Corpse Explosion Necromancer

Creating a Mercenary-based build that focuses on Corpse Explosion for the Necromancer in Diablo 2: Resurrected can be an interesting and fun playstyle. In this build, you'll primarily use your mercenary to tank and deal damage while you rely on Corpse Explosion to clear out groups of enemies. Here’s a guide to help you create an effective Corpse Explosion build focusing on supporting your Mercenary.

Corpse Explosion Build Guide

Key Skills

Focus primarily on the Poison and Bone Tree, with an emphasis on Corpse Explosion and some support skills.

  1. Poison and Bone Tree:
  • Teeth (1 Point) - Can be used as a filler for low-level content.
  • Corpse Explosion (20 Points) - Your main damage dealer that allows you to blow up corpses for area damage.
  • Bone Spear (20 Points) - A great single-target damage spell and serves as a synergy for Corpse Explosion.
  • Bone Spirit (1-20 Points) - A powerful spirit attack; optional based on your playstyle.
  • Bone Armor (1 Point) - Provides a protective shield from incoming damage.
  • Bone Wall/Bone Prison (1-20 Points) - Useful for crowd control and to protect yourself.
  1. Summoning Tree:
  • Raise Skeleton (1 Point) - Optional for additional distractions and support.
  • Skeleton Mastery (1 Point) - Enhances skeletons if you decide to summon them.
  • Revive (1-20 Points) - Allows you to raise powerful monsters from corpses, which can serve as additional damage dealers and distractions for your mercenary.
  1. Curses Tree:
  • Amplify Damage (1 Point) - Increases the damage taken by enemies, enhancing your Corpse Explosion damage.
  • Lower Resistance (1 Point) - Useful for increasing damage against enemies with high resistances.

Stat Distribution

  • Strength: Allocate enough for your gear (around 50-100).
  • Dexterity: Minimal unless you intend to max block with a shield.
  • Vitality: Most points should be allocated here for survivability (aim for at least 200-300).
  • Energy: Moderate investment (around 50-100) is recommended as you’ll rely on spells.

Gear Recommendations

To maximize your effectiveness, aim for gear that enhances skills, survivability, and mana regeneration:

  • Helm:
    • Harlequin Crest (Shako) for +skills, resistances, and life.
  • Armor:
    • Skin of the Vipermagi for +skills and resistances.
    • Enigma (for teleportation) can be useful, but not necessary.
  • Weapon:
    • Death's Web (if available) to enhance poison and bone skills.
    • Arm of King Leoric for +skills to summon and bone spells.
  • Shield:
    • Homunculus for +skills and resistances.
  • Boots:
    • Marrowwalk for +skills and bonuses to bone spells.
  • Belt:
    • Arachnid Mesh for +skills and faster cast rate.
  • Gloves:
    • Magefist for faster cast speed.
  • Rings:
    • Stone of Jordan for +skills and increased mana.
  • Amulet:
    • Mara’s Kaleidoscope for resistances and +skills.

Mercenary Choice

  • Act 2 Defensive Mercenary: This mercenary can tank damage and protect you while you use Corpse Explosion effectively:
    • Weapon: Insight for mana regeneration.
    • Armor: Treachery or Chains of Honor for survivability and damage bonuses.
    • Helm: Andariel’s Visage for increased damage and life steal.

Gameplay Tips

  • Use your mercenary to engage enemies first, allowing them to take damage while you cast spells.
  • Position yourself to maximize the effectivity of Corpse Explosion by using classes that frequently create corpses.
  • Use Amplify Damage before exploding corpses to significantly increase the damage dealt.
  • Maintain Bone Armor for protection against receiving damage during combat.
  • Summon additional minions (if you’ve invested points) to further distract and deal damage to enemies.