Golem Questions

[Historienne]

Golem Questions

After reading the golem FAQ and browsing threads, I still have a few questions. Mind, I am using 1.07.

First, with the Iron Golem, I'm still rather confused as to what I should use when making it. Is it better to use armour for defence or a weapon for more powerful blows? And does weapon speed matter? What sort of objects should I save - metallic, I know, but should I be looking for certain stats, bonuses, should I use amulets or rings?

Are Iron Golems more susceptible to elemental attacks, or are elemental attacks just more damaging in general?

Second, is there any way to make the Blood Golem stronger? Or is he really worth the points?

Also, can my Blood Golem pass poisoning or freezing on to me through the "lifelink?" Seems like it, but perhaps I'm just getting blinkered in the midst of battle...

Final question - golem or skellies? Where should I be putting points for a solid army? I let my minions do the work...

Thank you kindly for your assistance with my world domination:evil:

 

[Latex Glove]

The only thing I can comment on are the questions regarding the Iron Golem and whether to use golems or skeletons.

============================================
The Iron Golem takes all but a few properties of whatever it is made out of. Meaning, if it has Faster Hit Recovery, Attack Speed, or even Faster Run/Walk, it will benefit from these mods. One interesting, and many times useful, thing to make Iron Golems out of are items that give large bonuses to resistances. You can make Iron Golems that are completely immune to all types of elemental damage in this way.

I believe whatever is socketed in an item when made into an Iron Golem transfers as well. I suspect this is true, as I have on a several occasions made Iron Golems out of items that had a Perfect Ruby in it, and noticed that there was an animation depicting fire damage.

I haven't a clue as to whether or not they benefit from mods that give elemental absorption, however. I imagine they would, but I don't have any tangible method in testing this.

Indestructible items do not make invincible Iron Golems, however much fun that may or may not have been if it were true...


So, to answer your first question regarding whether weapons are armour are better suited in creating an Iron Golem: it depends on what you plan on using your Iron Golem for.

Do you wish for him to simply sit there in front of the enemy and absorb blows? If so, then an armour with resists, life, and/or high defense would be best.

Do you want your Iron Golem to deal massive amounts of damage? Then use a weapon that has large quantities of Crushing Blow and/or damage of all sorts.

Do you want the Iron Golem to be a source of helpful auras? Then create an Iron Golem out of a weapon that has incredibly low damage (as you do not wish to lose it to Iron Maiden), or make it out of an armour that has huge amounts of defense (as you do not wish for it to perish).

Do you want your Iron Golem to be retaliatory when struck? Then find or create an item with a plethora of mods that offer Chance to Cast _______ when struck and/or Attacker Takes Damage of _______ when struck.


Personally, I prefer making Iron Golems that offer auras, house large amounts of Crushing Blow, or are completely immune to all types of elemental damage.

For humour, try creating an Iron Golem out of something that offers a gargantuan boost in Faster Run/Walk when you have Golem Mastery maxed. Your Iron Golem will be faster than you ^_^



As for your second question:

The Iron Golem's base resistances are as follows:
0 % Fire
0 % Cold
50 % Lightning
100 % Poison

Your Iron Golem benefits from points placed in Summon Resist, so you can calculate accordingly. Alternatively, simply use this useful calculator [for anything that involves a Necromancer Summoner].

http://tph.tuwien.ac.at/~gottwald/necro_pet_calculator.html

Another thing to note is that the Iron Golem's level is based on whatever you are currently wearing when it is raised. This means that whatever +Skills you are wearing when you first summon it will remain for as long as that particular game lasts. When you exit that game/term and then create another, and happen to be wearing different equipment at this time, the Iron Golem's level will be recalculated.

For example:
Let's say I summon my Iron Golem when my skill levels for Summon Resist and Iron Golem are at 5. For the remainder of that game, regardless of what I wear or switch out, my Iron Golem will run about with 5 Summon Resist and have a level 5.

When I exit the game, I am wearing gear that gives me 2 Summon Resist and 3 Iron Golem. When you then enter a new game, the Iron Golem's level and level of Summon Resist will be recalculated to 3 and 2 respectively.



As for whether to use skeletons or golems, again, it's more or less based on how you wish to play the game. Most will say that having a large army with strong skeletons is best, but there are a few individuals that may claim that pouring points into a golem is a much better idea.


===============================================

Hope that helped, and if I happen to be wrong in something, someone correct me.

 

[Mad Mantis]

Second, is there any way to make the Blood Golem stronger? Or is he really worth the points?

Back in 1.07 you can couple him with IM. He shouldn't die and neither should you. Rather a strong combo.

Skellies are more fragile than a wet kleenex in 1.07.