Wretched Defilers - Witch/Necromancer

Quick Summary: A powerful Raise Spectre build using Wretched Defilers as the main minions, offering exceptional clear speed and solid bossing on a budget. This build excels at league starting with smooth progression from early acts through endgame content.

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Build Overview

Identity

• Primary Skill: Raise Spectre (Wretched Defilers)
• Damage Type: Mixed (Physical/Elemental from spectres)
• Playstyle: Minion/Pet Build
• Budget Tier: League Starter → High Budget
• League: 3.25 | Patch: 3.25.0 | Updated: 2025-11-05

Path of Building

Multiple Budget Versions Available:

Budget Tier	PoB Link	Notes
Leveling	https://pobb.in/BQrR5vU0zH5Q	Wrath → Determination swap
Low Budget	https://pobb.in/_LXG6zHHT3SV	Added Grafts
Low-Mid Transition	https://pobb.in/XBMSzXe1AwLy	Added Grafts
Medium Budget	https://pobb.in/UGnRCdOwKaEw	Added Grafts
High Budget (Recommended)	https://pobb.in/w9m3C2EWYzOs	Optimized support gems and DPS
High Budget (Defensive)	https://pobb.in/SU86mHwFbWqF	Spell Suppress variant

Description

This build revolves around using Wretched Defilers as spectres, which are powerful ranged minions that clear screens with their projectile attacks. The build is designed to be extremely league-start friendly, requiring minimal investment to get going while scaling exceptionally well with currency investment.

The core mechanic involves raising specific spectres (Wretched Defilers) and supporting them with damage multipliers and utility minions. The build uses a combination of offensive spectres for damage and defensive spectres for survivability (Guardian Turtle, Spirit of Fortune, Forest Warrior in endgame versions).

What makes this build exceptional is its smooth progression curve - you can start with basic spectres like Hyrri's Watch in Act 1 and transition to Slave Drivers in Act 5 before getting your endgame Wretched Defilers. The build creator has provided comprehensive leveling guides and multiple PoB configurations for every budget level.

Pros & Cons

Strengths ✅

• ✅ Excellent league starter - works with zero uniques
• ✅ Smooth leveling experience with clear transitions
• ✅ Exceptional clear speed with screen-wide coverage
• ✅ Scales extremely well with investment (6 budget tiers provided)
• ✅ Minions handle most content while you focus on movement
• ✅ Multiple defensive variants available

Weaknesses ❌

• ❌ Spectre management can be annoying if they die
• ❌ Reliant on finding/spawning correct corpses
• ❌ Can feel passive for players who prefer active playstyles

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Performance Matrix

Content Ratings

Scale: ⭐=Struggles, ⭐⭐=Difficult, ⭐⭐⭐=Comfortable, ⭐⭐⭐⭐=Strong, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐=Dominates

Content Type	Rating	Min DPS	Min Life	Notes
Campaign (Acts 1-10)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	50k	2000+	Extremely smooth with Hyrri's Watch/Slave Drivers
White Maps (T1-5)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	200k	3500+	Spectres one-shot packs
Yellow Maps (T6-10)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	500k	4000+	Still clearing screens effortlessly
Red Maps (T11-16)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	1M	5000+	May need to upgrade spectres/supports
T17 Maps	⭐⭐⭐	2M	5500+	Requires good investment
Pinnacle Bosses	⭐⭐⭐⭐	3M	5500+	Solid with proper setup
Uber Bosses	⭐⭐⭐	5M+	6000+	Doable with high investment
Simulacrum (Wave 30)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	2M	5000+	Minions handle chaos well
Deep Delving (600+)	⭐⭐⭐	3M	6500+	Requires defensive variant
Blight/Legion	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	1M	4500+	Spectres excel at density

Budget Benchmarks

Budget Tier	Investment	DPS	Life	Key Features
League Start	0-50c	300k-500k	3500-4000	Basic spectres, 5-link
Low Budget	50c-2div	1-2M	4500-5000	6-link, basic supports
Medium Budget	2-10div	5-10M	5500-6000	Awakened gems, clusters
High Budget	10-50div	10-20M	6000-6500	Multiple spectres, perfect rolls
Mirror Tier	50+div	20M+	6500+	Min-maxed everything

DPS Reference: White maps 100k+, Yellow 300k+, Red 1M+, T17 2M+, Pinnacle 3M+, Uber 5M+

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Skills & Tree

Ascendancy

Necromancer

Lab	Level	Node	Priority	Benefit
Normal	33	Mistress of Sacrifice	Must Have	Offering skills affect you
Cruel	55	Commander of Darkness	Must Have	Aura effectiveness for minions
Merciless	68	Bone Sculptor	High	More minions, minion stats
Eternal	75+	Unnatural Strength	High	+2 minion gem levels

Ascendancy Notes: This order prioritizes both offensive and defensive benefits. Mistress of Sacrifice with Bone Offering provides excellent block chance early.

Passive Tree

Tree Progression:

Level	Focus	Key Nodes	PoB Link
70 (League Start)	Life, minion nodes, resistances	Death Attunement, Gravepact	https://pobb.in/BQrR5vU0zH5Q
90 (Mid-Game)	Block, more minion damage	Glancing Blows, Sanctuary	https://pobb.in/UGnRCdOwKaEw
95+ (Endgame)	Clusters, optimization	Megalomaniac clusters	https://pobb.in/w9m3C2EWYzOs

Major Keystones/Notables:

• Death Attunement: +1 Spectre, essential for the build
• Glancing Blows: Doubles block chance for easier capping
• Sanctuary: Block chance and spell block

Cluster Jewels (Optional/Endgame):

• Large Cluster: Minion Damage with Renewal + Feasting Fiends (Budget: 1-3 div)
• Megalomaniac: Enduring Composure + Dread March + flex (Budget: 5-15 div)

Gem Setups

6-Link (Primary Damage Spectres):

Raise Spectre (L21/20)
├─ Awakened Minion Damage (L5) - Core damage multiplier
├─ Awakened Controlled Destruction (L5) - More spell damage
├─ Spell Echo - Double cast for spectres
├─ Returning Projectiles - Clear improvement
└─ Pierce - Projectile coverage

4-Link #1 (Utility Spectres):

Raise Spectre + Feeding Frenzy + Overcharge + Meat Shield

Purpose: Support spectres for buffs (Guardian Turtle, Spirit of Fortune)

4-Link #2 (Movement/Auras):

Shield Charge + Faster Attacks + Purity of Ice + [Flex]

Purpose: Movement and defensive auras

4-Link #3 (Triggers):

Desecrate + Bone Offering + Lifetap + [Flex]

Purpose: Corpse generation and offering uptime

Unlinked/Utility:

• Convocation - Minion positioning
• Sniper's Mark - Boss damage
• Frostblink - Emergency movement

Gem Priority:

1. Level Raise Spectre to 21 first
2. Quality on all minion gems
3. Awakened gems when affordable

Awakened Gems (Endgame):

• Priority: Minion Damage > Controlled Destruction > Elemental Focus
• Cost: ~2-5 divine each

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Gear Roadmap

Phase 1: League Start (0-50 chaos)

Priority Order:

1. Resistances: Cap all elemental resistances to 75%
2. Life: Target 3500-4000 HP minimum
3. Links: Get 5-link for spectres (or Tabula)
4. Minion Nodes: Prioritize +minion gems on wands/shields

Target Stats: 3500+ life, 75% all res, 2-3 spectres

Phase 2: Early Maps (50 chaos - 2 divine)

Key Upgrades:

1. 6-Link: Get 6-link body armor (1-2 div or self-link)
2. +Minion Gems: Wands/shields with +1 minion gems (20-50c each)
3. Mon'tregul's Grasp: Unique sceptre for minion life/damage (5-20c)

Target Stats: 4500-5000 life, 4 spectres, capped resistances

Phase 3: Endgame (2-10 divine)

Build-Defining Upgrades:

1. Vis Mortis: Extra spectres from body armor (1-3 div)
2. Grip of the Council: Minion damage gloves (1-2 div)
3. Cluster Jewels: Minion damage clusters (1-3 div each)

Target Stats: 5500-6000 life, 5-6 spectres, good block chance

Phase 4: Min-Max (10-50+ divine)

Perfection Path:

1. Megalomaniac: Perfect cluster jewel (10-20 div)
2. Awakened Gems: Level 5-6 awakened supports (2-5 div each)
3. Perfect Gear: Influenced items with minion mods (5-20 div per slot)
4. 21/20 Gems: Perfect gem quality/levels

Target Stats: 6500+ life, 7+ spectres, 20M+ DPS

Detailed Gear Slots

Weapon:

• Budget: +1 minion gems wand/sceptre (10-50c)
• Mid-Tier: Mon'tregul's Grasp OR rare with minion damage (50c-2div)
• BiS: Convoking wand with +2 minion gems (5-20div)

Body Armor:

• Budget: 6-link with life + res (1-2div)
• Mid-Tier: Vis Mortis for extra spectres (3-5div)
• BiS: Influenced armor with life + offerings (10-30div)

Helmet:

• Budget: Rare with life + res + minion damage (5-20c)
• Mid-Tier: Elder helmet with minion damage support (1-3div)
• BiS: +3 minion gems helmet with supports (5-15div)

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Flask & Pantheon

Flask Priority

Flask	Priority	Purpose	Suffix
Divine Life Flask	Must-Have	Life recovery	Anti-bleed
Quicksilver Flask	High	Movement speed	of the Cheetah
Quartz Flask	Medium	Phasing + dodge	Anti-freeze
Sapphire Flask	Medium	Cold resistance	Anti-curse
Progenesis	Luxury	Life loss mitigation	Unique flask

Pantheon

Major God: Soul of Lunaris

• Base Power: Physical damage reduction
• Why: General mapping defense

Minor God: Soul of Garukhan

• Base Power: Movement speed + evade
• Why: Quality of life for mapping

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Leveling Path

Acts 1-10 Strategy

Skill Progression:

• Acts 1-3: Hyrri's Watch spectres from The Climb
• Acts 4-7: Transition to Slave Drivers (Act 5 Control Blocks)
• Acts 8-10: Continue with Slave Drivers or early Wretched Defilers

Key Quest Rewards:

Act	Quest	Reward	Why Important
1	Breaking Some Eggs	Raise Zombie	Early minions
2	Intruders in Black	Desecrate	Corpse generation
3	A Fixture of Fate	Raise Spectre	Core skill

Leveling Tips:

• Ask in /global 6666 for Hyrri's Watch locations
• Use Reverberation Rod for spell echo on spectres
• Clear all corpses except desired spectre before raising
• Watch timestamped video guide for spectre locations

Leveling Uniques (Optional):

Item	Level Req	Benefit	Cost
Tabula Rasa	1	6-link for spectres	10-20c
Goldrim	1	+40% all res	1c
Reverberation Rod	24	Spell Echo for spectres	1c

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Atlas & Playstyle

Atlas Strategy

Core Approach: Fast clearing with spectres handling all content while you loot

Best League Mechanics:

1. Blight: Spectres handle all lanes automatically
2. Legion: Excellent for breaking out mobs quickly
3. Breach: Density is perfect for spectres

Avoid: Mechanics requiring precise targeting (some Expedition)

Playstyle & Rotation

Mapping:

1. Summon all spectres at hideout/start
2. Run through map while spectres clear
3. Use Convocation to reposition minions
4. Cast offerings on cooldown for buffs

Bossing:

1. Pre-summon spectres if needed
2. Apply Sniper's Mark to boss
3. Stay mobile while spectres DPS
4. Use Convocation to focus minions

Defensive Layers:

1. Life Pool: 5000-6500
2. Block: 50-75% with Glancing Blows
3. Minion Taunt: Meat Shield support
4. Fortify: From shield charge

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Build Scaling

How to Improve DPS

Priority Investments (Best value):

1. 21/20 Raise Spectre: (1-2div) - +15-20% damage
2. Awakened Minion Damage: (2-3div) - +20-25% damage
3. +Minion gem levels: (2-5div) - +30-40% damage

How to Improve Survivability

Priority Investments:

1. More Life: Target +1000 HP through gear (1-5div)
2. Max Block: Cap with Glancing Blows (1-3div)
3. Spell Suppression: High budget defensive variant

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Map Mods Reference

Cannot Run

Symbol: ❌ = Reroll immediately

• ❌ No Regeneration: Can be problematic without mana flask

Dangerous/Rippy

Symbol: ⚠️ = Doable but risky

• ⚠️ Chain: Can shotgun you with reflected projectiles
• ⚠️ -Max Resistances: Reduce elemental mitigation significantly

Free/Easy

Symbol: ✅ = No problem

• ✅ Physical Reflect: Minions are immune
• ✅ Elemental Reflect: Minions handle it fine
• ✅ Temporal Chains: Slightly annoying but safe

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FAQ & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this good for league start? A: Excellent - one of the best league starters with zero required uniques and smooth progression.

Q: Can this do all content? A: Yes, with proper investment. Has variants for every budget level from acts to uber bosses.

Q: How much currency do I need to get started? A: Zero - works perfectly SSF. Each upgrade tier is clearly defined with 6 different PoB links.

Q: What's the ceiling on this build? A: Very high - the build creator has provided configurations up to mirror-tier investment.

Q: Is this HC viable? A: Yes, especially the defensive variant with spell suppression. Multiple defensive layers available.

Resources & Credits

Path of Building Links:

• All Configurations: See table in Build Overview section

Video Guide: https://youtu.be/UK5i9eW3l7U

Build Creator:

• Twitch: twitch.tv/dconnic
• Community: Ask questions in stream or /global 6666

Leveling Resources:

• Planner: https://poelevellingplanner.com/build/?id=00690486580436269767
• Loot Filter: https://www.pathofexile.com/item-filter/xjNByyf6

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Changelog

Version	Date	Changes
1.0.0	2025-11-05	Initial documentation from dconnic's build

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Author Notes

This build documentation was adapted from dconnic's comprehensive Wretched Defilers guide. The build offers exceptional value with its multiple budget tiers and detailed progression path. Special thanks to dconnic for the extensive testing and optimization across all budget levels.