My skellies are not enough

[dunha]

My skellies are not enough

I'm playing my first necro char ever and I'm in the harcore ladder. I'm a level 7 noob who plays untwinked and for short periods of time (wife imposed limitations). I've noticed that I don't get a 1:1 RS/skelly ratio. I'm RS level 5 and I only get 3 skellies. I'm sure i'll get replies saying I'm lame and igonrant but I was led to belive that the ratio was 1:1.
Is there a such a limitation in hardcore normal ladder (less skellies per RS point)?
Is the summon build the way to go in this environment?
Should I add some curses this early in the game to boost the few skellies I get?

thanks

 

[kanadah]

The ratio is not 1:1, for example, I believe at level 40 you only get 15 skellies. At level 20 I believe you get 8 (feel free to correct me).

Since you're playing hardcore and untwinked, a summoner is definitely a good choice (especially with wifey limiting playtime, as losing a hardcore character would be quite a setback). They're one of, if not the, safest build, as you get a dozen or so meat shields and all you have to worry about is resists.

Early on, you want one point it Skeleton Mastery and Amplify Damage, and then go straight for maxing Raise Skeleton. If you want, you can put a point into Clay Golem, Golem Mastery, Summon Resist, Dim Vision, Corpse Explosion, and Decrepify, as they become available (these are all the essential summoner skills). Also, for later in the game (after you max RS/SM), focus on maxing corpse explosion. A point in Revive goes a long way toward beating up Act Bosses later in Hell.

Beyond that, it's largely at your discretion. A lot of hardcore players prefer to max Dim Vision as their last main skill, as otherwise Gloams will fry you in Hell Acts 3-5. I mostly use my summoner for Hell Pits and Cows, so I chose to go with Bone Armor (1 pt bone armor, 20 Bone Wall) for the additional physical protection.

Hope this helps!

 

[Pualee]

Kanadah pretty much summed it up. What you remember, the 1:1 ration was in fact the ratio when Diablo II came out. I believe it was patch 1.09 that changed the ratio and made the skellies stronger as 20 level 20 skellies in previous patches were worthless against any bosses. Now they are much stronger even though you have fewer.

Pualee

 

[Mad Mantis]

@dunha:
@kanadah:
@Pualee:

Welcome Newcomers to The Darkness. Grab a brew and feel free to raise some corpses.

Since patch 1.10 you get 1 Skellie for the first three levels. After that you get a skellie every three skill points you put in the skill. So that means that after level 3 you get an extra one at level 6 and the one after that at level 9. For more info on the Skellies check this calc.