A few Qs about Poisonmancer

[DaemonAkuma]

Sorry to sound like a broken record. I went and read through the guide in the Mouldy Tome, but still have some questions.

First, I saw that the author recommended Homonculus as the primary shield. However, I use a bonenecro with a 35%FCR SPirit monarch. Nowadays, what is the best shield? I realize it comes down to whether or not one goes full vitality or full block, but for melee I have a Ber'd SS I use that more or less makes barbs useless and I stay far away from smiters. Only thing I'm missing from the ideal set-up is a 5/-5 facet for the dweb and a gg amulet. My bonenecro is max block and not full vita, and suffers against casters, not melee. Is max vita better if one has a habit of not being hit?

[MarShenk]

Sorry to sound like a broken record. I went and read through the guide in the Mouldy Tome, but still have some questions.

First, I saw that the author recommended Homonculus as the primary shield. However, I use a bonenecro with a 35%FCR SPirit monarch. Nowadays, what is the best shield? I realize it comes down to whether or not one goes full vitality or full block, but for melee I have a Ber'd SS I use that more or less makes barbs useless and I stay far away from smiters. Only thing I'm missing from the ideal set-up is a 5/-5 facet for the dweb and a gg amulet. My bonenecro is max block and not full vita, and suffers against casters, not melee. Is max vita better if one has a habit of not being hit?

The aged question max block or vita :scratch:

From your post I take it that you are going to be pvp'ing more. If so imo max block is crutial. Seriously smiters/ww's chars/windies will be too frequent if you are in a pub game and will 1/2 hit smite you or one round of ww's you to death. You need to be relatively close to get a nova in sometimes which is a bit dangerous against melee chars. A nec does not get good bonuses on vita, a mere 2 pts for every pt in vita. By all means switch to spirit if you want the fcr against for example sorcs. I think the homon bit is becuase res will be hard to come by for a psn nec on normal gear.

[Gluttony]

Sorry to sound like a broken record. I went and read through the guide in the Mouldy Tome, but still have some questions.

First, I saw that the author recommended Homonculus as the primary shield. However, I use a bonenecro with a 35%FCR SPirit monarch. Nowadays, what is the best shield? I realize it comes down to whether or not one goes full vitality or full block, but for melee I have a Ber'd SS I use that more or less makes barbs useless and I stay far away from smiters. Only thing I'm missing from the ideal set-up is a 5/-5 facet for the dweb and a gg amulet. My bonenecro is max block and not full vita, and suffers against casters, not melee. Is max vita better if one has a habit of not being hit?

Homonculus gives 40 to all resistances, easy max block, and +2 to all skills also +2 to curses. This definately increases your effectiveness. The 20 to energy doesn't hurt anything either. As for casters it just takes a bit of practice. Try to get them to chase you and teleport into your novas.

[DaemonAkuma]

Well the deal comes down to FCR, which homo has none. That is the rub of it, especially when trying to hit max fcr bp.

[Gluttony]

Well the deal comes down to FCR, which homo has none. That is the rub of it, especially when trying to hit max fcr bp.

For me I don't find max fcr as a must for a poison necro. (I feel it's more important for a bone necromancer because they have no real aoes so speed is key). However, sometimes I do feel the urge to go a bit faster but I do have a solution to remedy this. I'm sorry that this response has taken so long.

In the case you want to go faster a very nice shield is Darkforce Spawn. It's very expensive to get a good one but it'll do you much good. I like to use DarkForce against casters while my homo against slower moving targets. For the pure speed setup I use fcr gear including hoto. Since most casters don't have the best resists.

Against barbarians, pallies, and the like I prefer DWEB and Homonculus. I also prefer this setup against slower moving targets. So basicly it's homo against most opponents but darkforce/fcr gear for bone mancers, Wind druids, and the like.

[DaemonAkuma]

What should I socket my gear with? I have a 2/20/+str Ciclet with an Um in it. But what should I socket in Homo/ Darkforce? If I use Homo primarily against casters I'd assume an Um would be in place, but what about Darkforce? Ber? rare Jewel?

[Gluttony]

What should I socket my gear with? I have a 2/20/+str Ciclet with an Um in it. But what should I socket in Homo/ Darkforce? If I use Homo primarily against casters I'd assume an Um would be in place, but what about Darkforce? Ber? rare Jewel?

I don't know what's the best option but for me I used a poison facet on my darkforce spawn. You're right about homo. I have an um in that one. My reasoning is to increase my poison damage since I lose some of it with fast cast gear. So when I switch to darkforce/fcr gear I still keep some of my bite. :smiley:

[DaemonAkuma]

I can see that. Super. Thanks for all the help guys. Don't suppose anyone can offer up some suggetsions to kill desyncadins?

[Gluttony]

I can see that. Super. Thanks for all the help guys. Don't suppose anyone can offer up some suggetsions to kill desyncadins?

What type of Desyncadins? Chargers or Hammerdins? For hammerdins it's important to have a golem up at all times. The reason for this is so if you see him die randomly you know there's a hammerfield nearby. The best strategy is to stay defensive and try to trick him into a nova. Going offense is very bad here and will probably lead you to your death.

As for desynch chargers? Fight them as any other smiter/charger hybrid but stay as far away as possible. Predict where they're going to be and try to nova them. This isn't easy at all but sometimes you can survive the initial blow (blocking charge and absorbing some of their melee with bone shield) and manage to finish them off. Another possible method is to first get far enough away to break their lock and use bone walls to block yourself off. This can slow them down a bit.

[DaemonAkuma]

I always seem to have problems with them mostly b/c they do not duel gm...ever. They simply hide like an insect in a house somewhere then come charging out and blindside me.

However I did kill a charger when i was only doing 4K nova dmg and had >300 stat points left. I just teled+nova, then teled a lot, then novaed...then he died from Fire aura from Sparky. Tons of fun! Their NL charge drives them right through the poison; my summons also make it hard for them to NL me and not one of them.

[Gluttony]

I always seem to have problems with them mostly b/c they do not duel gm...ever. They simply hide like an insect in a house somewhere then come charging out and blindside me.

However I did kill a charger when i was only doing 4K nova dmg and had >300 stat points left. I just teled+nova, then teled a lot, then novaed...then he died from Fire aura from Sparky. Tons of fun! Their NL charge drives them right through the poison; my summons also make it hard for them to NL me and not one of them.

If they want to hide in a house I wouldn't come near the house and laugh at them. I prefer to mock them (playfully of course) and let them know that "Hiding in a hole isn't winning." if they wish to remain there they can stay indefinately but I doubt they're having any fun that way.