Diablo 4 has always encouraged players to brave the darkness together. Whether storming strongholds or surviving world bosses, the game's co-op and MMO-inspired design makes playing with friends a major advantage. But in Season 9: Sins of the Horadrim, Diablo 4 cleverly flips the script by letting you build your allies through powerful new minion-focused builds. Even solo players can bring an army into battle thanks to buffs to summoning skills, revamped Uniques, Diablo IV Items, and the latest Horadric systems that make minions more viable than ever.

While previous seasons leaned on explosive AoE builds or high-mobility glass cannons, Season 9 is all about control, efficiency, and overwhelming your enemies with numbers. Several classes-most notably the Necromancer, Druid, and even the Sorcerer-now have high-tier builds that rely on companions, summons, or constructs. These builds let players command powerful forces, sustain heavy pushes in Nightmare Dungeons, and handle high-difficulty Strongrooms without needing to group up.

And yes, while AI minions still make the occasional tactical blunder, the added durability and enhanced damage scaling in Season 9 make them more dependable than ever before.

Necromancer: Army of the Dead Gets a Modern Upgrade

Necromancers have always been the most iconic summoners in the Diablo franchise, and Season 9 doubles down on this legacy. Thanks to the Hand of Naz Unique gloves, the Minion Necromancer can now achieve new heights in skeletal warfare. These gloves enhance Skeletal Mages, allowing the player to summon more than the typical cap and deal significantly more damage-especially when sacrificing other summon types, like Warriors or the Golem.

This trade-off is worth it. With fewer types to manage and stronger Mages as the core of the army, players can adopt a cleaner rotation that focuses on supporting spells and AoE control. Here are the foundational skills that elevate this build:

·Blight: Creates zones of Corruption Damage over time, weakening enemies for minions to finish off.

·Corpse Tendrils: Clusters enemies and applies Vulnerable, setting them up for devastating follow-ups.

·Bone Prison: A flexible trap to isolate elite threats or contain stragglers during dungeon runs.

·Soulrift: Generates Essence while dealing solid single-target damage-perfect for bosses or tanky elites.

Together, these skills create an optimal play loop: control the battlefield, feed minions a steady stream of victims, and snowball power as the fight progresses. With proper paragon and gear investment, the Minion Necro is a powerhouse in Tier 70+ Nightmare Dungeons and a menace in PvE content.

Druid: Nature's Fury, Unleashed Through Companions

Druids finally have their moment to shine as minion masters in Season 9. While traditionally built around shapeshifting and storm magic, the Companion Druid archetype has surged in power thanks to synergy with the Shepard's Aspect, Reverie Horn Horadric Jewel, and core Companion abilities.

Unlike the Necromancer, the Druid exercises more direct control over their minions-Wolves and Ravens can be actively commanded to attack targets or swarm areas, making them more interactive and less reliant on random AI behavior. Companion Druids excel at consistent damage output while also having great survivability.

Key skills to build around include:

·Wolves: Reliable melee minions that leap to enemies and stack bleed effects.

·Ravens: AoE damage with high uptime and useful for crowd control against weak mobs.

·Blood Howl: Heals the Druid and their minions, a key survivability tool for sustained fights.

·Cyclone Armor: Adds a layer of physical damage reduction for both the player and their companions.

·Grizzly Rage: The ultimate steroid, granting bonus damage, damage resistance, and Unstoppable status.

The Reverie Horn further enhances this setup, giving minions 50%[x] increased damage after a kill, allowing the Druid to chain-clear mob packs in late-game zones like Helltides and Strongrooms. With high uptime buffs and resilient minions, Companion Druids are becoming a go-to solo option for Season 9.

Sorcerer: The Hydra Rises From the Ashes

Sorcerers aren't typically known for summoning allies, but Season 9 has changed the game with one massive improvement: the Ophidian Iris Unique Amulet. This amulet redefines Hydra builds by capping their heads at 2 but drastically increasing the damage per extra head not summoned. With up to 100%[x] bonus damage, Hydras have gone from niche tools to a dominant force in Sorcerer builds.

Here's why Hydra Sorcerer is a legitimate contender:

·Hydra: The centerpiece of the build summoned Hydra, which deals devastating fire damage in a cone. Proper placement is crucial, as Hydras can't move.

·Firewall or Fireball: Complements Hydra with high burst or persistent damage to soften enemies.

·Teleport: Provides critical escape options for the squishy Sorcerer during chaotic fights.

·Flame Shield: Grants immunity and healing in a pinch, perfect for staying alive in late-stage dungeons.

·Elemental Attunement: Used via Enchantment slots to maintain defensive uptime or create more burn zones.

Unlike Necros and Druids, the Hydra Sorc requires careful planning and mobility, as you must constantly reposition to ensure Hydras are placed in optimal firing arcs. Still, for those who enjoy casting spells from the backline while minions melt bosses, this build is one of the most rewarding in the current meta.

Why Minion Builds Matter More Than Ever in Season 9

Season 9 introduces two major systems that play to the strengths of minion-based builds:

·Horadric Strongrooms: Timed, enemy-dense events that reward fast, efficient clears. Minions keep the tempo high by attacking while the player opens chests or kites elite mobs.

·Escalating Nightmares: Require consistent uptime and survivability. Minions absorb a lot of the pressure, allowing players to dodge and reposition without taking damage.

Add in the Season Journey objectives tied to sustained combat, boss clears, and support-style play, and it becomes clear that building your team-whether it's skeletons, wolves, or Hydras-isn't just viable, it's optimal.

Final Thoughts: Build Your Army, Conquer Alone

While Diablo 4 has always rewarded smart solo play, Season 9 finally gives loners a real reason to feel like they're not alone. With revamped Uniques, buy D4 materials, better synergy in minion scaling, and endgame systems that benefit from high uptime and consistent AoE, building your team is not just fun-it's powerful.

Whether you're leading a battalion of skeletal casters, commanding nature's beasts, or burning enemies with summoned fire serpents, Season 9 makes Diablo 4 better with friends-even if you have to conjure them yourself.