Xbow Necromancer

[Moasseman]

Overview

Crossbow Necromancer has been a solid build ever since it was used to corner/wall-cheese with old Rathma's chosen & Voodoo shot (old Widowmaker). Sigma, however, brought a significant rework to the main ability Widowmaker by making it not require a minion as a conduit. That's right, you can now hold down Widowmaker on plain ground and it will absolutely muller everything nearby.

PATCH 1.2.0:

No meaningful changes to xbow necro (nor totem necro for that matter, thanks team) with the exception of Petulant nerf (it's no longer an option)

PATCH 1.1.0:

In a day comes patch 1.1.0 and with it, some heavy (deserved) xbow necromancer nerfs. We know of the nerfs to existing skills but not the values of new/modified skills (Death ward, Death pact, new uberskills~~) so I can't say exactly how much we got nerf'd. Anyway, let's get the big ones out of the way:


Widowmaker: WDM from 70% to 60%, damage conversion from 50% to 80%, Initial manacost increased, manacost scaling reduced. Damage-wise, not a big deal. Widow dealt and still does deal enormous amounts of damage. Where this nerf hits, however, is LEECH. With these changes, your leech is reduced by about 66% or 2/3 compared to previous patch. This means if you don't have Hwanin's Hwacha and don't wanna use Death shards religiously, you absolutely need to get Ber jewels and a good chunk of leech otherwise if you wanna keep going gung-ho and letting leech keep you alive. I believe this hurts the early ubers the most, as your damage is not yet up there and your leech might not be phenomenal either. So, if you don't have Hwanin's Hwacha, you really wanna stack that LL, which brings us to the next nerf on the list.

Hwanin's Hwacha: Now modifies Flametail shot to give +1 missile every 7 base levels. C'ya later you glorious bastard. Hwanin was absolutely ridiculous for farming, and after the nerf is still useful. You just want to hit +2 missiles so 14 points in Flametail to gain some AoE to it. However, with the new skills we might be starved on skillpoints so it's left to be seen how useful Hwanin will be. However, it still has a piercing, full physical WDM proc and thus will massively help you leech.

All in all, Xbow necro is far from dead and should still work as a good, cheap farmer. However, you can't take a TU/crafted set to Duncraig anymore and be invincible due to leeching. YOu might actually need to have your eyes open to farm

ATTENTION:

Widowmaker currently has a bug where if bound to left click, it will prevent interacting with various objects like entrances/doors. Normally not a problem, but one gear suggestion leads to Wolf stance oskill which must be on right-click so if using that, you need to swap Widowmaker away sometimes when entering places (I have Widow on Q and Frag shot on W for example, so I just switch when entering a place)

Pros

• Ranged
• Simple to level
• Tanky enough to let leech do its magic
• Versatile damage type (Phys, Magic & Fire)
• Phenomenal single target
• Great clearspeed

Neither

• No absolute right way to build. Some people like this (me included) while others would prefer having an exact build they could follow to a T

Cons

• Small delay after using Widowmaker and before it hits an enemy (can cause few deaths in places you have to teleport like Duncraig)
• Widowmaker won't home in on targets that are not in your line-of-sight (Not an issue, just annoyance)
• Mana recovery early in hell
• Useless Ennead & BRC skills

Speed breakpoints:

Faster Hit Recovery: 40 - 70 - 133 (4 frames, aim for this) - 360 (3 frames)

Attack speed with a Dart Thrower: 50 - 70 - 102 - 157 - 280 (8 frames)

Attack speed with a Stinger crossbow: 56 - 78 - 113 - 174 - 317 (8 frames)

Early game

The start of the journey. Welcome to Sanctuary.

Gear choices

Weapon:

Thammuz

->

Starkiller

Starkiller
Stinger Crossbow (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (18 - 20) to (24 - 27)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 63
Item Level: 13
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 10 Abyss on Kill
+(1 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Attack Speed
Adds 6-8 Cold Damage
+(51 to 70)% Enhanced Damage
-(5 to 10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(11 to 15)%
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (57 - 64) to (70 - 78)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 93
Item Level: 32
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
6% Chance to cast level 20 Abyss on Kill
+(2 to 3) to Necromancer Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds 16-20 Cold Damage
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Damage
-(11 to 15)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(21 to 25)%
Elemental Resists +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (147 - 161) to (175 - 190)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 182
Item Level: 53
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
8% Chance to cast level 30 Abyss on Kill
+(3 to 4) to Necromancer Skill Levels
55% Attack Speed
Adds 51-60 Cold Damage
+(111 to 130)% Enhanced Damage
-(16 to 20)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(31 to 35)%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (207 - 223) to (243 - 262)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 359
Item Level: 86
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
10% Chance to cast level 40 Abyss on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Necromancer Skill Levels
70% Attack Speed
Adds 150-170 Cold Damage
+(141 to 160)% Enhanced Damage
-(21 to 25)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(36 to 40)%
Elemental Resists +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)

or

Corpsefling

Corpsefling
Trebuchet (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (20 - 23) to (41 - 51)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 12
Required Strength: 72
Item Level: 19
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
5% Chance to cast level 5 Infected Roots on Kill
-5% Attack Speed
+(13 to 19) to Maximum Damage
(3 to 6)% Life stolen per Hit
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Damage
-(3 to 5)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
(3 to 4)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(101 to 150) to Life
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (65 - 73) to (107 - 123)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 104
Item Level: 34
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
6% Chance to cast level 15 Infected Roots on Kill
-10% Attack Speed
+(26 to 32) to Maximum Damage
(11 to 14)% Life stolen per Hit
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
-(8 to 10)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
(5 to 6)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(201 to 250) to Life
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (169 - 186) to (241 - 268)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 202
Item Level: 54
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
7% Chance to cast level 25 Infected Roots on Kill
-15% Attack Speed
+(38 to 44) to Maximum Damage
(19 to 22)% Life stolen per Hit
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Damage
-(13 to 15)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
(7 to 8)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(301 to 350) to Life
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (211 - 230) to (305 - 334)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 58
Required Strength: 399
Item Level: 90
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
8% Chance to cast level 35 Infected Roots on Kill
-15% Attack Speed
+(44 to 50) to Maximum Damage
(23 to 26)% Life stolen per Hit
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Damage
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
(9 to 10)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(351 to 400) to Life
Socketed (6)

. Starkiller has good damage, attack speed, elemental resists, mana and proc and it is my go-to weapon.
Quiver: Any rare quiver ->

Larzuk's Bandolier

Larzuk's Bandolier
Bolt Quiver (4)
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
4% Chance to cast level 10 Bolt on Striking
40% Attack Speed
-(5 to 10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(10 to 30) to Strength

. Larzuk's has a phenomenal proc, attack speed, -enemy fire resist and strength. Everything you like.
Body Armour:

Griswold's Heart

->

Albrecht's Revenge

Albrecht's Revenge
Chain Mail (4)
Defense: (138 - 150) to (279 - 305)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 25 to 26
Item Level: 7
5% Chance to cast level 1 Arrow on Striking
Adds (2 to 4)-(6 to 7) Cold Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
+(10 to 15) Life after each Demon Kill
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (437 - 471) to (798 - 860)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 45 to 47
Item Level: 26
6% Chance to cast level 1 Arrow on Striking
Adds (7 to 13)-(13 to 25) Cold Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
+(25 to 33) Life after each Demon Kill
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1038 - 1107) to (1843 - 1967)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 136 to 144
Item Level: 46
7% Chance to cast level 1 Arrow on Striking
Adds (26 to 50)-(51 to 100) Cold Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(41 to 45)%
+(43 to 60) Life after each Demon Kill
6% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (1513 - 1608) to (2670 - 2838)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 252 to 268
Item Level: 81
8% Chance to cast level 1 Arrow on Striking
Adds (51 to 100)-(101 to 200) Cold Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(46 to 50)%
+(76 to 90) Life after each Demon Kill
8% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)

or

Jitan's Kamon

Jitan's Kamon
Splint Mail (4)
Defense: (184 - 208) to (370 - 418)
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 10
2% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds 2-4 Fire Damage
Adds 2-4 Lightning Damage
Adds 2-4 Cold Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (592 - 656) to (1106 - 1225)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 27
4% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds (4 to 8)-(8 to 15) Fire Damage
Adds (4 to 8)-(8 to 15) Lightning Damage
Adds (4 to 8)-(8 to 15) Cold Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1466 - 1596) to (2663 - 2898)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 48
6% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds (16 to 30)-(31 to 45) Fire Damage
Adds (16 to 30)-(31 to 45) Lightning Damage
Adds (16 to 30)-(31 to 45) Cold Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (2175 - 2352) to (3925 - 4244)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 82
8% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds (31 to 60)-(81 to 120) Fire Damage
Adds (31 to 60)-(81 to 120) Lightning Damage
Adds (31 to 60)-(81 to 120) Cold Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (6)

. Both bodies boast a decent flat elemental damage and a good proc, but I'd go for Albrecht's for meatshield reanimates. Alternatively keep using Griswold's chest.
Helm:

Stillwater

Stillwater
Bone Helm (4)
Defense: (73 - 85) to (106 - 123)
Required Level: 10
Required Strength: 32
Item Level: 17
1% Chance to cast level 8 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(11 to 15) Spell Focus
+(21 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(76 to 100) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(5 to 7)%
+10 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (1)
Defense: (277 - 312) to (371 - 418)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 63
Item Level: 32
1% Chance to cast level 12 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(21 to 25) Spell Focus
+(51 to 70)% Enhanced Defense
+(126 to 150) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(10 to 12)%
+20 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (3)
Defense: (716 - 831) to (933 - 1083)
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 219
Item Level: 53
1% Chance to cast level 20 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(31 to 35) Spell Focus
+(81 to 110)% Enhanced Defense
+(176 to 225) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(14 to 16)%
+28 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1195 - 1352) to (1553 - 1757)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 438
Item Level: 90
2% Chance to cast level 28 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(36 to 40) Spell Focus
+(121 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(251 to 300) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(18 to 20)%
+35 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)

. Mana cost of Widow for leveling went even higher than earlier but Stillwater will allow you to ignore most of it while clearing.
Gloves:

Featherclaw

. AR, AR, AR and a bit more AR and also Attack speed.
Boots:

Lionpaw

Lionpaw
Chain Boots (4)
Defense: (49 - 54) to (71 - 78)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 29
Item Level: 7
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(7 to 10) to all Attributes
+(31 to 50) to Life
+(16 to 25) to Mana
(3 to 5)% Bonus to Defense
10% Gold Find
Socketed (1)
Defense: (203 - 218) to (267 - 288)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 58
Item Level: 25
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(15 to 18) to all Attributes
+(71 to 90) to Life
+(36 to 45) to Mana
(9 to 11)% Bonus to Defense
15% Gold Find
Socketed (2)
Defense: (519 - 554) to (667 - 712)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 202
Item Level: 46
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(23 to 26) to all Attributes
+(111 to 130) to Life
+(56 to 65) to Mana
(15 to 17)% Bonus to Defense
20% Gold Find
Socketed (3)
Defense: (759 - 807) to (974 - 1036)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 403
Item Level: 79
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to all Attributes
+(131 to 150) to Life
+(66 to 75) to Mana
(18 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
25% Gold Find
Socketed (4)

. All stats, life, mana, TCD. They're just good.
Belt:

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 11
1% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 28
1% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 48
1% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 84
1% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

. To nobody's surprise, Deadfall takes the belt slot. High str, Crushing blow, good proc.
Rings and Amulet: It doesn't matter what you use. Pick up some rares with any stats you like (life, magic find, life/manaleech, all skills, -enemy fire resist)

Weapon switch:

Blackheart

Blackheart
Grim Wand (4)
One-Hand Damage: 4 to 6
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Dexterity: 15
Item Level: 17
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(6 to 9) to Summon Darklings
+1 to Dark Power
+(9 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 14
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Dexterity: 23
Item Level: 32
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(12 to 16) to Summon Darklings
+2 to Dark Power
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 17 to 26
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity: 46
Item Level: 53
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
35% Cast Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(20 to 26) to Summon Darklings
+3 to Dark Power
+(26 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 20 to 31
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Dexterity: 92
Item Level: 87
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+4 to Necromancer Skill Levels
40% Cast Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(32 to 36) to Summon Darklings
+4 to Dark Power
+(36 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)

. Dark power oskill buff which grants some damage, flat magic damage and attack speed.

Sockets and MOs: Put Perfect Amber/Onyx/Bloodstone/Turquoises into armor pieces to gain resists and max resists. Use MOs for mana regen on amulet/rings/quiver, for enhanced defense in body armor and for making sure your resists aren't horrible (single resist on amulet/rings/quiver, all resist on armor pieces]

You don't need to farm all the TUs on the list. In fact, as long as you got a decent weapon (Starkiller), you can have pretty much whatever else equipped (try to make sure your resists are still decent). The list is here just to give a direction you can take with your gear should you have an abundance of arcane crystals OR if you want extremely leisurely leveling experience.

Stats

Strength: Most goes here.
Dexterity: Put some in dexterity, making sure your attack rating won't suck horribly (keep an eye on your chance to hit relevant monsters).
Vitality: None
Energy: None

Skills

Max: Embalming, Dragonfire oil, Famine, Widowmaker, Death ward
4 points: Flametail shot (if you really wanna level as xbow from lvl 1)
1 pointers: The first summon of the summon tree (skeleton guys, can't remember name)
Leftovers: Death pact

We're going to be abusing Death shards a lot all the way through the game, so might as well use Widowmaker from the get-go

Embalming gives us a nice life and mana regen boost, Dragonfire oil gives a good chunk of fire damage, Famine will keep us topped on life due to the lifeleech it grants and Death ward/Death pact give good chunks of defense early on. Our innate skill is Bend the Shadows, which lets us teleport on our own minion (which is why we want 1 point in the skeletons)

How to play

Buff with Dark power (or don't. I personally don't bother with it while leveling but it does help so you should)

From level 1 to 18, you will be using Flametail shot to level with as it's practically the only thing you have available. It gains a projectile every 2 base levels and that's why we put 4 points in there to help the very earliest levels a bit. After you get Frag shot, start using it as your main ability for clearing and bosses and just click at enemies all the way until Widowmaker. Death Shards becomes a great skill as soon as you get it, but it does have the debilitating downside of requiring corpses. Thus you should use it to complement your primary attack, not to replace it. For level challenge 1, you will want to stay a good distance away from the amazons and just pelt them with Widow/Death shards.

Mercenary

Shapeshifer from A2. He'll absorb a lot of hits and gives innate bloodlust. Throw a

Sharkbaiter

Sharkbaiter
Ring Mail (4)
Defense: (111 - 127) to (226 - 259)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 6
1% Chance to cast level 6 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+6% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
5% Attack Speed
(2 to 3)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 15) to Strength
+(6 to 10) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (2)
Defense: (410 - 456) to (735 - 817)
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 25
1% Chance to cast level 18 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+12% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
15% Attack Speed
(4 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Strength
+(16 to 20) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1021 - 1117) to (1744 - 1909)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 193
Item Level: 45
1% Chance to cast level 30 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+18% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
25% Attack Speed
(6 to 7)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Strength
+(26 to 30) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (5)
Defense: (1591 - 1722) to (2718 - 2942)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 385
Item Level: 79
1% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+24% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
30% Attack Speed
(7 to 8)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Strength
+(36 to 40) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (6)

on him for some extra BL damage and

Fangspear

Fangspear
Spetum (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (13 - 15) to (35 - 46)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 42
Required Dexterity: 63
Item Level: 10
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
200% Bonus to Miasma Haunt Duration
10% Chance to cast level 5 Miasma on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
Adds (8 to 10)-(21 to 30) Damage
+75 to Attack Rating
+(30 to 46)% Enhanced Damage
+(0 to 100) to Life
+(11 to 15) Life after each Kill
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (29 - 34) to (73 - 86)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 70
Required Dexterity: 97
Item Level: 28
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
200% Bonus to Miasma Haunt Duration
15% Chance to cast level 11 Miasma on Melee Attack
30% Attack Speed
Adds (11 to 15)-(31 to 40) Damage
+100 to Attack Rating
+(64 to 80)% Enhanced Damage
+(0 to 150) to Life
+(21 to 25) Life after each Kill
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (63 - 71) to (143 - 161)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 144
Required Dexterity: 193
Item Level: 48
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
200% Bonus to Miasma Haunt Duration
20% Chance to cast level 18 Miasma on Melee Attack
45% Attack Speed
Adds (16 to 20)-(41 to 50) Damage
+125 to Attack Rating
+(98 to 114)% Enhanced Damage
+(0 to 200) to Life
+(31 to 35) Life after each Kill
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (83 - 97) to (184 - 203)
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 288
Required Dexterity: 382
Item Level: 83
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
200% Bonus to Miasma Haunt Duration
25% Chance to cast level 25 Miasma on Melee Attack
60% Attack Speed
Adds (21 to 30)-(51 to 60) Damage
+150 to Attack Rating
+(115 to 132)% Enhanced Damage
+(0 to 250) to Life
+(36 to 40) Life after each Kill
Socketed (6)

for that delicious Miasma proc (a potent debuff on the enemy). Other than that, any gear with resists/etc will do. His primary job is to just to act as a beefy wall.

Mid game

You'll be around level 105 and starting progress on Hell uberlevels/quests and getting the charms.

Gear choices

Weapon:

Starkiller

Starkiller
Stinger Crossbow (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (18 - 20) to (24 - 27)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 63
Item Level: 13
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 10 Abyss on Kill
+(1 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Attack Speed
Adds 6-8 Cold Damage
+(51 to 70)% Enhanced Damage
-(5 to 10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(11 to 15)%
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (57 - 64) to (70 - 78)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 93
Item Level: 32
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
6% Chance to cast level 20 Abyss on Kill
+(2 to 3) to Necromancer Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds 16-20 Cold Damage
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Damage
-(11 to 15)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(21 to 25)%
Elemental Resists +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (147 - 161) to (175 - 190)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 182
Item Level: 53
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
8% Chance to cast level 30 Abyss on Kill
+(3 to 4) to Necromancer Skill Levels
55% Attack Speed
Adds 51-60 Cold Damage
+(111 to 130)% Enhanced Damage
-(16 to 20)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(31 to 35)%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (207 - 223) to (243 - 262)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 359
Item Level: 86
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
10% Chance to cast level 40 Abyss on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Necromancer Skill Levels
70% Attack Speed
Adds 150-170 Cold Damage
+(141 to 160)% Enhanced Damage
-(21 to 25)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Maximum Mana +(36 to 40)%
Elemental Resists +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)

-> Crafted Stinger Crossbow (Intimidating, Weird, Creepy or Abandoned shrines) ->

Hwanin's Hwacha

Hwanin's Hwacha
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (254 - 280) to (282 - 308)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 395
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Flametail Shot on Striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Attack Speed
Adds 25-50 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(19 to 30)%
+150 to Strength
-50 to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

. Crafted Stinger crossbow can reach enormous damages and with a good proc, will last on you for a long time. Look for enhanced damage, maximum damage, good proc (Throwing knife, Shower of rocks, ATMG, Time strike), necro skills, MF, attack rating. We will talk a bit more about Hwanin's Hwacha in the skills section.
Quiver:

Larzuk's Bandolier

Larzuk's Bandolier
Bolt Quiver (4)
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
4% Chance to cast level 10 Bolt on Striking
40% Attack Speed
-(5 to 10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(10 to 30) to Strength

or

The Tranquilizer

The Tranquilizer
Bolt Quiver (4)
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 80
4% Chance to cast level 40 Punisher Bolt on Striking
+(0 to 2) to All Skills
-10% to Enemy Poison Resistance
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+50 to Strength
+50 to Dexterity

. Larzuk's is still a really good quiver but Tranquilizer comes to challenge it with all skills, crushing blow and flat str/dex
Body Armour:

Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors
'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense

or

Lazarus' Chasuble

Lazarus' Chasuble
Light Plate (Sacred)
Defense: 8895 to 10548
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 650
Item Level: 120
+(1 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(101 to 150)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(16 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+25% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+200% Enhanced Defense
+666 Defense
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (6)

Archbishop Lazarus
(Tribute Set)

. Erawan preferably in an Ancient armor will give good defense and up to 15% physical resist (remember to roll and lucky the item before making it into runeword). Lazarus' chasuble, while normally a summoner chest, still gives us good defense, necro skills, max resists and some physical resist.
Helm:

Stillwater

Stillwater
Bone Helm (4)
Defense: (73 - 85) to (106 - 123)
Required Level: 10
Required Strength: 32
Item Level: 17
1% Chance to cast level 8 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(11 to 15) Spell Focus
+(21 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(76 to 100) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(5 to 7)%
+10 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (1)
Defense: (277 - 312) to (371 - 418)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 63
Item Level: 32
1% Chance to cast level 12 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(21 to 25) Spell Focus
+(51 to 70)% Enhanced Defense
+(126 to 150) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(10 to 12)%
+20 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (3)
Defense: (716 - 831) to (933 - 1083)
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 219
Item Level: 53
1% Chance to cast level 20 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(31 to 35) Spell Focus
+(81 to 110)% Enhanced Defense
+(176 to 225) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(14 to 16)%
+28 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1195 - 1352) to (1553 - 1757)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 438
Item Level: 90
2% Chance to cast level 28 Mana Sweep when Attacked
+(36 to 40) Spell Focus
+(121 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(251 to 300) to Mana
Regenerate Mana +(18 to 20)%
+35 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)

or Creepy shrinecraft or

Witchhunter's Hood

Witchhunter's Hood
Cap (Sacred)
Defense: (2136 - 2611) to (2161 - 2642)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 1
+(80 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Elemental Resists +(31 to 40)%
Physical Resist 5%
(16 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)

Witchhunter's Attire
(Assassin Claw Set)

. Keep using Stillwater until you can sustain Widow fine with mana leech. Witchhunter's Hood is also a silly item if you happen to come by it and can last all the way through endgame (it's basically slightly less offensive version of Royal Circlet)
Gloves:

Featherclaw

. Flat dexterity and massive AR% on top of little attack speed.
Boots: Creepy shrinecraft or

Megalith

Megalith
Boots
'LoFal'
Runeword Level: 73
+1 to All Skills
25% Cast Speed
15% Block Speed
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
+(10 to 20) to all Attributes
5% to Dexterity
Regenerate Mana +30%
Physical Resist 5%

or

Nephilim

Nephilim
Boots
'ZodThul'
Runeword Level: 85
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+150 Defense
+50 to Strength
(21 to 25)% to Strength
+50 to Vitality
(21 to 25)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +25%
+15 Life after each Kill

. TLDR A lot of strength and strength = damage. Megalith trades some strength for +1 all skills and 5% physical resist.
Belt:

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 11
1% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 28
1% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 48
1% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 84
1% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

or

Wormtongue

Wormtongue
Light Belt (4)
Defense: (53 - 58) to (71 - 78)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 26
Item Level: 5
(31 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5-13 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(2 to 4)% Life stolen per Hit
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 15) to Dexterity
Socketed (1)
Defense: (214 - 231) to (259 - 279)
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 24
(71 to 90)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 19-50 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(8 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: (544 - 581) to (649 - 693)
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 192
Item Level: 45
(111 to 130)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 75-150 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(14 to 16)% Life stolen per Hit
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: (801 - 851) to (946 - 1006)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 384
Item Level: 77
(131 to 150)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 100-250 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(17 to 19)% Life stolen per Hit
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)

or

Truce

Truce
Belts
'Jah'
Runeword Level: 80
5% Combat Speeds
Stun Attack
Slows Attacker by 5%
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 10%

. Deadfall is still good with its proc and strength. Wormtongue can be used for extra dex&AR% if you're lacking Attack rating. Truce (preferably in a plated belt) gives large defense boost and 10% physical resist.
Rings:

Ripstar

Ripstar
Ring
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+0.5625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+20 Life on Melee Attack

or Rare rings with +1 skills, MF, -enemy fire res, life,
Amulet:

Athulua's Oracle

Athulua's Oracle
Amulet
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
40% Attack Speed
(150 to 250)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Cannot Be Frozen

or

Angel Heart

Angel Heart
Amulet
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
(5 to 10)% to Strength
(5 to 10)% to Dexterity
(15 to 25)% Bonus to Defense
+(3 to 5) to Light Radius

or Rare amulet with all skills, lightning arena, doom proc, life~

Weapon switch:

Blackheart

Blackheart
Grim Wand (4)
One-Hand Damage: 4 to 6
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Dexterity: 15
Item Level: 17
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(6 to 9) to Summon Darklings
+1 to Dark Power
+(9 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 8 to 14
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Dexterity: 23
Item Level: 32
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(12 to 16) to Summon Darklings
+2 to Dark Power
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 17 to 26
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity: 46
Item Level: 53
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
35% Cast Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(20 to 26) to Summon Darklings
+3 to Dark Power
+(26 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 20 to 31
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Dexterity: 92
Item Level: 87
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+4 to Necromancer Skill Levels
40% Cast Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(32 to 36) to Summon Darklings
+4 to Dark Power
+(36 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)

. Dark power hasn't changed. Use a random shield with 6 sockets and stick it and the wand full of Nih runes for buff duration.

Sockets: Start picking up jewels and jewelcrafting them with Ber rune for life&mana leech. Aim for life, faster hit recovery, attack speed, attack rating, strength%. Keep an eye out on the item level of the jewel, as it gets reduced by 5% per craft attempt. Don't roll jewels below 71 ilvl. Weapon (if not runeword) should still be filled with Jah runes.

MOs: Top enhanced damage on weapon to 200% (do not mix "enhanced damage" with "enhanced weapon damage"), if extra space feel free to use AR%/Manaleech MOs, depending on what you're lacking. For sacred armor pieces, top defense to 200% and then MO hit recovery if needed and resists/MF/Str/Dex if more space. Amulet, rings and quiver should still all have mana regen and then whatever you need, be it resists or MF.

Stats

Strength: Most goes here.
Dexterity: Enough to have a decent attack rating.
Vitality: None
Energy: None

Skills

This is where it gets interesting. Depending on your gear/progress/etc, there are a lot of ways to distribute skillpoints.

Max: Widowmaker, Death Ward, Dragonfire oil, Embalming
1 pointers: Talon's hold, first summon (the skeleton dudes)
Choices, choices..: Death Pact, Famine, Rathma's Chosen
14 points ONLY IF USING HWANIN'S HWACHA CROSSBOW Flametail shot

Early on and if not using Hwanin's Hwacha, you most likely will have enough points to mostly max everything you want. Once you start getting +max skill levels, you'll have to start making sacrifices in some areas.

Death ward gives us a much needed TCD boost as well as a good chunk of avoidance and Dragonfire oil still boosts damage considerably. Since reanimates start becoming less and less necessary and bosses have slow cap of 25%, we opt to only put 1 point in Talon's hold. Skeletons are useful to have for few uberquests as well as a way to teleport over rivers/etc with Bend the Shadow before getting Moon of the Spider charm.

At this point, your leech will suck. You cannot tank everything anymore due to the nerfs with Widowmaker alone and need to either avoid things or use Death shards to help with clearing.

Okay, now if you're using

Hwanin's Hwacha

Hwanin's Hwacha
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (254 - 280) to (282 - 308)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 395
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Flametail Shot on Striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Attack Speed
Adds 25-50 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(19 to 30)%
+150 to Strength
-50 to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

, you might notice that it has "4% chance to cast Flametail shot on striking". But hey, Flametail shot is our skill. And conveniently for us, if you have a proc of your own class, it will benefit from any synergies to that skill you have. In this case the Flametail shot has a self-synergy of "+1 projectiles every 2 base levels" (which Hwanin's Hwacha modifies to +1 projectile every 7 base levels) so we put 14 points in Flametail shot to get 3 rockets instead of 1 for a bit more coverage. More importantly, Hwanin's proc is FULL PHYSICAL. This means it is your best bet at making Widowmaker leech again and as before, it will let you facetank practically anything (I can ignore barrels in Dunc with ghetto gear as long as there are enemies around)

How to play

Keep the buff (Dark power) up.

With the leech nerf, Widowmaker will still kill everything but will not leech even close to as much back as life. Due to this, you wanna start weaving in Death shards when the opportunity shows itself (Death shards has 100% WDM and no conversion, making it practically instantly leech you to full life)

Mercenary

ATTENTION: Mercenaries must be "activated" before they survive well in later/uberlevels. This can happen naturally but if your merc is constantly dying to seemingly nothing, this is most likely your issue. The "activation" is a hidden buff (2 of em) they need to turn on, so let them go hit some weak enemies until they do so (I usually go to Cold plains and keep an eye out on my merc's damage numbers. When he gets boosted for seemingly no reason, I know he's ready)

You can keep using Shapeshifter from act 2 with previously mentioned gear
OR
Get an A5 merc. The core pieces for him will be

Helm:

Bogspitter

Bogspitter
Helms
'BerUm'
Runeword Level: 78
20% Chance to cast level 11 Miasma on Melee Attack
+1 to All Skills
Adds 60-179 Poison Damage over 1 seconds
Slows Attacker by (10 to 15)%
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
Elemental Resists +10%

. Merc might change but Miasma will not. Still a stupid good proc
Body Armour:

Sharkbaiter

Sharkbaiter
Ring Mail (4)
Defense: (111 - 127) to (226 - 259)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 6
1% Chance to cast level 6 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+6% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
5% Attack Speed
(2 to 3)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 15) to Strength
+(6 to 10) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (2)
Defense: (410 - 456) to (735 - 817)
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 25
1% Chance to cast level 18 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+12% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
15% Attack Speed
(4 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Strength
+(16 to 20) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1021 - 1117) to (1744 - 1909)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 193
Item Level: 45
1% Chance to cast level 30 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+18% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
25% Attack Speed
(6 to 7)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Strength
+(26 to 30) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (5)
Defense: (1591 - 1722) to (2718 - 2942)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 385
Item Level: 79
1% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+24% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
30% Attack Speed
(7 to 8)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Strength
+(36 to 40) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (6)

. The way to enable bloodlust (and buff it) on act 5 merc as they don't innately have it.

Rest of the gear can be creepy crafts/whatever you fancy. For weapon, I suggest

Urada

just because I like it but

Frostbringer

Frostbringer
Flamberge (4)
One-Hand Damage: (8 - 9) to (17 - 23)
Two-Hand Damage: (12 - 14) to (23 - 30)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 89
Item Level: 11
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
25% Chance to cast level 5 Ice Lance on Melee Attack
+1 to All Skills
+(8 to 13) to Maximum Damage
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(11 to 20)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (21 - 23) to (43 - 51)
Two-Hand Damage: (41 - 45) to (62 - 72)
Required Level: 26
Required Strength: 130
Item Level: 29
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
35% Chance to cast level 15 Ice Lance on Melee Attack
+2 to All Skills
+(18 to 23) to Maximum Damage
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(21 to 30)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: (56 - 60) to (95 - 106)
Two-Hand Damage: (102 - 111) to (136 - 150)
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 253
Item Level: 49
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
45% Chance to cast level 25 Ice Lance on Melee Attack
+(2 to 3) to All Skills
+(28 to 33) to Maximum Damage
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(31 to 40)%
Cold Resist +(41 to 45)%
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: (71 - 77) to (118 - 130)
Two-Hand Damage: (132 - 143) to (173 - 189)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 499
Item Level: 85
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
50% Chance to cast level 30 Ice Lance on Melee Attack
+3 to All Skills
+(33 to 38) to Maximum Damage
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(41 to 50)%
Cold Resist +(46 to 50)%
Socketed (6)

is a potent sword too. Eventually you wanna upgrade to a

Qarak's Will

Qarak's Will
Giant Sword (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (150 - 163) to (233 - 246)
Two-Hand Damage: (206 - 225) to (285 - 305)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 480
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 34 Spike Nova on Melee Attack
6% Chance to cast level 40 Pentagram on Melee Attack
10% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Kill
+(30 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
Adds 50-125 Damage
Adds 84-167 Fire Damage
+(26 to 38)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(100 to 250) Life after each Kill
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

.

Late game

You're whatever 120+, farming Duncraig, Fauztinville, Bremmtown, Triune, Teganze etc for loot and various bosses for high-rolled charms and/or trophies.

Gear choices

Oh boi, buckle up cause you're gonna face some choices.

Weapon:

Hwanin's Hwacha

Hwanin's Hwacha
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (254 - 280) to (282 - 308)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 395
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Flametail Shot on Striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Attack Speed
Adds 25-50 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(19 to 30)%
+150 to Strength
-50 to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

for farming, Crafted Stinger crossbow/

Buriza-Do Kyanon

Buriza-Do Kyanon
Heavy Crossbow (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (239 - 287) to (570 - 774)
Required Level: 120
Required Strength: 614
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
2% Chance to cast level 50 Blizzard on Striking
20% Attack Speed
Adds 2-(300 to 450) Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 350-400 Cold Damage
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
-50% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Socketed (6)

/

Advent of Hatred

Advent of Hatred
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (272 - 355) to (465 - 608)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 1185 to 1580
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
Death Shards: +50% Life Leech
10% Chance to cast level 1 Bolt on Striking
30% Attack Speed
Adds (60 to 100)-(250 to 350) Damage
(75 to 150)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
20% to Strength
Requirements +(200 to 300)%
Socketed (6)

/

Nihlathak's Bombard

Nihlathak's Bombard
Repeating Crossbow (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (204 - 221) to (290 - 360)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 670
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
Gematria
(Bonus per Socketed Great/Elemental Runes)
+30% Attack Speed
Adds 75-150 Fire Damage
+(5 to 6) to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(50 to 100) to Maximum Damage
Adds 450-900 Fire Damage
-(20 to 25)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(140 to 160)% Enhanced Damage
+20% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Socketed (6)

/

Aether (Xis)

for singletarget bosses and less dense uberlevels like Teganze & Triune. Post-nerf Hwanin is no longer obscene and way beyond others but due to the pure physical WDM proc, it'll help you keep alive. I would not use

Aether (Xis)

for general clearing cause of the proc interrupting attacks.
Quiver:

Larzuk's Bandolier

Larzuk's Bandolier
Bolt Quiver (4)
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
4% Chance to cast level 10 Bolt on Striking
40% Attack Speed
-(5 to 10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(10 to 30) to Strength

or

The Tranquilizer

The Tranquilizer
Bolt Quiver (4)
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 80
4% Chance to cast level 40 Punisher Bolt on Striking
+(0 to 2) to All Skills
-10% to Enemy Poison Resistance
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+50 to Strength
+50 to Dexterity

or Rare quiver with necro skills, bear claw proc, life, mf etc. Nothing really changes here. Try to get lottery bonus (100% MF, 5% chance to succeed by cubing with Azmodan's heart) for more farm potential.
Body Armour:

Strength Beyond Strength

Strength Beyond Strength
Gothic Plate (Sacred)
Defense: (8339 - 9198) to (10115 - 11157)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 675
Item Level: 120
1% Chance to cast level 36 Pyroblast on Striking
Adds 25-38 Damage
150% Bonus to Attack Rating
+90% Damage to Demons
25% Life stolen per Hit
10% Deadly Strike
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
-5 to Light Radius
Socketed (6)

or

Ismail's Majesty

or (Any of the good sacred unique Ancient armors) or

Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors
'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense

or

Rebel (Xis)

. SBS is still good even with the small nerf it got. Ismail's majesty helps with hitting breakpoints if you're struggling and Erawan still provides a good chunk of phys resist.
Helm:

Royal Circlet

Royal Circlet
Tiara (Sacred)
Defense: (1740 - 1957) to (1968 - 2214)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 392
Item Level: 105
+2 to All Skills
+50% Damage to Demons
+50% Damage to Undead
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(21 to 25)% to All Attributes
Elemental Resists +(25 to 30)%
Physical Resist 5%
(21 to 25)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

or

Idol of Rygnar

Idol of Rygnar
Mask (Sacred)
Defense: (2068 - 2350) to (2208 - 2510)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 120
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
25% Life stolen per Hit
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(60 to 90)%
Hit Causes Monster to Flee +1%
+(120 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(40 to 50) to Strength
+(40 to 50) to Dexterity
Target Takes Additional Damage of 500
25% Gold Find
+5 to Light Radius
Socketed (4)

or

Metalhead

Metalhead
Great Helm (Sacred)
Defense: 2420 to 3551
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 1250
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 10 Stormblast on Melee Attack
3% Chance to cast level 10 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
+(1000 to 2000) Defense
+2 Life on Striking
25% Bonus to Defense
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
-5 to Light Radius
Requirements +100%
Socketed (4)

or well rolled

Trang-Oul's Breath

Trang-Oul's Breath
Mask (Sacred)
Defense: (1316 - 2256) to (1405 - 2409)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 105
Dragon Breath: Reduces Weapon Physical Damage by 25%
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
+(15 to 40)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(40 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+250 to Mana
Maximum Fire Resist +(1 to 2)%
Maximum Cold Resist +(1 to 2)%
Socketed (4)

. Royal Circlet boasts huge bonuses to Str&Dex, phys resist, EWD to demons and undead, resists and even magic find, all in a small, neat package. Idol of Rygnar has good EWD, huge leech and some flat str/dex and Metalhead while otherwise bit lackluster for us, grants the ever so strong Ignore Target's Defense, which allows us to complete disregard Attack rating FOR FARMING PURPOSES. (ITD does NOT work on bosses or unique mobs. I would not use it outside farming Dunc, Fauzt and such)
Gloves:

Geleb's Greed

Geleb's Greed
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: 1608 to 1830
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 115
1% Chance to cast level 37 Fire Fountain on Death Blow
+1 to All Skills
-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(23 to 31) to Pyroblast
+200% Enhanced Defense
+5 Fire Absorb
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

Curse of the Zakarum
(Zakarum Set)

or Creepy shrinecraft or

Mercy (Xis)

or

Hammerfist

Hammerfist
Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1227 - 1450) to (1436 - 1697)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 105
Adds (1 to 15)-(20 to 30) Damage
5% Life stolen per Hit
+(15 to 25) to Spiral Dance
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(30 to 60)%
+(120 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
Elemental Resists +15%
Socketed (4)

or well rolled

Dacana's Fist

Dacana's Fist
Chain Gloves (Sacred)
Defense: (515 - 1545) to (565 - 1695)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 575
Item Level: 105
+(0 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
(-300 to 300) to Life
Elemental Resists (-50 to 30)%
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(-25 to 15)% to Experience Gained
(-100 to 60)% Gold Find
(0 to 60)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

. Geleb's gives -enemy fire res, 10%(!) physical resist and all skills. In addition it enables another thing I'll talk about in a second. Creepy shrinecraft with high strength will be very feasible and high-MF Dacana's fist will be the best MF gloves if you want more of that stuff.
Boots: If wearing Geleb's Greed gloves,

Maffer's Frenzy

Maffer's Frenzy
Light Plated Boots (Sacred)
Defense: 784 to 868
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 115
2% Chance to cast level 13 Psionic Scream on Kill
+1 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
Adds 3-5 Damage
50% Bonus to Attack Rating
+18 to Wolf Companion
Elemental Resists +(20 to 30)%
+20 Life after each Kill
Socketed (4)

Curse of the Zakarum
(Zakarum Set)

. Otherwise,

Knight's Grace

Knight's Grace
Greaves (Sacred)
Defense: (2232 - 2481) to (2519 - 2799)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 780
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 35 Knife Throw on Striking
+1 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
Adds 10-25 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(15 to 25) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Requirements +20%
Socketed (4)

or

Wind Runner

Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense

or Creepy shrinecraft. With 2 pieces of the Curse of the Zakarum set, you gain the Wolf stance oskill which gives you decent physical damage and crushing blow, high attack speed, hit recovery and movement speed bonuses. It is my chosen way to go. If you don't wish to opt-in for that, then Knight's Grace takes the cake with its proc, stats, damage, physical resist and all skills while Wind Runner is very readily available powerhouse not far behind.
Belt:

Dementia

Dementia
Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3111 - 3348) to (3272 - 3524)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 690
Item Level: 120
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(15 to 25) to Fowl Fight
Slow Target 5%
+(120 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+500 Defense
Maximum Life +2%
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Physical Resist 5%
Requirements +20%
Socketed (2)

or

Black Void

Black Void
Heavy Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3060 - 3442) to (3304 - 3717)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
20% Attack Speed
Adds 10-15 Damage
(10 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
Slow Target 10%
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Target Takes Additional Damage of (25 to 50)
30% Magic Find
Socketed (2)

or

Lilith's Temptation

Lilith's Temptation
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3680 - 4089) to (4031 - 4479)
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 2 Time Strike on Striking
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
-100 to Life
(60 to 100)% Magic Find
Requirements -100%
Socketed (2)

. Dementia is a silly item with high -enemy resistances and phys resist + max elemental resist on top of slow + max life%. Black void boasts good leech, str&dex%, 10% slow and some magic find. Lilith's temptation can be used for farming with its up-to 100% MF roll and a decent weapon damage proc.
Rings:

Giant's Knuckle

Giant's Knuckle
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
20% Attack Speed
Adds 10-15 Damage
(5 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
5% Deadly Strike
+25 Life Regenerated per Second
Physical Resist 5%

or

Ouroboros

Ouroboros
Ring
Required Level: 110
Item Level: 120
+1 to All Skills
(-15 to 25)% to Strength
(-15 to 25)% to Dexterity
(-15 to 25)% to Vitality
(-15 to 25)% to Energy

or

Ripstar

Ripstar
Ring
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+0.5625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+20 Life on Melee Attack

or Rare rings with all skills, -enemy res, life, MF you get the idea. The new ring, Giant's knuckle, has everything we could want. Damage, leech, phys resist, attack speed and deadly strike. Well rolled Ouroboros can reach 25% str and dex boost and Ripstar is just plain damage.
Amulet:

Dyers Eve

Dyers Eve
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
5% Chance to cast level 5 Time Strike on Striking
+2 to All Skills
Adds 15-20 Damage
5% Life stolen per Hit
Elemental Resists +10%
Physical Resist (1 to 10)%

or

In For The Kill

In For The Kill
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 20 Widowmaker on Kill
2% Chance to cast level 20 APF-20 'Maelstrom' MkI on Kill
2% Chance to cast level 20 Thunder Hammer Nova on Kill
20% Movement Speed
Elemental Resists -20%
(25 to 50)% Magic Find

or

The Buried Hawk

or

Beads of the Snake Queen

Beads of the Snake Queen
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
4% Chance to cast level 33 Scorpion Blade on Kill
Adds 5-10 Damage
Stun Attack
+(200 to 500) Defense
(20 to 25)% to Strength
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
+100 Life after each Kill

. They're all good amulets, really. Dyer's Eve gives good stats all around, In For The Kill has very strong procs, Buried Hawk rolls a random ultimate skill and BotSQ boasts huge boost to strength and dex

Weapon switch: Still the same. No more trollskull in Sigma for bloodlust oskill so just dark power gotta do. Alternatively use

Shamanka

Shamanka
Long Staff (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: 56 to 58
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 203
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
+(3 to 6) to Sorceress Skill Levels
45% Cast Speed
45% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Cold Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(6 to 16) to Bloodlust
Maximum Life +(10 to 13)%
Fire Resist +(50 to 70)%
Lightning Resist +(50 to 70)%
Socketed (4)

if you're not using a merc that grants Bloodlust somehow.

Sockets: Still crafted jewels. Leeches, MF, Attack rating, hit recovery, attack speed, the usual.

MOs: Enhanced damage on weapon till/close to 200%, then whatever you're lacking (attack rating etc). Jewellery should STILL have mana regen and if lacking resists, some of those. For armor Enhanced defense till/close to 200% and then hit recovery/whatever you're missing. Alternatively,

Warbringer

Warbringer
Mystic Orb

Right-Click to Apply
3% Chance to cast level 5 Arrow on Striking
Adds 3-4 Damage
+10 Required Level

UMOs can be used on the weapon. Make sure to get the ED% to/close to 200% first tho.

Stats

Strength: Most goes here.
Dexterity: 0-200 depending on your gear choices and how much AR you got. Try to aim for 20-25k+ AR
Vitality: None
Energy: None

Skills

Here we go again. Now we got a lot of +max skills from charms and stuff.

Max: Widowmaker, Death Ward, Dragonfire oil, Embalming
1 pointers: Famine, Talon's hold, Rathma's Chosen, The skeleton dude (first summoner skill)
Leftovers: Talon's hold. Rathma's Chosen, Death pact
14, 21 or 28 points ONLY IF USING HWANIN'S HWACHA CROSSBOW: Flametail shot

Again, Widowmaker, Death ward and Dragonfire oil are imo no-brainers to max. Famine is reduced to 1 pointer because we have enough leech from other sources to survive and the damage% on it doesn't scale with skillpoints. If using Hwanin, you really want 14 points in Flametail. Dunk rest of the points into something like Talon's hold for extra slow (helps in p8 Fauzt farming cause necrobots are plebs), Rathma's Chosen (1% Deadly strike per hard point) or Death pact (some EWD + Defense)

How to play

Buff up and use Widowmaker and if you don't have physical procs, weave in Death shards to leech. If you've made it this far, you should be pretty familiar with the playstyle already.

Mercenary

ATTENTION: Mercenaries must be "activated" before they survive well in later/uberlevels. This can happen naturally but if your merc is constantly dying to seemingly nothing, this is most likely your issue. The "activation" is a hidden buff (2 of em) they need to turn on, so let them go hit some weak enemies until they do so (I usually go to Cold plains and keep an eye out on my merc's damage numbers. When he gets boosted for seemingly no reason, I know he's ready)

Get an a5 merc. They're pretty damn strong.

Weapon:

Qarak's Will

Qarak's Will
Giant Sword (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (150 - 163) to (233 - 246)
Two-Hand Damage: (206 - 225) to (285 - 305)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 480
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 34 Spike Nova on Melee Attack
6% Chance to cast level 40 Pentagram on Melee Attack
10% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Kill
+(30 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
Adds 50-125 Damage
Adds 84-167 Fire Damage
+(26 to 38)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(100 to 250) Life after each Kill
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

. No questions. Bloodlust proc and a huge damage buff to it + boasts enough damage that the merc can actually keep it up quite well.
Helm:

Bogspitter

Bogspitter
Helms
'BerUm'
Runeword Level: 78
20% Chance to cast level 11 Miasma on Melee Attack
+1 to All Skills
Adds 60-179 Poison Damage over 1 seconds
Slows Attacker by (10 to 15)%
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
Elemental Resists +10%

. You know what's good? Miasma.
Body Armour:

Sharkbaiter

Sharkbaiter
Ring Mail (4)
Defense: (111 - 127) to (226 - 259)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 6
1% Chance to cast level 6 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+6% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
5% Attack Speed
(2 to 3)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 15) to Strength
+(6 to 10) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (2)
Defense: (410 - 456) to (735 - 817)
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 25
1% Chance to cast level 18 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+12% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
15% Attack Speed
(4 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Strength
+(16 to 20) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1021 - 1117) to (1744 - 1909)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 193
Item Level: 45
1% Chance to cast level 30 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+18% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
25% Attack Speed
(6 to 7)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Strength
+(26 to 30) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (5)
Defense: (1591 - 1722) to (2718 - 2942)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 385
Item Level: 79
1% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Death Blow
+24% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
30% Attack Speed
(7 to 8)% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Strength
+(36 to 40) Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (6)

or

Marchosias' Might

Marchosias' Might
Full Plate Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (8595 - 9436) to (10308 - 11338)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 1400
Item Level: 1
5% Chance to cast level 3 Bladestorm on Melee Attack
+50 to Maximum Damage
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+1000 Defense
+(151 to 200) to Strength
(6 to 10)% to Strength
Requirements +100%
Socketed (6)

Marchosias' Essence
(Druid Werewolf Set)

or (Any of the good SU Ancient armors). Sharkbaiter is still extra EWD to Bloodlust . Marchosias' Might is a good choice as well.
Belt, Boots, Gloves, Amulet: Creepy shrinecrafts or commonly good uniques (

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 11
1% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 28
1% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 48
1% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 84
1% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

etc.). For Amulet, anything that has either a decent proc (mythal) or +all skills or

Athulua's Oracle

Athulua's Oracle
Amulet
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
40% Attack Speed
(150 to 250)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Cannot Be Frozen

to help cap attack speed.

Try to reach 147 increased attack speed on him for 9fpa. Sockets can be Ko (for more str) or Nih (for higher uptime of bloodlust. Not needed except if farming p8 Fauzt etc). For MOs, cap their resistances (they need 75% all resist to reach cap on Hell, do this especially if you plan on using them in Teganze.)

As an alternative gearing option, you can give your merc 3 pieces of the 2h barb set

Gathering of the Tribes

Gathering of the Tribes
(Barbarian Elementalist Set)

Bear's Warding
Snake's Battle Chant
The Coming Storm
Wolf's Fang

Set Bonus with 2 or more set items:
+50 to Strength
+100 to Vitality

Set Bonus with 3 or more set items:
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 1-500 Lightning Damage

Set Bonus with complete set:
30% Chance to cast level 20 Shockwave on Melee Attack
10% Innate Elemental Damage
+4000 Defense
+250 to Strength
Elemental Resists +75%
Physical Resist 10%
25% Chance to Avoid Damage

. This will give him 100% damage to Bloodlust (so +60% if using Sharkbaiter in comparison) but imo is very much not worth losing Miasma proc for.

Ending words

Honestly, try to get a Hwanin or a quiver with Bear claw proc asap. They'll help you stay alive. This necro has been the most fun and chill I've had in Sigma.

Thanks Inahk and Conveee for the (sometimes heated) discussions about various xbow necro things and Coldstar for being better at reading than I am.

[jwei92]

Been playin this for the past few days; one of the most fun builds I've played on necro.

[xxdiablo2]

Thanks alot for the guide man.

[wavesperfect]

Thank you for the guide, much appreciated! It's obvious to see, that you put a lot of details into this guide!

[matdoo]

I think

Wind Runner

Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense

is another good choice for xbow xD

Spamming auto shots with

Hwanin's Hwacha

Hwanin's Hwacha
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (254 - 280) to (282 - 308)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 395
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Flametail Shot on Striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Attack Speed
Adds 25-50 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(19 to 30)%
+150 to Strength
-50 to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

against dense pack feels reeeally good.

Thanks for the nice guide!

[Moasseman]

I think

Wind Runner

Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense

is another good choice for xbow xD

Spamming auto shots with

Hwanin's Hwacha

Hwanin's Hwacha
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (254 - 280) to (282 - 308)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 395
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Flametail Shot on Striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Attack Speed
Adds 25-50 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(19 to 30)%
+150 to Strength
-50 to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

against dense pack feels reeeally good.

Thanks for the nice guide!

Wind Runners are really solid boots and on the offense end of things, got pretty much everything we'd want. If I wasn't using Maffer's for wolf stance, I'd be using them.

And bruh I just specced 30 points into Flametail and now when I go to multiplayer FAuzt/Vizjun, it's just permanent screen full of rockets. It's so good

[matdoo]

I think

Wind Runner

Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense

is another good choice for xbow xD

Spamming auto shots with

Hwanin's Hwacha

Hwanin's Hwacha
Dart Thrower (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (254 - 280) to (282 - 308)
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 395
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Flametail Shot on Striking
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Attack Speed
Adds 25-50 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(19 to 30)%
+150 to Strength
-50 to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

against dense pack feels reeeally good.

Thanks for the nice guide!

Wind Runners are really solid boots and on the offense end of things, got pretty much everything we'd want. If I wasn't using Maffer's for wolf stance, I'd be using them.

And bruh I just specced 30 points into Flametail and now when I go to multiplayer FAuzt/Vizjun, it's just permanent screen full of rockets. It's so good

I'm even using it for AOE clear sometimes lol

Since Widowmaker fires for quite long duration, fire some widows then spamming Flametail. I feel it's pretty efficient and also, MORE rockets xD

xbow nec is my #1 build so far. Really nice character

[Jaxon]

As an endgame glove option Demonic Touch is still very decent. The Proc hits quite hard especially in crowded zones. Also ZodXis can have ridiculous amounts of %str and 3necro skills

I have made a showcase around a week ago with some video on ubers. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24478 . The gear was more like whatever i have found at that time but it worked. If you want you can use the videos in your guide. There are also a 2 proc videos with hwanins, sbs, dtouch, reapers, knights grace etc. Feel free.

Overall especially regarding gear a good overview.

[Moasseman]

As an endgame glove option Demonic Touch is still very decent. The Proc hits quite hard especially in crowded zones. Also ZodXis can have ridiculous amounts of %str and 3necro skills

I don't suggest D-touch because honestly I don't see a reason to NOT run Wolf stance. It gives you way too much good stuff. Also Geleb's just as itself is a pretty good pair of gloves.

If for whatever reason you don't run Maffer's as boots, then D-touch could be used but it's still a tradeoff.

Also in Sigma there are waaaay too many good pieces of gear that are endgame worthy. I'm having hard time listing them all as it's gonna bloat the shite out of the list

[Jaxon]

As an endgame glove option Demonic Touch is still very decent. The Proc hits quite hard especially in crowded zones. Also ZodXis can have ridiculous amounts of %str and 3necro skills

I don't suggest D-touch because honestly I don't see a reason to NOT run Wolf stance. It gives you way too much good stuff. Also Geleb's just as itself is a pretty good pair of gloves.

If for whatever reason you don't run Maffer's as boots, then D-touch could be used but it's still a tradeoff.

Also in Sigma there are waaaay too many good pieces of gear that are endgame worthy. I'm having hard time listing them all as it's gonna bloat the shite out of the list

just some suggestions here. I am using knight's grace as boots. Dtouch works just nice with them. Wolf stance is indeed a pretty solid option to have as well