +(5-8)% Chance to Block Spell Damage while affected by Discipline +(5-8)% chance to Evade Attack Hits while affected by Grace You have Phasing while affected by Haste

(Jewels) Fortress Covenant - greatly boosts the Damage and survivability of your Minions. Socket it in the Cluster Jewel Socket to avoid the downside.

Minions deal (35-45)% increased Damage Minions have +(10-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage Minions have +(10-12)% Chance to Block Spell Damage Notable Passive Skills in Radius are Transformed to instead grant: Minions take 20% increased Damage

(Flask) Rumi's Concoction - A great utility Flask which increases your Chance to Block and your Armour Rating.

+1500 to Armour +(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage during Flask effect +(4-6)% Chance to Block Spell Damage during Flask effect

Suggested Flasks: Quartz Flask with increased Armour Rating modifier Silver Flask with increased Movement Speed Quicksilver Flask with reduced effect of Curses on you Jade Flask with increased Evasion Rating modifier

6. Mercenary Setup

The Fallen Reverend Mercenary greatly improves this Setup and makes it considerably cheaper to achieve comfortable levels. It offers two offensive Auras, Wrath and Zealotry, and can wear Unique Items that make the Lightning Damage of your Spectres much stronger: Doryani's Prototype and Perquil's Toe. 

Stat priorities on items: Negative Lightning Resistance Try to cap Fire, Cold, and Chaos Resistance Life Regeneration Rate Maximum Life

(Body Armour) Doryani's Prototype - sets the Enemy Lightning Resistance to the same level as the wearer, which can be easily brought down do negative -100%. Higher investments allow you to reach -200%, which is a limit.

(150-200)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +(60-90) to maximum Life Deal no Non-Lightning Damage Armour also applies to Lightning Damage taken from Hits Lightning Resistance does not affect Lightning Damage taken Nearby Enemies have Lightning Resistance equal to yours

(Amulet) Perquil's Toe - makes the Damage of your Spectres lucky, which is very beneficial for Lightning types.

+(40-50) to Dexterity (5-8)% increased Movement Speed Lightning Damage of Enemies Hitting you is Lucky Nearby Allies' Damage with Hits is Lucky

(Ring) Rare Ring - to benefit from Doryani's Prototype you should use special Mirrored Jewellery that massively lowers the Lightning Resistance of the wearer instead.

Min. requirements: -50% to Lightning Resistance Optional affixes: Fire, Cold, and Chaos Resistance Maximum Life

(Shield) Victario's Charity - thanks to this Shield, the Auras of your Mercenaries will be more reliable, and it can generate Frenzy Charges for your Spectres.

+8% to all Elemental Resistances +(50-70) to maximum Life +(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance +11% to Chaos Resistance 20% increased Area of Effect of Aura Skills 10% chance to grant a Power Charge to nearby Allies on Kill 5% chance to grant a Frenzy Charge to nearby Allies on Hit

If you have any other build requests please leave that in the comments below.

Pictures used in this article are the intellectual property of Grinding Gear Games.