April 23, 2021
-Build created 

January 04, 2022
-Build updated for season 4 

1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character. 
2. Dexterity - Get enough Dex for your gear unless you can achieve max block by spending some more points on it (this will mostly depend on your gear, however). 
3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat. 
4. Energy - Adding points to Energy is an extreme waste - don't do it. 

This skill tree is the main focus of this build. You will be using mainly Teeth, an amazing skill that fires multiple projectiles in a wide arc, that will let you clear groups of enemies with incredible efficiency. Bone Armor will ensure that you can survive for longer, and Bone Spear and Bone Spirit will come in handy for cracking sturdier enemies. 

Skills:

1. Teeth [20/20] - A spell that makes you summon multiple magical projectiles that damage enemies. The number of summoned teeth increases with subsequent skill levels. It works similarly to Amazon's Multi-Shot (it shoots projectiles in a wide arc). It has received a buff to its scaling in Season 2 which has made it a staple of Bone builds. Long story short, this is a very powerful offensive ability that scales incredibly well with additional Skill Levels. Back in season 3 Teeth was nerfed for the early game but has also received improved end-game scaling. 
2. Bone Armor [20/20] - Surrounds the caster with a protective shield that absorbs incoming damage. On its own, Bone Armor can feel lackluster at times, especially at low skill levels. However, if you invest in its synergies, or get enough Skill Levels in it, it becomes an extremely powerful defensive tool. Bone Wall and Bone Prison increase Damage Absorbed by Bone Armor by +20 per level (avoid taking these, your points are needed more elsewhere). 
3. Bone Spear [20/20] - Summons a powerful Bone Missile. At Skill Level 15, you get an additional Spear, and at Skill Level 24 another one - for a total of three. Bone Spear has received a buff in season 2 (its damage scaling with Bone Armor was increased from 5% to 10%). This is your secondary offensive ability that deals more Damage but fires much fewer projectiles than Teeth. Also, it improves our other abilities (Teeth and Bone Spirit). 
4. Bone Spirit [20/20] - Summons a Spirit that tracks down enemies and deals magic Damage upon catching them. This is a very powerful single-target ability that synergizes with Teeth, Bone Spear, and Bone Armor. 

CURSES

Curses can be handy for breaking the enemy resistances, slowing down faster foes, and they provide solid utility in general. However, they are not the focus of this build and we hardly have points to spare on them, so we've just chosen a bare-bones setup that should nevertheless help us in some sticky situations. 

Skills:

1. Amplify Damage [1/20] - Optional. A Curse that lowers the monster's physical resistances, making it take more damage from physical attacks. Also, handy to have while playing in a group with physical damage dealers. In this build, it's used mainly for breaking physical immunities on monsters to make them more susceptible to our main damage sources. 
2. Weaken [1/20] - Optional. A Curse that makes groups of enemies deal much less Damage which is life-saving, to say the least. This Skill is handy to have as it increases your overall survivability. Also, it's very nice for group play. 

Summons are not the main focus of this build, but having a few meat shields is always welcome, so we invest quite a few points into this Skill Tree. 

Skills:

1. Raise Skeleton [1/20] - Prerequisite. The number of Skeletons scales with Skill Level, which means that this works nicely when you have multiple additional Skill Levels from Gear. 
2. Clay Golem [1/20] - Prerequisite. 
3. Skeletal Mage [1/20] - Prerequisite. These are more useful than standard Skeletons because they deal ranged elemental damage. 
4. Golem Mastery [1/20] - Makes your Golems stronger and increases their count. Spending a single point here is a good investment. 
5. Blood Warp [X/20] - Necromancer's equivalent of Sorceress' Teleport. It has a mana cost of 10 and will drain 12% of our current HP each cast. Additional Points only reduce its Cooldown. This Skill is essential for our survival - being able to teleport out of trouble is unbelievably strong. 
6. Blood Golem [1/20] - Prerequisite. 
7. Iron Golem [1/20] - Transforms a metallic item into a golem that gains the properties of the item. This is the golem you should use on this Build. Making it with Insight will greatly boost your mana regeneration rate. 
8. Raise Skeleton Archer [1/20] - Prerequisite. Raises a skeleton archer that fights for you. 
9. Revive [20/20] - With this Skill, you can resurrect fallen enemies as your servants. This provides you with additional meat shields, so it's nice to have. Maxing this out will provide you with your own undead army. 

As per usual with PD2 Builds, you want to get as many Skill levels (Necromancer/Poison and Bone Skills in this case) as possible to increase the build's overall power level. Resistances are also important, but they should never come before the offensive power. A faster cast rate is necessary for spamming Teeth (the higher the breakpoint, you can achieve, the better - 56 FHR and 75 FCR breakpoints are rather easy to achieve and you should aim, at least, for them). Defensive stats, like faster hit recovery and life leech/life on each kill, are a nice addition but you should not choose gear for them specifically. 

HELMETS

Harlequin Crest (Shako) - A staple of most PD2 Builds. This helmet gives you everything you might want for your Necromancer - Skill levels, Mana, Health, Damage taken reduction, attributes, and magic find. 

• Defense: 98 to 141 
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 20
  • +2 to All Skills 
  • +1-99 to Life(1 per character level) 
  • +1-99 to Mana(1 per character level) 
  • Damage Reduced By 3-5% (varies) 
  • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +2 to All Attributes 

Delirium (Runeword) - Solid boost to Magic Find and +2 to Skill Levels. A good budget alternative that will also help you make some more money. 

• Defense: Depends on base Helmet
• Required Level: 51
• Required Strength: Depends on base Helmet
• Durability: Depends on base Helmet
• Lem + Ist + Io 
  • +261 Defense 
  • +10 Vitality 
  • +2 to All Skills
  • Level 17 Attract (60 Charges) 
  • 11% Chance to Cast Level 18 Confuse on Striking 
  • 6% Chance to Cast Level 14 Mind Blast When Struck 
  • 14% Chance to Cast Level 13 Terror When Struck 
  • +50% Extra Gold from Monsters
  • 25% Better Chance of Finding Magic Items 

Trang-Oul's Guise (Bone Visage) - While this helmet is not as good as the alternatives by itself, wearing a whole Trang-Oul's Set will more than make up for it. 

Note: If you plan on using Trang'Oul's set pieces, you should go for the whole set. 

• Defense: 180 to 257 
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 106
• Durability: 40
  • +25% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • +[80-100] Defense (varies) 
  • Replenish Life +[20-30] (varies) 
  • +150 to Mana 
  • Attacker Takes Damage of [420-620] (varies) 

WEAPONS

Boneshade (Lich Wand) - This is the single best item you can have on a Teeth/Bone Necromancer. It gives +2 to all Necromancer Skills AND gives high bonuses to every relevant Bone Spell which makes it irreplaceable. On top of that, it also gives a +25% Faster Cast Rate, which is simply incredible. Of course, the higher bonuses you can get on it, the better. 

• Damage:  10-31
• Required Level: 79 
• Required Strength: 25
• Durability: 17
• Very Fast Attack Speed  
  • +50% Damage to Undead 
  • +2 To Necromancer Skill Levels
  • +1-2 To Bone Spirit (Necromancer Only)
  • +2-3 To Bone Spear (Necromancer Only)
  • +2-3 To Bone Wall (Necromancer Only)
  • +4-5 To Bone Armor (Necromancer Only)
  • +4-5 To Teeth (Necromancer Only)
  • +25% Faster Cast Rate

Heart of the Oak (Runeword) - This is a solid alternative to the Boneshade that gives +3 to All Skills, provides a nice cast rate boost, and some resistances. Place it in a Flail for the lowest attribute requirements. 

• Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 55
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Ko + Vex + Pul + Thul 
  • +3 To All Skills 
  • +30% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +75% Damage To Demons 
  • +100 To Attack Rating Against Demons 
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage, 3 sec. Duration (Normal) 
  • 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit 
  • +10 To Dexterity 
  • Replenish Life +20 
  • Increase Maximum Mana 15% 
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
  • Level 14 Raven (60 Charges) 

Boneflame (Succubus Skull) - An extremely powerful off-hand that gives you up to 3 Necromancer Skill Levels and high amounts of resistances. Moreover, it provides high life gain on kill which helps you to stay alive by a lot. 

• Defense:  100-146
• Required Level: 72 
• Required Strength: 95
• Durability: 20
• Block: 30% 
  • 5% Chance to Cast Level 3 Terror when Struck
  • +[2-3] to Necromancer Skill Levels (varies) 
  • +20% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +[120-150]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • All Resistances +[20-30] (varies) 
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by [10-20]% (varies) 
  • +[4-8] Life after each Kill (varies) 

Homonculus (Hierophant Trophy) - A powerful Class item that increases Necromancer's Skills by 2, and provides some much-needed bonuses to mana. 

• Defense:  177-213
• Required Level: 42 
• Required Strength: 58
• Durability: 20
• Block: 72% 
  • +150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • 3-5 Mana After Each Kill (varies) 
  • 40% Increased Chance of Blocking 
  • 30% Faster Block Rate 
  • +2 To Necromancer Skill Levels 
  • +20 To Energy 
  • Regenerate Mana 33% 
  • All Resistances +25-35 (varies) 

Trang-Oul's Wing (Cantor Trophy) - This off-hand is extremely powerful by itself and becomes amazing when you combine it with the rest of the set. 

• Defense:  175-189 
• Required Level: 54 
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 10 
  • +2 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only) 
  • 30% Increased Chance of Blocking 
  • +125 Defense 
  • +[20-28] to Strength (varies) 
  • +[10-18] to Dexterity (varies) 
  • Fire Resist +[38-45]% (varies) 
  • Poison Resist +40% 
  • -25% to Enemy Poison Resistance (3 Items) 
  • +30% Faster Cast Rate (4 Items) 

Call to Arms (Runeword) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). You should combine this with a Shield that gives +2 to All Skills for the best effect (A Lidless Wall, for example). 

• Defense: Depends on base Weapon 
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage 
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage 
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +2-6 To Battle Command 
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders 
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry 
  • Prevent Monster Heal 
  • Replenish Life +12 
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items 

AMULETS

Mara's Kaleidoscope - This is one of the best Amulets in PD2 overall and it fits most of the builds, which makes it a good investment. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties.

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
  • +5 To All Attributes 

[Alternative] Rare/Magic Amulets with + Necromancer/Poison and Bone Spells are great budget choices and solid fillers before you are able to get Mara's Kaleidoscope. 

• Required Level: varies. 
• In Magic Amulets, look for:
  • +3 to Poison and Bone Spells 
• In Rare Amulets, look for:
  • +2 Necromancer Skills 
  • Magic Find 
  • Resistances 
  • Attributes 

ARMORS

Enigma (Runeword) - A solid all-around choice that takes care of your defense and offense. Blink Charges it gives you are less relevant because of Blood Warp, but still handy to have in some situations. Because of the Jah • Ith • Ber runes required to complete it, it is very expensive, however. 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Jah + Ith + Ber  
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +25% Faster Run/Walk 
  • Level 1 Blink* (5/5 Charges)
    Replenish 1 Charge in 3 Seconds
  • +500-775 Defense (varies) 
  • +[0-74] to Strength (+[0.5-0.75] per Character Level) (varies)
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Damage Reduced By 4%
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
  • [0-74]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items ([0.5-0.75]% per Character Level) (varies)

Atma's Wail (Embossed Plate) - This one gives you +1 to all Skills, a high Faster Cast Rate bonus, and provides an extremely solid defensive boost. Pick it if you struggle with the content. 

• Defense: 670 to 988
• Required Strength: 125
• Durability: 105
• Required Level: 41
  • +120-160% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +2-198 Defense (+2 per Character Level) 
  • 30% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • Replenish Life +10-20 (varies) 
  • Increase Maximum Mana 15% 
  • +15 to Dexterity 
  • +20% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items 
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • 30% Faster Cast Rate 

Trang-Oul's Scales (Chaos Armor) - A solid defensively-oriented armor that will make you (almost) impervious to physical damage if you combine it with the rest of the set. 

• Defense: 857
• Required Strength: 84
• Durability: 70
• Required Level: 49
  • +2 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only) 
  • +40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +150% Enhanced Defense 
  • +100 Defense vs. Missile 
  • Poison Resist +40% 
  • Requirements -40% 
  • +[1-2] to Blood Warp (Necromancer Only) (varies)
  • Lightning Resist +50% (3 Items) 
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by 25% (Complete Set) 

RINGS

The Stone of Jordan - A solid offensive choice that increases your Skills by +1. It is one of the most recognizable rings in Diablo2 (and for a good reason). 

• Required Level: 29
  • +1 to All Skills
  • Maximum Mana to 15-20% 
  • Adds 1-120 Lightning Damage 
  • +20-40 to Mana (varies) 

Raven Frost - This ring provides Freeze immunity which is extremely important to have. If you have freeze immunity from another item, you can choose a different ring. 

• Required Level: 76
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies) 
  • 15-45 Cold Damage 
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies) 
  • +40 Mana 
  • Cold Absorb 5-10% (varies) 
  • Cannot be Frozen 

Wisp Projector - Even though it's a Druid Ring, it is very solid for every Class. Also, the Lightning Absorb is a great addition to your defenses. Plenty of your deaths will be caused by Lightning Damage, so this one is definitely worth picking up. 

• Required Level: 76
  • Lightning Absorb 4-6% (varies)
  • 8-15% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +1-3 to Spirit of Barbs 
  • +1-3 to Heart of the Wolverine 
  • +1 To All Skills 

GLOVES

Gravepalm (Sharkskin Gloves) - An interesting choice of gloves for a Bone Necro. This pair gives +1 to Summoning Spells, which we use in the build, and gives us a chance for a Deadly Strike. 

• Defense: 96 - 112
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: - 20
• Durability: 14
  • +140-180% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +100-200% Damage to Undead (varies) 
  • +100-200 to Attack Rating Against Undead (varies) 
  • +10 to Energy 
  • +10 to Strength 
  • +1 to Summoning Skills (Necromancer Only)
  • 10-18% Deadly Strike (varies) 

Trang-Oul's Claws (Heavy Bracers) - These gloves offer an amazing faster cast rate boost (for gloves, that is). Bonus to Curses is not important for this build but can come in handy if you decide to invest a few points into the tree. 

• Defense: 67 - 74
• Required Level: 45
• Required Strength: - 58
• Durability: 16
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Cold Resist +30% 
  • +30 Defense 
  • +10-15% Poison Skill Damage (varies) 
  • +2 To Curses (Necromancer Only) 
  • +20 to Meteor (4 Items)

BOOTS

Waterwalk (Sharkskin Boots) - An extremely solid all-around choice. These boots make you run much faster without tiring and give a nice bonus to Life. However, the most important thing about them is the bonus to Faster Block Rate that they give. 

• Defense: 112-124
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: 47
• Kick Damage: 28-50
• Durability: 14  
  • +180-210% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 20% Faster Block Rate 
  • +15 to Dexterity 
  • +5% to Maximum Fire Resist 
  • Heal Stamina Plus 50% 
  • +40 to Maximum Stamina 
  • +45-65 to Life (varies) 

Aldur's Advance (Battle Boots) - This pair of Boots offers very high bonus Movement Speed and Life. Also, they have a very high bonus to Fire Resistances, which is handy if you don't have fire resistance charms or want your charms to have other bonuses. 

• Defense: 39-47
• Required Level: 45
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage: 37-64
• Durability: Indestructible  
  • Indestructible 
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • +180 Maximum Stamina 
  • Heal Stamina Plus +32% 
  • +50 To Life 
  • Set Bonuses: 
    • +15 To Dexterity (2 Item) 
    • +15 To Dexterity (3 Items) 
    • +15 To Dexterity (Completed Set) 

BELTS

Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - A top choice for the belt slot that gives +1 to all Skills in addition to increasing your Cast Rate. This belt is a must-have in a wide range of caster builds. 

• Defense: 119-138 
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 80
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 12
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense  
  • Slows Target by 20% 
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • +10-20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Maximum Mana 5-10% 
  • Level 3 Venom (31 Charges) 

String of Ears (Demonhide Sash) - A top-level defensive option that provides up to a 15% damage reduction bonus which is just amazing for this Item slot. 

• Defense: 102-113
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 20
• Durability: 22
  • +150-180% Enhanced Defense 
  • +15 Defense 
  • 6-8% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15% 
  • Magic Damage Reduced 10-15 

Trang-Oul's Girth (Troll Belt) - A solid defensively-oriented belt that provides you with the "Cannot be Frozen" affix which lets you swap Ravenfrost for another +Skills ring. 

• Defense: 134-166 
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 91
• Durability: 18
  • +[75-100] Defense (varies) 
  • +[56-76] to Life (varies) 
  • eplenish Life +[5-10] (varies) 
  • +[25-50] to Mana (varies) 
  • +30 Maximum Stamina 
  • Cannot Be Frozen 
  • Requirements -40% 
  • Cold Resist +40% (3 Items) 

• +18 to Fire Ball (2 Items) 
• Regenerate Mana 20% (2 Items) 
• +26 to Fire Wall (3 Items) 
• Regenerate Mana 15% (3 Items) 
• +10 to Fire Ball (4 Items) 
• Regenerate Mana 15% (Complete Set) 
• +3 to Necromancer Skill Levels (Complete Set) 
• 20% Life Stolen per Hit (Complete Set) 
• +6 to Fire Mastery (Complete Set) 
• Replenish Life +10 (Complete Set) 
• +100 to Mana (Complete Set) 
• All Resistances +50 (Complete Set) 
• Display Aura (Complete Set) 

CHARMS

1. Annihilus - This fabled Charm boosts your Skills, Stats, and Resistances. It's the best Unique Small Charm, and it's limited to just 1 in your equipment. 
2. Gheed's Fortune - The secret to Gheed's wealth and prosperity. Pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% better magic find. 
3. Hellfire Torch - The BiS Unique Large Charm that increases your Vitality, Skills, and more. You should, of course, go for one that gives +1 to Necromancer Skills. 
4. Grand Charms - These should have +Poison and Bone Spells (mandatory) and +Life/+Faster Run/Walk Speed. 
5. Small Charms - With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find - whatever suits your needs, basically. 

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Defiance Mercenary for extra damage mitigation bonuses. He should be equipped with: 

1. Doom Rune Word in Ethereal Elite Spear for Cannot be Frozen and a plethora of powerful offensive stats. Alternatively, you can run Insight. 
2. Fortitude Rune Word in Armor - This will ensure that your merc doesn't die (it will make him almost immortal). 
3. Steelrend Gloves - For massive damage bonus and Crushing Blow. 
4. Vampire's Gaze - For high Life Leech and damage reduction. 
5. String of Ears - Very high damage reduction and excellent survivability boost. 
6. Gore Rider Boots - For Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow greatly boosting the merc's DPS. 

END NOTE

This is our premiere Project Diablo 2 build where we tried to include all of the important information on how to set up this character while keeping the guide as compact as possible. If we've missed something of importance, please let us know! 

If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback.