Originally Posted by FraterPerdurabo

I recently built a necro according to the Commando-mancer build that could be found on diabloii.net (with all due credit). An awesome build, in short it's a melee aura skelemancer. You don't need 1337 equpiment either. At the moment (lev 77), I'm using:
Coh
Baranar's Star (changing to Beast runeword)
Mara's
Raven Frost
Soj
Verdungo's
Eth Homonculus
Marrowwalk
Shako
(You also need 1 summoning skiller)

Skills:
Max Skeleton
Max Skeleton Mage
Max Skeleton Mastery
1 the rest of the summoning tree
1 Amplify Damage
1 Corpse Explosion
1 Teeth (pre-requisite)
1 Bone armor
rest on Poison Dagger (refer to the page if You need details on the Poison Dagger "bug")

With this equipment, You have lev 30 Skeletons, 30 Mages and 32 Mastery. This means that You have 24 skellies (12 each), over 10 revives, Fire Golem and together with the merc, they provide enough meatwall and do awesome damage.

Depending on how rich You are, stack Yourself and Your merc with as many auras as possible. My merc only has Shako, Shaftstop and Insight runeword, he kicks ***. With Beast runeword You get Fanaticism, I use a Might merc. Basically, try to stack as many auras as possible and You and Your skellies become real killers.

All due credit goes to the guy that posted this guide on diabloii.net, the build is called the Commando-mancer or something... I suggest You try this build, it's both fun and strong. Haven't tried uber-trist yet...