Zoomancer Guide - Revision history

Explodicle: Version number, dated language

2022-07-26T14:11:41Z

Version number, dated language

NorthFury: Fixed links

2011-11-27T08:46:24Z

Fixed links

Onderduiker at 10:56, 18 May 2011

2011-05-18T10:56:05Z

Explodicle: /* Bone Wall */ 3rd time's the charm...

2010-10-31T03:06:44Z

Bone Wall: 3rd time's the charm...

Explodicle: /* Bone Wall */ oops, should be a lvl 3 section

2010-10-31T03:05:58Z

Bone Wall: oops, should be a lvl 3 section

Explodicle: /* Poison & Bone */ added bone wall

2010-10-31T03:05:26Z

Poison & Bone: added bone wall

Explodicle: various tweaks

2010-10-31T02:58:49Z

various tweaks

Show changes

Explodicle: version note

2010-05-16T00:31:25Z

version note

Explodicle: /* Baal */ update

2010-05-16T00:22:51Z

Baal: update

Explodicle: /* Act II Mercenaries */ tweaks

2010-05-16T00:12:30Z

Act II Mercenaries: tweaks

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-The '''Zoomancer''' is a [[Necromancer]] that specializes in the use of the summoning tree for its offense and defense. This is intended as a PvM build, and would fare poorly in PvP. This guide has been most recently updated for Diablo II version 1.13.
+The '''Zoomancer''' is a [[Necromancer]] that specializes in the use of the summoning tree for its offense and defense. This is intended as a PvM build, and would fare poorly in PvP. This guide has been most recently updated for Diablo II version 1.14D.
 ==Introduction==
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 *'''Defiance/Blessed Aim''' are good early on, but eventually become unnecessary.
 *'''Thorns''' is great while your character level is low compared to the monsters, but loses effectiveness as you level up. You can also get the Thorns aura easily from an Edge runeword weapon.
-*'''Holy Freeze''' is good defensively, but can cause monsters to shatter and rob you of a corpse. Fail.
+*'''Holy Freeze''' is good defensively, but can cause monsters to shatter and rob you of a corpse.
 *'''Might''' is generally considered to be the most useful aura for a Zoomancer, as it will ''significantly'' improve your minion damage.
 One useful strategy is to use Prayer/Defiance until Act II Nightmare, then switch to Thorns until Hell difficulty, then switch to Might for the late game.

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 ====Revive====
-point, and with some +skill items you will have enough of them. Once you've maxed your primary skills or if you really like them, you may wish to invest more. With the exception of NASTY monsters like [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act2-blunderbore.shtml Urdars] and [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5-bloodlord.shtml Frenzytaurs], their damage output is not helpful, but for those three minutes you have them they are practically indestructible. In addition to these two, you may want to bring along the following...
+point, and with some +skill items you will have enough of them. Once you've maxed your primary skills or if you really like them, you may wish to invest more. With the exception of NASTY monsters like [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act2-blunderbore.shtml Urdars] and [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5-bloodlord.shtml Frenzytaurs], their damage output is not helpful, but for those three minutes you have them they are practically indestructible. In addition to these two, you may want to bring along the following...
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act4-vilechild.shtml Vile Children]. All revives have enough hit points. These little buggers are very fast and very aggressive.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act4-vilechild.shtml Vile Children]. All revives have enough hit points. These little buggers are very fast and very aggressive.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act1-corruptrogue.shtml Corrupt Rogues] and [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5g-sandraider.shtml Sand Raiders]. They  will diligently patrol a wide radius looking for trouble when not in combat.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act1-corruptrogue.shtml Corrupt Rogues] and [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5g-sandraider.shtml Sand Raiders]. They  will diligently patrol a wide radius looking for trouble when not in combat.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act2-clawviper.shtml Claw Vipers] are highly agressive and fire bone spears!
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act2-clawviper.shtml Claw Vipers] are highly agressive and fire bone spears!
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5g-megademon.shtml Megademons] will blow your enemies with Inferno!
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5g-megademon.shtml Megademons] will blow your enemies with Inferno!
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-thornedhulk.shtml Thorned Hulks] build up a long-lasting Frenzy to do high damage.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-thornedhulk.shtml Thorned Hulks] build up a long-lasting Frenzy to do high damage.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-councilmember.shtml Council Members] and [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act1-vampire.shtml Vampires] make excellent revive mages.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-councilmember.shtml Council Members] and [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act1-vampire.shtml Vampires] make excellent revive mages.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act1-Wraith.shtml Wraiths] can fly through obstacles, doors, some walls, and other minions (including each other). However, they have physical resistance, so do not use them with Iron Maiden or Thorns.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act1-Wraith.shtml Wraiths] can fly through obstacles, doors, some walls, and other minions (including each other). However, they have physical resistance, so do not use them with Iron Maiden or Thorns.
 However, NEVER revive these monsters...
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-willowisp.shtml Gloams] don't do nearly enough damage to other monsters, tank poorly, trigger other monsters, and confuse you as to which lightning bolts are from your team.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-willowisp.shtml Gloams] don't do nearly enough damage to other monsters, tank poorly, trigger other monsters, and confuse you as to which lightning bolts are from your team.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act2-sandmaggot.shtml Sand Maggots] (not their young) will occasionally lay eggs that are not on your side.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act2-sandmaggot.shtml Sand Maggots] (not their young) will occasionally lay eggs that are not on your side.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act4-regurgitator.shtml Corpse Spitters] will eat your precious corpses, only to be wasted on a useless projectile.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act4-regurgitator.shtml Corpse Spitters] will eat your precious corpses, only to be wasted on a useless projectile.
-*[http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5-demonimp.shtml Demon Imps] do very low damage, and refuse to tank.
+*[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5-demonimp.shtml Demon Imps] do very low damage, and refuse to tank.
 One note is that, occasionally, you will meet a monster that remains physical immune even after you cast amplify damage on it. At that point, elemental-damaging revives are your best bet to kill it, usually in conjunction with Lower Resist.
@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 ====Dim Vision====
--20 points. This is your primary defense against ranged attackers, particularly piercing ranged attackers, and even MORE particularly against [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-willowisp.shtml Gloams]. It also helps to keep enemies from attacking your army all at once, which is useful for getting that crucial first corpse before the bone hits the fan.
+-20 points. This is your primary defense against ranged attackers, particularly piercing ranged attackers, and even MORE particularly against [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-willowisp.shtml Gloams]. It also helps to keep enemies from attacking your army all at once, which is useful for getting that crucial first corpse before the bone hits the fan.
-This skill can also be very useful by preventing enemies from casting spells. Shamans will not resurrect their minions, Pit Lords will not use their Inferno attack, and Vampires will not drop meteors on you. However, [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act4-undeadhorror.shtml Oblivion Knight] mages are immune to Dim Vision, Attract, and Confuse... the only way you can effect their AI is with Terror, which often is not desirable at all.
+This skill can also be very useful by preventing enemies from casting spells. Shamans will not resurrect their minions, Pit Lords will not use their Inferno attack, and Vampires will not drop meteors on you. However, [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act4-undeadhorror.shtml Oblivion Knight] mages are immune to Dim Vision, Attract, and Confuse... the only way you can effect their AI is with Terror, which often is not desirable at all.
 ====Iron Maiden====
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 ===Belts===
 * Anything with four slots should be adequate. A common practice is to imbue the first exceptional sash you find.
-* You aren't going to get any skills here unless you're insanely rich (e.g. [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/elite/ubelts.shtml Unique Spiderweb Sash - Arachnid Mesh]), but this is a nice spot to pick up resistances and life, if that's what you're looking for. Shop for magic belts with these mods.
+* You aren't going to get any skills here unless you're insanely rich (e.g. [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/elite/ubelts.shtml Unique Spiderweb Sash - Arachnid Mesh]), but this is a nice spot to pick up resistances and life, if that's what you're looking for. Shop for magic belts with these mods.
 * '''Goldwrap''' or the set '''Tal Rasha's Fine-Spun Cloth''' provide some magic find.
@@ Line 185: / Line 185: @@
 ===Amulets===
-+3 Summoning skills and +2 Necromancer skills can be gambled, and can also come with other great mods. [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/crafteditems.shtml Crafting] can also get skills and even more cool mods; watch out for the level 89 requirement on the +2 Necro amulet crafts though.
++3 Summoning skills and +2 Necromancer skills can be gambled, and can also come with other great mods. [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/crafteditems.shtml Crafting] can also get skills and even more cool mods; watch out for the level 89 requirement on the +2 Necro amulet crafts though.
 ===Charms===

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-The '''Zoomancer''' is a [[D2 Necromancer|Necromancer build]] that specializes in the use of the summoning tree for its offense and defense. This is intended as a PvM build, and would fare poorly in PvP. This guide has been most recently updated for Diablo II version 1.13.
+The '''Zoomancer''' is a [[Necromancer]] that specializes in the use of the summoning tree for its offense and defense. This is intended as a PvM build, and would fare poorly in PvP. This guide has been most recently updated for Diablo II version 1.13.
 ==Introduction==
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 *I did something! :) [[User:Masterkilla|Masterkilla]] 22:52, 13 Sep 2006 (BST)
 *Fair size edit. [[User:TahiriRocks|TahiriRocks]] 22:34, 14 Sep 2006 (EST)

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 -20 points. The greatest skill of all time. Even with only one point, your +skills items will bring it up to a useful radius. It really shines at choke points and with tightly packed mobs. That, and it's really good at making a cool mess. You should Amplify Damage or Lower Resist all monsters in the vicinity before you cast CE, to maximize its damage potential. One thing to note is that CE does not scale with higher player count, so your CE damage will drastically be lowered in games with many people, doing only 2/9ths of the damage relative to the monster's life in a 8 player game.
-===Bone Wall===
+====Bone Wall====
 -1 point optional. Although usually redundant to skeletons, it can be helpful for blocking charged bolts and non-piercing ranged attackers. The wall dies once one section loses the listed life (as opposed to all sections combined) so shifting around will make it last longer.

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 -20 points. The greatest skill of all time. Even with only one point, your +skills items will bring it up to a useful radius. It really shines at choke points and with tightly packed mobs. That, and it's really good at making a cool mess. You should Amplify Damage or Lower Resist all monsters in the vicinity before you cast CE, to maximize its damage potential. One thing to note is that CE does not scale with higher player count, so your CE damage will drastically be lowered in games with many people, doing only 2/9ths of the damage relative to the monster's life in a 8 player game.
-==Bone Wall==
+===Bone Wall===
 -1 point optional. Although usually redundant to skeletons, it can be helpful for blocking charged bolts and non-piercing ranged attackers. The wall dies once one section loses the listed life (as opposed to all sections combined) so shifting around will make it last longer.

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ====Corpse Explosion====
 -20 points. The greatest skill of all time. Even with only one point, your +skills items will bring it up to a useful radius. It really shines at choke points and with tightly packed mobs. That, and it's really good at making a cool mess. You should Amplify Damage or Lower Resist all monsters in the vicinity before you cast CE, to maximize its damage potential. One thing to note is that CE does not scale with higher player count, so your CE damage will drastically be lowered in games with many people, doing only 2/9ths of the damage relative to the monster's life in a 8 player game.
 ===Curses===

@@ Line 205: / Line 205: @@
 ====Baal====
-If you STILL do not have Decrepify he will be quite hard, as he likes to teleport away frequently and cast a clone if you spare him some time. Get close, slow him down, and hit hard.
+If you STILL do not have Decrepify he will be quite hard, as he likes to teleport away frequently and cast a clone if you spare him some time. You can tell which one is the original and which is the clone by [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/File:Mon-baal-names.jpg looking at the word "Demon"] under his name.
 ==Contributors==

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 Act I mercenaries will also occasionally overwrite your curses with Inner Sight, and are not suggested.
 ===Act II Mercenaries===
-You're going to want to use an [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/basics/hirelings.shtml Act II mercenary]. Their auras are far more useful than anything the other mercs have, have more hit points than the Act I or Act III mercs, and comparable damage potential to the Act V merc.
+You're going to want to use an [http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/basics/hirelings.shtml Act II mercenary]. Their auras are far more useful than anything the other mercs have, have more hit points than the Act I or Act III mercs, and comparable damage potential to the Act V merc. Make sure to hire mercs only from Normal and Nightmare difficulty; their auras have lower caps when hired in Hell difficulty.
-*'''Prayer''' is useful at lower levels, but later on the healing just isn't significant. It's nice to regenerate, and great if you're waiting for one of the Nightmare difficulty auras, though. If he uses an Insight polearm (see below), the party will receive double healing due to synergy.
+*'''Prayer''' is convenient. If your merc uses an Insight polearm (see below), the party will receive double healing due to synergy. Since you can get free healing from a Blood Golem and your minions regenerate anyways, this is not as useful as the Nightmare difficulty auras.
-*'''Defiance''' is useful early on, but eventually your skeletons will rock so much later on that you just don't need it.
+*'''Defiance/Blessed Aim''' are good early on, but eventually become unnecessary.
-*'''Blessed Aim''' is also good early on, but like Defiance it eventually becomes unnecessary.
+*'''Thorns''' is great while your character level is low compared to the monsters, but loses effectiveness as you level up. You can also get the Thorns aura easily from an Edge runeword weapon.
-*'''Thorns''' will rock while your character level is low compared to the monsters, but loses effectiveness as you level up. You can also get the Thorns aura easily from an Edge runeword weapon.
+*'''Holy Freeze''' is good defensively, but can cause monsters to shatter and rob you of a corpse. Fail.
 *'''Might''' is generally considered to be the most useful aura for a Zoomancer, as it will ''significantly'' improve your minion damage.
 One useful strategy is to use Defiance until Act II Nightmare, then switch to Thorns until early Hell difficulty, then switch to Might for the late game.