Oh, you’re like me then with the fire! So I pick up fire power whenever I can. I like how you call the minion as meat shield. They are that aren’t they? Lol
But also yes, they don’t last long enough. Re-casting them is a pain and I believe that was what @mattclarke was talking about with his holy relic to heal his allies. I haven’t used that myself. My rejuvenation totem is unexciting too.
I’m also interested in chaos damage, again due to something Matt wrote, which is why I’ve been playing around with curse and contagion. I’m all over the place atm, but I originally was purely focused on fire and zombies. Try and get that gem that conjures up phantoms to add to your minions too. They are handy.
With the gems, the main thing to remember is (from mynlimited knowledge), is a support gem must be in linked to a skill gem. The links do not need to be adjacent (@ratticus confirmed this). They just need to be in a linked chain. So if you have a skill gem>skill gem>support gem>support gem, the two skills will be supported by the support gems. This is why more linked sockets are valued. So regardless of rarity of an item, it’s really the socket config that is valued as you can improve stuff through orbs and crafting. I’m still not clear on crafting, but I keep an eye out for well socketed items now.
You might have already noticed this, I only noticed yesterday, but the details of a support gem will tell you which skill gem they are compatible with too. I still don’t fully understand the affects of some support gems based on their description.
I've picked one small area up top of the skill tree to make my minions last longer; I didn't want to waste too many points since I have my eye on a couple of other areas. So far it is ok; better than before. They last most big fights; unless its a really tough one.
Chaos damage is like a warlock build from the looks of it. Using curses and dot (damage over time). I haven't really experimented because I wanted to kill faster at this point of time.
Ooo yes; I had the phantoms gem from the get-go. I've linked it with 2 other gems. One is a (red) totem support and other is the floating burning skulls that seek out enemies (blue). Sorry; forgot the name and I've already logged out. So pretty much I cast the totem and it shoots out all the skulls for me which gives the chance of the phantoms to pop up. One click and it is all on auto; well for 8 seconds that is.
Also there are two healing totems; one just heals life at a slower rate; where as the other heals both life and mana at a faster rate which is dependable on how many corpses are around; it heals according to each corpse it devours. But the slower one I noticed also heals my minions. I'm just testing both out to see which would work better for me. There is another skill that puts out corpses for you to use as you please; which would help with the faster healing totem.
I am currently on the path of putting a point in the skill tree to increase the allowed amount of totems out at one time by 1. That way I can run around heal and have the totem do damage with my skulls that brings out phantoms too. kekekeke
Omg; I just noticed them too. But only when it was an award item as opposed to already in a socket. Oh another thing I tested out and can confirm it works; is if you have spare gem slots; you can put any other gems in there (even same type you are currently using) so it can level up. That way you have a back up gem if future enhancement fails or you have a gem you wish to use in the future; but don't have the right links/colour sockets yet. That way when you do use it, the gem level is higher and stats are better. If you do use the same gem type to level up; make sure you set the correct spell key if there is a support gem connected to it.
Also if you like minions; the summon skeleton corrupted gem is really cool. If you use the corrupted spell one, it summons a whole army of skeletons for a limited time. Though you need to built up souls in order to use it; but it is worth it for when you get into big fights.
Oh, I have to reply to this! Very interesting info, but it needs much more focus than I can give right now because hubby is getting bossy. He wants me to get off my backside to run with him. I’ll reply later and delay my game log on some more. 🤣. I’ll try to share my skill tree and my flawed strategies at some point. You can spend all your time posting and talking about the game and barely play!
Just discovered something better than the flying fire skulls to add to totem/summon phantasms gems. Armageddon Brand. Causes fiery meteor to fall from the sky on the target.
Muahaha; burn baby burn.
Also I'll be receiving a new project soon; so I won't be able to play much. You'll have to keep your poe post updates coming to fill me in.
I still haven’t logged on to play since I last commented you. I’m officially back at work today, so I’m avoiding logging on and getting lost in PoE. But I was going to check out your last comment and definitely this one. Without analyzing too closely, I think you might be more effectively applying the gems than I. I had this stupid flying skull head around me. I thought it was extremely dopey. But maybe you mean if they were flying around the 6 zombie heads of my undead buddies, it’d be more effective. Yes, I want everyone to burn....I will check it out tonight.
I was scanning the PoE forums though, I read up you can hunt for rare hideouts in the maps (after the acts) and decorate them! I am more motivated now to play more rather than just socializing and reading up on stuff! Hehe.
I played til pretty late last night; two reason. One, because I won't be able to play as much since I've got that new project. Two, because I stuffed up with my sockets and gems. Accidentally sold a gem that was in a gear when I was changing my gears and gems with new ones. Then I needed the new gems to link properly and I ran out of items to try to fix it. The stupid random roller was not kind to me at all. i.e. tried to add one extra link; it gave me 0; then 1; then 0; then 1; then 0; then 1. Really? The same with the colours. I wanted to get it sorted last night while the setup plan was still fresh in my mind. Of course it didn't work.
Oooo yes; i found some of those hideouts. Was wondering what they were when I stumbled across them. I also did a safehouse run. I originally had one open and I didn't want to do it yet; but then after some time; the safehouse is no longer available and you have to get points into again. So as soon as the next one was open; I gave it a go.
Oh; you can also invite some npc into your hideout. I noticed the option when I was talking to the lady with the prophecy. I haven't tried decorating the hideout. I think you have to buy items if you want to add things. But you can move what is currently in your hideout I believe.
Geez, woman....you are streaking way ahead! But it’s okay, just play on the weekend. I need you to keep training, to beat @mattaclarke’s ‘gentlemen’. Like, he didn’t even have to include ‘ladies’ in his statement as there was none! I’ll talk more on the hideouts, still working! I really want to get on, but must resist....
lol; I wasn't sure what you meant so I went to have a look and saw the post. We might have to join the next on just so he can add the word 'ladies' to the post.
I'm suppose to be working too; thought I would check if I had received any replies from you and there were!!!
hahaha you're all good. Go for a run and clear you mind.