Making good use of Mages?

[Zek]

I'm starting up a Skellimancer, and was thinking of going full 20/20/20 with Skellies, Mages and Mastery. I've heard plenty of mixed opinions on the matter of mages, but I definitely want to use them because using an army of plain skellies for the entire game is boring to me. First of all let me make clear that this character is completely untwinked since I haven't played for quite some time, so I'd like to avoid anything that relies on specific rare items(which I understand is not the case with most skellimancers). I looked at the guide but it only really mentions the skellie/mage build in passing. So, what would you guys consider the viable options for the leftover points of a build that uses mages?

[Dr.G]

you need bonewall to help keep them safe.

[k/t]

You don't need Bonewall. My summoner never uses it, and he has max Skeletons/Mastery. I maxed CE instead of Mages, and put the remaining points in Mages. Depending on how much +skills you have, you'll be using Bonewall rarely or never.

[Blackstream]

If you are having teh normal skellies, I'd just make sure you have one point in lower resist (for teh PIs that can't be amped, or maybe just for PIs) and do whatever else you'd normally do for a summoner build. My skellies and revives (at least so far in NM, and I don't think the AI or effectiveness will change that much from nm to hell) are good enough to keep the mages safe while they cast their spells. I'll probably put remaining points into CE (wish I had enough points to max them all before I hit the slow period somewhere around 75-85ish).

[Nukeman8]

I used 20 in skele/mages/skele mastery 1 in curses and had no problems.
If something starts on mages just summon golem next to em to take the hits or use attract so their buddies take the hits. Works very well :P

[HarbingersOfSkulls]

I'm starting up a Skellimancer, and was thinking of going full 20/20/20 with Skellies, Mages and Mastery. I've heard plenty of mixed opinions on the matter of mages, but I definitely want to use them because using an army of plain skellies for the entire game is boring to me. First of all let me make clear that this character is completely untwinked since I haven't played for quite some time, so I'd like to avoid anything that relies on specific rare items(which I understand is not the case with most skellimancers). I looked at the guide but it only really mentions the skellie/mage build in passing. So, what would you guys consider the viable options for the leftover points of a build that uses mages?

After getting my Skeletons...Mastery...and Mages taken care of(and getting Curses done also) I'm going with the rest of my points into Revives(only for lagging purposes).

Others would go with more into CE instead of Revives...but I find that my level 15 CE does just fine...and I only really need CE for act4 and 5 mostly.

HoS

[Zek]

Alright, follow up question; I have mage at 3 and mastery at 1 right now, and am maxing out RS. After that's done, should I max mastery or mages next? On the one hand Mastery affects both of them equally, but Mage increases their numbers and is more effective than mastery if it's anything like RS.

[LyrinJytus]

Alright, follow up question; I have mage at 3 and mastery at 1 right now, and am maxing out RS. After that's done, should I max mastery or mages next? On the one hand Mastery affects both of them equally, but Mage increases their numbers and is more effective than mastery if it's anything like RS.

My opinion is the exact opposite. SM does more than pumping RS or Mage. I'd rather have more hitpoints and damage that comes from SM than another minion that falls in three hits.

Playing up hardcore atm and was able to beat Duriel, Mephisto, and Diablo with 3 Skeletons, 1 CG, and a Prayer Merc because I had nearly maxed SM. Last time I tried the other way and got destroyed with 5 more skeletons.

I'd totally up SM before Mages basically.