IG still works?

[Argive]

A while ago (pre 1.09 even) I made an IG necro, I had max IG and Decrep along with a defiance merc. He handled quite well, I would do baal/diablo runs to get good uniques and turn them into IG's . Is something like this still viable? Do I need to max all the other golems as well? He also faired quite well in PvP (an IG with crushing blow and a lot fo other mods can really hurt someone), do you think he still can?

[k/t]

I think minions were made even crappier against players than before...but I'm not too sure about that. For overall play, Iron Golems are useless - I make them once in a while when I find an interesting item (crappy Pally shield with lots of resists), but they die so much more than Clay Golems (same level Golem and Mastery). I think CG has tons more life, plus CG has slow enemy ability. Unless you make Iron Golem out of a Crushing Blow item so you can kill bosses easier, I wouldn't bother with them.
Equip your merc with Crushing Blow and use CG instead.

Edit: I think the PvP necro of choice is the bonemancer...but summoners can duel too...I don't see why you couldn't...I don't know how effective you'll be, but you can try.
IG won't hurt anyone unless they hit them...and even then, they do pathetic damage.

[Slipin]

IG is almost unusable in PvM and PvP(unusable here). He just doesn't seem to deal enough damage in PvM and in PvP the penalties are just to great.

[Shadow_Hide]

But what if u are a skelemacer, using IG as tank, have a Thron Merc and IM as main spell? that's will be hell lot of % of damage return.

[Mad Mantis]

If you're a Skelliemancer your Golem will not tank a lot, unless you can recast him in the correct area. And your Skellies will kill a lot faster with Might then with Thorns. In 1.09 it was the other way around, but nowadays damage returned just doesn't cut it anymore.