Poison Necro Question

[ssnakemann]

I read through the builds but couldnt find a solid answer for my question. I am using full trangs with a death web wand with lower resist curse on a PvM poison necro. I have a infinity polearm I could use with a act 2 merc. Would it be worth it or does the infinity not help for some reason. Or is it just not needed. If any one knows and could fill me in would be appreciated.

[DZJB]

I read through the builds but couldnt find a solid answer for my question. I am using full trangs with a death web wand with lower resist curse on a PvM poison necro. I have a infinity polearm I could use with a act 2 merc. Would it be worth it or does the infinity not help for some reason. Or is it just not needed. If any one knows and could fill me in would be appreciated.
Conviction does not lower Poison resistance. It also lowers defence, so your merc and minions could benefit from that. It also has crushing blow, which is handy for boss fights, as Poison Necro's aren't the best boss killers.

But you'd best be going with a different merc weapon.

[ssnakemann]

Thanks for info. Guess i will just have to find a diff weapon.

[maareek]

Infinity does lower the fire resistance of the monsters, though, so if you're putting a lot of points in CE it will help out quite a bit. Also helpful for unbreakable Poison immunes that you have to cast firewall on.

[ssnakemann]

I am planning on 1 point in CE. With plus skills should be at least 11. I was trying to avoid using the norms though of CE and Skeleies. Was thinking on a Fire golem and using firewall a decent amount just to try something a little diff from build guides. Even thought of a act 3 merc for light damage but decided that might be overall a waste. What ya think?

[RealmOftheWolf]

Fire golem really isnt as useful in pvm since all enemys can die through poison alone without a second attack. Id advise a high clay golem to tank and a standard 1 point skele mastery and skeles as a moving bone wall. Id choose insight or any High crushing blow weapon as a mercs weapon combined with gulllames face on a merc. Might/prayer are both good types to use as a poisonmancers merc.

I picked prayer to combine with insight along with COH and gullames for a pretty decent set up. Gullames socketed with a 15 ias jewel.

You can switch to a cheaper vesion of insight duress Andys or tals mask to get some crushing blow and life leech.

[ssnakemann]

I was thinking of fire golem just to stick with the elemental damage theme and I like how his holy fire damage draws enemies to him. I was planning on the clay for bosses. I would like to use a insight for the mana if I get one. Otherwise got a etheral Breath of the dying for my merc. Probably might just to increase his damage and I am running him with a friend using a barb so he could use might. With only 1 point in skeleton master and 1 skeletons will they be worthwhile in hell. Should have about 11 to 13 plus skills I think.

[RealmOftheWolf]

Yes they will be fine in hell. On my poisonmancer they last quite a while with 15 total skill level for both of em. They wont kill though but not that you need to . If you need to stick with the elemental theme then yes old smokey will do as hes got decent life and will last forever in chaos sanctuary.

Insight on a prayer merc will net you 50 hp every 2 seconds with level 91 merc and insight. Ive always been fond of it on my poisonmancer. Seems you gave a barb friend then ye use might with insight as it will help.

[DZJB]

First of all, +1 to what RealmOftheWolf said.

The guids list those options because they are generally the best. Not that some changes will net you with a half decent Necro of course! And being creative is great. Switch some gear around, and see what you like best :thumbup:

Fire Golems are good for attracting monsters, true. Don't count on any damage from their part though. The only way a Golem will do some damage is from an Iron Golem from a Crushing Blow item (like the dirt cheap IK Maul). Personally, I only use the Clay Golem on my Poisonmancer. It's just a matter of taste really.

I wouldn't really try the A3 merc, but the choice is up to you. Don't pick the fire merc, as the inferno damage is bugged. Whichever A3 merc you pick, they won't be good offensively.

For an A2 merc, I wouldn't go with defiance or might or something (unless it's for that barb) to help out the skellies. They're there as tanks, not as damage dealers. Like RealmOftheWold said, crushing blow on the merc is good against bosses. And if you can fit in some + skill items, you'll boost his aura too.

To summarize my favourite setup:

Necro: poison damage
Golem: Clay for slow effect (shuts down bosses)
Skellies (though I went the Bone Armour route): tanks
Merc: Aura('s) and crushing blow for bosses

[RealmOftheWolf]

I use clay for everything but duels .. Thats pulse aura good for finishing them off.

[ssnakemann]

Thanks for all the replies. I decieded the act 3 merc would be a waste so gonna do a act 2. Hopefully with a insight. Still think I might just use the golem and no skellies just to play a little different but will see how it goes. I can always change if I have trouble.