Shadow master - why exactly level 17?

[Throttle]

I've heard alot of people saying that you have to get your shadow master to level 17. Could somebody tell me what happens at that level? And if higher than level 17 is bad?

[ShadyPhoenix]

At slvl17 the Shadow Master spawns with:

- Rare version of your own armor's base item
- Rare version of your own helm's base item
- Rare left ring
- Rare right ring
- Rare amulet
- Rare Bramble Mitts/Vambraces/Orge Gauntlets
- Rare Suwayyah/War Fist/Scissors Suwayyah on their right hand
- Rare Battle Cestus/Runic Talon on their left hand

[distancepieman]

I've heard alot of people saying that you have to get your shadow master to level 17. Could somebody tell me what happens at that level? And if higher than level 17 is bad?

Higher than 17 wouldn't be bad, but most would consider it a waste of points since the spawnable equipment won't get better. This I believe is the same with a Zon's Valk. I usually put 14-16 hard points in, and let +skills get me to 17, and if it's beyond 17 afterward figure it's no harm done really.

~Bails

[BIGeyedBUG]

I like level 18 because Shadows will get an additional level in their own skills then.

Although a Shadow in the 17-18 range (or less) is adequate for most purposes, a level 30+ Shadow Master should really be experienced by everyone at least once. They're pretty freakin' awesome. Almost invulnerable, and actually capable of laying down some damage in Hell.

So no, it's not a waste. It's just a question of whether you're hard up for the skill points elsewhere, and how much you like investing in a minion's abilities rather than your own.

[TheKing]

i max my master and he kills some socr alone, she`s imune to any elemental atack... a good tank...

[harley98]

I max Shadow Master for 2 reasons.

1. He spawns with better equipment.
2. The skills he uses are higher level. Example: if i have 20 point in venom and i have a level 21 Shadow master than my shadow master uses a level 17 venom.

Formula for the skill level shadows use is: 1/2 you skill points with +skills in skill plus 1/3 level of shadow = shadows level of skill.

(lvl20 venom x 50%) + (lvl21 shadow x 33%) = 17 venom for shadow

[ChthonVII]

Formula for the skill level shadows use is: 1/2 you skill points with +skills in skill plus 1/3 level of shadow = shadows level of skill.

Does this mean that trapsassins heavily laden w/ +skills gear would be well served to drop 1 point into some of the martial arts just for the bonus to the shadow?

[BIGeyedBUG]

Does this mean that trapsassins heavily laden w/ +skills gear would be well served to drop 1 point into some of the martial arts just for the bonus to the shadow?

Sure. Probably not as well served as they would be by spending the points on their own skills though. The SM is too erratic in her skill-use to make this strategy really productive late-game, and the SW comes with her own problems for trap builds.