PoE Necromancer Minion Leveling Walkthrough for Any Build ~ HaploGamingChef

Getting Started with Necromancer Minion Builds

If you're jumping into Path of Exile and looking to play a Necromancer, you’re probably aware that minion builds are one of the smoothest ways to level through the campaign. This guide is designed to help both new and returning players level any minion-based Necromancer build with minimal hassle, solid pacing, and maximum effectiveness.

Whether you're aiming for Mage Skeletons, Absolution, or any endgame setup, this guide walks you through a reliable strategy to get through the early game and up to early mapping. No fluff—just a functional process that works for any minion-focused build.

Why Use a Generic Leveling Build First?

Many popular endgame builds require specific gear or skill setups that aren't viable early on. Starting with a flexible minion-based leveling strategy lets you comfortably reach mapping zones while farming for the gear needed to switch to your final build.

This approach is especially helpful if:

You're new to minions or PoE in general
You’re transitioning from Path of Exile 2 to PoE1
You’re a veteran trying Necromancer or summoner builds for the first time

Skill Gems to Pick Early in Act 1

You’ll start the game as a Witch and grab a few essential gems from quests and vendors right after clearing the beach:

Rolling Magma: A great first spell until you get your minions going.
Holy Flame Totem + Summon Phantasm: Get these from Tarkleigh after Mud Flats.
Frostblink & Frost Bomb: Helps with mobility and enemy resistance reduction.

These support your early leveling and help bridge the gap until you unlock stronger summons.

Early Summons: SRS and Zombies (Act 1)

Once you reach Prison (around level 8), it's time to start using Summon Raging Spirits (SRS) and Raise Zombie.

SRS + Minion Damage + Melee Splash becomes your main offense.
Raise Zombie adds tankiness but isn't mandatory until later (around level 20+).

If you're a beginner, zombies can soak up aggro during boss fights like Brutus. But veterans may skip them early due to their fragility.

Switch to Absolution at Level 12

At level 12, swap to Absolution as your main skill. It's strong, scales well, and clears mobs effectively.

Core Link Setup:

Absolution
Minion Damage
Added Lightning Damage (or Cold, based on gear)
Flesh Offering (if available)

Absolution’s unique mechanic of summoning Sentinels makes it a powerhouse for leveling through the campaign.

Progressing with the Passive Tree

Stick with a tree that favors minion survivability and damage early. The leveling passive tree should take you through:

Minion Damage Nodes
Minion Life Nodes
Quick recovery of life and energy shield
Basic resistances and life to stay alive

Don't aim for your endgame tree right away. Use a leveling-specific tree and respec later using free orbs once you're ready to commit.

Gear Tips While Leveling

You don’t need perfect gear during the campaign. Focus on:

Life and Resistances
+Minion Gems or Spell Levels (if lucky)
Energy Shield pieces (for Eldritch Battery later)

Try to grab any 4-links you find and prioritize sockets with the right colors rather than item level or rarity. Movement speed boots are a nice bonus but not mandatory.

Switching Gears Around Act 5-6

As you hit Acts 5 and 6, look to solidify:

A full four-link for Absolution
One or two support links for Raise Zombie or Spectres if you add them
Auras like Purity of Elements, Skitterbots, and Flesh Offering

Also, start thinking about transitioning into the endgame tree around level 70+ once you’ve completed the campaign.

Reaching Mapping: What Comes Next

By the time you finish Act 10, you’ll be around level 65-70. At this stage, you have two options:

Stick with Absolution: It can comfortably carry you into early yellow maps.
Transition to Your Main Build: If you’ve gathered items like Amanamu's Gaze, Ancient Skull, or other core gear, you can respec and pivot into your final setup (like Skeleton Archers).

This flexibility is the core advantage of starting with a reliable minion leveling route.

Final Thoughts for New or Casual Players

This guide aims to remove the guesswork from leveling a Necromancer in PoE. Even if you’ve never touched minions or Necromancer before, this route is strong, forgiving, and straightforward.

Keep an eye out for updates in the written guide or PoB changes, but this base plan will get you through the campaign efficiently and prepare you for the next stage—farming your dream build.

Conclusion: Level Smarter, Not Harder

Leveling a Necromancer with minions in Path of Exile doesn’t have to be complicated. By following this guide, you’ll have a stable and effective setup that gets you from the beach in Act 1 all the way into early mapping without needing specialized gear or excessive game knowledge. Whether you’re planning to stick with Absolution or pivot into another minion archetype, this foundation gives you the flexibility to play how you want while minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency. Take your time, adapt to what gear you find, and enjoy the ride.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use this leveling guide for Mage Skeletons or Spectres?
Yes. This setup is meant as a flexible early-game strategy. Once you finish the campaign and gather your endgame gear, respec into your preferred build.

Q2: Do I need special items to make this leveling build work?
No. This guide uses generic gear with a focus on minion stats, resistances, and life. Nothing is gated behind expensive uniques.

Q3: When should I stop using Absolution?
You can use Absolution into yellow maps comfortably. Transition once you have the necessary items and support gems for your desired endgame build.

Q4: Is this guide beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. It’s designed with newer players in mind, especially those unfamiliar with minion mechanics or PoE’s leveling process.

Q5: Do I need to follow the Passive Skill Tree exactly?
Not exactly, but sticking close to the leveling tree suggested ensures smoother progression. You can respec into your final setup later.

Stay Connected with Haplo Gaming Chef

Haplo Gaming Chef blends gaming guides with casual cooking streams for a truly unique viewer experience. Whether you’re here for clean, no-nonsense walkthroughs or just want to chill with some cozy cooking content between game sessions, this is the place for you. From full game unlock guides to live recipe prep and casual chats, Haplo Gaming Chef delivers content that’s both informative and enjoyable.

You Can Follow Along On Every Major Platform:

YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, Flipboard, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Medium, Blogger, and even on Google Business.

No filler, no fluff—just straight-up help for gamers and fun for foodies. Join the community today!