How to summon a Golem in Diablo 4

Diablo 4 golem
(Image credit: Blizzard)

The Diablo 4 Golem is a hulking minion for the Necromancer's Book of the Dead system, but you can't summon it unless you assign it as a Skill. While the Golem is passively summoned just by having the correct Skill assigned, you should know that you won't unlock the Golem for quite a few hours as the relevant quest in Diablo 4 isn't available unless you reach Level 25. 

Doing this quest is well worth it to pick up the Golem summon however, as it's a key component of our best Necromancer build since it can soak up massive amounts of damage while your decrepit glass cannon dishes out powerful Bone and Curse magic. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about the Necromancer Golem in Diablo 4, including how to summon it once it's been unlocked.

How to unlock the Diablo 4 Golem

The Diablo 4 Golem ability is unlocked via a Necromancer Priority Quest which is given to you once you reach Level 25 as a Necromancer. Your Diablo 4 quest log will receive a Priority Quest called 'Necromancer: Call of the Underworld'.

Diablo 4 golem

(Image credit: Blizzard)

The Diablo 4 Golem quest will lead you to a map marker in the Northwest of the Fractured Peaks region. You'll need to navigate the Sarkova Pass until you find a statue and a ghostly NPC named Maltorius. As instructed, collect 12 Unbroken Bones by killing enemies in the vicinity, then you'll want to take them to The Bitter Cave and defeat everything inside. 

You'll then use the Unbroken Bones and the Jar of Souls to complete a ritual which will summon your Golem and unlock it as an option for your Book of the Dead. The Golem ability is not available to other classes, just as the weapon-swapping mechanic is exclusive to the Barbarian class, since it's a part of the Necromancer's Book of the Dead mechanic.

How to summon the Golem in Diablo 4

Diablo 4 golem

(Image credit: Blizzard)

You can only summon your Golem in Diablo 4 if you have the Golem ability actively assigned in your Skill hot bar. To assign the Golem after you've unlocked it, open up your Skill menu – S on keyboard, or via the Start button on controller. Once there, on PC all you'll need to do is drag the Golem Skill to the hot bar; on console, you'll need to hit the left stick while within the Skill menu and assign it as you would any other ability. Once it's in your hot bar, your Golem will be summoned and it will re-summon itself automatically if it dies, rather than requiring a corpse summon, like the Warriors and Mages.

Something Diablo 4 doesn't make all that clear is that the Golem has its own unique ability that you can activate manually. Activate the Golem Skill like any other Skill on your hot bar to make the Golem Unstoppable, cause it to taunt all nearby enemies, and take 30% less damage over the next six seconds, which is great for giving you some space to heal up. Along with this ability, you can unlock new Golem types and enhancements to change how your Golem attacks in combat and what buffs it gets.

Diablo 4 Golem types

Diablo 4 golem

(Image credit: Blizzard)

There are three Golem types in Diablo 4, and you can switch between them from the relevant page in the Necromancer's Book of the Dead. The Bone Golem unlocks at level 25, the Blood Golem unlocks at level 28, and the Iron Golem at level 32. Each has their own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities, and it's best to complement this with your overall build. Remember, you can only take one passive enhancement, or can choose to 'Sacrifice' the Golem to gain other bonuses. 

Bone Golems

  • Option 1: Each time your Bone Golem takes up to 20% of its Maximum Life as damage, it sheds a corpse. 
  • Option 2: Your Bone Golem gains 10% Maximum Life and the amount of Thorns they inherit from you is increased from 30% to 50%. 
  • Sacrifice: You gain 10% increased Attack Speed, but you lose the ability to summon a Golem. 

Blood Golems (Drains Life from nearby enemies to heal and bolster itself)

  • Option 1: Your Blood Golem absorbs 15% of damage you would take
  • Option 2: While Healthy, your Blood Golem gains 25% Damage Reduction and 50% increased damage
  • Sacrifice: Your Maximum Life is increased by 10%, but you lose the ability to summon a Golem. 

Iron Golems (An amalgamation of steel that slams the ground and stuns enemies)

  • Option 1: Every 5th Iron Golem attack causes a shockwave, dealing 299 damage to the primary enemy and the enemies behind them. 
  • Option 2: Your Iron Golem's slam attack also makes enemies Vulnerable for 3 seconds. 
  • Sacrifice: You deal 30% increased Critical Strike Damage, but you lose the ability to summon a Golem. 

Want to get access to the Golem a little quicker? Here are our tips on how to level up fast in Diablo 4.

Josh West
UK Managing Editor, GamesRadar+

Josh West is the UK Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. He has over 10 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.