All of them are permanent summons. That means you don't have to constantly re-summon your army - just cast Dread Shade occasionally to Last Epoch gold trigger frenzy, and watch the world burn.
Even at 854 corruption, this army doesn't just survive - it dominates. The synergy between the new Necromancer passive tree and fire scaling makes this setup one of the tankiest and most damaging variants to date.
Gameplay Overview
Let's talk real performance. In high-corruption gameplay (854+), this build melts bosses like Abomination, Harbinger of Defilement, and even Avaroth. Your minions barely take any damage, and the build's durability ensures you stay alive through intense encounters.
You'll also benefit from 10% damage reduction on the new Necromancer passive tree, as well as the defensive layering from Mantle of Paleok. The result? You're not just a commander of fire - you're practically immortal.
The only "button" you'll regularly hit is Dread Shade - to grant your minions Frenzy and Haste for even faster clears. Everything else? Your minions handle it.
Skill Breakdown
Summon Skeletons
Specialize only in Archers.
Key nodes: +3 additional Archers, Fire Arrow, Multi-Shot, and Critical Strike bonuses.
With the latest point increases, your skeletons are no longer paper-thin - they survive deep corruption and dish out serious fire damage.
Dread Shade
Permanent buff that enhances your army's attack speed, damage, and area.
Important nodes: Spectral Distance (100% increased area), Flesh Harvest (damage scaling based on slain minions), and Armor Buffs.
Cast it once every few seconds for constant Frenzy uptime.
Summon Bone Golem
Your tank and damage sponge.
Convert it to Fire with the left-side nodes and stack armor/threat generation so enemies focus the golem instead of you.
Summon Wraiths
Two permanent Fire Wraiths with massive multiplicative damage.
Boost base damage, crit multiplier, and add 10% more fire scaling for maximum burn.
Summon Skeleton Mage
The secret weapon - and your movement skill.
Unlock Grave Passage, which teleports you and up to 9 minions across the battlefield.
Fully spec into Fire damage, crit chance, and mana-based damage scaling for explosive clears.
Passive Tree Breakdown
Your Necromancer should be Level 100 for full optimization:
Base Acolyte Tree:
Forbidden Knowledge, Dark Rituals, and Unnatural Preservation for resistances, ward retention, and attack speed.
Soul Aegis now grants +400 base armor to all minions - a massive one-point investment.
Necromancer Tree:
Risen Army and Grave Thorns for armor and health scaling with Int/Vitality.
Reclamation of Souls and Soul Conduit for ward generation per minion.
Reaper's Dominion and Ravenous Horde for maximum Skeleton and minion attack speed.
Deathbringer (new node): 10% damage reduction redirected to your lowest-health minion.
Veins of Malice: Sacrifice 5% of your health when casting a spell to give all minions Haste and Frenzy - the key synergy with Dread Shade.
This tree combines both immense offense and defense, letting your army thrive even in 1,000+ corruption.
Gear & Idols
The best part? No mandatory uniqueness.
You can play this build with cheap Last Epoch gold self-found or traded gear and scale upward.