Intro & build description
Summoner build is always a good choice as a league starter and this one is no different. Even though you need quite an expensive jewel (Dead Reckoning) as a core item, the build can map without it and quickly farm enough currency to buy one.
Dead reckoning allows us to summon Skeleton Mages instead of regular skeletal warriors. Other mechanics that make this build shine are Blessed Rebirth (Allocated on Cluster Jewels), which makes our recently summoned minions immune to damage and allows easy bossing.
For Animated Guardian setups, I recommend you to watch this video explanation.
Build Pros
- Tanky - has close to max block, decent life pool, and armor.
- Excellent at boss farming
- Good map clear
- Don't have to worry about reflect
Build Cons
- Has a lot of moving parts (build-altering uniques, minion helm craft, Animate guardian setup), so might not be the easiest build for beginners
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
[3.18] Skill Tree PoB LinkBandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Mindless Aggression |
Labyrinth 2 | Commander of Darkness |
Labyrinth 3 | Unnatural Strength |
Endgame Labyrinth | Mistress of Sacrifice |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Vaal Summon Skeletons
Volley Support
Pierce Support
Spell Echo Support
We use this setup in late-game helmet which has Hypothermia and Minion Damage mods on it. Before you get helm like this, use this setup in your body armor.
Body Armor
Raise Spectre
Raise Zombie
Meat Shield Support
Animate Guardian
Minion Life
Feeding Frenzy
Gloves
Flame Dash
Convocation
Steelskin
Sniper's Mark
Boots
Summon Stone Golem
Determination
Enlighten Support (Ideally LVL 4)
Tempest Shield
2h Weapon
None
1h Weapon
Desecrate
Bone Offering
Defiance Banner
Offhand weapon / shield
Awakened Generosity Support
Zealotry
Summon Skitterbots
Build uniques / Example rare gear
Tip: Click on the item to view it on PoE Wiki or to view similar rare items in poe.tradeHelmet
Rare Shaper/Elder HelmetOn the very-endgame helmet, we absolutely need 3 mods as a minimum.
1) Supported Gems are Supported by Hypothermia
2) Supported Gems are Supported by Minion Damage
3) +x to Level of Socketed Minion Gems
If you can craft +1 to maximum skeletons / zombies on the helm you are set. You can try crafting helm like that by using 2-socketed resonators with Frigid & Bound fossil combination on double influenced Shaper & Elder bone helmet.
Before you can afford to do that, any helmet with life, resistances will do the trick, just make sure you craft additional skeleton on it.
So please note that this is very endgame-focused helmet.
Body Armour
FleshcrafterSince our minions deal 3 types of damage, this body armour is perfect choice to ignore monster resistances.
Please keep in mind that you should avoid giving your Animate guardian chaos resistance to not instantly kill him with this chest equipped.
Before you can afford this body armour, just use regular 6-linked body armour like Vaal Regalia or Tabula Rasa.
Gloves
BreathstealerBreathstealer if a perfect end-game pair of gloves, although quite expensive. Another perk for these gloves is that you can have an annointment on them, since this is a blight item.
An alternative would be rare pair of gloves with high life, resistances and minions deal increased damage craft.
Left Ring
Rare RingOn rings look for generic mods like maximum life, resistances, attributes that you are lacking.
You could also craft – mana cost for non-channeling skills for extra utility.
Belt
Darkness EnthronedGood & cheap belt for the build which helps us with damage scaling.
Socket 2 Ghastly Eye abyssal jewels into it with following mods:
1) At least +30 to maximum life
2) Minions deal x% increased damage if you have used minion skill recently
3) Ideally, you would want another minion damage mod like minions deal cold/fire/lightning damage
1Hand Weapon
Rare Convoking WandIdeally in endgame, we would want Convoking Wand with +1 to all spell skill gems and +1 to all minion skill gems mods.
We should also craft trigger socketed gems mod for utility.
Until you can get wand like that, use one with one of the mods and minion cast speed or damage mods.
Offhand
Rare Shaper ShieldLook for rare shield with Shaper influence and Socketed gems have 30% increased mana reservation efficiency mod + high life. Resistance mods are good bonuses.
Other notable shield options for the build would be Aegis Aurora or The Surrender.
Jewel
Dead ReckoningThis is the core item of the build that converts our skeleton warriors into mages.
Focus on getting this item as soon as possible.
Jewel
Glorious VanityUse this jewel (Sacrificed in the name of Doryani version) later on to convert Unwavering Stance keystone into Corrupted Soul.
Jewel
Cluster JewelsBuild uses 1 large and 1 medium cluster jewel.
On large cluster jewel:
Ideally, we should be looking for 2 mods:
1) Small passive skills have 35% increased effect
2) Minions have #% increased attack and cast speed.
This mod combination is expensive, so until you can get it, use any useful notables that you come across.
On medium cluster jewel :
Look for Blessed Rebirth (Get it ASAP) and Renewal.
Flask
Flask SetupBuild uses following flasks:
1) Rumi’s Concoction
2) Life Flask with bleed removal
3) Quicksilver Flask of Adrenaline
4) Hybrid Flask
5) Granite Flask with %increased armour during flask effect