Golem questions

[Detlef]

1. Is there a viable build, that uses a golem as main-killing-skill?
Or will it end up like this:
20 fire golem
10 golem mastery
20 lower resist
20 Poison Nova
20 Poison explosion

If I go for iron golem, will it look like a fishymancer in the end?

2. Let's say, I make a runeword, that gives my character an aura (like Beast -> Fanatism).
If I make an iron golem out of that item, will it have that aura?

[LozHinge the Unhinged]

1. I'll let you know if there is a "viable" golemancer build if I ever Pat mine :wink3: (This is a build that relies on Curses and a Merc only, no skeles, poison or bone skills other than BA and BW).

2. An IG raised from a runeword item will benefit from many of the skills/auras that RWs provide. Some things won't work, though - Prevent Monster Heal. skills provided by charges, and other such things. CTC works though and can be fun. My experiences with a pure golemancer build is that Knockback tends to work against you. Open Wounds and, to a lesser extent Crushing Blow, are great features for a pure golemancer.

When planning a powerful golem, you need to max golem mastery rather than the golem skill itself. If you want to synergise your chosen golem, putting skills in the other golem skills can help (a little).

A powerful golem is most effective if used in conjunction with another main skill (skeles, poison or bone), as a main killer itself, its more of a curiousity/novelty build.

[Detlef]

So, my IG could have 2 auras?

What does CTC mean?

[Anthraquinone]

yes, 2 auras: 1) his natural thornslike aura and 2) the aura from the runeword he's made of.

ctc means "chance to cast", like in chance to cast lvl 4 frost nova on striking .

[LozHinge the Unhinged]

Yes, IG can have Thorns plus the aura from the weapon it is made from. I think it would also have any aura the merc provides, assuming you have an Act2 merc. (I'm not aware of any limit on the number of auras your IG can have, someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

CTC is "chance to cast" - some items have a percentage chance to trigger an effect when an event occurs (e.g. 5% CTC Frost Nova when struck, etc). This effect transfers from the item to the IG and can be rather fun (but is rarely effective).

[maiku]

This is cheap and requires HRs, but I have been thinking about some hypothetical setup which might work for a Golemancer build.

20 Golem Mastery
1 Iron Golem
X points in Lower Resist until severe diminishing returns

Main curse: Lower Resist

Gear:

Merc --> "Treachery" + "Rift" Thresher + Andy's Visage (purpose: spit out Frozen Orbs like crazy, now we have massive AoE damage!)

Iron Golem --> "Rift" Scythe --> "Rift" Golem! (more AoE damage and decent damage when he hits, too!)

You: "Infinity" Scythe on main to augment your minions' damage. Spam Lower Resist. Let Merc and IG do their work. :cool:

[mrstack]

that is actually interesting, and if youd pull it off id love to see it in action

[The Son Of Disaster]

You could also use 3 piece trangs for Fire Ball/Wall giving you something elemental to do while LR and your minions are getting there kill on. Mages are a very effective addition it would also seem. If I were ladder (no rifts :() I'd love to try it.

[maiku]

that is actually interesting, and if youd pull it off id love to see it in action

Gradually building up to it. I got my "Rift" Thresher but I need an "Infinity" Scythe. If/when I can complete such a build, I'll do a formal write up on the forum. :smiley: