Amp Damage or Iron Maiden?

[Brian Kastel]

I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all the
killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to play,
but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to make Iron
Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That sounds fun.
Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life Tap, I think.
But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron Maiden will be
more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will have to put a
point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for myself, but I'm
wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early curses.

[Mark]

Post by Brian Kastel
but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to make
Iron Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That
sounds fun.

I tried it a few ladder seasons ago, 20 in IG and Mastery and they were
still pretty much useless in Hell games. But it's different and you get
points for style. Just don't expect it to be too effective.

Post by Brian Kastel
I'm just wondering if Iron Maiden will be more effective (faster killing)
than Amplify Damage. I will have to put a point into it anyway, so I
guess I could try it and see for myself, but I'm wondering if anyone has a
favorite take on these two early curses.

IM for Normal Diablo, Decrepify for the other Act bosses, Amp for everything
else. That's for general play, but all the curses deserve at least one
point, and they're all great in the right circumstances.

Regards-
Mark

Bongo-Fury

[cheri]

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all
the killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to
play, but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to
make Iron Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That
sounds fun. Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life
Tap, I think. But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron
Maiden will be more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will
have to put a point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for
myself, but I'm wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early
curses.

What about if you made some runewords. Not expensive ones but maybe ones
like Insight or words that are cheap but have Auras that can benefit you and
the rest of your party. Do they still work? Especially if you make them out
of something Major. Like Lawbringer out of Eth Balrog Blade or something
like that. Hehehe.

[m***@yahoo.com]

Post by cheri

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all
the killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to
play, but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to
make Iron Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That
sounds fun. Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life
Tap, I think. But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron
Maiden will be more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will
have to put a point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for
myself, but I'm wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early
curses.

What about if you made some runewords. Not expensive ones but maybe ones
like Insight or words that are cheap but have Auras that can benefit you and
the rest of your party. Do they still work?

Hmmm, good question, I don't see why not. That's actually an
interesting idea. I need the aura from Insight more than I need my
mercs damage in the Chaos Sanctuary so making an iron golem from one
may not be the worst idea. I'm not sure how well it would work since
the golem would probably just kill itself when IMd I suppose.

[Jake_Mysterio]

Post by m***@yahoo.com

Post by cheri

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all
the killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to
play, but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to
make Iron Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then.
That
sounds fun. Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life
Tap, I think. But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron
Maiden will be more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will
have to put a point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for
myself, but I'm wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early
curses.

What about if you made some runewords. Not expensive ones but maybe ones
like Insight or words that are cheap but have Auras that can benefit you and
the rest of your party. Do they still work?

Hmmm, good question, I don't see why not. That's actually an
interesting idea. I need the aura from Insight more than I need my
mercs damage in the Chaos Sanctuary so making an iron golem from one
may not be the worst idea. I'm not sure how well it would work since
the golem would probably just kill itself when IMd I suppose.

Yeah Insight is cheap to make. Very easy runes to find. That would allow you
to put something like Obedience or if you can afford it better like
Infinity. If you're on USWSC and need some Sol runes to help towards making
some insights i can spare some. My trapper just recently found 3 in the same
game. I have plenty of those runes. If you need a few msg me.
*Jake_Mysterio3 is the usual account i'm using atm.

[m***@yahoo.com]

Post by Jake_Mysterio

Post by m***@yahoo.com

Post by cheri
What about if you made some runewords. Not expensive ones but maybe ones
like Insight or words that are cheap but have Auras that can benefit you
and the rest of your party. Do they still work?

Hmmm, good question, I don't see why not. That's actually an
interesting idea. I need the aura from Insight more than I need my
mercs damage in the Chaos Sanctuary so making an iron golem from one
may not be the worst idea. I'm not sure how well it would work since
the golem would probably just kill itself when IMd I suppose.

Yeah Insight is cheap to make. Very easy runes to find. That would allow you
to put something like Obedience or if you can afford it better like
Infinity. If you're on USWSC and need some Sol runes to help towards making
some insights i can spare some. My trapper just recently found 3 in the same
game. I have plenty of those runes. If you need a few msg me.
*Jake_Mysterio3 is the usual account i'm using atm.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm playing on Europe SC Ladder. I also have
4 spare Sol runes at the moment. I found a 4 socket polearm last night
actually and completely forgot about this idea. Next time I will
definately remember to try it out (unless the polearm is a very good
one).

[m***@yahoo.com]

Post by m***@yahoo.com

Post by Jake_Mysterio

Post by m***@yahoo.com

Post by cheri
What about if you made some runewords. Not expensive ones but maybe ones
like Insight or words that are cheap but have Auras that can benefit you
and the rest of your party. Do they still work?

Hmmm, good question, I don't see why not. That's actually an
interesting idea. I need the aura from Insight more than I need my
mercs damage in the Chaos Sanctuary so making an iron golem from one
may not be the worst idea. I'm not sure how well it would work since
the golem would probably just kill itself when IMd I suppose.

Yeah Insight is cheap to make. Very easy runes to find. That would allow you
to put something like Obedience or if you can afford it better like
Infinity. If you're on USWSC and need some Sol runes to help towards making
some insights i can spare some. My trapper just recently found 3 in the same
game. I have plenty of those runes. If you need a few msg me.
*Jake_Mysterio3 is the usual account i'm using atm.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm playing on Europe SC Ladder. I also have
4 spare Sol runes at the moment. I found a 4 socket polearm last night
actually and completely forgot about this idea. Next time I will
definately remember to try it out (unless the polearm is a very good
one).

Just to report back. I tried it out, and it does indeed work. I would
like to say it works well, but I found it quite inconvenient. I have
come to rely on my golem as a semi useful defensive tactic, and often
re-cast my clay or fire golem as I find necessary. Suddenly having to
stop myself doing this was quite annoying. Then, during a baal run the
other night, I was helping someone recover their body outside of the
throne room and I died myself and therefore lost the iron golem. Up
until that point though the golem had handled pretty well. Bear in mind
that I have 5 hard points in golem mastery which is more than your
standard skelemancer build. Also, I always use the clay golem against
bosses to slow them down and not having this option because of the iron
golem was a little annoying. So I won't bother doing this again, but in
an emergency, yes, it works. Probably a better option is to take that
low damage insight polearm and put it on your merc around OKs. I even
just take my mercs weapon right off and just quaff mana pots.

[noneyabusiness]

On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:14:27 GMT, "Brian Kastel"

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all the
killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to play,
but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to make Iron
Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That sounds fun.
Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life Tap, I think.
But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron Maiden will be
more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will have to put a
point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for myself, but I'm
wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early curses.

Amp is more "party friendly". Most people dont want to TAKE any damage
in order to damage the monster (I'm presuming PvM here). Also, many
monsters have a low ratio of "damage dealt to hit points", or use
elemental attacks, rendering Iron Maiden useless against the stronger
monsters (although I have seem some success against Cows with a strong
golem).

If you're going with skels and golems, use Amp or Decrep.
(Use lower resists with mages.)
Attract is also fun...

If you're into PvP, and don't mind whiners, use IM against other
players ;-)

...

[Zamboni]

Post by noneyabusiness
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:14:27 GMT, "Brian Kastel"

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all the
killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to play,
but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to make Iron
Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That sounds fun.
Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life Tap, I think.
But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron Maiden will be
more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will have to put a
point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for myself, but I'm
wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early curses.

Amp is more "party friendly". Most people dont want to TAKE any damage
in order to damage the monster (I'm presuming PvM here). Also, many
monsters have a low ratio of "damage dealt to hit points", or use
elemental attacks, rendering Iron Maiden useless against the stronger
monsters (although I have seem some success against Cows with a strong
golem).

Another big issue is how fast they heal. A monster with a low damage to
life ratio will often heal more damage between swings than it takes from
Iron Maiden.
--
Zamboni

[eb]

Post by noneyabusiness
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:14:27 GMT, "Brian Kastel"

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all the
killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to play,
but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to make Iron
Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That sounds fun.
Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life Tap, I think.
But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron Maiden will be
more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will have to put a
point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for myself, but I'm
wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early curses.

Amp is more "party friendly". Most people dont want to TAKE any damage
in order to damage the monster (I'm presuming PvM here). Also, many
monsters have a low ratio of "damage dealt to hit points", or use
elemental attacks, rendering Iron Maiden useless against the stronger
monsters (although I have seem some success against Cows with a strong
golem).
If you're going with skels and golems, use Amp or Decrep.
(Use lower resists with mages.)
Attract is also fun...
If you're into PvP, and don't mind whiners, use IM against other
players ;-)
...

also Amp is good with Corspe Explosion. Doubles the power.

[Brian Kastel]

"eb" wrote...

Post by eb

Post by noneyabusiness
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:14:27 GMT, "Brian Kastel"

Post by Brian Kastel
I just started a summoner necro yesterday. He's approaching 20, now, and
I've been using just a 1-point Amp Damage for the army (6 skellies, 1 clay
golem, and a Rogue merc). I don't even have to do anything; they do all the
killing, and he just milks the experience. Effortless character to play,
but the only reason I'm making one is because I want to use him to make Iron
Golems out of the extra elite uniques I find now and then. That sounds fun.
Also, he could be useful for bringing into a UT game for Life Tap, I think.
But that's way off. Right now, I'm just wondering if Iron Maiden will be
more effective (faster killing) than Amplify Damage. I will have to put a
point into it anyway, so I guess I could try it and see for myself, but I'm
wondering if anyone has a favorite take on these two early curses.

Amp is more "party friendly". Most people dont want to TAKE any damage
in order to damage the monster (I'm presuming PvM here). Also, many
monsters have a low ratio of "damage dealt to hit points", or use
elemental attacks, rendering Iron Maiden useless against the stronger
monsters (although I have seem some success against Cows with a strong
golem).
If you're going with skels and golems, use Amp or Decrep.
(Use lower resists with mages.)
Attract is also fun...
If you're into PvP, and don't mind whiners, use IM against other
players ;-)
...

also Amp is good with Corspe Explosion. Doubles the power.

Thanks to all for the information. I've got to devise a new hotkey layout
for this stuff.

[Zamboni]

Post by eb
also Amp is good with Corspe Explosion. Doubles the power.

Almost. CE is half fire, half physical. Amp doubles the physical half
for a 50% total gain.

In Hell, it's half fire, one quarter physical due to the universal
physical resists. Amp effectively triples the physical damage (50%
resist to -50% resist) making it half damage / three-quarter physical.
(Blizzard math.)
--
Zamboni

[eb]

Post by eb
also Amp is good with Corspe Explosion. Doubles the power.

Almost. CE is half fire, half physical. Amp doubles the physical half for
a 50% total gain.
In Hell, it's half fire, one quarter physical due to the universal
physical resists. Amp effectively triples the physical damage (50% resist
to -50% resist) making it half damage / three-quarter physical. (Blizzard
math.)
--
Zamboni

Good call