Animate Guardian

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Animate GuardianAnimate Guardian of Smiting
Animate GuardianSpell, Minion
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (11-20) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Requires Level 28Animates a melee weapon or armour, attaching it to an invisible Guardian that fights by your side. Animating multiple items attaches them to the same Guardian. You cannot animate unidentified items. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Minions have (0-38)% more Maximum Life
Can use Items requiring up to Level (33-100)
Minion deals (0-38)% more Damage

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(2-40)% increased Minion Movement Speed
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
Acquisition
Drop level: 28
Metadata
Item class: Skill Gem
Metadata ID: Metadata/Items/Gems/SkillGemAnimateArmour

Animate Guardian is a spell, animating weapons and armour on the ground to form an allied minion.

Skill functions and interactions

Using this skill on an identified item on the ground creates an Animated Guardian that moves and attacks similar to a zombie. Similar to Spectres and unlike other minions, a Guardian stays with you even after logging off and on. If you unequip the skill gem, the Guardian disappears until you equip the gem again, at which point the same Guardian (retaining all its equipment) reappears after casting the spell again. This also holds true when swapping a different AG gem in. Socketing the gem in a weapon or shield slot allows you to recall the Guardian at will by switching weapon sets (default hotkey: X).

You can only have one Guardian at a time. It can be equipped with a helmet, body armour, pair of gloves, pair of boots, a shield, and melee weapons. Ranged weapons cannot be animated, similar to Animate WeaponAnimate WeaponDuration, Minion, Spell, Physical
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (4-16) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Requires Level 4Animates a Melee Weapon Item or Lingering Blade to fight by your side. You cannot animate unidentified Weapons. Will not animate weapons with 6 sockets. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Base duration is 40.00 seconds
Can use Items requiring up to Level (9-100)
Minions' Attacks deal (5-126) to (8-184) additional Physical Damage
Animated Lingering Blades deal (1-17) to (2-80) Added Attack Physical Damage
Minions deal (0-38)% more Damage
Maximum (5-14) Animated Weapons
Minions have (0-38)% more Attack Speed

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
+(0.1-2) to maximum number of Animated Weapons
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
. Items can be of any rarity, but must be identified and on the ground to be used. Animated items are consumed by the spell and cannot be recovered. Items containing skill gems cannot be animated, so the Guardian cannot use trigger gems.

Items that have modifiers like +x to Maximum life or +x% increased Attack Speed, and even corrupted implicits, apply to the Guardian the same way they apply to player characters; so animating magic or rare equipment can potentially give you a very powerful minion. Unique items can also be used, giving guardians powerful abilities not found elsewhere in the game. Be careful when using valuable items—anything you give to your guardian is gone forever.

All modifiers on the items themselves apply to the Animated Guardian once animated, including enchantments, corrupted implicit modifiers, Scourge modifiers, and Crucible passive trees (except modifiers which allocate player notable passive skills, as minions do not have access to your passive tree).

The Guardian uses weapons and shields in the same way as player characters, and can dual wield if two one-handed weapons are animated. If you animate an item type that the Guardian is already using (such as a helmet), the new item will overwrite the old one. Equipping an armour piece restores 25% of its life; equipping one-handed weapons or shields will alternate between left and right hand. You cannot equip two shields.

The Guardian does not share your max amount of curses you can apply to enemies, and therefore functions as a player with the default curse limit when applying curses (through corrupted gloves, for example).

Items: The Guardian's items are tied to the character that summoned it, rather than the gem itself. Equipping a level 1 version of the gem will disable any items the Guardian cannot equip, which will be present again once a high enough level gem is equipped.

Items deleted on Death: When a Guardian dies, all its equipment is deleted and cannot be recovered. This makes it very risky to use powerful or valuable items on an Animated Guardian. It is possible to prevent a body armour worn by a Guardian from being deleted upon Guardian death by crafting the Item drops on Death if Equipped by an Animated Guardian mod onto it. Note once more that equipment will not be lost upon de-spawning, only death.

Necromantic Aegis: While using Necromantic Aegis your Guardian benefits from its own shield as well as the one you have equipped, allowing it to gain the benefit of two shields at once. Some unique shields can be quite powerful when doubled up this way.[1]

Player versus Player: Animated Guardians killed in PvP areas will not lose their items. This does not apply to Hall of GrandmastersHall of Grandmasters
Promenade Map
Map Level: 73
Map Tier: 6
Guild Character: Ù
Contains the Immortalised Grandmasters
PvP damage scaling in effect
The grandest and greatest ever to fight,
Divine the champions stand tall.
But match their power, best their might,
And even the immortal may fall.
Travel to this Map by using it in a personal Map Device. Maps can only be used once.
, even though the map says "PvP damage scaling in effect". In fact, not only is it possible to lose the Guardian's items here, but death is very likely because of the way PvP damage scaling works. Minor enemies can instantly kill a Guardian with 50000+ life in this map, so it is highly recommended to despawn your Guardian before attempting.

Item-Granted Skills: Animated Guardians cannot use skills granted by items. Equipping items like Death's Oath, The Rippling Thoughts, or Bubonic Trail will not allow the Guardian to use their associated triggered skills. Fire Burst granted by Essence of HysteriaEssence of HysteriaStack Size: 9
Essence Tier: 8
Upgrades a normal item to rare or reforges a rare item, guaranteeing one property
Weapon: Cast Level 20 Fire Burst on Hit
Gloves: Socketed Gems deal 175 to 225 Added Fire Damage
Boots: Drops Burning Ground while moving, dealing 2500 Fire Damage per second for 4 seconds
Body Armour: 25% increased Area of Effect
Helmet: Socketed Gems deal 30% more Damage while on Low Life
Shield: Adds 60 to 100 Fire Damage if you've Blocked Recently
Quiver: Gain 15% of Physical Damage as Extra Fire Damage
Amulet: 150% increased total Recovery per second from Life Leech
Ring: Gain 10% of Physical Damage as Extra Fire Damage
Belt: Damage Penetrates 5% Elemental Resistances during any Flask Effect
Right click this item then left click a normal or rare item to apply it.
, even though having no "trigger" or "granted" in its modifier description, won't work either. The Guardian is not your party member, and will not be able to use abilities like the one found on Ambu's Charge. Effects that apply to nearby allies or enemies, like Leer Cast, or Dying Breath, will apply as normal.

Abyssal Sockets: Animated Guardians cannot benefit from abyss jewel modifiers. Equipping items like Tombfist or Bubonic Trail with abyss jewel(s) socketed will not grant their modifiers to a Guardian.

Notable gear choices

This section needs cleanup to meet quality standards.

Section should be more concise, wording could be improved, could be moved to a Guide namespace Please help improve this section if you can.

Life regeneration and percentage increases to life are especially potent on an Animated Guardian because of its huge innate life pool. Resistances should also be capped to improve survivability (a Guardian has 40% base elemental resistances and 20% chaos resistance).

The stats displayed in the skill's tooltip only accounts for modifiers the skill has, like from the passive tree, jewels, player-equipped items and support gems. It cannot account for further modifiers from things like being affected by an aura, shields through Necromantic Aegis or modifiers from items an Animated Guardian has equipped. These will not factor into the skill's tooltip but are active nonetheless.[2]

Note that Kaom's HeartKaom's Heart
Glorious Plate
Armour: (776-892)Requires Level 68, 191 StrHas no Sockets
+1000 to maximum Life
The warrior who
fears will fall.
and similar items with +# to maximum Life are of less benefit due to Animated Guardian's very high inherent Life. #% increased maximum Life is much more effective.

Helmet:

  • Leer CastLeer Cast
    Festival Mask
    Evasion: (77-88)
    Energy Shield: (17-19)
    Requires Level 28, 33 Dex, 33 Int+(20-30) to Dexterity
    25% reduced Damage
    +(60-100) to maximum Life
    +(60-100) to maximum Mana
    You and nearby allies gain 50% increased Damage
    For none of us are as cruel as all of us.
    - Aura that grants increased damage to allies.
  • Mask of the Stitched DemonMask of the Stitched Demon
    Magistrate Crown
    Armour: (160-189)
    Energy Shield: (193-219)
    Requires Level 58, 64 Str, 64 Int+(40-50) to Intelligence
    +(160-180) to maximum Energy Shield
    Strength provides no bonus to Maximum Life
    Intelligence provides no inherent bonus to Maximum Mana
    +1 to Maximum Life per 2 Intelligence
    Your Energy Shield starts at zero
    Cannot gain Energy Shield
    Regenerate 1% of Life per second per 500 Maximum Energy Shield
    From the flesh of the gods, Xibaqua was born.
    From the carnage of Xibaqua, we were born.
    It is our duty to return to the gods what was once theirs.
    - Massive percentage life regeneration if Animated Guardian has sufficient energy shield. Grave Intentions notable passive skill and energy shield armour help with scaling of this effect.
  • Crown of the TyrantCrown of the Tyrant
    Magistrate Crown
    Armour: (160-189)
    Energy Shield: (33-39)
    Requires Level 58, 64 Str, 64 IntHas 1 Socket
    +(50-175) to maximum Life
    Nearby Enemies have -10% to all Resistances
    You and Nearby Allies have 64 to 96 added Fire Damage per Red Socket
    You and Nearby Allies have 56 to 88 added Cold Damage per Green Socket
    You and Nearby Allies have 16 to 144 added Lightning Damage per Blue Socket
    You and Nearby Allies have 47 to 61 added Chaos Damage per White Socket
    You will know if your subjects follow you from fear or respect when you have your first moment of weakness.
    If it's the former, they will tear you into pieces like rabid dogs.
    - Reduces all resistances of nearby enemies and adds global Fire/Cold/Lightning/Chaos damage to nearby allies.
  • Eye of MaliceEye of Malice
    Callous Mask
    Evasion: (610-822)
    Energy Shield: (125-168)
    Requires Level 45, 51 Dex, 51 Int(400-500)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
    +(20-40)% to Fire Resistance
    +(20-40)% to Cold Resistance
    25% chance to inflict Cold Exposure on Hit
    25% chance to inflict Fire Exposure on Hit
    Nearby Enemies have 50% increased Fire and Cold Resistances
    Through vision coloured by burning rage and icy hate peers a visitor from a realm of ill intent...(Cold Exposure applies -10% to Cold Resistance for 4 seconds)
    (Fire Exposure applies -10% to Fire Resistance for 4 seconds)
    - Applies Fire and Cold Exposure on hit and magnifies negative enemy resistances.
  • Glimpse of ChaosGlimpse of Chaos
    Vaal Mask
    Evasion: (207-239)
    Energy Shield: (37-43)
    Requires Level 62, 79 Dex, 72 Int<Can roll a special implicit when corrupted>Can be modified while Corrupted
    (30-40)% increased maximum Life and reduced Fire Resistance
    (30-40)% increased maximum Mana and reduced Cold Resistance
    (30-40)% increased Global maximum Energy Shield and reduced Lightning Resistance
    Chaos Resistance is Zero
    CorruptedMan retains sanity and strives toward civilisation
    only under the blessed veil of ignorance.
    - Corrupted to have Nearby Enemies have Malediction implicit. Malediction causes enemies to deal 10% reduced damage and take 10% increased damage. This item can be turned into a rare or another unique with further corruptions, which removes its downsides. See item page for additional outcomes.
  • Mask of the TribunalMask of the Tribunal
    Magistrate Crown
    Armour: (400-567)
    Energy Shield: (82-117)
    Requires Level 58, 64 Str, 64 Int<Three random Synthesis implicit modifiers>+(25-30) to all Attributes
    (150-200)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    Nearby Allies have 1% Chance to Block Attack Damage per 100 Strength you have
    Nearby Allies have +(6-8)% to Critical Strike Multiplier per 100 Dexterity you have
    Nearby Allies have (2-4)% increased Cast Speed per 100 Intelligence you have
    2% increased Mana Reservation Efficiency of Skills per 250 total Attributes
    The judge determines worthiness by comparison to the paragon: himself.
    - Various aura bonuses depending on the attributes provided to Animated Guardian from other equipped items or The BaronThe Baron
    Close Helmet
    Armour: (130-150)Requires Level 26, 58 Str+2 to Level of Socketed Minion Gems
    Minions have (10-20)% increased maximum Life
    Half of your Strength is added to your Minions
    +1 to maximum number of Raised Zombies per 500 Strength
    With at least 1000 Strength, (1.5-2)% of Damage dealt by your Raised Zombies is Leeched to you as Life
    "The Emperor's trusted surgeons are not the only ones who practice the dark arts. Some of us are just more discreet."
    .
  • Blood PriceBlood Price
    Reaver Helmet
    Armour: (198-233)Requires Level 40, 85 Str24% reduced maximum Life
    Regenerate (200-250) Life per second
    100% increased Stun and Block Recovery
    Nearby Enemy Monsters have at least 8% of Life Reserved
    An eye for an eye makes the whole world dead.
    - Reduces nearby enemies' max life to 92%; more value against stronger enemies and bosses.
  • An influenced helmet with Nearby Enemies take #% increased <Physical/Elemental> Damage or Nearby Enemies have -#% to <Fire/Cold/Lightning> Resistance.

Body Armour:

  • Gruthkul's PeltGruthkul's Pelt
    Wyrmscale Doublet
    Armour: (840-1180)
    Evasion: (840-1180)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 38, 57 Str, 57 Dex100% increased Global Physical Damage
    +(240-300) to maximum Life
    (300-400)% increased Armour and Evasion
    Regenerate 10% of Life per second
    15% increased Character Size
    Spell Skills deal no Damage
    Your Spells are disabled
    Simple is the life of the bear.
    - Life, large percentage life regeneration and increased physical damage.
  • Belly of the BeastBelly of the Beast
    Full Wyrmscale
    Armour: (635-876)
    Evasion: (254-292)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 46, 68 Str, 68 Dex(150-200)% increased Armour
    (30-40)% increased maximum Life
    +(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances
    50% increased Flask Life Recovery rate
    Extra gore
    There is no safer place
    Than the Belly of the Beast
    - Massive percentage increase to life and resistances.
  • Garb of the EphemeralGarb of the Ephemeral
    Savant's Robe
    Energy Shield: (322-435)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 56, 600 Str, 752 Int<One to three random Synthesis implicit modifiers>(180-230)% increased Energy Shield
    +600 Strength and Intelligence Requirement
    Gain a Divine Charge on Hit
    +10 to maximum Divine Charges
    You gain Divinity for 10 seconds on reaching maximum Divine Charges
    Lose all Divine Charges when you gain Divinity
    Nearby Allies' Action Speed cannot be modified to below Base Value
    Nearby Enemies cannot deal Critical Strikes
    Exceptional men and women of strong will can flicker a spark,
    but something much greater is needed to unleash the wildfire of true divine flames.
    - Nearby enemies cannot deal critical strikes and Nearby allies' Action Speed cannot be modified to below base value, also granting pseudo Freeze immunity. It is possible to get a Garb of the Ephemeral with a Item drops on Death if Equipped by an Animated Guardian synthesised implicit.
  • Doppelgänger GuiseDoppelgänger Guise
    Sadist Garb
    Evasion: (427-491)
    Energy Shield: (93-107)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 68, 103 Dex, 109 IntGrants Level 20 Unhinge Skill
    (40-60)% more Critical Strike Chance while Insane
    Enemies Killed by your Hits are destroyed while Insane
    (40-30)% less Physical and Chaos Damage Taken while Sane
    Regenerate 10% Life over one second when Hit while Sane
    Within each of us exists a being of pure malice,
    held back only by the lies we tell ourselves.
    - Percentage life regeneration when hit, and a significant amount of physical and chaos damage reduction. Animated Guardian is always considered as Sane, as it cannot use Unhinge.
  • SporeguardSporeguard
    Saint's Hauberk
    Armour: (1329-1736)
    Energy Shield: (228-297)
    Movement Speed: -5%
    Requires Level 67, 109 Str, 94 IntTrigger Level 10 Contaminate when you Kill an Enemy
    (200-250)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    (7-10)% increased maximum Life
    +(17-23)% to Chaos Resistance
    Enemies on Fungal Ground you Kill Explode, dealing 5% of their Life as Chaos Damage
    You have Fungal Ground around you while stationary
    Shrouded in seed, a conduit of contagion, yet the source of septicity remains unknown.This item can be anointed by Cassia
    - Percentage life, chaos resistance and Fungal Ground when stationary, which grants allies on it chaos resistance and enemies inside it minus all resistances. Animated Guardian cannot trigger Contaminate.
  • BloodbondBloodbond
    Bone Armour
    Evasion: (388-512)
    Energy Shield: (82-107)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 35, 53 Dex, 53 IntGrants Level 15 Blood Offering Skill
    (100-120)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
    (15-25)% increased maximum Life
    Minions have (20-30)% increased maximum Life
    Regenerate 1% of Life per second
    Minions have +(12-15)% chance to Suppress Spell Damage
    What mother wouldn't give her life for that of her children?
    - Percentage life and percentage life regen. The minion modifiers do not work as it is not considered its own minion.
  • Expedition's EndExpedition's End
    Sentinel Jacket
    Evasion: (660-925)
    Energy Shield: (134-190)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 59, 86 Dex, 86 Int(100-150)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
    (5-10)% increased maximum Life
    All Damage can Freeze
    Freeze Chilled Enemies as though dealing (50-100)% more Damage
    Nearby Enemies are Chilled
    He may have returned from the frozen southern reaches, but that doesn't mean he ever truly escaped them.
    - Grants a chilling aura, reducing the action speed of nearby enemies. Can be scaled with ailment effect through Unbound Ailments SupportUnbound Ailments SupportSupport
    Icon: U
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 120%
    Requires Level 8Supports any skill that hits enemies or inflicts ailments(35-54)% increased Duration of Ailments inflicted with Supported Skills
    Supported Skills have (35-54)% increased Effect of non-Damaging Ailments on Enemies
    Supported Skills deal (10-19)% more Damage with Ailments

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    (0.5-10)% increased Duration of Ailments inflicted with Supported Skills
    This is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
    as well as ailment effect on gear.
  • Zahndethus' CassockZahndethus' Cassock
    Sage's Robe
    Energy Shield: (177-225)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 37, 104 IntAdds 1 to 40 Lightning Damage to Attacks
    (125-150)% increased Energy Shield
    +(40-50)% to Chaos Resistance
    25% increased Light Radius
    100% chance to create Consecrated Ground when you Block
    Consecrated Ground regenerates 6% Life per second (Hidden)
    Consecrated Ground has a radius of 18 (Hidden)
    When dead men rise and darkness falls
    Only faith can be your walls
    Walls of Light, not of brick
    Twice as strong and twice as thick
    - Creates Consecrated Ground when Animated Guardian blocks, and grants Chaos resistance.
  • Ambu's ChargeAmbu's Charge
    Crusader Chainmail
    Armour: (663-851)
    Energy Shield: (140-176)
    Movement Speed: -5%
    Requires Level 43, 64 Str, 64 Int(180-220)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    +(60-80) to maximum Life
    +15% to all Elemental Resistances
    Gain up to maximum Endurance Charges when you take a Critical Strike
    Your nearby party members maximum Endurance Charges is equal to yours
    Nothing stops the pain like a courageous rush into battle.
    - Endurance charges when critically hit, life and resistances. Animate Guardian has no party members, so it will not affect the maximum Endurance Charges of others.
  • BlunderboreBlunderbore
    Astral Plate
    Armour: (1279-1720)
    Movement Speed: -5%
    Requires Level 62, (680-880) Str+(8-12)% to all Elemental Resistances+(500-700) Strength Requirement
    (80-120)% increased Armour
    (50-75)% increased Effect of Shrine Buffs on you
    You have Lesser Brutal Shrine Buff
    You have Lesser Massive Shrine Buff
    The giant cares not for the ants.
    - Increased life, area of effect and damage, along with guaranteed knockback.
  • An influenced body armour with Nearby Enemies are Blinded, You can apply an additional Curse or You have Concentrated Ground around you while stationary.

Gloves:

  • SouthboundSouthbound
    Soldier Gloves
    Armour: (92-103)
    Energy Shield: (19-21)
    Requires Level 51, 40 Str, 40 IntAdds (60-72) to (88-100) Cold Damage to Attacks
    (12-16)% increased maximum Life
    +(40-50)% to Cold Resistance
    100% increased Freeze Duration on Enemies
    Your Hits can only Kill Frozen Enemies
    Far south, the winter crawls under the skin.
    Below the snow, adrift wanderers sleep.
    - Percentage increased life and cold resistance, but a Guardian can only kill Frozen enemies.
  • Vixen's EntrapmentVixen's Entrapment
    Embroidered Gloves
    Energy Shield: (75-118)Requires Level 36, 54 IntTrigger Socketed Curse Spell when you Cast a Curse Spell, with a 0.25 second Cooldown
    +(50-90) to maximum Energy Shield
    0.2% of Spell Damage Leeched as Energy Shield for each Curse on Enemy
    You can apply an additional Curse
    Curse Skills have (10-20)% increased Cast Speed
    "One coy look. One blown kiss. One word spoken.
    One night I wish I'd forget."
    - You can apply an additional Curse, which allows the Guardian to apply a curse without overriding the player's curse. This item should be corrupted with a curse-on-hit implicit such as Curse Enemies with Level # Temporal Chains on Hit.
  • GravebindGravebind
    Hydrascale Gauntlets
    Armour: (212-305)
    Evasion: (212-305)
    Requires Level 59, 45 Str, 45 Dex(100-150)% increased Armour and Evasion
    +(19-29)% to Chaos Resistance
    Gain (15-25) Life per Enemy Killed
    Nearby Enemies Killed by anyone count as being Killed by you instead
    Try as you like to hide the
    blood on your hands. You'll
    still know the truth.
    - Allows consistent activation of on-kill effects such as explosion from Legacy of FuryLegacy of Fury
    Wyrmscale Boots
    Armour: (276-412)
    Evasion: (276-412)
    Requires Level 69, 48 Str, 48 Dex(200-300)% increased Armour and Evasion
    30% increased Movement Speed
    Nearby Enemies are Scorched
    (30-50)% increased Effect of Scorch
    (30-40)% chance when you Kill a Scorched Enemy to Burn Each surrounding
    Enemy for 4 seconds, dealing 8% of the Killed Enemy's Life as Fire Damage per second
    All that was loved, all that was hated -
    naught remains but ash.
    (Scorched Enemies have -10% to Elemental Resistances)
    or Inpulsa's Broken HeartInpulsa's Broken Heart
    Sadist Garb
    Evasion: (427-491)
    Energy Shield: (93-107)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 68, 103 Dex, 109 Int+(60-80) to maximum Life
    (20-50)% increased Damage if you have Shocked an Enemy Recently
    (15-25)% increased Effect of Shock
    Shocked Enemies you Kill Explode, dealing 5% of
    their Life as Lightning Damage which cannot Shock
    Unaffected by Shock
    Don't hesitate; bring death to all, conclusively and swiftly, or they will give you the same treatment.
    . Recommended for use with Chains of CommandChains of Command
    Saintly Chainmail
    Armour: (1002-1336)
    Energy Shield: (240-319)
    Movement Speed: -5%
    Requires Level 70, 99 Str, 115 IntTrigger Level 20 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Guardian Kills an Enemy
    10% chance to Trigger Level 18 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Weapon Kills an Enemy
    (150-190)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    +(60-90) to maximum Life
    Animated Guardian deals 5% increased Damage per Animated Weapon
    Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal Splash Damage to surrounding targets
    Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal 50% less Splash Damage to surrounding targets
    You cannot have non-Animated Minions
    A general may carry his men to greatness, or be dragged beneath the mire by their burden.
    , to consistently grant Animated Guardian kill credit.
  • PainseekerPainseeker
    Shagreen Gloves
    Evasion: (283-466)Requires Level 54, 78 DexAdds (16-19) to (25-29) Fire Damage
    Adds (16-19) to (25-29) Cold Damage
    Adds (6-10) to (33-38) Lightning Damage
    (60-120)% increased Evasion Rating
    Critical Strikes do not inherently inflict non-Damaging Ailments
    Inflict non-Damaging Ailments as though dealing (100-200)% more Damage
    Lay bare paths to pain you never knew you had.
    - Allows Animated Guardian to further scale hit-sourced ailments for bossing. For example, Brittle can be granted by GalesightGalesight
    Solaris Circlet
    Energy Shield: (204-258)Requires Level 59, 122 Int(240-280)% increased Energy Shield
    +(30-40)% to Cold Resistance
    (30-40)% increased Elemental Damage
    (25-50)% chance to inflict Brittle
    Cannot inflict Freeze or Chill
    See creation as it will be, frozen and silent.
    or Alternating SceptreAlternating SceptreSceptre
    Physical Damage: 41-61
    Critical Strike Chance: 7.60%
    Attacks per Second: 1.45
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metres
    Requires Level 70, 95 Str, 131 IntSecrets of Suffering
    .
  • Hunter-influenced gloves with #% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit or #% chance to Unnerve Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit.
  • Warlord-influenced gloves with Culling strike (Alternatively, support Animate Guardian with Culling Strike SupportCulling Strike SupportSupport
    Icon: X
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 110%
    Requires Level 18Supports any skill that hits enemies. If enemies are left below 10% of maximum life after being hit by these skills, they will be killed.Kill Enemies that have 10% Life or lower when Hit by Supported Skills
    Supported Skills deal (0-38)% increased Damage

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    Recover (0.1-2)% of Life when Supported Skills Cull an Enemy
    This is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
    ).

Boots:

  • Legacy of FuryLegacy of Fury
    Wyrmscale Boots
    Armour: (276-412)
    Evasion: (276-412)
    Requires Level 69, 48 Str, 48 Dex(200-300)% increased Armour and Evasion
    30% increased Movement Speed
    Nearby Enemies are Scorched
    (30-50)% increased Effect of Scorch
    (30-40)% chance when you Kill a Scorched Enemy to Burn Each surrounding
    Enemy for 4 seconds, dealing 8% of the Killed Enemy's Life as Fire Damage per second
    All that was loved, all that was hated -
    naught remains but ash.
    (Scorched Enemies have -10% to Elemental Resistances)
    - Applies Scorch on nearby enemies. If used in tandem with GravebindGravebind
    Hydrascale Gauntlets
    Armour: (212-305)
    Evasion: (212-305)
    Requires Level 59, 45 Str, 45 Dex(100-150)% increased Armour and Evasion
    +(19-29)% to Chaos Resistance
    Gain (15-25) Life per Enemy Killed
    Nearby Enemies Killed by anyone count as being Killed by you instead
    Try as you like to hide the
    blood on your hands. You'll
    still know the truth.
    , Animated Guardian can consistently explode enemies.
  • WindscreamWindscream
    Reinforced Greaves
    Armour: (163-216)Requires Level 33, 61 Str(50-80)% increased Armour
    +(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances
    50% increased Area of Effect of Hex Skills
    20% increased Movement Speed
    You can apply an additional Curse
    The mocking wind, a shielding spell,
    The haunting screams, a maddening hell.
    - You can apply an additional Curse, which allows the Guardian to apply a curse without overriding the player's curse. Requires an item that applies a curse, such as gloves with corrupted implicit which applies curse on hit, or equip DreadarcDreadarc
    Cleaver
    One Handed Axe
    Physical Damage: (17-27) to (55-60)
    Elemental Damage: (5-15) to (20-25)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.39-1.43)
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metres
    Requires Level 16, 48 StrAdds (5-15) to (20-25) Physical Damage
    Adds (5-15) to (20-25) Fire Damage
    (7-10)% increased Attack Speed
    +(15-25)% to Fire Resistance
    5% increased Movement Speed
    Curse Enemies with Flammability on Hit
    The fastest way to a man's heart
    is through his sternum.
    .
  • Boots with Searing Exarch's implicit mod Drops Scorched/Brittle/Sapped Ground while moving, lasting X seconds - applies Scorched, Brittle, or Sap near the Animated Guardian as it moves.

Weapons and/or Shields:

  • Dying BreathDying Breath
    Iron Staff
    Warstaff
    Physical Damage: 14-42
    Critical Strike Chance: 7.60%
    Attacks per Second: 1.30
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres
    Requires Level 13, 27 Str, 27 Int+20% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff18% increased Cast Speed
    18% increased maximum Mana
    18% increased Area of Effect of Aura Skills
    18% increased Area of Effect of Hex Skills
    Nearby Enemies have 18% increased Effect of Curses on them
    Nearby allies gain 18% increased Damage
    18% increased effect of Non-Curse Auras from your Skills
    The whispers of the dead
    Carry wisdom for the living,
    If you are willing to give your life
    To listen.
    - Aura that grants increased damage and makes curses more effective against affected enemies.
  • Sign of the Sin EaterSign of the Sin Eater
    Tyrant's Sekhem
    Sceptre
    Physical Damage: 43-80
    Critical Strike Chance: 7.00%
    Attacks per Second: 1.25
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metres
    Requires Level 58, 99 Str, 99 Int26% increased Elemental Damage+(10-30) to Strength and Intelligence
    Grants Level 30 Smite Skill
    Enemies inflict Elemental Ailments on you instead of nearby Allies
    A secret few among the Templars grant absolution by bearing the guilt of others.
    - Takes Elemental Ailments instead of you and other Minions. In order to survive being shocked or ignited, the Guardian should be sufficiently tanky. The Guardian cannot use Smite this way.
  • DreadarcDreadarc
    Cleaver
    One Handed Axe
    Physical Damage: (17-27) to (55-60)
    Elemental Damage: (5-15) to (20-25)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.39-1.43)
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metres
    Requires Level 16, 48 StrAdds (5-15) to (20-25) Physical Damage
    Adds (5-15) to (20-25) Fire Damage
    (7-10)% increased Attack Speed
    +(15-25)% to Fire Resistance
    5% increased Movement Speed
    Curse Enemies with Flammability on Hit
    The fastest way to a man's heart
    is through his sternum.
    - Curse Enemies with Flammability on Hit. Requires an item that grants the Guardian an additional curse or it will override the player's curse.
  • The AnticipationThe Anticipation
    Ezomyte Tower Shield
    Chance to Block: 30%
    Armour: (824-948)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 64, 159 Str+(30-40) to maximum Life100% increased Armour
    +(50-70) to maximum Life
    +6% Chance to Block
    +(1500-3000) Armour if you've Blocked Recently
    Permanently Intimidate Enemies on Block
    We are within her reach,
    and when the time is right,
    she will reach into us.

    This item can be transformed with a Blessing of Uul-Netol
    - Permanently Intimidate enemies on block.
  • White WindWhite Wind
    Imperial Skean
    Rune Dagger
    Physical Damage: 18-73
    Elemental Damage: (160-190) to (280-320)
    Critical Strike Chance: 8.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.65-1.72)
    Weapon Range: 1.0 metres
    Requires Level 66, 95 Dex, 131 Int30% increased Global Critical Strike ChanceAdds (160-190) to (280-320) Cold Damage
    (10-15)% increased Attack Speed
    +(1000-1500) to Evasion Rating
    +(30-40)% chance to Suppress Spell Damage while your Off Hand is empty
    (100-200)% increased Cold Damage while your Off Hand is empty
    The Maraketh fear very little,
    but they dare not whisper the name
    of the demon that flies on Winter's gales.
    , StarforgeStarforge
    Infernal Sword
    Two Hand Sword
    Physical Damage: (310-341) to (645-709.5)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.42-1.46)
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres
    Requires Level 67, 113 Str, 113 Dex30% increased Global Physical Damage(400-450)% increased Physical Damage
    (5-8)% increased Attack Speed
    +(90-100) to maximum Life
    Your Physical Damage can Shock
    20% increased Area of Effect for Attacks
    Deal no Elemental Damage
    The end is written into the beginning.
    , VoidforgeVoidforge
    Infernal Sword
    Two Hand Sword
    Physical Damage: 62-129
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.42-1.46)
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres
    Requires Level 67, 113 Str, 113 Dex30% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills(5-8)% increased Attack Speed
    +(90-100) to maximum Life
    Your Elemental Damage can Shock
    Gain 700% of Weapon Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random Element
    20% increased Area of Effect for Attacks
    Deal no Non-Elemental Damage
    A weapon born of nothingness,
    can only create more nothingness.
    , and EchoforgeEchoforge
    Infernal Sword
    Two Hand Sword
    Physical Damage: 62-129
    Chaos Damage: (600-650) to (750-800)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.13-1.57)
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres
    Requires Level 67, 113 Str, 113 Dex30% increased Chaos DamageAdds (600-650) to (750-800) Chaos Damage
    (-16-16)% increased Attack Speed
    +(-200-200) to maximum Life
    Your Chaos Damage can Shock
    (-40-40)% increased Area of Effect for Attacks
    Deal no Physical or Elemental Damage
    Witness the emergence of a new cosmic power.
    - Common weapon choices for use with Chains of CommandChains of Command
    Saintly Chainmail
    Armour: (1002-1336)
    Energy Shield: (240-319)
    Movement Speed: -5%
    Requires Level 70, 99 Str, 115 IntTrigger Level 20 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Guardian Kills an Enemy
    10% chance to Trigger Level 18 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Weapon Kills an Enemy
    (150-190)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    +(60-90) to maximum Life
    Animated Guardian deals 5% increased Damage per Animated Weapon
    Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal Splash Damage to surrounding targets
    Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal 50% less Splash Damage to surrounding targets
    You cannot have non-Animated Minions
    A general may carry his men to greatness, or be dragged beneath the mire by their burden.
    . White Wind is a good starter weapon on a budget. Respectively, Starforge and Voidforge boast some of the highest Physical and Chaos damage of unique melee weapons, which makes them ideal for Impale or Poison. Voidforge's damage potential with properly rolled Ghastly Eye JewelsGhastly Eye JewelAbyssPlace into an Abyssal Socket on an Item or into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket. makes it a staple choice.
  • Warlord-influenced shield with Recover % of Life when you Block.

Gem level progression

LevelRequired LevelRequired StrengthRequired IntelligenceMana
Cost
Max.
Req.
Level
Minion
life
Minion
damage
Exp.Total Exp.
12842291133N/AN/A00
231463211362%2%199345199345
334503512394%4%285815485160
437543713436%6%401344886504
540584013468%8%5543791440883
6426042144810%10%4774371918320
7446344145112%12%5837862502106
8466646155314%14%7103593212465
9486848155616%16%13555114567976
10507149155818%18%11388775706853
11527451166120%20%13682337075086
12547653166322%22%16383388713424
13567955176624%24%195664810670072
14588257176826%26%365518414325256
15608459187128%28%301732717342583
16628760187330%30%775999525102578
17649062187632%32%1513819340240771
18669264197934%34%2608382566324596
19689566198236%36%62620247128944843
207098682010038%38%211708088340652931
2172100702010040%40%N/AN/A
2274N/AN/A2110042%42%N/AN/A
2376N/AN/A2110044%44%N/AN/A
2478N/AN/A2110046%46%N/AN/A
2580N/AN/A2210048%48%N/AN/A
2682N/AN/A2210050%50%N/AN/A
2784N/AN/A2310052%52%N/AN/A
2886N/AN/A2310054%54%N/AN/A
2988N/AN/A2410056%56%N/AN/A
3090N/AN/A2410058%58%N/AN/A
3191N/AN/A2410059%59%N/AN/A
3292N/AN/A2510060%60%N/AN/A
3393N/AN/A2510061%61%N/AN/A
3494N/AN/A2510062%62%N/AN/A
3595N/AN/A2510063%63%N/AN/A
3696N/AN/A2510064%64%N/AN/A
3797N/AN/A2610065%65%N/AN/A
3898N/AN/A2610066%66%N/AN/A
3999N/AN/A2610067%67%N/AN/A
40100N/AN/A2610068%68%N/AN/A

Item acquisition

Animate Guardian can drop anywhere.

Recipes

Animate Guardian can be created from the following recipes:

AmountPartDescriptionMeta
6The SummonerThe Summoner6Minion Gem
Quality: +20%
To own a piece of the Nightmare, you must first belong to the Nightmare.
Random Minion gem with 20% qualityA
13The CataclysmThe Cataclysm13Level 21 Spell Gem
Corrupted
The mighty warriors traded in blows, the nimble archers in arrows, yet it was the brazen thaumaturgists who would bring catastrophe to all.
Random corrupted level 21 Spell gemA
6The FoxThe Fox6Level 20 Gem"Masters of wit, strength and cunning. To survive the harsh winters, you must be like the fox."
- Ezomyte Proverb
Random level 20 gemA
3Gemcutter's PromiseGemcutter's Promise3Gem
Quality: +20%
"I swore to use my position to help the people. What good is power when it just accumulates on the already-powerful?" - Erasmus, Imperial Gemcutter
Random gem with 20% qualityA
1Gemcutter's IncubatorGemcutter's IncubatorStack Size: 10Adds an incubated Quality Gem item to an equippable item
Item drops after killing {0} monsters
Right click this item then left click an item to apply it. The Incubated item drops after killing a specific number of monsters.
Random gem with 1–20% qualityA
1The VoidThe Void1Reach into the Void and claim your prize.Random divination card set exchangeA

Vendor reward

This item can be bought at the listed NPC vendors, after completing the following quests:

Class →WitchShadowRangerDuelistMarauderTemplarScion
Quest ↓
A Fixture of Fate
Act 3
Siosa
Sever the Right Hand
Act 3
Clarissa
Fallen from Grace
Act 6
Lilly Roth

Unique items

ItemRequired levelStats
Chains of CommandChains of Command
Saintly Chainmail
Armour: (1002-1336)
Energy Shield: (240-319)
Movement Speed: -5%
Requires Level 70, 99 Str, 115 IntTrigger Level 20 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Guardian Kills an Enemy
10% chance to Trigger Level 18 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Weapon Kills an Enemy
(150-190)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
+(60-90) to maximum Life
Animated Guardian deals 5% increased Damage per Animated Weapon
Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal Splash Damage to surrounding targets
Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal 50% less Splash Damage to surrounding targets
You cannot have non-Animated Minions
A general may carry his men to greatness, or be dragged beneath the mire by their burden.
70Trigger Level 20 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Guardian Kills an Enemy
10% chance to Trigger Level 18 Animate Guardian's Weapon when Animated Weapon Kills an Enemy
(150-190)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
+(60-90) to maximum Life
Animated Guardian deals 5% increased Damage per Animated Weapon
Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal Splash Damage to surrounding targets
Animated Minions' Melee Attacks deal 50% less Splash Damage to surrounding targets
You cannot have non-Animated Minions

Related helmet enchantments

The following helmet enchantments affect Animate Guardian.

Note that helmet enchantments are no longer obtainable since version 3.23.0 and can only be obtained in permanent leagues as already enchanted items from before this patch.

NameFor generated item/monster modifiers the minimum item/monster level respectively. Some generation types may not require this condition to be met, however item level restrictions may be raised to 80% of this value.LabyrinthStatsSpawn Weighting
Enchantment Animate Guardian Damage 166Merciless LabyrinthAnimated Guardians deal 25% increased Damagehelmet 100
Enchantment Animate Guardian Damage 275Eternal LabyrinthAnimated Guardians deal 40% increased Damagehelmet 100
Enchantment Animate Guardian Elemental Resistances 166Merciless Labyrinth+24% to Animated Guardian Elemental Resistanceshelmet 100
Enchantment Animate Guardian Elemental Resistances 275Eternal Labyrinth+36% to Animated Guardian Elemental Resistanceshelmet 100

Version history

Version Changes
3.23.0
  • No longer has 0-76% increased Minion Maximum Life, Minions deal 0-76% increased Physical Damage with Melee Attacks, or causes Minion's Attacks to deal additional Physical Damage.
  • It now has 0% more Minion Maximum Life and more Minion Damage at gem level 1, both scaling up to 38% at gem level 20.
  • Animated Guardians now have roughly 11% more base Life inherently, and now have 2 to 6 added Physical Damage while Unarmed.
3.19.0
  • The damage and life scaling values for minions have been adjusted. This affects all minions other than Raise Spectre, though the damage of Animate Guardian, Animate Weapon, Blink Arrow and Mirror Arrow minions is also unaffected as they gain base damage from items instead. Generally speaking, minion life and damage is unchanged in the very early game, roughly 30% lower in mid acts, roughly 20% lower at level 20 of the minion skill, and roughly 10% lower at level 30 of the minion skill.
  • Minion's attacks now deal 32–47 additional Physical Damage at gem level 1 (previously 22–34), up to 126–184 at gem level 20 (previously 56–84).
3.12.2b
  • Fixed a bug where Animated Guardians didn't lose their items when they died.
3.12.0
  • Permanent minions such as Golems, Zombies and Animated Guardians are now saved when you log out, and are automatically resummoned when you log in.
  • Fixed a crash where, by adding an item to an Animated Guardian already wearing FleshcrafterFleshcrafter
    Necromancer Silks
    Energy Shield: (246-367)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 59, 160 Int(100-150)% increased Energy Shield
    Minions Convert 2% of their Maximum Life to Maximum Energy
    Shield per 1% Chaos Resistance they have
    Chaos Damage taken does not bypass Minions' Energy Shield
    Minions have (50-100)% faster start of Energy Shield Recharge
    While Minions have Energy Shield, their Hits Ignore Monster Elemental Resistances
    Imbue the body with stolen spirit, hold the leash tight.
    , you would instantly kill the guardian (and instance).
3.11.0
  • Fixed the appearance of many items on Animated Guardians.
3.10.1d
  • Updated the gem descriptions of Animate WeaponAnimate WeaponDuration, Minion, Spell, Physical
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost: (4-16) Mana
    Cast Time: 0.60 sec
    Requires Level 4Animates a Melee Weapon Item or Lingering Blade to fight by your side. You cannot animate unidentified Weapons. Will not animate weapons with 6 sockets. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Base duration is 40.00 seconds
    Can use Items requiring up to Level (9-100)
    Minions' Attacks deal (5-126) to (8-184) additional Physical Damage
    Animated Lingering Blades deal (1-17) to (2-80) Added Attack Physical Damage
    Minions deal (0-38)% more Damage
    Maximum (5-14) Animated Weapons
    Minions have (0-38)% more Attack Speed

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    +(0.1-2) to maximum number of Animated Weapons
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    and Animate Guardian to clarify that they cannot be used by Traps or Mines.
3.6.0
  • Mana Cost at gem level 1 is now 11 (was 19).
  • Mana Cost at gem level 20 is now 20 (was 36).
2.3.0
  • Animate WeaponAnimate WeaponDuration, Minion, Spell, Physical
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost: (4-16) Mana
    Cast Time: 0.60 sec
    Requires Level 4Animates a Melee Weapon Item or Lingering Blade to fight by your side. You cannot animate unidentified Weapons. Will not animate weapons with 6 sockets. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Base duration is 40.00 seconds
    Can use Items requiring up to Level (9-100)
    Minions' Attacks deal (5-126) to (8-184) additional Physical Damage
    Animated Lingering Blades deal (1-17) to (2-80) Added Attack Physical Damage
    Minions deal (0-38)% more Damage
    Maximum (5-14) Animated Weapons
    Minions have (0-38)% more Attack Speed

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    +(0.1-2) to maximum number of Animated Weapons
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    and Animate Guardian have had their range modified. Previously there was a bug where you could bypass the range. Now that this is fixed, the range has been tripled from 25 to 75 units.
  • Fixed a bug where the life bar of an Animate Guardian (and curses on it) would display too low on him.
2.0.0
  • The Guardian's base survivability has been increased by 50%. It now deals additional physical damage.
1.2.1
  • Fixed a bug where Animate Guardian would not work in PVP.
1.2.0
  • If an Animated Guardian is unsummoned and resummoned when not on full life, it will now return with the same amount of life it had before.
1.1.4b
  • Animated Guardians now benefit from the dual wielding bonus that other dual wielders received in 1.1.4.
1.1.0d
  • Fixed a bug where your Animated Guardian could return from the dead during a PvP match.
1.0.1
  • The Guardian now recovers 25% of its life whenever a new armour piece is added to it.
  • Fixed an issue with key pickup and the Animate (Weapon and Guardian) skills.
1.0.0e
  • When an Animated Guardian is dispelled due to its gem being unavailable,
    its life value is now temporarily saved so that it applies if the Guardian is restored in that area.
1.0.0
  • Animate Guardian has been added to the game.

References

  1. Mark_GGG (June 16, 2014). "Animate Guardian". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  2. Mark_GGG (May 4, 2016). "Need insight on Animate Guardian item calculations/mechanics". Reddit. Retrieved May 27, 2021.

ru:Аниматрон