Each class in Diablo 4 has its own unique mechanic, with each class having some way for it to improvise its damage or thematics. There is the Barb arsenal system, the Rogue Specializations, Druid animal spirits, Sorc’s enchantments, and the Necromancer’s Book of the Dead. The Necromancer’s Book of the Dead is perhaps more interesting, as it allows the Necromancer to determine how exactly they want to interact with every major minion in the game. So, let’s take a look at what the Necromancer’s Book of the Dead feature does in Diablo 4.
Here is a closer look at how the Diablo 4 Necromancer Book of the Dead class feature works.
Diablo 4: The Necromancer’s Book of the Dead¶
The Necromancers Book of the dead is a class feature that you can access by pressing 
+ 
on PC, or by navigating to the Book of the Dead by using the relevant key to open the skill book for controllers.
When you turn the page to the book of the dead, you will find there are three minion options, featuring Skeleton Mages, Skeleton Warriors, and a Golem. Each one represents a minion you can spawn to do your bidding.
In each of the summon options, you will find that you can somewhat customize your summons. For example, we know the skeleton warriors have three different forms you can choose. There are the skirmishers, which are melee-focused enemies that attack faster but have lower HP. You also have the Defenders, which are much tankier skeletons, while the Reapers are more AOE-orientated.
Each of these summons specializations also come with one of two buffs you can choose. This will allow you to summon minions in a way which flatters how your build is progressing There is also an option for you to sacrifice you summon opportunities, negating your ability to field this summon type. However, sacrificing a minion slot comes with passive buffs to your build. Therefore, you may find keeping certain minions in the grave is more efficient than expanding your undead legion.
Necromancer’s Skeleton Warriors Buffs in the Book of the Dead¶
Below you’ll find a table showcasing all of the 
Skeleton Warriors buffs, upgrades and sacrifices in the Book of the Dead.
| Warrior Type | Type Passive | Upgrade 1 | Upgrade 2 | Sacrifice Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skirmisher | 30% increased damage but have 15% reduced Life. | You can Raise an additional Skirmisher. | Each time you critically strike, your skirmishers next attack critically strikes as well. Can only happen every three seconds. | Your critical strike chance increase by 5%, but you can no longer summon warriors. |
| Defender | Defenders gain 15% increased Life. | Every 8 seconds your defenders negate the next instance of direct damage they would take. | Increase the amount of thorns the defenders inherit from you by 30 - 50%. | You gain 15% non-physical resistance, but you can no longer summon Warriors. |
| Reaper | Deals area damage with a slow powerful scythe, and has a wind up attack dealing heavy damage every 10 seconds. | Reaper attacks against enemies afflicted with either Immobilized, Slow, Stun, or Vulnerable reduce the cooldown of their powerful wind-up attack by two seconds. | Reapers have a 10% chance to carve the flesh off enemies forming a corpse. This can only happen on the same enemy once every 5 seconds. | You deal 10% increased shadow damage, but you can no longer summon warriors. |
Necromancer’s Skeleton Mages Buffs in the Book of the Dead¶
Below you’ll find a table showcasing all of the Skeleton Mage buffs, upgrades and sacrifices in the Book of the Dead.
| Mage Type | Type Passive | Upgrade 1 | Upgrade 2 | Sacrifice Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Mages | Deal moderate shadow damage with their attacks. | Shadow Mages have a 10% chance to stun for 2 seconds. This cannot happen to the same enemy more than once in a five second window of the first stun. | Shadow Mages fire an additional bolt every 6th attack. | Your maximum essence is increased by 15, but you can no longer summon Mages. |
| Cold Mages | Cold Mages apply chill and can freeze enemies. | Each time your Cold Mages damage enemies with their primary attack, you gain 2 essence. | Enemies who are Frozen and attacked by your Mage’s primary attack are made vulnerable for three seconds. | You deal 15% more damage to Vulnerable enemies, but you can no longer raise Mages. |
| Bone Mages | Fire bones from their bodies at the expense of their life. | Reduce the life cost of Bone Mages to 10%, after being alive for five seconds, they deal 40% increased damage. | Each time a Bone Mage dies from its own attack, they leave behind a corpse, and grant your fortify. | Your overpower damage is increased by 30%, but you can no longer raise Mages. |
Necromancer’s Golem Buffs in the Book of the Dead¶
Below you’ll find a table showcasing all of the Golem buffs, upgrades and sacrifices in the Book of the Dead.
| Golem Type | Type Passive | Upgrade 1 | Upgrade 2 | Sacrifice Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Golem | Taunts enemies in a wide area. | Each time your bone Golem takes up to 20% of its maximum life as damage, it sheds a corpse. | Your Golem gains 10% life and the amount of thorns they inherit from you to 50%. | You gain 10% attack speed, but you lose the Golem. |
| Blood Golem | Drains life from nearby enemies. | Your Golem absorbs 15% of the damage you would take. | While Healthy, your Golem deals 25% damage reduction and 25% increased damage. | Your maximum life is increased by 10%, but you lose the Golem. |
| Iron Golem | Slams the ground and stuns enemies. | Every 5th attack causes the Golem to cast a shockwave on its primary target, damaging enemies behind them. | Your Golem’s slam attack also applies Vulnerable to enemies it hits for three seconds. | You deal 30% more critical strike damage, but lose the Golem. |
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