Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

[simokaar]

Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I've been reading on summoner build, also known as fishymancer and decided to replace my hammerdin with it. I've settled on a variation of build I think I'll like (dropping the "extra" points to iron golem & boosting some curses, also putting 1 point to skele mage.) 1 point to mage for poison skeles to stop ybers regenning (planning to use this char for yberrunning too.)

However, I'm torn on the matter of weapon. As I gather it'd be optimal if I'd summon my army using arm of king leoric, then swith to beast and use hoto on switch for teleporting. On this setup I'd be skipping CTA completely, which i gather would be the the best compromise. The pairs would be

1. beast + homonculus
2. hoto + something, dont know yet

I'm just not satisfied just yet. I have understood that from the lvl9 fanat aura, my minions would only get half the efficiency, and I'm not sure if it's worth skipping the fcr from hoto. Also, using aokl on "manual switch" sounds really tedious.

My question is; would I be missing much, if I'd just go

1. hoto + homonculus
2. aokl + something

I'd like to hear your opinion, with backing it up too so I understand how much I'd miss or wouldn't miss if I skip beast totally.

The rest of my eq will be in the lines of shako, mp enigma, sojs, war travs etc, also putting infinity to merc.

Another matter I'd like some heads up is this; how often does Iron Golem just disappear in bnet? Planning to use insight for Iron Golem.

Thanks!

-s

 

[Ed from Russia]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I'm assuming this is PvM only.

For summoning, you want as many skill points as possibile so AOKL and Homunc are good choices. Hoto gives you lower points and you really don't need FCR; you rarely need to recast your summons and never so fast that you need more FCR. Even Corpse Explosion doesn't really need FCR (and you'll probably get some anyway from your gloves and maybe other equipment).

When your army is cast, they rarely die. This means that damage comes before survivability in your gear choice. Beast is your best option. Hoto does nothing for you once your army is up. CtA increases life but doesn't speed you up.

It may be slightly different if you're doing hardcore (survivability is more important).

IGs don't disappear out of nothing but they may die now and then. Invest I Golem Mastery and keep a new item on standby.

 

[NumtyDoo]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I used to use beast, and then switched to hoto for faster tele and better resists. I found really no difference in killing speed between the two. Beast will get you the absolute most damage output, but with a high level fishy this is not necessary.

Most of your mob killing speed comes from CE, and most of your boss killing speed comes from CB on merc/revives. So the small fana boost really doesn't play as much of a role in killing speed as you may think.

I use CTA on switch. I use it to boost my and my merc's life, and my mana, as skellies are boosted very little by BO. But my skellies/mastery are already in the mid 40's with HotO. So I really don't need the xtra skellie prebuff from AOKL.

 

[goldenfrog]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I use a Lastwish Phasblade. Adds more damage then Beast and you get the MF and somewhat useful chance to cast fade.

 

[Moe the Barkeep]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I use a Lastwish Phasblade. Adds more damage then Beast and you get the MF and somewhat useful chance to cast fade.

Never heard of this...most summoners use an act 2 might merc to get the might aura.

Wouldnt it be better to use an act 2 might merc and you holding a beast ? This way you get might and fanat auras.

 

[maiku]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I suppose a LW might be decent if one's using a "Pride" on a Merc...but...still...

 

[Moe the Barkeep]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

I suppose a LW might be decent if one's using a "Pride" on a Merc...but...still...

Well, if you use Pride on your might merc, and carry Beast, you can have all 3 auras (might/fanat/concen).

 

[simokaar]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

Thanks for all the input. I think I'm just going to test things out. I guess I can find someone to buy beast if I don't wish to use it...

 

[HCKull]

Re: Weapon & switch for summoner (fishymancer)

My summoner uses beast at the moment. It works pretty good, but get tired of prebuff 50 strength everytime I enter a game.

I am considering just holding homo shield and AKL, getting an a1 faith merc and making an insight iron golem.

I will have more skells and revives, skells will have level 15 fanata.

I will miss my clay golem, as I use it for scouting, for slowing bosses/elites and to throw into bad guys for distraction. I think I can use bonewall instead.