A Summon Necromancer in D2R levels by letting an army do the fighting while you direct the fight with curses and Corpse Explosion. You don't need to plan around rare gear from the start: browse D2R Ladder Items if you want to compare equipment options, but build your character around the skills that keep your army useful first.

How do you level a Summon Necromancer

Start with Raise Skeleton and Skeleton Mastery as the foundation of the build. Your skeletons are your front line, so give their development priority instead of spreading your attention across every skill that looks appealing. A focused army makes it easier to move through areas without feeling as though you have to do all the fighting yourself.

Keep your role in mind as you level: you're not just waiting behind the minions. You choose where to move, support the army with curses, and look for chances to use Corpse Explosion. The build feels best when those pieces work together rather than when you rely on any single button.

Should you focus on Raise Skeleton or Skeleton Mastery

Both skills belong in your leveling plan. Raise Skeleton gives you the army, while Skeleton Mastery supports those minions, so treating either one as an afterthought leaves part of the build's foundation unattended. Put your early attention there before chasing options that don't directly help your main approach.

As you play, watch how comfortably your army handles each area. If fights feel slow or your front line struggles to hold up, consider how your next skill choice can support the skeletons. You don't need to turn every level into a puzzle; the goal is a dependable group of allies that lets the rest of the build function.

How do curses help a Summon Necromancer

Curses are your way to support the army during a fight. Rather than casting one without thinking and moving on, pay attention to what your minions are fighting and use your curse choice to help them deal with the situation. That small bit of involvement makes the build feel more active than simply following your skeletons through a zone.

Try to keep a clear view of the fight instead of running ahead of your front line. You'll have a better sense of where your army needs support and where a curse can make the next encounter more manageable. Your minions do the close work; your job is to help them do it consistently.

When should you use Corpse Explosion

Corpse Explosion gives the build a way to deal area damage once a fight has produced a corpse. Let your army and mercenary get the fight started, then look for an opportunity to use it against nearby enemies. It's a useful change of pace from waiting for each enemy to fall individually.

Don't let the skill distract you from maintaining your army and supporting it with curses. Think of Corpse Explosion as part of the rhythm of a fight: establish your front line, create an opening, and use the corpse when it can help clear the remaining enemies. Good positioning makes that rhythm easier to follow.

What gear and mercenary should a Summon Necromancer use

Affordable equipment is enough to start building around this playstyle. Look for useful upgrades as you level, but don't put your progress on hold while waiting for a particular item. A working army, timely curses, and Corpse Explosion give you a plan even when your gear is modest.

Your mercenary adds another ally to the group and helps support the army. Keep that companion in mind when assessing how a fight is going, rather than treating the slot as an afterthought. The goal is a group that works together while you stay free to direct the encounter.

Build your D2R Summon Necromancer around skeletons, support them with curses, and use Corpse Explosion to speed up groups of fights. Next, review your skills and current equipment, then compare cheap D2R Items with what you're already using before deciding which upgrade helps your army most.