Intro & build description
With the 3.8 and Blight league comes rework for summoners and how they operate offering much more enjoyable experience overall. If you have never played summoner before, this is the perfect moment to try it out. Summoner builds are very cheap to get going and are perfect build of choice to start in a new economy (League), they are very safe and pretty much work perfectly fine with any items you pick up from the ground as your minions are doing all the heavy lifting. But this is not your ordinary summoner build, this build utilizes Soulwrest unique staff which allows us to summon Phantasm every time we consume the corpse, which synergizes perfectly with Bubonic Trail and we summon our minions automatically as we move through corpses.
Build Pros
- Fun
- Very tanky (around 8-9k life with a high block and spell block)
- Cheap
- Very safe due being summoner build
- Can do every map mod
- Summoners are getting buff and QOL features with Blight league
Build Cons
- Summoner builds are not for everyone
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
[3.8] Full BuildBandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Commander of Darkness |
Labyrinth 2 | Mistress of Sacrifice |
Labyrinth 3 | Mindless Aggression |
Endgame Labyrinth | Unnatural Strength |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Raise Zombie
Minion Life Support
Minion Speed Support
Bone Offering
Body Armor
Gloves
Desecrate
Phase Run
Increased Duration Support
Spell Cascade Support
Boots
Curse on Hit Support
Projectile Weakness
2h Weapon
Summon Phantasm Support
Minion Damage Support
Brutality Support
Greater Multiple Projectiles Support
Faster Projectiles Support
Minion Speed Support
1h Weapon
None
Offhand weapon / shield
None
Build uniques / Example rare gear
Tip: Click on the item to view it on PoE Wiki or to view similar rare items in poe.tradeBody Armour
Kaom's HeartAny rare chest with high life and elemental resistances works perfectly fine. Kaom’s Heart is just that big ticket item you wish to purchase to make your character super tanky and push higher tier content.
Boots
Bubonic TrailBuild can definitely function without Bubonic Trail boots, they are not required by any means. However, QOL value they provide while detonating corpses and automatically summoning phantasm makes them insanely sought after. Use rare boots till you can afford 1 abyssal socket Bubonic Trails. Upgrade to 2 socket once you can afford them.
Left Ring
Rare Unset RingAs we are using lots of uniques, Kaom’s included, we are kind of short on gem sockets. I suggest using Unset ring to make some extra room.
Right Ring
Essence WormAs we are using Blood Magic, we need Essence Worm and Purity of Elements to fill the gaps in resistances.
Amulet
Stone of LazhwarThis amulet boosts our spell block further, very cheap and very strong choice. If you wish to use rare amulet instead, you can definitely do that. Use whichever you prefer.
2Hand Weapon
SoulwrestPretty much only unique which is required for the build to work. Bread and butter of the build, hence the name.
Jewel
Careful PlanningI would suggest using Careful Planning in jewel slot next to Quick Recovery. Transforms 90 intelligence into 90 dexterity.
Jewel
Might of the MeekThey are expensive but bonus they provide socketed into scion jewel slotsĀ makes them so worth it. Use rare jewels till you can afford Might of the Meek.
Jewel
Rare Jewels- Increased life
- Increased damage
- Minions deal increased damage
- Elemental resistances
Flask
Flask Setup- Forbidden Taste
- Rumi’s Concoction
- The Wise Oak
- Experimenter’s Basalt Flask of Staunching
- Experimenter’s Quicksilver Flask of Adrenaline