Minion builds : Assendacy options and snipers vs arsonists vs reavers
So tomorrow morning I'm starting on minions. Just done some small dabbling but going from new character to end game all SSF is the goal.
However I'm not 100% set on any one build, after the patch notes I was thinking using snipers for clear and reavers for single target.
The idea would be to use snipers with
- fork
- chain
- scattershot
- ricochet
Basically just fully investing into the clear speed option with gas clouds for some extra clear if needed.
And then weapon swap to a setup with reavers for bossing with supports all focused on single target. I'm not sure if this works as it also changes the weapon I'm using so need 2 septures and so more gear needed.
So just wondering what's a solid option as it seems infernalist with arsonist and flame wall is still the most popular even after the changes.
Comments
I tested all minions extensively. Ice Mages are lackluster for many reasons (They are the only minion that can use Wild Shards though). Archers are good despite their flaws. Reavers are good, but bested by ... Warriors. Try Warriors I kid you not that my tooltip with same support gems show Warriors higher dps than Reavers. Despite them costing less and being tankier.
Archers do about the same damage as Warriors, but they are ranged. Playing with full Archers to clear feels god-awful, because they all get in the range try to shoot same mob it dies to first arrow and they all miss. All Warrior should be good in theory, but you summon so many of that they body block each other. I found that, best clear is with some Warriors+ Storm Mages. Storm Mages are pretty underrated, they dont have the highest dps, but their range is same as Archers, their attacks are instant hitscan and chain twice. They also use different set of gems compared to most other minions. Cast Speed, Feeding Frenzy, Lightning Mastery, Minion Mastery, Overcharge a combo of these goes well on Storm Mages. For Warriors you can go any physical support gem there are lots of them. And do not underestimate Hellhound's dps. It actually almost triples Archer's DPS, but you can only have one of it. If you have spare damage gems you can throw it on the dog. He wont die anyways, minions at later game get too tanky.
Archers do work if you want to play them, but I would suggest just using Pierce gem as multi target support. Other ones butcher their single target DPS too much. Fork is just usually worse than Pierce. Use Pierce or Fork and go all damage. Archer do about %17 more DPS than Reavers for me.
Personally enjoying 3-4 snipers and filling rest with reavers and 2 clerics. The new support gem is quite powerful.
The arsonists had better clear but I'm finding the reavers plus snipers are doing more single target reliably and are way safer mapping dangerous maps. Chokes are somewhat annoying but the snipers plus DD have helped navigate those issues.