clayto209

The Character development guides are dead. Obviously I want to carry a "Beast" Axe and have a might merc. I totally prefer Eth COH with a 120/45 Helm over Bramble/Andys like most people use. A level 21 Thorns Aura does provide 1,050% physical damage returned, but I found its benefits nowhere near as good as +65/all res 8%LL 8%DR 100%Extra Damage to Undead and 200% Extra Damage to Demons, along with my incredible jeweled helm. So now for the debate; I'm having a hard time deciding on whether I should have my Merc use eth Infinity or Pride Thresher. I am a level 98 pure summoner.

I like Infinity better because of its: (highlighted in red)

50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Chain Lightning When You Kill An Enemy
Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped = -83% Enemy Defense, -85% Enemy Elemental Resists
+35% Faster Run/Walk
+255-325% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-(45-55)% To Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies)
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
Prevent Monster Heal
0.5-49.5 To Vitality (Based on Character Level)
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30 Charges)

I like Pride for its: (highlighted in red, dislikes highlighted in blue)

25% Chance To Cast Level 17 Fire Wall When Struck
Level 16-20 Concentration Aura When Equipped = 345% Enhanced Damage
260-300% Bonus To Attack Rating (varies)
+1-99% Damage To Demons(Based on Character Level)
Adds 50-280 Lightning Damage
20% Deadly Strike
Hit Blinds Target
Freezes Target +3
+10 To Vitality
Replenish Life +8
1.875-185.625% Extra Gold From Monsters (Based on Character Level)

------------------------------So, with perfect weapons....-------------------------------

When you stack up the mods, you can see that with Pride, your merc will do 119% more damage when fighting demons, and the skeletons will do 345% more damage as well, but on the other hand, how will the minions be able to HIT enemies? Enemies won't lose any defense as they do with a Conviction Aura - but Concentration gives a 20% Chance of uninterruptable hit. On top of the 119% MORE damage a Pride gives, there's a 20% chance of "Deadly Strike" which will grant the merc a chance to do DOUBLE his total damage! But what good is all this if:

A.) The merc can't kill the bosses because there is no Crushing Blow
B.) I have to constantly recast Amp Damage because the Merc Keep blinding
C.) As a summoner, I can't summon because all the corpses are frozen!!!

IDK, you all tell me. For now I think I'm sticking with Infinity.

omgbbq

did you notice that diablo 2 is a dead game?

Ares

Infinity I supose, I mean Pride is very good. It can stack up the damage but not that much, So yeah go with infinity


P.S In my opinion I would rather rock the Bramble then the COH on a merc anyday

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clayto209

but why

John

pride. if you want lower resists use the curse lower resist lol

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i just make this sig recently to teach people not to play with fire.

clayto209

well i just changed my pride back to infinity; pride is gay. end of story. anyone need cham sur io lo runes? lol i got a shitload of 'em left over. jim-beam uswest ladder

Ares

Why you ask?
Well your merc will have a lot more damage and it will tank MUCH more and so will your skeletons...
Its just much better then COH
Also you dont have to use Andys helm you can use your current one.

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clayto209

how would he do more damage with bramble? He wont! bramble is best as iron golem, at best.

Kyle Destroyer

Did you notice this is a diablo forum, get out.

On topic: I think bramble would be better than an eth CoH because it effects your skelly's, since you are a summoner, that would be great. Plus, now you don't have to worry about an expensive iron golem dying, becuase now you can use a clay golem, the better tank and the better golem (slow down is awesome) PLUS!, I don't think iron golems aura transfers over to the skelly's. But you being level 98, something is obviously working for you, so I won't critisize much.

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my sig! where ever did it go?

clayto209

The aura DOES transfer to the skellys. By having a "Bramble" Iron Golem, I get the best of ALL worlds. I still have 2 Prides in my stash in case he dies. I used to make beast golems, but I prefer to hold my Beast axe now because of the wonderful thing we like to call "+X to all skills" mods. Having a level 18+ Thorns Aura from the golem or a level 16+ Conc Aura just from the Golem is the sheyot. Not to mention the fact that In order to whoop bosses (that's about the only way I get exp at level 98 anyhow), you need a Merc with:

1.) IAS
2.) % Life Stolen per hit
3.) HUGE % CB
4.) +xxx% Extra Damage to demons

with the combination of Beast (Fantacism = IAS + ED), Infinity (Conviction = Lowered Enemy DEF & Resistances + CB) and Guillame's Mask with 15/40 jewel in it (CB, IAS) and ETH COH (200% Damage to Demons, 8%LL and not to mention +65 to all resistances aaaaand +2 Merc Might Aura) I pretty much have it made. Getting back to the main topic, another reason why Infinity can't be beat for summoners is it helps your Corpse Explosion, Fire Golem, AAAND Skeletal Mages do more damge. Trust me, I DID notice the difference between Conc & Conviction in both these cases.

Kyle Destroyer

I guess if you're rich you can afford to trash brambles and prides, us common folk like clay golem.

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my sig! where ever did it go?

hellsing293

Use a pride on your iron golem and infinity on your merc. You kill monsters with your minions anyways but with corpse explosion you just level monsters like cake. So I'd use infinity, plus they lose defense too.

What about making a summoner who has as many auras as possible? A dream on your merc would give all your minions holy shock, so each one would deal lightning damage from combat and just standing and conviction would help too. I'm pretty sure that holy shock carries over to minions. I messed around on hero editor with a summoner with a lot of auras but I forgot what happened.

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As long as darkness flows through my veins, I will never cease, As long as my dreams still haunt me, I will never show mercy, and as long as evil lives I will never die.....

BewarethePhoenix

I know its a little bit off topic but what about an act 5 merc with a Last Wish? I mean I guess the lifetap would screw with your curses but does lifetap heal skeles? Also covers the CB really well on your merc so he could wreck bosses handily. Not to mention the A5 mercs have good res inherently and with a bramble he would cause hella damage to physical attacking enemie and tank like hell. Just a thought, but I might try it myself as I am working up a summoner myself.

clayto209

CB's are too slow. I don't think they have enough DEX for PBs either. With A2 merc you get level 30 might, not like 16 or w/e LW gives u. Also you get +5% MORE CB if you use Guillame's as well. And to top things off, you get Conviction as well. **** those ****ing A5 mercs. Resistances aren't a problem at level 98 with COH on as well. (LR curse makes his resistances go to 72) Right now I've got a Lawbringer Golem, which is cool in a way, but really not that great. I'm waiting until I hit 99 to invest in Fire Golem. When I do, I'll stick with him until I fight bosses 4 MF, then it's back to Clay Golem for GG Slowdown. I still have an extra Pride I could golem if I get bored of Lawbringer. I could easily build an Exile one as well. Its all about how I feel at the time.