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Animate GuardianSpell, Minion, Physical
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.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentMinions have 2% increased Movement SpeedMinions have 3% increased Area of Effect2% increased Minion Maximum LifeCan use Items requiring up to Level (33-100)
Minions' Attacks deal (22-56) to (34-84) additional Physical Damage
(0-76)% increased Minion Maximum Life
Minions deal (0-76)% increased Physical Damage with Melee Attacks
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
Animate Guardian skill iconAnimate Guardian inventory icon
Acquisition
Area level: 28
Vendor Prices
Normal1x Orb of Chance
Vendor Offer
1x Scroll Fragment
Metadata
Item class: Active Skill Gems
Metadata ID: Metadata/Items/Gems/SkillGemAnimateArmour

Animate Guardian skill screenshot


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 Weapon inventory iconAnimate WeaponAnimate WeaponDuration, Minion, Spell, Physical
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (4-12) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Animates a Melee Weapon Item or Lingering Blade to fight by your side. You cannot animate unidentified Weapons. Will not animate weapons with 6 sockets unless specifically targeted. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent4PhantasmalMinions have 1% increased Movement SpeedMinions have 0.5% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit1% chance to create an additional Animate Weapon copyMinions deal 0 to 5 Added Lightning DamageBase duration is 40 seconds
Can use Items requiring up to Level (9-100)
Minions deal (10-48)% more Damage
Minions have (10-48)% more Attack Speed
Minions' Attacks deal (5-126) to (8-184) additional Physical Damage
Maximum (5-14) Animated Weapons
Animated Lingering Blades deal (1-17) to (2-80) Added Attack Physical Damage
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
Animate Weapon skill icon
Animate Weapon inventory icon
. 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.

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 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 Equipped Animated Guardian drops item on death 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]If your Guardian is equipped with a two-handed weapon, it will not benefit from your shield.

Player versus Player: Animated Guardians killed in PvP areas will not lose their items. This does not apply to Hall of Grandmasters inventory iconHall of GrandmastersHall of Grandmasters
Promenade Map
Map Level: 69
Map Tier: 2
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.
Hall of Grandmasters inventory icon
, 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 Hysteria inventory iconEssence 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 additional 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 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 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.
Shift click to unstack.
Essence of Hysteria inventory icon
, even though having no "trigger" or "granted" in its modifier discription, 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, Victario's Flight, or Dying Breath, will apply as normal.

Abyssal Sockets: Animate 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 animate guardian.

Notable items[ | ]

Life regeneration and percentage increases to life are especially potent on an Animate Guardian because of its huge innate life pool.

The stats displayed in the skills 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 the AG has equipped. These will not factor into the skills tooltip but are active nonetheless.[2]

Helmet:

  • Leer Cast inventory iconLeer CastLeer Cast
    Festival Mask
    Quality: +20%
    Evasion: 92
    Energy Shield: 19
    Requires Level 28, 33 Dex, 33 Int+(20-30) to Dexterity
    30% reduced Damage
    +(20-30) to maximum Life
    +(20-30) to maximum Mana
    You and nearby allies gain 15% increased Damage
    For none of us are as cruel as all of us.
    Leer Cast inventory icon
    - Aura that grants increased damage.
  • Mask of the Tribunal inventory iconMask of the TribunalMask of the Tribunal
    Magistrate Crown
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: (432-512)
    Energy Shield: (83-99)
    Requires Level 58, 64 Str, 64 Int<One to three random Synthesis implicit modifiers>+(25-30) to all Attributes
    (150-200)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    Nearby Allies have (4-6)% increased Defences 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
    1% reduced Mana Reserved per 250 total Attributes
    The judge determines worthiness by comparison to the paragon: himself.
    Mask of the Tribunal inventory icon
    - Various bonuses depending on the attributes provided to the Animate Guardian from other equipped items or The Baron inventory iconThe BaronThe Baron
    Close Helmet
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: 156
    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."
    The Baron inventory icon
    .
  • Crown of the Tyrant inventory iconCrown of the TyrantCrown of the Tyrant
    Magistrate Crown
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: 192
    Energy Shield: 37
    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.
    Crown of the Tyrant inventory icon
    - Huge amount of life for your AG, reduce all elemental resistances of nearby enemies and increase global Fire/Cold/Lightning/Chaos damage to nearby allies.
  • An influenced helmet with Nearby Enemies take 9% increased <Physical/Elemental> Damage or Nearby Enemies have -9% to <Fire/Cold/Lightning> Resistance. Note that these mods also reduce the defenses of the AG.

Body Armour:

  • Blunderbore inventory iconBlunderboreBlunderbore
    Astral Plate
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: (1422-1706)
    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.
    Blunderbore inventory icon
    - Two Shrines effects on animate Guardian. Free knockback aoe & dmg.
  • Belly of the Beast inventory iconBelly of the BeastBelly of the Beast
    Full Wyrmscale
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: (685-812)
    Evasion: 304
    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
    Belly of the Beast inventory icon
    - Massive percentage increase to life and resistances.
  • Zahndethus' Cassock inventory iconZahndethus' CassockZahndethus' Cassock
    Sage's Robe
    Quality: +20%
    Energy Shield: (181-199)
    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
    Zahndethus' Cassock inventory icon
    - Creates Consecrated Ground when the AG blocks and chaos resistance.
  • Ambu's Charge inventory iconAmbu's ChargeAmbu's Charge
    Crusader Chainmail
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: (711-805)
    Energy Shield: (141-159)
    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 an Endurance Charge when you take a Critical Strike
    Share Endurance Charges with nearby party members
    Regenerate 2% of Life per second if you have been Hit Recently
    Nothing stops the pain like a courageous rush into battle.
    Ambu's Charge inventory icon
    - Life regeneration if the Animate Guardian has been hit recently, life and resistances. The AG has no party members, so it will not share Endurance Charges.
  • Garb of the Ephemeral inventory iconGarb of the EphemeralGarb of the Ephemeral
    Savant's Robe
    Quality: +20%
    Energy Shield: (327-381)
    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.
    Garb of the Ephemeral inventory icon
    - Cannot be slowed and nearby enemies cannot crit.

Gloves:

  • Southbound inventory iconSouthboundSouthbound
    Soldier Gloves
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: 110
    Energy Shield: 21
    Requires Level 51, 40 Str, 40 IntAdds (30-36) to (44-50) Cold Damage to Attacks
    (12-16)% increased maximum Life
    +(40-50)% to Cold Resistance
    25% increased Freeze Duration on Enemies
    Your Hits can only Kill Frozen Enemies
    50% increased Herald of Ice Damage
    Far south, the winter crawls under the skin.
    Below the snow, adrift wanderers sleep.
    Southbound inventory icon
    - Percentage increase to life and cold resistance. Note that the AG can no longer kill non-frozen enemies with hits.
  • Meginord's Vise inventory iconMeginord's ViseMeginord's Vise
    Steel Gauntlets
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: (185-208)
    Requires Level 35, 52 Str+100 to Strength
    10% increased Global Physical Damage
    (40-60)% increased Armour
    Regenerate 2% of Life per second with at least 400 Strength
    Ride with pride,
    strike with vengeance,
    live with honour.
    Meginord's Vise inventory icon
    - Life regeneration if the strength requirement is met through other equipped items or the player using The Baron inventory iconThe BaronThe Baron
    Close Helmet
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: 156
    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."
    The Baron inventory icon
    .
  • Hunter-influenced gloves with % chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit or % chance to Unnerve Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit

Boots:

  • Victario's Flight inventory iconVictario's FlightVictario's Flight
    Goathide Boots
    Quality: +20%
    Evasion: (92-113)
    Requires Level 12, 26 Dex+15 to Dexterity
    +15 to Intelligence
    (100-150)% increased Evasion Rating
    15% increased Movement Speed
    (5-10)% of Damage taken gained as Mana over 4 seconds when Hit
    10% increased Movement Speed for you and nearby Allies
    Alive but not unscathed, Victario fled
    as slaughter blossomed at the gates.
    Victario's Flight inventory icon
    - Aura that grants increased Movement Speed.
  • Atziri's Step inventory iconAtziri's StepAtziri's Step
    Slink Boots
    Quality: +20%
    Evasion: 738
    Requires Level 69, 120 Dex180% increased Evasion Rating
    +(55-75) to maximum Life
    30% increased Movement Speed
    (14-16)% chance to Dodge Spell Hits
    "Those who dance are considered insane
    by those who cannot hear the music."
    - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal
    Atziri's Step inventory icon
    - Life and Chance to Dodge Spell Hits.
  • Kaom's Roots inventory iconKaom's RootsKaom's Roots
    Titan Greaves
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: 289
    Requires Level 68, 120 StrHas no Sockets
    Cannot be Knocked Back
    +(150-200) to maximum Life
    Action Speed cannot be modified to below base value
    Unwavering Stance
    Don't flinch. It's a waste of good hitting time.
    Kaom's Roots inventory icon
    - Life.
  • Bubonic Trail inventory iconBubonic TrailBubonic Trail
    Murder Boots
    Quality: +20%
    Evasion: 222
    Energy Shield: 20
    Requires Level 69, 82 Dex, 42 IntHas 1 Abyssal Socket
    Triggers Level 20 Death Walk when Equipped
    (4-6)% increased maximum Life
    30% increased Movement Speed
    10% increased Damage for each type of Abyss Jewel affecting you
    Even the dead serve the Lightless.
    Bubonic Trail inventory icon
    - Generally more life than Kaom's Roots inventory iconKaom's RootsKaom's Roots
    Titan Greaves
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: 289
    Requires Level 68, 120 StrHas no Sockets
    Cannot be Knocked Back
    +(150-200) to maximum Life
    Action Speed cannot be modified to below base value
    Unwavering Stance
    Don't flinch. It's a waste of good hitting time.
    Kaom's Roots inventory icon
    , 1-2 abyssal socket version does not matter as mentioned above. Animated Guardian does not trigger Death Walk skill iconDeath Walk.

Weapons and/or Shields:

  • Singularity inventory iconSingularitySingularity
    Platinum Sceptre
    Sceptre
    Quality: +20%
    Physical Damage: 61.2-91.2
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
    Attacks per Second: 1.25
    Weapon Range: 11
    Requires Level 62, 113 Str, 113 Int30% increased Elemental DamageAdds (30-40) to (60-70) Lightning Damage to Spells
    (14-18)% increased Cast Speed
    (6-8)% reduced Mana Cost of Skills
    Nearby Enemies are Hindered, with 25% reduced Movement Speed
    (60-80)% increased Damage with Hits and Ailments against Hindered Enemies
    In time, all becomes nothing.
    We just expedite the process.
    Singularity inventory icon
    - Hinders nearby enemies.
  • Dying Breath inventory iconDying BreathDying Breath
    Iron Staff
    Warstaff
    Quality: +20%
    Physical Damage: 16.8-50.4
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.40%
    Attacks per Second: 1.30
    Weapon Range: 13
    Requires Level 13, 27 Str, 27 Int+18% 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.
    Dying Breath inventory icon
    - Aura that grants increased damage and makes curses more effective against affected enemies.
  • Springleaf inventory iconThe OakThe Oak
    Plank Kite Shield
    Quality: +20%
    Chance to Block: 22%
    Armour: (36-43)
    Energy Shield: (8-9)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 40+4% to all Elemental Resistances(80-120)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    +(100-150) to maximum Life
    50% reduced Freeze Duration on you
    Regenerate 3% of Life per second
    Regenerate 3% of Life per second while on Low Life
    Even the mightiest tree was once just a sapling.
    Springleaf inventory icon
    - Massive life regeneration.
  • The Anticipation inventory iconThe AnticipationThe Anticipation
    Ezomyte Tower Shield
    Quality: +20%
    Chance to Block: 30%
    Armour: (1252-1461)
    Movement Speed: -3%
    Requires Level 64, 159 Str+(30-40) to maximum Life(120-160)% increased Armour
    +(50-70) to maximum Life
    +6% Chance to Block
    +1000 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
    The Anticipation inventory icon
    - Intimidate enemies on block.
  • Kingmaker inventory iconKingmakerKingmaker
    Despot Axe
    Two Handed Axe
    Quality: +20%
    Physical Damage: (261-288) to (353.8-390.4)
    Critical Strike Chance: (6.50%-7.00%)
    Attacks per Second: (1.50-1.57)
    Weapon Range: 13
    Requires Level 66, 140 Str, 86 Dex(170-200)% increased Physical Damage
    (7-12)% increased Attack Speed
    (30-40)% increased Critical Strike Chance
    Nearby Allies have 30% increased Item Rarity
    Nearby Allies have Culling Strike
    Insufficient Mana doesn't prevent your Melee Attacks
    Nearby Allies have +50% to Critical Strike Multiplier
    Nearby Allies have Fortify
    A King and his people are linked together
    like a soul and a beating heart.
    Both can be severed by a same edge,
    then forged anew.
    Kingmaker inventory icon
    - Hugely beneficial aura that grants increased item rarity, Culling Strike, Critical Strike Multiplier and Fortify (note: with a very short range of 30 units).
  • Sign of the Sin Eater inventory iconSign of the Sin EaterSign of the Sin Eater
    Tyrant's Sekhem
    Sceptre
    Quality: +20%
    Physical Damage: 51.6-96
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
    Attacks per Second: 1.25
    Weapon Range: 11
    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.
    Sign of the Sin Eater inventory icon
    - Takes Elemental Ailments instead of you and other Minions. In order to survive being shocked or ignited, the Animate Guardian should be sufficiently tanky.
  • Oro's Sacrifice inventory iconOro's SacrificeOro's Sacrifice
    Infernal Sword
    Two Hand Sword
    Quality: +20%
    Elemental Damage: (425-475) to (550-600)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.49-1.55)
    Weapon Range: 13
    Requires Level 67, 113 Str, 113 Dex30% increased Elemental Damage with Attack SkillsNo Physical Damage
    Adds (425-475) to (550-600) Fire Damage
    (10-15)% increased Attack Speed
    20% chance to Ignite
    10% increased Physical Damage taken
    10% increased Fire Damage taken
    Culling Strike against Burning Enemies
    Gain a Frenzy Charge if an Attack Ignites an Enemy
    Give yourself to the flames and your name
    will burn in the minds of men forever.
    Oro's Sacrifice inventory icon
    - In combination with Chains of Command inventory iconChains of CommandChains of Command
    Saintly Chainmail
    Quality: +20%
    Armour: (1082-1243)
    Energy Shield: (245-282)
    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 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.
    Chains of Command inventory icon

Also remember that your Animate Guardian can benefit from Enchantments on Boots and Corruptions.

Gem level progression[ | ]

LevelRequired LevelRequired StrengthRequired IntelligenceMana
Cost
max.
Req.
Level
increased
Minion
Life
increased
Physical
Damage
additional
Physical
Damage
Exp.Total Exp.
12842291133N/AN/A22 to 3400
231463211364%4%25 to 37199345199345
334503512398%8%27 to 41285815485160
4375437134312%12%30 to 44401344886504
5405840134616%16%32 to 485543791440883
6426042144820%20%34 to 504774371918320
7446344145124%24%35 to 535837862502106
8466646155328%28%37 to 557103593212465
9486848155632%32%38 to 5813555114567976
10507149155836%36%40 to 6011388775706853
11527451166140%40%42 to 6213682337075086
12547653166344%44%43 to 6516383388713424
13567955176648%48%45 to 67195664810670072
14588257176852%52%46 to 70365518414325256
15608459187156%56%48 to 72301732717342583
16628760187360%60%50 to 74775999525102578
17649062187664%64%51 to 771513819340240771
18669264197968%68%53 to 792608382566324596
19689566198272%72%54 to 8262620247128944843
207098682010076%76%56 to 84211708088340652931
2172100702010080%80%58 to 86N/AN/A
2274N/AN/A2110084%84%59 to 89N/AN/A
2376N/AN/A2110088%88%61 to 91N/AN/A
2478N/AN/A2110092%92%62 to 94N/AN/A
2580N/AN/A2210096%96%64 to 96N/AN/A
2682N/AN/A22100100%100%66 to 98N/AN/A
2784N/AN/A23100104%104%67 to 101N/AN/A
2886N/AN/A23100108%108%69 to 103N/AN/A
2988N/AN/A24100112%112%70 to 106N/AN/A
3090N/AN/A24100116%116%72 to 108N/AN/A
3191N/AN/A24100118%118%72 to 110N/AN/A
3292N/AN/A25100120%120%73 to 111N/AN/A
3393N/AN/A25100122%122%74 to 112N/AN/A
3494N/AN/A25100124%124%75 to 113N/AN/A
3595N/AN/A25100126%126%76 to 114N/AN/A
3696N/AN/A25100128%128%76 to 116N/AN/A
3797N/AN/A26100130%130%77 to 117N/AN/A
3898N/AN/A26100132%132%78 to 118N/AN/A
3999N/AN/A26100134%134%78 to 120N/AN/A
40100N/AN/A26100136%136%79 to 121N/AN/A

Item acquisition
Questionmark

Upgrade paths

This item can be acquired through the following upgrade paths or vendor recipes:

AmountIngredientGeneral
Notes
Type
8Divination card inventory iconDying AnguishDying Anguish card artDivination card frameDying Anguish8Level 19 Gem
Alternative Quality: +19%
Moribund, he gazed upon the journey taken as blood trickled down his chin. His eye closed on the city ahead that he would never call home.
Divination card inventory icon
random level 19 gem with 19% alternative qualityAutomatic
1Gemcutter's Incubator inventory iconGemcutter's IncubatorGemcutter's IncubatorAdds an incubated Quality Gem item to an equippable item
Item drops after killing # monsters
Quality GemRight click this item then left click an item to apply it. The Incubated item drops after killing a specific number of monsters.
Gemcutter's Incubator inventory icon
random superior gemAutomatic
6Divination card inventory iconThe FoxThe Fox card artDivination card frameThe Fox6Level 20 Gem"Masters of wit, strength and cunning. To survive the harsh winters, you must be like the fox."
- Ezomyte Proverb
Divination card inventory icon
random level 20 gemAutomatic
6Divination card inventory iconThe SummonerThe Summoner card artDivination card frameThe Summoner6Superior Minion Gem
Quality: +20%
To own a piece of the Nightmare, you must first belong to the Nightmare.
Divination card inventory icon
random superior Minion gem with 20% qualityAutomatic
13Divination card inventory iconThe CataclysmThe Cataclysm card artDivination card frameThe 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.
Divination card inventory icon
random corrupted level 21 Spell gemAutomatic
3Divination card inventory iconGemcutter's PromiseGemcutter's Promise card artDivination card frameGemcutter's Promise3Superior Gem
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
Divination card inventory icon
random superior gem with 20% qualityAutomatic
1Divination card inventory iconThe VoidThe Void card artDivination card frameThe Void1Reach into the Void and claim your prize.Divination card inventory iconrandom divination card set exchangeAutomatic

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

Monster stats[ | ]

Unique items[ | ]

ItemLvl.Stats
Chains of CommandChains of Command inventory iconChains of Command
Saintly Chainmail
Quality: +20%
Armour: (1082-1243)
Energy Shield: (245-282)
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 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.
Chains of Command inventory icon
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 Damage to surrounding targets
You cannot have non-Animated Minions

Related helmet enchantments

The following helmet enchantments affect Animate Guardian.

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.StatsSpawn Weighting
Enchantment Animate Guardian Damage 166Animated Guardians deal 25% increased Damagehelmet 100
default 0
Enchantment Animate Guardian Damage 275Animated Guardians deal 40% increased Damagehelmet 100
default 0
Enchantment Animate Guardian Elemental Resistances 166+24% to Animated Guardian Elemental Resistanceshelmet 100
default 0
Enchantment Animate Guardian Elemental Resistances 275+36% to Animated Guardian Elemental Resistanceshelmet 100
default 0

Version history[ | ]

Version Changes
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 Fleshcrafter inventory iconFleshcrafterFleshcrafter
    Necromancer Silks
    Quality: +20%
    Energy Shield: (257-315)
    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 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.
    Fleshcrafter inventory icon
    , 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 Weapon inventory iconAnimate WeaponAnimate WeaponDuration, Minion, Spell, Physical
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost: (4-12) Mana
    Cast Time: 0.60 sec
    Animates a Melee Weapon Item or Lingering Blade to fight by your side. You cannot animate unidentified Weapons. Will not animate weapons with 6 sockets unless specifically targeted. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent4PhantasmalMinions have 1% increased Movement SpeedMinions have 0.5% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit1% chance to create an additional Animate Weapon copyMinions deal 0 to 5 Added Lightning DamageBase duration is 40 seconds
    Can use Items requiring up to Level (9-100)
    Minions deal (10-48)% more Damage
    Minions have (10-48)% more Attack Speed
    Minions' Attacks deal (5-126) to (8-184) additional Physical Damage
    Maximum (5-14) Animated Weapons
    Animated Lingering Blades deal (1-17) to (2-80) Added Attack Physical Damage
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    Animate Weapon skill icon
    Animate Weapon inventory icon
    and Animate Guardian inventory iconAnimate GuardianAnimate GuardianSpell, Minion, Physical
    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.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentMinions have 2% increased Movement SpeedMinions have 3% increased Area of Effect2% increased Minion Maximum LifeCan use Items requiring up to Level (33-100)
    Minions' Attacks deal (22-56) to (34-84) additional Physical Damage
    (0-76)% increased Minion Maximum Life
    Minions deal (0-76)% increased Physical Damage with Melee Attacks
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    Animate Guardian skill icon
    Animate Guardian inventory icon
    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 Weapon inventory iconAnimate WeaponAnimate WeaponDuration, Minion, Spell, Physical
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost: (4-12) Mana
    Cast Time: 0.60 sec
    Animates a Melee Weapon Item or Lingering Blade to fight by your side. You cannot animate unidentified Weapons. Will not animate weapons with 6 sockets unless specifically targeted. Cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent4PhantasmalMinions have 1% increased Movement SpeedMinions have 0.5% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit1% chance to create an additional Animate Weapon copyMinions deal 0 to 5 Added Lightning DamageBase duration is 40 seconds
    Can use Items requiring up to Level (9-100)
    Minions deal (10-48)% more Damage
    Minions have (10-48)% more Attack Speed
    Minions' Attacks deal (5-126) to (8-184) additional Physical Damage
    Maximum (5-14) Animated Weapons
    Animated Lingering Blades deal (1-17) to (2-80) Added Attack Physical Damage
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    Animate Weapon skill icon
    Animate Weapon inventory icon
    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.
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