Necro with Beast

[Mark (newsgroups)]

I was looking at the Beast runeword:
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum

Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)

With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.

My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

[Shiflet]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.

Aye, it's just about the most popular pure summoner(ie, no bone spells)
weapon in the game, and is just about the ONLY weapon a PvP summoner will
use.

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Has anyone tried this out?

A great many people.

[Mark (newsgroups)]

Post by Shiflet

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.

Aye, it's just about the most popular pure summoner(ie, no bone spells)
weapon in the game, and is just about the ONLY weapon a PvP summoner will
use.

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Has anyone tried this out?

A great many people.

Yeah, that was a stupid question. I should have said anyone reading
this post personally tried it out and what was the result like.

Thanks for the reply. I'm tempted to make it in a Beserker Axe so that
if I don't like it, at least I can get use from it otherwise, or trade
it. What is a common weapon to make it in for a necro? Low requirements
flail?

[Shiflet]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Thanks for the reply. I'm tempted to make it in a Beserker Axe so that
if I don't like it, at least I can get use from it otherwise, or trade
it. What is a common weapon to make it in for a necro?

Usually made in zerker axes. The strength requirement would normally be a
bit high, but usually the necro players that can afford a Beast can also
afford an Enigma, which solves the strength problem. I have seen a couple in
lower requirement axes, but zerkers seem to be the norm(I guess so it can
easily be traded if they decide to get rid of the character)

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Low requirements flail?

Only works in axes, scepters, and hammers, so no flails.

[Jamie Kahn Genet]

Post by Shiflet

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.

Aye, it's just about the most popular pure summoner(ie, no bone spells)
weapon in the game

Come again? I guess it would be handy if you went no curses... is that
what you meant?

Post by Shiflet
and is just about the ONLY weapon a PvP summoner will
use.

THAT I can believe.

Post by Shiflet

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Has anyone tried this out?

A great many people.

[Shiflet]

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Come again? I guess it would be handy if you went no curses... is that
what you meant?

It doesn't prevent you from using curses.

[Jamie Kahn Genet]

Post by Shiflet

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Come again? I guess it would be handy if you went no curses... is that
what you meant?

It doesn't prevent you from using curses.

No, but when would you have time if you're mixing it up? Anyway - you
said 'pure summoner', not I.

Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet

[Shiflet]

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
No, but when would you have time if you're mixing it up? Anyway - you
said 'pure summoner', not I.

Who said he'd be mixing it up? AFAIK he wasn't planning on going in and
meleeing with it...

And FYI, a "pure" summoner build uses summons+amp/decrep to kill. No bone
spear/spirit, no CE, his damage output comes from his minions and his merc.

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet
--
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

[The Shadow]

What about making an iron golem out of it!
You have crushing blow, and open wounds and prevent monster heal
your party will get the fanaticism aura
good dmg, +str, IAS.

2nd option.
can u shapeshift with it and still cast spells?

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

[Mickey]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

For a pure summoner.... HELL NO. Why you ask? Well, I'm so glad you
did. A pure summoner doesn't need much mana. CE is the real mana burner
here. WHat apure summoner wants is high skills. Ergo, I would save
weapon and shield slot for things like a terrific want and spirit
shield, and fet fanaticism (at a much higher level, I might add) by
getting a xena merc and handing her a Faith bow.

Just my .04 cents (inflation, ya know).

Mickey

[Shiflet]

Post by Mickey
For a pure summoner.... HELL NO. Why you ask? Well, I'm so glad you
did. A pure summoner doesn't need much mana. CE is the real mana burner
here. WHat apure summoner wants is high skills.

Beast has +2 skills. Not quite as high as a HotO or godly wand, but nothing
to scoff at.

Post by Mickey
Ergo, I would save weapon and shield slot for things like a terrific want
and spirit
shield,

How does using Beast take up the shield slot? There's nothing preventing him
from using Beast+Spirit.

Post by Mickey
and fet fanaticism (at a much higher level, I might add) by
getting a xena merc and handing her a Faith bow.

Except if you get the necro a xena merc with a Faith bow, your minions get
Fana but no Might. With Beast, they can use a might merc and get BOTH auras.

Post by Mickey
Mickey

[Mickey]

Post by Shiflet

Post by Mickey
For a pure summoner.... HELL NO. Why you ask? Well, I'm so glad you
did. A pure summoner doesn't need much mana. CE is the real mana burner
here. WHat apure summoner wants is high skills.

Beast has +2 skills. Not quite as high as a HotO or godly wand, but nothing
to scoff at.

Gee, I found an advantage to being at work on Saturday, I get to see
this post. It's nice to see that in your rush to always contradict me,
you still manage to say stupid things.

As Mark posted in his original post:

Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)


Beast has no plus skills (unless you are playing with some hacked
item), ergo you give up a TON of possible skills, from say a HoTo, an
Arm of Leo or a white wand. We are talking about giving up +5 to
skeletons and skeleton masterty with an Arm of Leoric, and possible
more with a white wand made in the right wand.

Post by Shiflet

Post by Mickey
Ergo, I would save weapon and shield slot for things like a terrific want
and spirit
shield,

How does using Beast take up the shield slot? There's nothing preventing him
from using Beast+Spirit.

It doesn't, it takes away from the weapon slot.

Post by Shiflet

Post by Mickey
and fet fanaticism (at a much higher level, I might add) by
getting a xena merc and handing her a Faith bow.

Except if you get the necro a xena merc with a Faith bow, your minions get
Fana but no Might. With Beast, they can use a might merc and get BOTH auras.

Yes, but you lose EIGHT levels on the fanat. I'd rather have a level 17
fanat than a level 9 fanat and the level 3 or 4 might the merc gives
you, ESPECIALLY when one considers the ENORMOUS loss of skills.

Then again, what do I know about necros :))))))

Mickey

[Shiflet]

Post by Mickey
Beast has no plus skills (unless you are playing with some hacked
item), ergo you give up a TON of possible skills, from say a HoTo, an
Arm of Leo or a white wand. We are talking about giving up +5 to
skeletons and skeleton masterty with an Arm of Leoric, and possible
more with a white wand made in the right wand.

I was sure Beast had +2 skills and AS was mistaken, I'll check my Beast
later though and be sure.

Post by Mickey
Yes, but you lose EIGHT levels on the fanat. I'd rather have a level 17
fanat than a level 9 fanat and the level 3 or 4 might the merc gives
you, ESPECIALLY when one considers the ENORMOUS loss of skills.

The merc at high level gives something like lvl 17 Might, not lvl 3 or 4.
And might at that level+lvl 9 fana gives a higher damage boost than lvl 17
Fana alone. Your AR boost will be lower, but damage will be higher. And of
course, using a might merc, you could(if you really wanted), throw on a
Pride polearm and give your army Concentration as well.

Post by Mickey
Then again, what do I know about necros :))))))
Mickey

[~misfit~]

Post by Mickey

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

For a pure summoner.... HELL NO. Why you ask? Well, I'm so glad you
did. A pure summoner doesn't need much mana. CE is the real mana
burner here. WHat apure summoner wants is high skills. Ergo, I would
save weapon and shield slot for things like a terrific want and spirit
shield, and fet fanaticism (at a much higher level, I might add) by
getting a xena merc and handing her a Faith bow.
Just my .04 cents (inflation, ya know).

I tried this but gave up. The rogue merc often stood too far back and the
(admittedly level 15) fana aura didn't reach the skellies who were ahead of
the necro. I found that, about 70% of the time, the aura didn't reach to the
skellies.

Now the Faith on my Zealot's rogue is just fine. :-)

[Mickey]

Post by ~misfit~

Post by Mickey

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

For a pure summoner.... HELL NO. Why you ask? Well, I'm so glad you
did. A pure summoner doesn't need much mana. CE is the real mana
burner here. WHat apure summoner wants is high skills. Ergo, I would
save weapon and shield slot for things like a terrific want and spirit
shield, and fet fanaticism (at a much higher level, I might add) by
getting a xena merc and handing her a Faith bow.
Just my .04 cents (inflation, ya know).

I tried this but gave up. The rogue merc often stood too far back and the
(admittedly level 15) fana aura didn't reach the skellies who were ahead of
the necro. I found that, about 70% of the time, the aura didn't reach to the
skellies.
Now the Faith on my Zealot's rogue is just fine. :-)

Then the necro was too far back :)

I just tried it and it worked fine. It actually gave me an idea to
build a necro with a xena merc and a last wish :)

Mickey

[~misfit~]

Post by Mickey

Post by ~misfit~
I tried this but gave up. The rogue merc often stood too far back
and the (admittedly level 15) fana aura didn't reach the skellies
who were ahead of the necro. I found that, about 70% of the time,
the aura didn't reach to the skellies.
Now the Faith on my Zealot's rogue is just fine. :-)

Then the necro was too far back :)

Heh. Probably. However, as you're a proponent of Skellimancers not needing
high resists you can probably understand why he wasn't in the fray.

Post by Mickey
I just tried it and it worked fine. It actually gave me an idea to
build a necro with a xena merc and a last wish :)

Hmmm, that would make for powerful skellies.

[Jamie Kahn Genet]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

Seems a bit of a waste of time IMHO. I mean - why bother? You'll not do
significantly better than one of your skeletons (though you'll have more
killing power, your AR will be piss poor), and you won't have time to
cast curses as tactically if you're always engaging monsters in combat.
You'd be better off giving your Merc a Pride runeword.

Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet

[Shiflet]

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Seems a bit of a waste of time IMHO. I mean - why bother? You'll not do
significantly better than one of your skeletons (though you'll have more
killing power, your AR will be piss poor), and you won't have time to
cast curses as tactically if you're always engaging monsters in combat.

Umm, dude? He's not using it to FIGHT WITH, it's just carrying it to provide
the aura.

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet
--
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

[Jamie Kahn Genet]

Post by Shiflet

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Seems a bit of a waste of time IMHO. I mean - why bother? You'll not do
significantly better than one of your skeletons (though you'll have more
killing power, your AR will be piss poor), and you won't have time to
cast curses as tactically if you're always engaging monsters in combat.

Umm, dude? He's not using it to FIGHT WITH, it's just carrying it to provide
the aura.

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet

Waste of time, then. It won't reach all his minions and severely cuts
the number of plus skills you can have.

Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet

[Shiflet]

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Waste of time, then. It won't reach all his minions

If he's staying somewhat near the frontlines(or using telekill) it will
reach the majority of them though.

Post by Jamie Kahn Genet
Regards,
Jamie Kahn Genet
--
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

[Mark (newsgroups)]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

I made one. It seems like the Fanatacism does make a difference and the
aura reaches most of my minions as long as I move up close enough. I'm
pretty happy with the results. Since I haven't been playing my Necro
very much, this has revived my interest. When I get bored I may decide
to trade the Beast BA for some new toy.

[Patrick Vervoorn]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
With the cheap cost of high runes these days, this seems like an
interesting weapon for a summoning Necromancer (skelemancer) to user.
My current weapon is an Arm of Leoric. Not that my Necro needs more
killing power, but it could be fun. Has anyone tried this out?

I made one. It seems like the Fanatacism does make a difference and the
aura reaches most of my minions as long as I move up close enough. I'm
pretty happy with the results. Since I haven't been playing my Necro
very much, this has revived my interest. When I get bored I may decide
to trade the Beast BA for some new toy.

Out of curiosity, what weapon did you make it in, and what did you roll on
the variables?

If it's in an elite weapon, it could be a very nice weapon for about any
melee build too... Think of a melee Paladin with a maxed Concentration or
Might aura, with this added...

Regards,

Patrick.

[~misfit~]

Post by Patrick Vervoorn

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
I made one. It seems like the Fanatacism does make a difference and
the aura reaches most of my minions as long as I move up close
enough. I'm pretty happy with the results. Since I haven't been
playing my Necro very much, this has revived my interest. When I
get bored I may decide to trade the Beast BA for some new toy.

Out of curiosity, what weapon did you make it in, and what did you
roll on the variables?
If it's in an elite weapon, it could be a very nice weapon for about
any melee build too... Think of a melee Paladin with a maxed
Concentration or Might aura, with this added...

I think "Beast BA" means Berserker Axe. ;-)

[Patrick Vervoorn]

Post by ~misfit~

Post by Patrick Vervoorn

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
I made one. It seems like the Fanatacism does make a difference and
the aura reaches most of my minions as long as I move up close
enough. I'm pretty happy with the results. Since I haven't been
playing my Necro very much, this has revived my interest. When I
get bored I may decide to trade the Beast BA for some new toy.

Out of curiosity, what weapon did you make it in, and what did you
roll on the variables?
If it's in an elite weapon, it could be a very nice weapon for about
any melee build too... Think of a melee Paladin with a maxed
Concentration or Might aura, with this added...

I think "Beast BA" means Berserker Axe. ;-)

D'oh. I read over that. Nice, the 5 socket BA alone is worth 2 Ists on SC
Europe Ladder. Still, curious as to the stats, and still think also
something like a Frenzy Barb will like it a lot.

Also, I read some guide which described a super-fast kicking assassin,
using the Werebear on Beast as a way to get there. Plenty of obvious and
less obvious waysto use this.

I also still have my self-found Ber tucked away on my rune-mule, and no
idea what to do with it. I'm certainly not going to combine it with even a
traded Ist to turn it into a CoH for instance. And for this, I'd have to
be pretty sure I found the Um and Mal myself (to remain on the safe side).

Regards,

Patrick.

[~misfit~]

Post by Patrick Vervoorn

Post by ~misfit~
I think "Beast BA" means Berserker Axe. ;-)

D'oh. I read over that. Nice, the 5 socket BA alone is worth 2 Ists
on SC Europe Ladder. Still, curious as to the stats, and still think
also something like a Frenzy Barb will like it a lot.

I inherited a Frenzy barb after the reset who had a Beast paired with an eth
BotD BA, CoH, yada, yada, yada..

He was fun to play. I got dueled a bit and even his merc was taking out
other players. (Might merc had Doom, Duress and Andy's Vis)

[Mark (newsgroups)]

[snip beast info]

Post by Patrick Vervoorn

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
I made one. It seems like the Fanatacism does make a difference and the
aura reaches most of my minions as long as I move up close enough. I'm
pretty happy with the results. Since I haven't been playing my Necro
very much, this has revived my interest. When I get bored I may decide
to trade the Beast BA for some new toy.

Out of curiosity, what weapon did you make it in, and what did you roll on
the variables?
If it's in an elite weapon, it could be a very nice weapon for about any
melee build too... Think of a melee Paladin with a maxed Concentration or
Might aura, with this added...

Yup, as Shaun posted already, it's in a Bererker Axe. Just a plain 'ol
one, no ED but still worth a bit. The roll unfortunately wasn't very
good. I can't remember offhand, but probably about 20 - 30% if you
calculate the variables :-( I'll check tonight and let you know.

Still, when I get bored of it on my necro I may very well try another
build. Possibly even an Enchantress would like it, or I'll try it on my
current Kicker hybrid although I doubt it will be better than the
Stormlash she has.

[Shadowalk]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
[snip beast info]

Post by Patrick Vervoorn

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
I made one. It seems like the Fanatacism does make a difference and the
aura reaches most of my minions as long as I move up close enough. I'm
pretty happy with the results. Since I haven't been playing my Necro
very much, this has revived my interest. When I get bored I may decide
to trade the Beast BA for some new toy.

Out of curiosity, what weapon did you make it in, and what did you roll on
the variables?
If it's in an elite weapon, it could be a very nice weapon for about any
melee build too... Think of a melee Paladin with a maxed Concentration or
Might aura, with this added...

Yup, as Shaun posted already, it's in a Bererker Axe. Just a plain 'ol
one, no ED but still worth a bit. The roll unfortunately wasn't very
good. I can't remember offhand, but probably about 20 - 30% if you
calculate the variables :-( I'll check tonight and let you know.
Still, when I get bored of it on my necro I may very well try another
build. Possibly even an Enchantress would like it, or I'll try it on my
current Kicker hybrid although I doubt it will be better than the
Stormlash she has.

are you bongo but at work when on that account? (the keeper of the HC
mules?)

if so send me an email with login details sometime i can help you out in the
future

***@yahoo.co.uk

(dont care about spam really lol)
--
Shadowalk -
Acct Name *echobeaver

My Shadow's the only one that walks beside me

US East SC
US East HC
US West SC
US West HC

[Mark (newsgroups)]

[snip]

Post by Shadowalk
are you bongo but at work when on that account? (the keeper of the HC
mules?)

Nope, another Mark. We've got a few on agd2 it seems. Perhaps I should
change my display name.

[Mark (newsgroups)]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Yup, as Shaun posted already, it's in a Bererker Axe. Just a plain 'ol
one, no ED but still worth a bit. The roll unfortunately wasn't very
good. I can't remember offhand, but probably about 20 - 30% if you
calculate the variables :-( I'll check tonight and let you know.

251 / 31. Not very good.

[Patrick Vervoorn]

Post by Mark (newsgroups)

Post by Mark (newsgroups)
Yup, as Shaun posted already, it's in a Bererker Axe. Just a plain 'ol
one, no ED but still worth a bit. The roll unfortunately wasn't very
good. I can't remember offhand, but probably about 20 - 30% if you
calculate the variables :-( I'll check tonight and let you know.

251 / 31. Not very good.

Well, it ain't perfect, but I suppose it will deal a pretty nice amount of
damage if/when used on a Melee build...

Regards,

Patrick.