The encounter guarantees the Bound Necromancer Mask and awards an Event Key; its additional reward is a chance-based Exotic Cache or Sarru.
PC / Global, Year 8 Season 3: Red Horizon (Update Y8S3.2)
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
Washington, D.C. during Red Moon Unleashed; Cultist encounters can draw the boss. Solo Agents in West End may face Necromancer Unleashed instead.
Moon Cultist activity can attract The Necromancer during Red Moon Unleashed. Defeat the encounter to claim its fixed mask and key, then check the reward for the additional roll. The event challenge is temporary, and a stronger solo West End encounter has different requirements.
Red Moon Unleashed active, October 15–November 3, 2026.
A build and difficulty suitable for the Lunatic modifier and a boss fight.
For the special Necromancer Unleashed reward, be solo in West End and defeat that version on Heroic.
Explore D.C. and defeat Moon Cultists until The Necromancer is drawn into the encounter.
When the boss appears, identify the Lunatic threats and keep distance from enemies likely to explode on death.
Use cover and focus damage on the boss while controlling surrounding enemies; avoid allowing a blast to catch you in a confined position.
Defeat The Necromancer and collect the guaranteed Bound Necromancer Mask and Event Key.
Check the encounter reward for the additional result: an Exotic Cache or Sarru.
If intentionally pursuing Necromancer Unleashed, enter West End solo and confirm the encounter is the special variant before committing.
Defeat that variant on Heroic and collect its guaranteed Necromancer Hive Skill VFX and Event Key, plus its additional reward.
Farming tips
The standard encounter’s additional reward is an 80% Exotic Cache chance or 20% Sarru chance; neither is guaranteed.
Risen Hunter is a separate event boss with a different mask and reward table; do not confuse its drops with this encounter.
Repeat, collect and use
Boss appearances depend on event encounters and are not a guaranteed immediate respawn. Event rewards are limited to the live event window.
Common mistakes
Assuming every appearance is the special version; the West End solo Heroic condition applies to Necromancer Unleashed.
Treating the Exotic Cache as guaranteed; the fixed reward is the mask, while the additional reward has alternatives.
Rushing Lunatics at close range; their death explosions can punish clustered play.
When to stop or switch
Stop after collecting the mask and key if the chance-based extra reward is not worth further event hunting, or after obtaining the special variant’s desired reward.
