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lparker
Prowler
15 | 0
Hello everybody,

I am somewhat new to diablo 2 but have been having a pretty good time with the game so far, but just wanted a little feedback on my Necro Summoner, I am on nightmare difficulty right now and don't know if this build is any good right now. Sure it can kill pretty quickly, but I had quite a bit of trouble on Andariel, it was way more difficult than normal mode. I am accustomed to jewelcrafting and using the cube to upgrade weapons and armor and create new sets. But its always the attribute points that get me. I figure that I should put a lot of points in to energy, but then if I put too many, then I cant use some of the better summoner armors in the game which require strength, so I had to respect for a balance between Strength and Energy.

I am using a wand and head to max out on minion bonuses but maybe a scythe would be better?

Anyway here are some pictures, feel free to nitpick away, if your gonna roast it, just make sure its constructive roasting. ;)
Image


Image

Image
Siosilvar
Cow Ninja
1220 | 263
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Putting points in Strength is fine (especially on a summoner, Energy actually only gives you mana) but I can tell that your gear isn't as upgraded as it could be. With those stats I'd expect
Fateweaver
Fateweaver
Bone Wand (4)

One-Hand Damage: 5 to 6
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 5
Required Dexterity: 9
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
10% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
+(6 to 10)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-3% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(6 to 8)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+15% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Maximum Mana +(3 to 5)%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 10 to 13
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 23
Required Dexterity: 15
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
20% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
+(11 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-6% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(11 to 13)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+25% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Maximum Mana +(9 to 11)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 13 to 19
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 42
Required Dexterity: 32
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
+(21 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-9% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(16 to 18)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+35% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Maximum Mana +(15 to 17)%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 16 to 23
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 51
Required Dexterity: 65
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+4 to Necromancer Skill Levels
35% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
+(31 to 40)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-12% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(19 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+50% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Maximum Mana +(18 to 20)%
Socketed (2)
/
Blackheart
Blackheart
Grim Wand (4)

One-Hand Damage: 6 to 8
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Dexterity: 15
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(6 to 9) to Summon Darklings
+1 to Dark Power
+(9 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 11 to 17
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 29
Required Dexterity: 23
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(12 to 16) to Summon Darklings
+2 to Dark Power
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 17 to 26
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity: 46
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
35% Cast Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(20 to 26) to Summon Darklings
+3 to Dark Power
+(26 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 20 to 31
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 55
Required Dexterity: 92
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Dexterity)%
+4 to Necromancer Skill Levels
40% Cast Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+50% Damage to Undead
+(32 to 36) to Summon Darklings
+4 to Dark Power
+(36 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1 Life Regenerated per Second (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (2)
T4,
Shadowchild
Shadowchild
Zombie Head (4)

Defense: (109 - 120) to (200 - 221)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 4
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 50) Defense
(11 to 15)% to Energy
Fire Absorb 2%
Lightning Absorb 2%
Cold Absorb 2%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (352 - 399) to (569 - 648)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 21
Required Dexterity: 25
Item Level: 31
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(21 to 25)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(71 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
+(81 to 110) Defense
(21 to 25)% to Energy
Fire Absorb 3%
Lightning Absorb 3%
Cold Absorb 3%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (833 - 896) to (1327 - 1431)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 39
Required Dexterity: 54
Item Level: 51
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(26 to 35)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(111 to 130)% Enhanced Defense
+(131 to 180) Defense
(31 to 35)% to Energy
Fire Absorb 4%
Lightning Absorb 4%
Cold Absorb 4%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1343 - 1429) to (2112 - 2253)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 48
Required Dexterity: 112
Item Level: 77
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(36 to 45)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(151 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+(201 to 250) Defense
(36 to 40)% to Energy
Fire Absorb 5%
Lightning Absorb 5%
Cold Absorb 5%
Socketed (4)
T4,
Fauztin's Visage
Fauztin's Visage
Field Plate (4)

Defense: 268 to 540
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 32
Item Level: 19
+(11 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(6 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+50% Enhanced Defense
+250 Defense vs. Melee
+50 to Life
Poison Length Reduced by (21 to 25)%
Physical Resist 1%
Socketed (2)
Defense: 890 to 1668
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 63
Item Level: 36
+(21 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(11 to 15)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+100% Enhanced Defense
+500 Defense vs. Melee
+100 to Life
Poison Length Reduced by (31 to 35)%
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (4)
Defense: 2232 to 4107
Required Level: 61
Required Strength: 219
Item Level: 59
+(31 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+150% Enhanced Defense
+750 Defense vs. Melee
+175 to Life
Poison Length Reduced by (41 to 45)%
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (5)
Defense: 3642 to 6678
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 438
Item Level: 85
+(41 to 50)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(21 to 25)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+200% Enhanced Defense
+1000 Defense vs. Melee
+250 to Life
Poison Length Reduced by (46 to 50)%
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (6)
T3,
Umbaru's Jinx
Umbaru's Jinx
Mask (4)

Defense: (116 - 126) to (195 - 209)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 10
+(0 to 1) to Necromancer Skill Levels
15% Hit Recovery
+(6 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(21 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Attack Rating
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 100) Defense
Poison Length Reduced by (11 to 20)%
Physical Resist 1%
(6 to 10)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (1)
Defense: (416 - 448) to (546 - 587)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 31
+(0 to 1) to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Hit Recovery
+(11 to 15)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(41 to 60)% to Summoned Minion Attack Rating
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
+(151 to 200) Defense
Poison Length Reduced by (21 to 30)%
Physical Resist 2%
(11 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (3)
Defense: (927 - 994) to (1163 - 1249)
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 51
+(0 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
45% Hit Recovery
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(61 to 80)% to Summoned Minion Attack Rating
+(91 to 110)% Enhanced Defense
+(251 to 300) Defense
Poison Length Reduced by (31 to 40)%
Physical Resist 3%
(21 to 30)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1422 - 1515) to (1759 - 1876)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 77
+(1 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
60% Hit Recovery
+(21 to 25)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(81 to 100)% to Summoned Minion Attack Rating
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+(351 to 400) Defense
Poison Length Reduced by (41 to 50)%
Physical Resist 4%
(31 to 40)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
T3,
Kali
Kali
Gloves

'LumKo'
Runeword Level: 48
15% Chance to cast level 13 Seal of Fire on Kill
+2 to All Skills
+15% to Summoned Minion Resistances
-214 Defense
5% to Strength
Maximum Fire Resist +4%
Fire Resist +25%
or
Aiwass
Aiwass
Gloves

'ZodKa'
Runeword Level: 105
+15% Malice Skill Damage
+3 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(30 to 35)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+293 Defense
(21 to 35)% to Strength
+(1 to 100) to Life
Regenerate Mana +(5 to 10)%
+15 Life after each Kill
,
Outlaw
Outlaw
Boots

'TalHel'
Runeword Level: 40
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
Attacker Flees after Striking 5%
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(6 to 15)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+(30 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
-1 Defense
+(11 to 15) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(3 to 5)%
Physical Damage Reduced by (1 to 5)
+(1 to 5) to Light Radius
, and an honorific belt with +all resists.

If you need arcane crystals you can farm Nihlathak on Normal, he always drops 3 uniques. Use the RIP recipe if you're having trouble with Storm Shamans down there (I usually use a random ring):

Any item + Oil of Renewal + Arcane Crystal → returns item with R.I.P. modifier

I haven't actually played a summoner Necro so I couldn't tell you if you're better off switching to
Lord of Thorns
Lord of Thorns
Marrow Staff (4)

Two-Hand Damage: 7 to 9
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 37
Item Level: 10
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
1% Chance to cast level 5 Spike Nova when Struck by a Missile
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(0 to 1) to Maximum Necromancer Minions
30% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
Hit Causes Monster to Flee +3%
+(21 to 25)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(11 to 13)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(16 to 25) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: 15 to 19
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 56
Item Level: 31
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
2% Chance to cast level 9 Spike Nova when Struck by a Missile
+(2 to 3) to Necromancer Skill Levels
+(0 to 1) to Maximum Necromancer Minions
50% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
Hit Causes Monster to Flee +(6 to 7)%
+(31 to 35)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(16 to 18)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(36 to 45) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: 25 to 32
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 112
Item Level: 51
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
3% Chance to cast level 13 Spike Nova when Struck by a Missile
+(4 to 5) to Necromancer Skill Levels
+1 to Maximum Necromancer Minions
70% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
Hit Causes Monster to Flee +(9 to 10)%
+(41 to 45)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(21 to 23)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(56 to 65) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: 29 to 38
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 222
Item Level: 77
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.06 per Strength)%
4% Chance to cast level 15 Spike Nova when Struck by a Missile
+(5 to 6) to Necromancer Skill Levels
+1 to Maximum Necromancer Minions
80% Cast Speed
+50% Damage to Undead
Hit Causes Monster to Flee +(10 to 11)%
+(46 to 50)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(24 to 25)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(66 to 75) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
or
Graven Image
Graven Image
Gargoyle Head (4)

Defense: (138 - 156) to (269 - 305)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 7
Required Dexterity: 30
Item Level: 1
+(0 to 1) to Necromancer Skill Levels
5% Cast Speed
+(21 to 25)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(16 to 20)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 75) to Mana
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (427 - 475) to (767 - 853)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 25
Required Dexterity: 45
Item Level: 31
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
+(31 to 35)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(26 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+(101 to 125) to Mana
Physical Resist 7%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1015 - 1111) to (1788 - 1958)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 42
Required Dexterity: 94
Item Level: 51
+(1 to 2) to Necromancer Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
+(41 to 45)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(36 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(151 to 175) to Mana
Physical Resist 9%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1584 - 1852) to (2788 - 3258)
Chance to Block: 2%
(Necromancer Only)
Required Level: 51
Required Dexterity: 195
Item Level: 77
+2 to Necromancer Skill Levels
30% Cast Speed
+(51 to 70)% to Summoned Minion Life
+(41 to 45)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+(131 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+(176 to 200) to Mana
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)
, but you can start there.


edit: oh, and you should probably put 1 point in all of the skills in the support tree. Death Ward will give you 150% or more TCD with just +skills. Nightwalker in the Malice tree is also a decent one-pointer for free cast speed.
Semigloss
Onyx Knight
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Fate weaver and graven image is a good combo that gives you really nice mana pool, which means more points for strength and dex. You can use the NM griswold reward armor too which saves a ton of strength.

I usually make an honorific belt and give myself 50 str/dex on it. Goes a long way and you're not sacrificing any minion stats with a belt.
r41714
Rust Claw
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There is a summon necro link embedded in the starter builds below. Great place to start

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=45921&hilit=starter+build
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Frytas
Onyx Knight
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I'd recommend respecing to skeletons + hawks, cause hawks are amazing at single target and skeletons have decent aoe. What you're going with is ok for farming I suppose(though I wouldn't invest into iron golem so hard, he's fine at 1p), but you're gonna struggle with bosses as you may have already noticed.

Also what he said:
Siosilvar wrote:Death Ward will give you 150% or more TCD with just +skills.

That, and you get %TCD for points in resurgency. So free def for 5 points.