May 23, 2025
-Build created and updated for Season 11

1. Strength - just enough to equip your gear - in most cases, Archon Plate for your Runewords will have the highest requirements
2. Dexterity - just enough for gear again. Basically to the Dagger base you are using - just make sure to get one with high IAS
3. Vitality - you don't really need almost any points here unless you don't feel comfortable with just Bone Armor on your current stage 
4. Energy - put all points in Energy, boosting the Bone Armor's absorption. In case you are using Enigma and aiming for the fastest possible iteration of this build, the extra Mana can also come in handy 

SUMMONING SPELLS

Generally, you want Blood Warp (assuming you are not going for Enigma) and Blood Golems to tank some damage and offer some extra Life Steal. Distribute points evenly in those 2 Skills, and get Golem Mastery as well. Optionally, you can also get 1 Point in Revive for some extra Summons that can make your gameplay even safer

Skills:

1. Clay Golem [1/20] - Prerequisite
2. Blood Golem [10/20] - your primary defensive summon. It can tank a lot of damage and offers extra Life Steal
3. Golem Mastery [10/20] - boosts the survivability of your Blood Golems
4. Blood Warp [10/20] - your main mobility Skill unless you decide to go for Enigma

POISON AND BONE SPELLS

This Tree is straightforward - we only take Poison Strike, and max its' two synergy Skills

Skills:

1. Poison Strike [20/20] - your main damage-dealing ability. A melee attack that adds a ton of Poison Damage and offers massive Poison Resistance pierce
2. Bone Armor [20/20] - Poison Strike's synergy skill, but also your main defensive layer which scales with your Energy Attribute
3. Desecrate [20/20] - the second Poison Strike's synergy skill. It boosts its' damage only, you won't be using it at all
4. Teeth [1/20] - prerequisite
5. Corpse Explosion [1/20] - prerequisite

CURSES

No points allocated in this Tree

When it comes to Item choices, we have several options in most of the Slots, but basically, all the builds will rely on the Plague Runeword on your weapon. Other than that you will have to decide if you want to rely on Block for better defenses, or just boost your damage for faster Map farming

HELMETS

Andariel's Visage (Demonhead) - the BiS item for the Helmet slot. It was even further buffed in Season 10, now offering even higher Attack Speed which is a core stat for this build. It also let you create extra Poison Novas, even further boosting your amazing clear speed

Defense: 310-387
Required Strength: 102
Required Level: 83

• 15% Chance to Cast Level 30 Poison Nova when Struck
• +2 to All Skills
• +30% Increased Attack Speed
• [8-10]% Life Stolen per Hit
• +[100-150]% Enhanced Defense
• +[25-30] to Strength
• +8% to Maximum Poison Resist
• Fire Resist -20%
• Poison Resist +70%
• Level 3 Venom (20 Charges)
• 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
• +10 to Strength

Steel Shade (Armet) - another very decent option, but this time much more on the defensive side. It increases your Chance of Blocking, so if you want to rely on this mechanic, it may be the preferred option

Defense: 300-345
Required Strength: 109
Required Level: 62

• +2 to All Skills
• +20% Faster Block Rate
• 20% Increased Chance of Blocking
• [4-8]% Mana Stolen per Hit
• +[100-130]% Enhanced Defense
• Replenish Life +[30-48]
• +[4-6] Fire Absorb
• [60-80]% Extra Gold from Monsters
• Poison Resist +70%
• Level 3 Venom (20 Charges)
• 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
• +10 to Strength

WEAPONS

Plague (Runeword) - the best possible choice for the Weapon. Generally, all Poison Strike Necros are going to use that one, the only difference comes in the base you are going to use, and possible corruption

Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
Required Level: 67
Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
Cham + Fal + Um  

• 25% Chance to Cast Level 35 Poison Nova on Striking
• 30% Chance to Cast Level 35 Lower Resist when Struck
• Level [15-17] Cleansing Aura when Equipped
• +[1-2] to All Skills
• +20% Faster Cast Rate
• +[340-380]% Damage to Demons
• -20% to Enemy Poison Resistance
• [0-37]% Deadly Strike (0.375% per Character Level)
• 10% Chance of Open Wounds
• +120 Open Wounds Damage per Second
• Freezes Target +3
• +10 to Strength

SHIELDS

Martyrdom (Overseer Skull) - a very solid choice with tons of levels for all the Skill and Poison Strike. It also automatically recasts your Bone Armor making your gameplay much smoother

Defense: 371-429
Block: 28%
Required Strength: 91
Required Level: 68
Minimum Item Level: 87

• 15% Chance to Cast Level 35 Bone Armor on Striking
• +[2-3] to Necromancer Skills
• +35% Faster Hit Recovery
• 35% Increased Chance of Blocking
• Adds 300-350 Poison Damage over 2 Seconds
• +2 to Poison Strike (Necromancer Only)
• +[160-200]% Enhanced Defense
• Curse Resistance +[20-30]%
• Magic Damage Taken Reduced by [18-24]

Boneflame (Succubus Skull) - another very powerful Shield with +3 to All Skills, tons of Resistances, and increased Defenses. When using it, you will have to remember to recast your Bone Armor

Defense: 323-367
Block: 30%
Required Strength: 95
Required Level: 72

• 5% Chance to Cast Level 3 Terror when Struck
• +3 to Necromancer Skills
• +30% Faster Run/Walk
• +[120-150]% Enhanced Defense
• All Resistances +[20-30]
• Physical Damage Taken Reduced by [10-20]%
• +[4-8] Life after each Kill

Trang-Oul's Wing (Overseer Skull) - a very solid choice with tons of levels for all the Skill and Poison Strike. It also automatically recasts your Bone Armor making your gameplay much smoother

Defense: 175-189
Block: 60%
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 54

• +2 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)
• 30% Increased Chance of Blocking
• +125 Defense
• +[20-28] to Strength
• +[10-18] to Dexterity
• Fire Resist +[38-45]%
• Poison Resist +40%
• -25% to Enemy Poison Resistance (3 Items)
• 10% Chance of Open Wounds
• +120 Open Wounds Damage per Second
• Freezes Target +3
• +10 to Strength

WEAPON SWAP

Call to Arms (Runeword) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). 

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
• +[245-285]% Enhanced Damage
• Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
• 7% Life Stolen per Hit
• Prevent Monster Heal
• +[2-6] to Battle Command
• +[2-6] to Battle Orders
• +[1-3] to Battle Cry
• Replenish Life +12
• 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
• +10 to Strength

Lidless Wall (Grim Shield) - A very good and usually inexpensive Shield that grants up to +2 Skills and high FCR. Good to have on swap for those additional Skill Levels. 

Defense: 271-347
Block: 40% (Dru/Nec/Sor), 45% (Ama/Ass/Bar), 50% (Pal)
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 41

• +80-130% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
• +[1-2] to All Skills 
• Increase Maximum Mana 10% 
• 20% Faster Cast Rate 
• +[4-6] to Mana After Each Kill
• +10 to Energy 
• +1 to Light Radius 

AMULETS

Mara's Kaleidoscope - naturally almost always a solid choice for items that rely on Skill Levels that much

Required Level: 67

• +2 To All Skills 
• All Resistances +[20-30]
• +[5- 8T]o All Attributes 

Highlord's Wrath - another solid Unique option for this slot that grants maassive Attack Speed bonus, making it a perfect choice for setups that want to maximize clear speed

Required Level: 67

• +1 to All Skills
• +20% Increased Attack Speed
• Adds 1-300 Lightning Damage
• [0-24]% Deadly Strike (0.25 per Character Level)
• Lightning Resist +[30-40]%
• Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of [100-150]

Rare/Crafted Amulet - naturally, with all the possible mods, and the ability to double corrupt them, Rare Amulets will be potentially the BiS but at the same time the most expensive. It would be perfect to get a piece with a bonus to Skill Levels for this build, as well as increased Maximum Resistance

• +# to All Skills
• +# to Necromancer Poison and Bone Skills
• +#% to Maximum Resistances
• FCR/FHR/IAS
• Resistances, Life, and other minor stats

ARMORS

Innocence (Runeword) - a solid option for the Chest slot Grants +2 to All Skills and various defensive bonuses

Defense: Depends on base Armor 
Required Level: 69
Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
Durability: Depends on base Armor 
Gul + Lem + Zod + Hel

• Indestructible
• Level [8-12] Blade Shield When Equipped
• +2 to All Skills
• 20% Chance of Crushing Blow
• +[200-275]% Enhanced Defense
• +4% to Maximum Poison Resist
• Poison Length Reduced by 50%
• Attacker Takes Damage of [600-800]
• 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
• Requirements -25%

Bramble (Runeword) - another amazing Chest with potentially the highest raw Poison DPS bonus. Personally, I find it more suitable for Boss fights rather than fast-mapping

Defense: Depends on base Armor 
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
Durability: Depends on base Armor 
Ral + Ohm + Sur + Eth

• Level [18-21] Thorns Aura when Equipped
• +50% Faster Hit Recovery
• +[40-50]% to Poison Skill Damage
• +300 Defense
• Increase Maximum Mana 5%
• Regenerate Mana 15%
• +4% to Maximum Cold Resist
• Fire Resist +30%
• Poison Resist +100%
• +[4-6] Life after each Kill
• Level 13 Spirit of Barbs (33 Charges)

Enigma (Runeword) - great if you can afford a lot of FCR on your gear. This can result in the fastest possible iteration of this entire build when min-maxed. The points you no longer need in Blood Warp can go into Revive or boost your Blood Golems

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 Charges)
• Replenish 1 Charge in 3 Seconds
• +[500-775] Defense
• +[0-74] to Strength (+[0.5-0.75] per Character Level)
• Increase Maximum Life 5%
• Physical Damage Taken Reduced by 5%
• 15% Damage Taken Gained as Mana when Hit
• [0-74]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items ([0.5-0.75]% per Character Level)

RINGS

Raven Frost - a solid pick if you are not using Trang's Belt - having Cannot Be Frozen is a must. The extra Attack Rating is also important, as you need to hit with your Attacks to trigger Poison

Required Level: 45

• +[150-250] to Attack Rating
• Adds 15-45 Cold Damage
• +[15-20] to Dexterity
• +40 to Mana
• Cold Absorb 5%
• Cannot Be Frozen

Wisp Protector - another very straightforward choice that is picked mainly for the +1 to All Skills, Lighting Absord which reduces the damage of the deadliest Element, and Heart of the Wolverine summon for extra Damage

Required Level: 76

• +1 to All Skills
• Lightning Absorb [4-6]%
• [10-15]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
• Level 7 Spirit of Barbs (11 Charges)
• Level 2 Heart of Wolverine (13 Charges

Rare Rings - naturally there are plenty of valuable mods on Rings, including Life, Resistances, FCR, Attributes, and more

• +# Life
• +# Resistances (all types)
• #% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
• #% Faster Cast Rate
• Attributes

GLOVES

Trang-Oul's Claws (Heavy Bracers) - one of the best pairs for this build. They work particularly well if you are using Trang Belt and Shield, due to the extra Poison Res penetration

Defense: 67-74
Required Strength: 58
Required Level: 45

• +2 to Curses (Necromancer Only)
• +20% Faster Cast Rate
• +[10-15]% to Poison Skill Damage
• +30 Defense
• Cold Resist +30%
• +20 to Meteor (4 Items)

BOOTS

Waterwalk (Sharkskin Boots) - this is the best pair for this build with tons of mobility-related and defensive bonuses

Defense: 112-124
Required Strength: 47
Required Level: 32

• +30% Faster Run/Walk
• +20% Faster Block Rate
• +[180-210]% Enhanced Defense
• +15 to Dexterity
• +[45-65] to Life
• +40 Maximum Stamina
• Heal Stamina Plus 50%
• +5% to Maximum Fire Resist

BELTS

Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - the BiS belt for this build. It grants extra Skill levels, FCR, and slows your target by 20%

Defense: 119-138
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 80

• +1 to All Skills
• +[10-20]% Faster Cast Rate
• Slows Target by 20%
• +[90-120]% Enhanced Defense
• Increase Maximum Mana [5-10]%
• Level 3 Venom (31 Charges)

Trang-Oul's Girth (Troll Belt) - a solid set belt that grants you Freeze immunity and potentially a powerful 3 Set Bonus on the Shield, allowing you to penetrate extra Poison Resistances

Defense: 134-166
Required Strength: 91
Required Level: 62

• +[75-100] Defense
• +[56-76] to Life
• Replenish Life +[5-10]
• +[25-50] to Mana
• +30 Maximum Stamina
• Cannot Be Frozen
• Requirements -40%
• Cold Resist +40% (3 Items)

CHARMS

• Annihilus - This fabled Charm boosts your Skills, Vitality, Energy, and Resistance. It's the best Unique Small Charm, and it's limited to just 1 in your equipment. 
• 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. 
• Hellfire Torch - The BiS Unique Large Charm that increases your Vitality, Energy, Skills, Resistances and more. 
• Grand Charms - These should have extra Life and Poison and Bons Skills for Necromancer. 
• Small Charms - With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find or possibly Faster Hit Recovery

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 5 Mercenary with the new powerful Runeword Rapture. The choice is obvious since this RW is limited to Hammers, and it provides level 35 Lower Resist on Striking - a very strong and valuable debuff for this build. 

• Rapture Runeword in Ogre Maul or similar - this Runeword offers insane DPS but also a very powerful debuff on Strikes - Lower Resist, which makes it particularly valuable for this pure Poison build
• Fortitude or Innocence Runewords in Armor - just boost your Merc's survivability as much as possible here
• Steelrend Gloves - for massive damage bonus and Crushing Blow chance. Naturally, you can pick more defensive options here too
• Ferocity Runeword in Helmet - your Merc will Taunt monsters, boosting your survivability, also grants FHT, Life Steal, tons of defenses, and Freeze immunity
• String of Ears - grant very high damage reduction and excellent survivability boost
• Tancred's Hobnails - for the extra Physical Damage reduction. 

END NOTE

Thank you for checking out our Project Diablo 2 build guide! This is an early version where we aimed to provide all the essential details while keeping things concise and easy to follow. If you have suggestions or noticed anything we missed, feel free to share your feedback — it helps us improve future content.

Got a specific build in mind? Let us know in the comments — we’re always looking for new ideas to cover. Be sure to check back regularly for updates and explore our other guides and resources to get the most out of your PD2 experience!