Sentinel / Void Knight
Void Knight Starter Build
A sturdy melee starter for players who want a simple Sentinel route into void damage.
Acolyte / Necromancer
Necromancer Starter Build
Choose this if you want minions to handle most enemy pressure while you learn bosses, resistances, and campaign pacing.
Fast routing
Safest first character
Necromancer or Void Knight
Lowest mechanical pressure
Necromancer
Best fast Rogue starter
Falconer
Most direct melee starter
Void Knight
Who this build is for
A calm minion starter for players who want the safest Acolyte route through the campaign.
Class
Acolyte
Mastery
Necromancer
Complexity
Low to moderate
Beginner fit
Very good
Leveling path
Keep the campaign plan stable before chasing final scaling.
- Start with Summon Skeleton and a simple filler spell. Let minions take contact while you stay out of danger.
- Add Skeletal Mage or another stronger summon when the campaign starts asking for more damage.
- Use Dread Shade or a curse-style support skill once the minion group is stable.
- Keep a movement or escape skill available. Minions do not protect you from every ground effect.
Core skills
Use this as a role map, not a locked skill bar.
- Summon Skeleton: early army and easy pressure.
- Summon Skeletal Mage: ranged minion damage that smooths campaign clear.
- Dread Shade: damage support for your most important minions.
- Summon Wraith, Bone Golem, or another focused summon: pick one extra role instead of filling every slot with pets.
- Transplant or another mobility option: escape tool for boss mechanics.
Beginner mistakes
Most failed starter builds lose to these before they lose to damage.
- Trying to scale your own spell damage and minion damage evenly. Pick the minions as the main plan.
- Ignoring minion survivability when summons start dying in tougher zones.
- Standing still because minions are active. Boss mechanics still target you.
- Using too many summons without knowing which one is actually carrying damage.
Gear priorities
While leveling, readable stats beat perfect late-game theory.
- Minion damage and minion health before niche damage types.
- Your own health, resistances, and movement speed. A dead summoner does no damage.
- Necrotic or spell support only when it helps the chosen minion package.
- Mana and quality-of-life stats if resummoning or support skills feel clunky.
FAQ
Is Necromancer good for a first Last Epoch character?
Yes. It gives new players time to watch fights and learn danger patterns without needing perfect attack uptime.
How many minion skills should I use?
Use enough to cover damage and safety, but do not fill the bar with summons just because they are available. One clear carry minion is easier to gear and understand.
What should I fix first if damage feels low?
Check whether your main minions have skill points, relevant minion damage, and enough survivability to stay active through fights.
Related builds
Compare the other initial starter routes before committing.
Rogue / Falconer
Falconer Starter Build
A safer Rogue starter for players who want speed without relying only on fragile uptime.
Related classes
If the playstyle sounds close but not exact, route through the class page.