Can You Wield Steel as a Reaper of Souls? A Deep Dive into Necromancer Weaponry in Diablo 3

Yes, you absolutely can use weapons as a Necromancer in Diablo 3. While their signature weapon is the Scythe, Necromancers are not limited to reaping alone. They have access to a surprisingly diverse arsenal, though some restrictions do apply. This article will dissect the Necromancer’s weapon options, explore their unique mechanics, and answer some frequently asked questions to help you optimize your build.

Necromancer Weaponry: Beyond the Scythe

The Necromancer class is designed around strategic resource management, commanding legions of the undead, and manipulating the essence of life and death. While raw weapon damage might not be their primary focus, the right weapon can significantly enhance their power.

• Scythes: The iconic weapon of the Necromancer. One-handed and two-handed scythes are specifically designed for the class, often imbued with special properties that enhance their skills. One-handed scythes allow the use of Phylacteries, the Necromancer’s off-hand item (replacing the Shrunken Heads of previous Diablo iterations).
• Swords: Necromancers can wield both one-handed and two-handed swords, providing a solid melee option.
• Wands: These arcane implements are available to Necromancers, offering bonuses to magic damage and other caster-focused stats.
• Other Melee Weapons: The article states the class can use all other melee weapon types except polearms and class-specific items.
• Shields: Necromancers can utilize shields for increased survivability, especially when facing difficult enemies or pushing higher Greater Rifts.

The Importance of Weapon Affixes

Regardless of the weapon type you choose, the affixes (magical properties) on the weapon are crucial. Look for affixes that boost:

• Intelligence: The primary stat for Necromancers, increasing damage output and skill effectiveness.
• Critical Hit Chance/Damage: For burst damage potential.
• Attack Speed: To increase the frequency of skill usage and resource generation.
• Cooldown Reduction: To reduce the cooldown time of crucial skills, allowing for more frequent usage.
• Resource Cost Reduction: Reduces the cost of skills and helps sustain resource-intensive builds.
• Specific Skill Damage: Bonuses to damage for specific Necromancer skills, such as Bone Spear or Corpse Lance.

The Phylactery: A Necromancer’s True Off-Hand

Instead of shrunken heads (from Diablo 2), Necromancers in Diablo 3 use Phylacteries as their off-hand items. These items provide essential stats such as:

• Intelligence
• Critical Hit Chance
• Cooldown Reduction
• Resource Cost Reduction
• Specific Skill Bonuses

A well-rolled Phylactery can be a game-changer for a Necromancer build.

Melee Combat: Is it Viable?

The article states “Necromancer can’t melee”, but also says “You can still swing weapons, just vacate one of the action buttons by pressing Y on the skill select menu, and then you can press that button in game to use your weapon. So basically you have to give up a skill to use your weapon, which sucks.” While Necromancers can technically swing their weapons for physical damage, it’s generally not a viable strategy. Their skills are far more effective and efficient. Using a skill slot for a basic weapon attack is a significant DPS loss. Necromancers are designed to deal damage through their skills and summoned minions, not through direct weapon attacks.

FAQs: Demystifying Necromancer Weaponry

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the Necromancer’s weapon options in Diablo 3:

1. What is the best weapon type for a Necromancer?

   Scythes are generally considered the best, both thematically and mechanically. Many Necromancer builds synergize specifically with Scythes and their unique affixes.

2. Can Necromancers dual-wield?

   No, Necromancers cannot dual-wield. They use a one-handed weapon (typically a Scythe) and a Phylactery (off-hand item).

3. Can Necromancers use bows or crossbows?

   No, Necromancers cannot use bows or crossbows.

4. Why are Scythes so important for Necromancers?

   Many legendary and set items specifically designed for Necromancers enhance Scythe damage and skills.

5. What is the purpose of a Phylactery?

   A Phylactery is the Necromancer’s off-hand item, providing crucial stats and bonuses to skills.

6. Can I use a two-handed weapon with a Phylactery?

   No, Phylacteries can only be equipped with a one-handed weapon.

7. What affixes should I look for on my Necromancer weapon?

   Intelligence, Critical Hit Chance/Damage, Attack Speed, Cooldown Reduction, Resource Cost Reduction, and bonuses to specific skills are all valuable affixes.

8. Is it worth using a weapon with high damage but poor affixes?

   Generally, no. The affixes on a weapon are more important than the base damage. A weapon with synergistic affixes will often outperform a weapon with higher base damage but less useful stats.

9. Can Necromancers use class-specific weapons from other classes?

   No, Necromancers can only use weapons specifically designed for them or general weapon types.

10. How does weapon damage affect my Necromancer’s skills?

    The damage of many Necromancer skills scales directly with your weapon damage.

11. What is the best way to find good Necromancer weapons?

    Farming Greater Rifts, running bounties, and crafting are all effective ways to acquire better gear.

12. Are there any Necromancer skills that specifically require a Scythe?

    No, no skills require a Scythe. The affixes, legendaries and sets synergize the skills with a scythe.

13. Does weapon speed affect the speed of my summoned minions?

    No, weapon speed does not directly affect the speed of your summoned minions. However, it can affect your ability to cast skills that summon or buff them.

14. What role does attack speed play for a Necromancer?

    Attack speed increases the frequency of skill usage and resource generation, which is crucial for maintaining a consistent damage output.

15. Where can I find more information about Diablo 3 Necromancer builds?

    Numerous online resources, including Diablo fan sites and build guides, offer detailed information about Necromancer builds. You can also engage with the community on forums and online platforms. The Games Learning Society is a good resource for understanding game mechanics in general – check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more.

Mastering the Art of Reaping

While the Necromancer isn’t a traditional melee class, understanding their weapon options and optimizing your gear can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Whether you choose to embrace the iconic Scythe or experiment with other weapon types, remember that the key to success lies in strategic skill usage, resource management, and a well-rounded build. Experiment, adapt, and embrace the power of death to conquer the challenges of Sanctuary!