Summons absorb hammers?

[d00m2k]

I've been reading up on Druid PvP guides, and they all say to use summons because they absorb some of the hammer damage. I always thought the hammers went right through everything and did full damage on the way. Can someone explain to me what these guides are saying?

[Kijya]

Minionstack prevents hammers from hitting the player, so the hdin has to kill all summons before he can hit the player beneath.

[d00m2k]

But only if the minions and player are occupying the same space, correct? I.e. right after a teleport, as opposed to after a teleport and wolves spread out?

[Kijya]

But only if the minions and player are occupying the same space, correct? I.e. right after a teleport, as opposed to after a teleport and wolves spread out?
Correct, "minionstack" as it's called :azn: Spread out minions will not protect the player from hammers.

[jaxz]

Usually it won't spread that fast, and it will concentrate on biting the hammerdin. Minion stack pwnts.

[thepandafactor]

Most minions are too aggressive and spread out quickly after a teleport, but for some reason if a necro has some revives then all the minions stand with him, sometimes for what seems like minutes. Even if it's only liek 3 revives and 20 skeles, the revives just seem to keep everyone there.

[DayDream]

Get one minion that is bigger than you for a perma minion stack. As long as that huge summon monster lives, you and your skele/summons will take hits before you do.

[superjayson]

by absorb they mean they take the hits instead of you. also summons are used to pick up on dysynch.

[d00m2k]

So it's best to put a point into Spirit Wolves (rather than Dire Wolves or Bear), so that 5 of them will block 5 hammers before you take one?

[inanefedaykin]

Think about it like this.
Grizzly Bear summon, all dead in 1 hit
Dire Wolf summon, all dead in 3 hits
Spirit Wolf summon, all dead in 5 hits.

[d00m2k]

So when would you ever use anything other than Spirit Wolves? Most guides say 1 in each summon.

[lendial]

you usualy wont, minion stacking is the lifeblood of wind druids. it turns the sluggish framed, melee range caster into a devastating dueler.

[d00m2k]

Aside from hammers, what does minion stack block as well? All projectiles, i.e. ice blast? What about throw barbs? Blizzard?

[jaxz]

I believe all projectiles including guided arrows and blizzard except for those with splash attacks such like fire balls.