Remnant 2 Handler Summoner Build

TheHandler Summoner BuildinRemnant 2is a powerful and strategic setup that combines pet-based damage, crowd control, and team utility. Players who enjoy a supportive yet deadly role will find this build both satisfying and effective in solo or co-op play. By utilizing the core strengths of both the Handler and Summoner archetypes, you can create a persistent battlefield presence where your minions do most of the heavy lifting while you focus on survival, positioning, and tactical support. This build thrives in prolonged engagements, world bosses, and high-difficulty zones thanks to its ability to overwhelm enemies with AI companions while minimizing direct exposure to danger.

Core Concept of the Handler Summoner Build

This hybrid build brings together two of the most minion-focused archetypes inRemnant 2. TheHandlerprovides a loyal dog companion that can attack enemies, revive the player, and draw aggro. Meanwhile, theSummonerbrings in powerful Root minions that can be sacrificed for burst damage or repositioned for tactical advantage. The synergy lies in maintaining multiple summons on the field simultaneously, each serving a unique role damage, utility, or distraction while the player manages the flow of battle from a safe distance.

Key Objectives of the Build

• Maintain continuous uptime of multiple summons.
• Control the battlefield by distracting and overwhelming enemies.
• Support teammates or yourself with passive healing and revives.
• Deal consistent damage over time with summoned units.

This build is particularly effective in scenarios where players need to control space, absorb aggro, and handle waves of enemies without relying on rapid weapon swaps or close-range combat.

Archetype Combination Handler + Summoner

The choice of combining the Handler and Summoner archetypes unlocks a unique and synergistic playstyle centered around companion synergy. Here’s how each contributes to the build

Handler (Primary or Secondary)

• Prime Perk – BondedAllows the dog companion to revive the player once per downed state.
• Spirit of the WolfIncreases movement speed and boosts companion effectiveness.
• Guard DogMakes the dog draw aggro and reduce damage taken for the player and allies nearby.

When used as the primary archetype, the Handler provides increased survivability and emergency recovery. When slotted as secondary, you still benefit from the pet and its skills, but you lose the prime perk.

Summoner (Primary or Secondary)

• Prime Perk – RuthlessBoosts minion damage and allows sacrificing them for powerful AOE attacks.
• Hollow MinionsBasic Root enemies summoned for persistent DPS and distraction.
• Reaver MinionHeavy-hitting summon used for single-target damage or mid-battle repositioning.

As a primary archetype, Summoner amplifies the offensive capabilities of the build. It’s ideal when you want a more aggressive playstyle, allowing your Root minions to apply pressure while you support from range.

Recommended Skills and Traits

Skill selection is crucial for sustaining your minions and supporting the build’s defensive and offensive mechanics.

Handler Skills

• Guard DogBest choice for drawing aggro and reducing incoming damage.
• Support DogGreat for passive healing, especially useful in long fights or co-op.

Summoner Skills

• Hollow MinionsUse this as your bread-and-butter summon for crowd control.
• Reaver MinionA powerful choice for high burst and repositioning tactics.

Core Traits

• RegrowthEnhances health regeneration, great for survival.
• Blood BondShares damage taken with companions, increasing durability.
• SpiritBoosts skill cooldown speed, which helps summon uptime.
• KinshipReduces friendly fire damage to prevent collateral damage from companion explosions.

Investing in these traits ensures your summons stay active longer, deal more damage, and support your survivability in high-pressure scenarios.

Best Weapons and Mods

Though the focus is on minions, your weapons still matter. Choose tools that complement your playstyle and can support your summons with damage-over-time or crowd-control effects.

Recommended Weapons

• Merciless (Long Gun)Excellent bleed damage that stacks with summon attacks.
• NightfallComes with a built-in mod that auto-fires when in Night Mode, helpful when summoning takes your attention.
• EnigmaGreat for controlling crowds with chain lightning.

Weapon Mods

• SkewerPinpoint single-target burst, good for boss fights.
• Song of EafierAOE support for breaking up enemy groups.
• StonebreakerKnockback effect can help reset positioning during aggressive waves.

Since your main damage will come from summons, select weapons and mods that apply status effects or support your companions rather than direct burst output.

Best Relics and Relic Fragments

Relics and their fragments are essential for improving sustain and enhancing your minions.

Relic Options

• Runed Heart RelicHeals minions as well as the player, great for long-term summon survival.
• Void Heart RelicGrants damage resistance and pairs well with Blood Bond to reduce shared damage.

Relic Fragments

• Health FragmentsFor keeping you and your summons alive.
• Skill FragmentsTo reduce summon cooldowns and maintain uptime.
• Summon Damage FragmentsDirectly increases the effectiveness of your Root and dog summons.

Balancing healing and summon damage will ensure that both you and your companions stay in the fight longer and hit harder.

Gameplay Strategy and Rotation

The Handler Summoner build excels when you take a commander role stay back, manage your summons, and let them take center stage in battle.

Combat Flow

1. Open with Hollow Minions to absorb early aggression and deal consistent damage.
2. Deploy the dog using Guard Dog to take aggro and shield you from harm.
3. Once the fight intensifies, summon the Reaver for extra DPS and tactical positioning.
4. Use your long gun and mods to control the battlefield or apply DoTs that your summons can capitalize on.
5. If a summon is near death or the situation becomes chaotic, sacrifice the minion for AOE burst using the Summoner’s prime perk.

This cycle allows you to play reactively, adjusting to the situation while always maintaining pressure on the enemy.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Every build has its trade-offs. Understanding where the Handler Summoner shines or struggles helps you adapt to different challenges.

Strengths

• Excellent crowd control through multiple summons.
• Built-in revive mechanic from the Handler’s dog.
• Sustained damage that scales well into the late game.
• Great synergy in co-op for distraction and team support.

Weaknesses

• Low burst damage without minions.
• Heavy reliance on cooldown management and minion health.
• Positioning is key vulnerable when caught without minions.
• Summons may act unpredictably in tight spaces or against fast-moving enemies.

TheRemnant 2 Handler Summoner Buildis perfect for players who enjoy controlling the battlefield through strategic summon usage, passive healing, and supportive abilities. With the right combination of skills, weapons, and traits, this build creates an unstoppable team of companions that tank, damage, and assist you across every challenge in the game. It requires a bit of management and timing, but once mastered, it becomes one of the most enjoyable and reliable builds inRemnant 2, especially for players who prefer a commanding role rather than diving headfirst into combat.