Necromancers in The Elder Scrolls Online use the power that divides life and death to summon and empower the dead to do their bidding. This class suits the darker aspects of The Elder Scrolls franchise, which dabbles into the unknown and the terrifying. For players interested in summoning minions and empowering them for encounters, this class is a must-try.

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The variety of builds in Elder Scrolls Online help make them quite versatile. Grave Lord relies on their summoning skills, while Bone Tyrant uses flesh and bones. Meanwhile, their Living Death makes use of their necrotic powers for healing. Interestingly, players have to be mindful when building a Necromancer as summoning in towns is a criminal offense!

Updated December 31, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam: With Bethesda axing the idea of year-long story arcs for 2023’s rendition of The Elder Scrolls Online, devs now teased a short but complete new storyline in June 2023 as well as a couple of dungeon DLCs. This “break” from massive year-long updates can give new and old fans of the series some time to mix and match some Class formulas for their new character concepts, with the Necromancer boasting some interesting approaches to their potential builds. Aside from a newcomer’s accessible build, aspiring Necromancers can focus on long-ranged archery, hard damage, spamming big summons, and even choosing survival over DPS.

15 Introduction To Necromancy

Introduction to Necromancy
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strength: Straightforward kit makes it a good introduction to the Class
  • Weakness: A bit generic and not as diverse in terms of abilities

Aside from the local Khajiit being a common sight in Elsweyr, it’s the secret arts of the Magicka Necromancer that are also practiced here. Such is the mysterious nature of Necromancy as a type of Magicka in The Elder Scrolls series that its practitioners are regarded with fear. And in The Elder Scrolls Online, the Introduction to Necromancy build gives newcomers to the Class a taste of how brutal the Class can become, even in the context of a beginner toolkit.

Key to the Introduction to Necromancy build is the Grave Lord skill tree, wherein players need to maximize summons such as Blastbones and Frozen Colossus, which become the primary damage dealers in the build. Players also need to learn critical synergies involving these pets, such as Undead Confederate and Dismember that can drastically boost combat performance and sustains when not near a tank like the Templar, and strong AOEs such as Boneyard and Shocking Siphon.

14 Stamina Necroarcher

Stamina Necroarcher
  • Resource Focus: Magicka and Stamina
  • Strength: Archery focus gives players another option to kill enemies in combat when out of Magicka
  • Weakness: Overall Magicka potency takes a toll in favor of Poisons and long-ranged efficiency

While the Destruction Staff is often associated with The Elder Scrolls Online spellcasters like the Necromancer, the Stamina Necroarcher is proof that these spellcasters of death are just as potent with the bow as they are in the staff. In turn, this Stamina Necroarcher focuses on equal parts Magicka and Agility, relying on a lot of burst damage to consistently deal decent damage while dishing out debuff after debuff to debilitate the enemy team, especially in tandem with a Class like the Dragonknight.

At its core, the two (2) skill toolbars players use for this build are primarily focused on dealing Poison Damage to foes, all coming from bow weapons. For the main bar, players heavily rely on summons such as the Skeletal Archer and Blighted Blastbones for protection while dishing out Poisons with Lethal Arrow, Acid Spray, and Detonating Siphon. Meanwhile, the secondary bar buffs the Necromancer with Necrotic Potency and Resolving Vigor, with extra attacks via Endless Hail and Poison Injection. Both bars have Pestilent Colossus as an Ultimate, giving them a juggernaut of an ally to distract foes.

13 Necromancer Crusher

Necromancer Crusher
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strength: Summon-heavy toolkit allows players to have minions do much of the work for them
  • Weakness: Heavily reliant on summons, can break rotations if a summon is done incorrectly

Players of The Elder Scrolls Online in it for the long haul know that the grind in the MMO is no joke, often needing a steady supply of both damaging spells and sustains to outlast some of the game’s toughest foes. In the case of the Necromancer, the Necromancer Crusher build focuses on building up damage numbers for consistent skills instead of flashy effects, focusing more on Magicka and a balanced take on skills.

In this regard, much of the Necromancer Crusher and its toolkit bank on bolstering the Necromancer’s AOE and damage-over-time effects, which are its primary sources of damage. Players should primarily spam Stalking Blastbones for base damage and Hungry Scythe for the additional healing, whereas Unstable Wall of Elements and Skeletal Mage provides AOEs to finish opponents quickly. It’s recommended the Necromancer Crusher be paired with a sturdy tank like the Warden to avoid unnecessary deaths.

12 Bulky Necromancer

Bulky Necromancer
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strength: Takes advantage of the strong AOEs and spells of the Necromancer
  • Weakness: Summoning doesn't take priority, which is a huge appeal of the Class in the first place

Given their nature as spellcasters, the Necromancer and other magic-users in The Elder Scrolls Online and subsequent The Elder Scrolls lore materials are often regarded as physically frail. In the open nature of the MMO, however, the Bulky Necromancer proves there’s no such thing as frailty if one trains hard enough.

With the Bulky Necromancer, the spellcaster focuses on dealing as much damage with as little an interval as possible to outpace the enemy’s healing. This is done through attacks such as Shrouded Daggers, Steel Tornado, Arrow Barrage, and alternating Ultimates such as Flawless Dawnbreaker and Pestilent Colossus. Meanwhile, they also get nifty sustains through decent Magicka DPS armor and constant heals via Echoing Vigor and Necrotic Potency, taking advantage of corpses from recent farms to augment health in general.

11 Exiled Necromancer

Exiled Necromancer
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strength: Extremely survival-oriented, can solo a lot of instances in the game
  • Weakness: Survivability steals the spotlight from damage, making this weak on the DPS end

With how spellcasters are often fragile in MMOs like The Elder Scrolls Online, they are often expected to have company in the form of burly tanks and other damage dealers. However, when a player transforms into the Exiled Necromancer, they’re built precisely to outlast foes. Thing is, the Exiled Necromancer needs to activate both Poisons and Weapon Enchantments as much as spell effects in order to become highly effective, similar to the DPS-reliant Nightblade.

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Unlike other builds, the Exiled Necromancer is beefed up to survive precisely because this takes priority over the damage. This means dodging, shielding, and healing takes the main focus instead of the usual damaging abilities. Players need to pay attention to Brawler to secure shields while hitting multiple foes and Echoing Vigor to get that healing. Not only that, but Exiled Necromancers also need to consider their summons (Blighted Blastbones, Skeletal Archer, Spirit Guardian), and damage-over-times (Detonating Siphon, Endless Hail, Razor Caltrops) are always properly rotated for constant use.

10 One Bar Necromancer

Elder Scrolls Online Best Necromancer Builds One Bar
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strengths: Simple rotations thanks to no weapon switching
  • Weaknesses: Not as complex as many builds out there

The Necromancer is fortunate for having plenty of variety in their class skills that make it easy to put together complex, interconnected builds. On the other hand, though, it's also easy to play a Necromancer without nearly as much complexity in a build that doesn't even use a second weapon. This build from Hack the Minotaur mixes self-sustain and high damage output abilities to make up a surprisingly powerful one-bar build.

This build uses a Destruction staff in the main hand with the ultimate Glacial Colossus and the Spirit Guardian ability to take some pressure off of the player when necessary. Abilities like Beckoning Armor and Mystic Siphon provide some sustained bonuses to resources and defense, while abilities like stalking Blastbones and Elemental Blockade. This build uses three weapon sets, Mother's Sorrow and Iceheart for the increase to Critical Chance, and the Draugrkin's Grip for its debuffing effect.

9 Bloodrush Necromancer

Necromancer Builds - Bloodrush
  • Resource Focus: Magicka and Stamina
  • Strengths: Good for PvP thanks to Camouflaged Hunter, good self-sustain
  • Weaknesses: Shared resources mean neither is as maxed out as it could be

The Bloodrush Necromancer build excels in fighting single targets. The Spirit Guardian constantly provides heals, while Revitalize and Undead Confederate let the Necromancer enjoy increased regeneration. Blighted Blastbones also offers assistance. Its 2H main bar relies on Camouflaged Hunter to reveal hidden enemies, with Forward Momentum removing any immobilizing debuffs.

These skills work well with Dizzying Swing, Executioner, and the ultimate Dawnbreaker of Smiting. The dual-wield secondary bar provides buffs with Spirit Guardian, Resolving Vigor, Summoner's Vigor, and Expunge and Modify. The ultimate Temporal Guard works as a handy reset, as it restores health, Magicka, and stamina to their values four seconds ago.

8 Cleave Necromancer

Necromancer Builds - Cleave
  • Resource Focus: Mix of Magicka and Stamina
  • Strengths: AoE Damage, Self-Buffs
  • Weaknesses: Single-Target damage, close combat oriented

The Cleave Necromancer relies heavily on its 2H setup for both single targets and AOE. Thanks to the Skeletal Archer, the Undead Confederate passive provides increased stamina and Magicka recovery. Both of the build's skillsets utilize Detonating Siphon and the ultimate Pestilent Colossus for devastating AOE.

This build from AlcastHQ has a 2H main bar that immobilizes enemies with Barbed Trap and uses Blighted Blastbones to summon an additional ally. The Necromancer uses Wrecking Blow and Reverse Slice for damage. Meanwhile, its secondary bar fits well with a bow or a dual-wield setup. Endless Hail dishes out quick AOE against enemies, while the Necromancer enjoys buffs from Necrotic Potency and Resolving Vigor.

7 Werewolf Necromancer

Necromancer Builds - Werewolf
  • Resource Focus: Stamina
  • Strengths: Works at any range, high physical damage
  • Weaknesses: Doesn't benefit from necromancer-based passives

The Werewolf Necromancer gives players a much-needed physical boost. However, a Necromancer's damage-based passives won't work in Werewolf form, as they need Necromancer abilities. Either way, the Werewolf form can be a great melee backup. In this Werewolf Necromancer build, the main toolbar takes full advantage of a Necromancer's long-range capabilities.

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Blighted Blastbones lets Necromancers rely on a skeleton to fight for them, with Barbed Trap and Rapid Strikes attacking from a distance, and Detonating Siphon exploding corpses nearby. Their secondary toolbar has a familiar rotation, this time with Skeletal Archer and Pestilent Colossus dealing damage.

6 Colossus Necromancer Tank

Necromancer Builds - Colossus
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strengths: Tanking, self-Healing, multi-target damage
  • Weaknesses: Relies on Agony Totem and Spirit Ward, relatively complex

Necromancers make powerful tanks thanks to their Bone Tyrant specialization, which the Colossus Necromancer build from Alcast HQ takes full advantage of. This build enables Colossus Necromancers to pull ranged opponents and wreak havoc. These Necromancers make use of Mortal Coil to grant heals from corpses, with Spirit Guardian providing additional defense.

Their S&B main bar relies on the Agony Totem to grant Minor Protection. Heroic Slash, Pierce Armor, and Spirit Ward boost attack and healing. Meanwhile, the off-bar Destruction Staff taps into Necrotic Potency to take advantage of dead mobs, and get defense and buffs from Elemental Blockade, Mortal Coil, and Inner Rage. Lastly, Pestilent Colossus gives maximum carnage.

5 Solo StamCro

Elder Scrolls Online Best Necromancer Builds Solo StamCro
  • Resource Focus: Stamina
  • Strengths: Great for soloing, able to take on world bosses on one's own if played correctly
  • Weaknesses: Requires a lot of maintenance of abilities and careful attention to resources

Playing The Elder Scrolls Online as a solo player is just as viable as playing with a group, and when questing out in the world players usually find themselves without other players to rely on. Solo builds are great for casuals and veterans alike, as they can let a player take on extremely challenging content on their own, or guarantee a new player the ability to survive while learning the ropes. This build from Hack the Minotaur uses Stamina and a Two-Handed and Bow setup to make soloing easier.

The front bar uses abilities like Dizzying Swing and Blighted Blastbones for raw damage, while the Bow back bar uses abilities like Spirit Guardian and Necrotic Potency to enhance the Necromancer in between attacks. The build makes use of two armor sets – the Venomous Smite set adds Weapon Critical and Weapon Damage, as well as a DOT effect, while the Eternal Vigor set adds passive resource recovery.

4 Solo MagCro

Necromancer Builds - MagCro
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strengths: Great for solo play, self-sustaining, damage mitigation
  • Weaknesses: Party play, relies on minions for survivability

Like the Solo StamCro, the MagCro in dungeons relies on minions and passives for survivability and damage. In this build from Alcast HQ, the Spirit Guardian and Undead Confederate provide damage soaking and healing, which the Hungry Scythe boosts with bonus damage. This build has a Destruction Staff main bar that buffs the MagCro with Harness Magicka. Meanwhile, the Ricochet Skull and Hungry Scythe serve as damage dealers.

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Minions from Stalking Blastbones, Spirit Guardian, and Glacial Colossus provide massive AOE support. The Destruction Staff secondary set relies on AOE with Unstable Wall of Elements, with Mystic Siphon, Elemental Drain, and Consuming Trap providing resource steals. Lastly, Skeletal Arcanist and ultimate Ravenous Goliath can provide much-needed support via minions.

3 Scourge Necromancer Healer

Scourge Necromancer Healer
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strengths: Very powerful support spec, multi-faceted benefits
  • Weaknesses: Combat prayer spam healing

Scourge Necromancers with Spirit Guardians can benefit from recovery boosts thanks to their Confederate passive, which opens up opportunities for their healing abilities. The Scourge build relies on the Necromancer's Restoration Staff for healing. Combat Prayer serves as their main spam heal, with Illustrious Healing and Radiating Regeneration giving boosts.

Energy Orb replenishes resources, while Renewing Animation is the team resurrect spell. The Shock Staff secondary bar serves as their minor defensive skillset. Elemental Blockade and Elemental Drain protect allies and debuff enemies. Finally, Spirit Guardian and Summoner's Armor grant additional defense.

2 Reaper Necromancer

Necromancer Builds - Reaper
  • Resource Focus: Stamina
  • Strengths: Dual-Wielding, single-target damage, crowd control
  • Weaknesses: Self-sustaining, AoE damage

The Reaper Necromancer maximizes their stamina for significant single-target and AOE damage. Summoning Skeletal Archers and Blighted Blastbones lets them enjoy the Confederate Passive for regeneration, with Last Gasp boosting health.

The Reaper build has two skill sets that make use of the ultimate Pestilent Colossus. The dual-wield skillset makes use of Deadly Cloak for protection, with Rapid Strikes and Whirling Blades serving as its single-target damage dealers. Detonating Siphon serves as a decent AOE. Meanwhile, the bow skillset immobilizes enemies with Barbed Trap, with Endless Hail providing AOE damage. Resolving Vigor and Necrotic Potency also provide helpful buffs.

1 Curse Necromancer

Necromancer Builds - Curse
  • Resource Focus: Magicka
  • Strengths: Survivability, AoE damage, minor support skills
  • Weaknesses: Single-target damage, resource recovery

The Curse Necromancer boasts great survivability and decent single-target and AOE damage. This build from Alcast HQ uses Undead Confederate and Mystic Siphon for resource recovery. Its Fire Staff main bar summons allies in the form of Skeletal Arcanist and Stalking Blastbones. Blood for Blood deals AOE damage, while Mystic Orb deals AOE damage with useful healing.

Its ultimate ability Shooting Star deals powerful AOE. Meanwhile, its Fire Staff secondary bar makes use of Necrotic Potency and Harness Magicka for healing and shields. Unstable Wall of Elements and Unnerving Beyond deal great AOE damage. This bar uses Glacial Colossus as its ultimate.

The Elder Scrolls Online is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X/S.

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