[2.0]Rathik's NEWBIE FRIENDLY FUN&CHEAP FARMER, DPS Summoner. High AOE DMG, SURVIVAL."The Matriarch"

Hello, Rathik. I was actually thinking of where I was going with my summoner, and this build is spot on! Many thanks!

One question though, what is your reasoning behind not including Alira's +40 mana as a bandit reward? Couldn't find it through the search bar. Will this build have more than enough mana at high levels that +40 base mana is negligible?

Hey Rathik, just wanna thank you for this great guide it's lots of fun. I just made it to level 70. I killed Piety and Dominus with some issues but it's certainly not impossible.
I've tried out a couple maps so far, Burning ground, and half regen, no problem at all for a lvl 68 map.
Only issue I ran into was lack of gear, but the PoE Goods website helped solve that. most of my gear was bought for pretty cheap, couple chaos.
Should I start my transition to the CI/ES now?

Current build
Gear

First of all, much thanks to Rathik for what is one of the best guides that I've seen posted for any class. I love that it says so much about what we're looking for and revealing the available options, rather than just "do this, and then do this next."

"

ata wrote:

Hello, Rathik. I was actually thinking of where I was going with my summoner, and this build is spot on! Many thanks!

One question though, what is your reasoning behind not including Alira's +40 mana as a bandit reward? Couldn't find it through the search bar. Will this build have more than enough mana at high levels that +40 base mana is negligible?

My experience so far, at level 65 and having just respecced to CI, is that mana just isn't an issue. My current setup (level 5 Clarity, Purity of Elements, Discipline, Reduced Mana, and 13% worth of passive skill tree reduction to Reserved Mana) leaves me about 250 unreserved mana, and even that low total is plenty unless I just start spamming curses. I imagine that it will get better as I get more intelligence and more gear over time.

So I'm not sure that it's a matter of more than enough mana as much as it is that you just don't need that much mana. The passive skill points though...you need a whole lot of those.

This is my first and only character (86 witch), and followed this guide from level 1. Maybe not the fastest way to level a first character but hey, PoE was still new and I wanted to play a summoner right away. At around level 60 I was so frustrated that I took a break from the game, as my minions were constantly dying - and consequently, myself included.

Didn't have the money, nor friends with money, to buy a high quality/level zombie gem straight away. So, here I am, last week my zombie gem hit level 20 and I gradually improved its quality down the road. Currently, I finally got a decent gear setup (269/147 - IR:IQ with flask, 7.7k ES), crafted the Vaal myself from a 3s Vaal base (also not the most brilliant idea but luckily the 6L came pretty fast ... one day I will continue with this project):


Although I have many improvements to make, things are finally looking decent. And I must say, it's really a blast to play :) Totally love my zombies and how simple and effective this build works. I honestly do not understand how people can say this build is boring to play as there is always stuff to do. And hey, if there isn't then I can pick-up my loot :---P

Currently I'm working on my gems. Have some gems leveled to 20 and turned them in for +20% quality gems. No idea if this is very efficient but the only gem I really need at lvl 20 is my zombie gem.So, to all the starting summoners I want to say the following: Don't give up! It's really getting better with some decent gear and gems. It's pretty awesome.

So thanks Rathik for this nice guide and build ;---)

One question for you though. Do you have any thoughts on the upcoming patch 1.0.6 with respect to this build? Myself I'm quite excited with some of the new spells (Desecrate, flesh- and bone offering). I'm thinking of abandoning my spectres. Although I have only recently discovered the strengths of the undying evangelists, I don't like to get them everytime I start a new game or especially during party play when one of them dies. Rather buff my zombies some more with cool spells ... So, what are your thoughts on this matter?

Myeh, long wall of text ...

40 mana is not really useful, I don't recommend it.

The new spells look promising. Problem is what gems to remove so you can include them.
Of course it depends on there values, e.g Desecrate, if the chaos damage is pitiful, which it most likely will be, then it might not worth using, he have to wait and see.


For the specters, as I said before, the build is not focused around them. Use generic support gems on RZ and summon what ever comes in your path.


EDIT

600k view mark.

Hey Rathik,

thank you very much for this build. I started it yesterday and I am on lvl 32 now. Zombies are still weak as you described, but rolling with EK and sometimes in a party is pretty decent.
Getting the gems together now (to me it makes sense to lvl them as soon as possible) and looking forward to stronger zombies.

Not sure yet if I will use spectre and/or skeletons. Any experience and preferences from other players?

You need Skeles. Especially when leveling they are your bombing squad against bosses.
You only need this exploding minions point on skilltree.

Spectres is nice to have if you cast those shield guys from last wp in act3.

Ah thanks for the tip. I just got that skill. So now the skele party will begin haha!

With specters I will see then..
What would be a useful alternative for the spectre slots?

"

summerhair wrote:

With specters I will see then..
What would be a useful alternative for the spectre slots?

I would still keep the gems. If you have a helm with "+2 to minion gems", you can put your gems for spectres in there.

Even if you dont focus on spectres, you can still use them and just summon whatever is available. For example, you're in Docks, just summon fire dogs. You're in Lunaris, use Burned Miscreations. In Sceptre of God, use Evangelists; and so on. They take only a second to summon and are of use to you.

Hey guys

This question might seem a bit noobish (becuase i am) but...

How do you level Ethernal Knives?

The leveling items does not have any dexterity?


Plz dont flame