Spectre summoners have been a staple of POE currency for years, and with patch 3.26 they're stronger than ever. Thanks to new mechanics, updated monster pools, and fresh gearing opportunities, the minion archetype has evolved into one of the most versatile ways to tackle content.

In this guide, we'll break down the Pure Spectre Summoner-a build designed to scale from entry-level mapping all the way into high-budget endgame farming. Whether you're just starting out or looking to push into juiced Tier 17s, there's a version of this build for you.

Why Spectres?

Spectres are unique minions because they copy the abilities of monsters you raise. This means the build's power depends on which monsters you choose to summon. With 3.26 introducing Virium Veins, we now have access to monster types that previously weren't part of the core game, unlocking new opportunities for powerful spectre lineups.

For this build, there are two standout options:

 Forged Frostbearers-incredible clear speed and shotgun single-target potential.

 Wretched Defilers-higher budget spectres that trade some consistency for enormous damage scaling.

Both choices let you tailor your playstyle depending on how much you want to invest.

Pros and Cons

Pros

 Extremely flexible: works at low, medium, and high budgets.

 Strong scaling into endgame with 100m+ DPS potential.

 Screen-clearing damage with Frostbearers and Defilers.

 Multiple defensive layers (block, spell suppression, Petrified Blood, Divine Flesh at high budget).

 Fun to customize spectre lineups with utility monsters.

Cons

 Requires investment before spectres feel good (campaign leveling uses Absolution or other minion skills).

 Minion AI can be clunky.

 High-budget version is gear-intensive and not SSF-friendly.

 Not ideal for Uber bosses compared to meta bosser builds.

Leveling Path-From Campaign to Maps

Spectres don't become viable until later in the game, so you'll want to level with something more consistent. Absolution is the go-to choice, as it transitions smoothly into a minion setup and requires little gear.

Once you unlock three spectres (via Death Attunement passive and level 25 Raise Spectre gem), you can swap over to Forged Frostbearers and begin the core playstyle.

A newly updated Necromancer Minion Leveling Guide is available for those unfamiliar with early progression, including gem links and gear swaps that make the transition seamless.

Low-Budget Build (Starter Setup)

The entry version of this build focuses on affordability while still delivering enough DPS to farm early red maps.

 Spectres: 3-4 Forged Frostbearers.

 DPS: ~3 million simulated in PoB (thanks to shotgunning mechanics).

 Defenses: Block chance via Bone Offering, Petrified Blood layering, and Chaos Golem for extra resistances.

Key Links

 Main Spectres: Raise Spectre-Spell Echo-Greater Volley-Minion Damage-Cold Penetration-Hypothermia.

 Utility Minions: Chaos Golem + Zombies with Feeding Frenzy.

 Trigger Weapon Setup: Desecrate + Bone Offering (triggered for block and minion sustain).

 Mobility: Shield Charge, Convocation, Frostblink.

 Auras: Tempest Shield, Wrath (via Generosity), Flesh and Stone.

Gear Highlights

 Weapon: +1 Convoking Wand with "Trigger Spells" craft.

 Shield: Life + Minion skill levels.

 Chest: Cheap 6-link corrupted armor (~20c).

 Boots: Bones of Ullr (for +1 Spectre).

 Jewels: Ghastly Eye with Life + Minion Damage. Optional luxury: Unending Hunger (skip early unless cheap).

This version is designed to get you mapping comfortably, though it lacks the raw defenses to survive juiced content.

Medium-Budget Build (League Progression)

At this point, the build shifts into a more defensive playstyle by incorporating spell suppression and additional spectres through clever gearing.

 Spectres: Up to 9 Forged Frostbearers thanks to Wraithlord helmet and +1 Spectre chest.

 DPS: ~9.5 million in PoB (scales via multiple projectiles rather than extra spectres).

 Defenses: 100% spell suppression via Green Nightmare Jewel and suppression nodes.

Gear Upgrades

 Helmet: Wraithlord (socket Ghastly Eye jewels for +4 spectres).

 Chest: Delve armor with +1 Spectre.

 Amulet: Jinxed Juju (extra defenses).

 Wand: +2 Minion wand with Trigger.

 Rings/Belt: Bone Rings with Minion speed/life; Darkness Enthroned with Ghastly Jewels.

Utility Setup

One fun addition here is the Raise Spectre of Transients (transfigured gem), which lets you summon temporary spectres that bring Haste aura and trigger Feeding Frenzy. You only need 1-2 of these; summoning too many risks replacing your core Frostbearers.

This setup is durable enough for nearly all content outside of Uber bosses and Tier 17 farming.High-Budget Build (Endgame Monster)

Here's where things get crazy. By shifting spectres to Wretched Defilers and stacking advanced defensive layers, this version becomes one of the most powerful summoner builds in the game.

 Spectres: 7 Defilers + 2 utility spectres (Spirit of Fortune for Lucky Lightning, Guardian Turtle for Feeding Frenzy).

 DPS: 100m+ (uncalculable in PoB due to Defiler mechanics).

 Clear Speed: 1-1.5 screens away.

 Defenses: Doryani's Prototype + Divine Flesh setup makes the build tanky against nearly all elemental hits.

Core Mechanics

 Doryani's Prototype: Converts lightning damage mitigation to armor, but requires negative lightning resistance.

 Divine Flesh (via Glorious Vanity): 50% of elemental damage taken as chaos, raising chaos res cap.

 Sublime Vision (Purity of Ice): Converts fire/lightning damage into cold, further split with chaos.

 Watcher's Eye: Fixes remaining elemental mitigation.

Together, this setup ensures that almost all elemental damage is distributed between chaos and cold resistance, leaving you practically unkillable outside of DoTs.

Gear Requirements

 Helmet: Wraithlord (extra spectres).

 Chest: Doryani's Prototype.

 Amulet: Replica Dragonfang or rare with minion stats.

 Rings: Reflection + Commander's Touch with negative lightning res.

 Jewels: Multiple Ghastly Eyes, Sublime Vision, Glorious Vanity.

This high-budget setup is not for the faint of heart-it requires currency, patience, and access to rare items. But once completed, it can handle fully juiced T17 maps with confidence.

Playstyle Overview

The playstyle is surprisingly simple across all versions:

1.Summon Spectres-Forged Frostbearers (low/medium) or Wretched Defilers (high).

2.Keep Bone Offering Up-Provides block chance for you and your minions.

3.Positioning-Your spectres shotgun projectiles for damage, so Convocation and careful placement help maximize DPS.

4.Defensive Layers-Use Petrified Blood, Tempest Shield, and Auras to stay alive.

The build rewards attentive play but doesn't require fast reactions. It's comfortable for mapping marathons or relaxed endgame farming.

Final Thoughts

Spectre summoners have always been fun, but 3.26 breathes new life into the archetype. From starter-friendly Forged Frostbearers to high-budget Wretched Defilers, this build offers a progression path that grows with your league journey.

 On a budget? Start with Bones of Ullr and cheap 6-links for a 3m DPS minion army.

 Got some currency? Upgrade to Wraithlord and spell suppression for a tanky 9-spectre powerhouse.

 Whale status? Go all-in on Doryani's Prototype, Divine Flesh, and Defilers for screen-clearing 100m+ DPS destruction.

If you've been looking for a minion build that's both flexible and satisfying, the Pure Spectre Summoner is one of the strongest options available in cheap POE currency.