Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Best Necromancer Leveling Builds

The Blight Corpse Explosion Necromancer may not be as flashy as some of the other builds, but it's a strong and versatile option for early game leveling. This build is amazing in close-range combat, using crowd control to set up devastating Corpse Explosions that wipe out anything around you. What makes this build stand out is that it doesn’t depend heavily on Aspects and can take you all the way to level 60 with minimal gear investment. While it doesn’t excel in any one area, it’s an excellent all-around option, acting as a 'Jack of all Trades' among Necromancer builds. If you like the sound of a balanced, reliable build, this might be the best starting point for your Necromancer.

Blight has received a few small changes for the Vessel of Hatred expansion, with two of it's choice nodes now allowing you to either increase its size or to make it slow enemies. This is not going to make or break the build and it remains one of the best leveling options for the new expansion.

If you are looking for a more AoE-focused Necromancer build, Sever is a great option. This is one of the most visually stunning abilities in the game, summoning an undead specter that slashes through enemies with a massive scythe, delivering devastating damage. The build also incorporates your minions, making it a great option if you want to fully embrace the Necromancer’s undead class fantasy. In terms of effectiveness, Sever offers excellent AoE damage and clear potential, is highly tanky, and can smoothly transition into powerful endgame variants. However, one of the drawbacks is that to unlock its full potential, you’ll need to find key aspects like the Aspect of Decay and Aspect of Explosive Mist. While these aren’t necessary for progressing to through level 60, they significantly enhance the build and smooth out its gameplay experience.

Sever has not received any significant changes in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, aside from a small change to one of it's Legendary Aspects. Make sure to try out this build if you are looking for some cinematic gameplay.

The Blood Surge Necromancer build is arguably the easiest recommendation for any class. Blood Surge is one of the strongest AoE abilities in the game, with its damage scaling based on the number of enemies around you, and it allows for easy Source regeneration, making the build almost infinitely sustainable. Visually striking, this build also incorporates your minions, which adds to the classic Necromancer class fantasy that many players enjoy. This build seamlessly transitions into the endgame and stands out as one of the strongest options for the Necromancer class. It's not heavily dependent on gear or Aspects, but picking up a few key ones will make it even more powerful.

The Minion Necromancer build is ideal for players who prefer a more laid-back experience, letting their army of the undead do most of the work. While you'll still provide support with buffs and crowd-control abilities, much of your time will be spent picking up loot and following your minions as they clear the battlefield. This build requires minimal actions-per-minute, making it perfect for players who want a relaxed playstyle or for those with disabilities. After several seasons of buffs, the Minion Necromancer build has not only become competitive with other top-tier options but may also be the strongest build available in the Vessel of Hatred expansion.