SummoningScepters: A Necromancer's Dream for Minecraft
Have you ever wanted to command your own undead army in Minecraft? The SummoningScepters add-on turns that fantasy into reality. This magic-focused mod lets you summon mobs to fight by your side, using a combination of scepters, staffs, and summoning tomes. Whether you want to play as a full-on necromancer or simply need a distraction while you line up a bow shot, this add-on offers a fresh way to approach combat.
What Is SummoningScepters?
SummoningScepters is a lightweight mod that introduces a small but growing set of magical items: three scepters, five summoning tomes, and a lightning rod. The core mechanic is simple. Hold a summoning tome in your left hand and a scepter or staff in your right hand, and you can call forth different mobs to fight for you.
Right now, you can summon Zombies, Skeletons, Strays, Wither Skeletons, and Horses. Each mob type comes in multiple tiers, with three tiers available so far. Higher-tier summons are stronger but come with trade-offs, and the ritual itself takes a toll on your character. Every summon inflicts damage (reducible with armor) and applies a negative status effect. For zombies, that effect is hunger.
How the Summoning Tiers Work
Zombie Summons: A Closer Look
Let's use the Zombie as an example. With a Zombie Summoning Tome in your left hand and the basic Wooden Staff in your right, you summon a weak zombie armed with nothing but a stone axe and ordinary stats. It won't survive long in the world.
Step up a tier and you get the Berzerker Zombie. This variant spawns with lightweight armor and dual axes, moves at nearly twice the speed of a normal zombie, and can leap like a wolf. It hits hard but despawns quickly, so use it aggressively.
The top tier, summoned with the Obsidian Scepter, brings two Hoplite Zombies. These are slow-moving tanks with heavy armor, shields, and reduced knockback. They deal low damage, but their despawn timer is incredibly long, making them ideal front-line defenders while you cast spells or fire arrows from safety.
The Lightning Rod and Other Summons
The Lightning Rod serves a specific purpose: charging creepers so you can collect heads and skulls to craft summoning tomes. It only works when placed during a thunderstorm. If you run other mods that let you decapitate mobs, those work too.
Don't overlook the Stray summon, either. It's highly recommended for peeling mobs off you when things get hectic.
Supported Versions and Loaders
SummoningScepters is currently in alpha, so expect a few odd interactions and bugs as development continues. It supports Minecraft Forge on versions 1.16.5 and 1.18.2, with the mod author actively seeking feedback on balancing issues related to mobs, recipes, and timers.
If you want to download SummoningScepters, check the mod's official project page for the latest builds. Because it's still in alpha, always back up your world before installing.
How to Install SummoningScepters for Minecraft
- Install Minecraft Forge for your chosen version (1.16.5 or 1.18.2).
- Locate your Minecraft mods folder.
- Place the SummoningScepters .jar file into the mods folder.
- Launch Minecraft using the Forge profile.
- Verify the mod loads correctly in the mods list.
For players who prefer a smoother setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers one-click installation of SummoningScepters, handling Forge configuration automatically so you can jump straight into summoning. Its built-in catalog also keeps track of version compatibility, which is handy when a mod is still in alpha and updates frequently.
Learning how to install manually is still worthwhile, especially if you run a custom modpack. Just make sure your Forge version matches the mod's requirements, or you'll run into crashes on startup.
Why Play as a Summoner?
Summoning doesn't have to define your entire playstyle. You can use these mobs as distractions, as damage sponges, or as a way to control crowds while you focus on other tactics. The mod was inspired by the necromancer fantasy found in games like Skyrim, but it leaves room for plenty of creative builds.
Since this is the creator's first mod, the alpha state means balance is still evolving. Feedback on mob strength, crafting recipes, and despawn timers is welcome, and future updates will likely expand the summoning roster.
Final Thoughts
SummoningScepters is a promising magic mod for Minecraft players who enjoy commanding minions and experimenting with tiered summoning mechanics. The combination of scepters, tomes, and risk-reward rituals creates a genuinely different combat loop. If you're ready to raise your own undead army, give it a try and see how the necromancer life suits you.