Need build suggestion for support role in hardcore

[Manick]

Me and two friends are going to start a new hardcore game in Act I at the minimum recommended level. One is going to play Hunting/Rogue, and the other is probably going to be Warfare/Spirit, so both are going to be melee. Im thinking of going a support role, like something with Nature, but im not sure what other mastery will go well with it. Is it best to keep a Nature based character just a support role? Or can I actually do good dps with another mastery compared to them if I pick up a dps oriented 2nd mastery? Any advice? Either way I want to be something caster oriented so there isnt any loot confliction.

[F4rmerbob]

Something like This?

Or This?

Or something like This?

For a support role you want to be reducing/negating/or provings blockers for the damage you and your friends take, while helping to disable enemies and/or increase the damage output of your friends. Nature does provide a great start for that. There are other combinations you may also like.

[Viper_Sweden]

I'd go with this: http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.a...-0-0-1-0-0-8-0

No Plague because 1) You have a Hunter with Study Prey. 2) It might aggro bosses too much.

[F4rmerbob]

Originally Posted by Viper_Sweden

I'd go with this: http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.a...-0-0-1-0-0-8-0

No Plague because 1) You have a Hunter with Study Prey. 2) It might aggro bosses too much.

I kinda like the Briar Ward tree, as it provides some pretty awesome benefits if you are trying to take advantage of those. Plus it's an additional layer of defense for you, so if you aggro something you don't die.

[Manick]

Ok, I tried out a druid build (slightly different than the ones suggested) and i'm not so sure I liked it. I wasn't able to do any relevant amount of damage to the monsters (compared to the spellbreaker and brigand in my group) to really matter, and really only found myself casting just squall on big groups of mobs and plague/squall on bosses that died fast anyway. It just didnt seem like storm was doing much to help them out, but I will admit, nature is of course very good for that.

So I re-rolled, essentially, and tried out a petless summoner. I don't really think pets are necessary since I already have two melees fighting with me. So I just got all the AoE skills in earth, and now I just blow up big groups of mobs and the fragmentations stun the mobs constantly, giving me time to heal my friends and also allowing me to do AoE damage over time. If anyone thinks theres a more efficient build than basically that, opinions are welcome.

Heres my build. http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.a...0-11-12-0-10-0

[F4rmerbob]

Originally Posted by Manick

Ok, I tried out a druid build (slightly different than the ones suggested) and i'm not so sure I liked it. I wasn't able to do any relevant amount of damage to the monsters (compared to the spellbreaker and brigand in my group) to really matter, and really only found myself casting just squall on big groups of mobs and plague/squall on bosses that died fast anyway. It just didnt seem like storm was doing much to help them out, but I will admit, nature is of course very good for that.

So I re-rolled, essentially, and tried out a petless summoner. I don't really think pets are necessary since I already have two melees fighting with me. So I just got all the AoE skills in earth, and now I just blow up big groups of mobs and the fragmentations stun the mobs constantly, giving me time to heal my friends and also allowing me to do AoE damage over time. If anyone thinks theres a more efficient build than basically that, opinions are welcome.

Heres my build. http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.a...0-11-12-0-10-0

Your build is a level 1?

I don't know what level you are at, but it could be good. You should still consider getting 2 wolves for strength of the pack, and Plague would be nice in legendary.

[RDespair]

I would aim for this: http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.a...1-1-12-0-8-1-0

That gives you:

3 great auras for your meleers (Heart of Oak, Strength of the Pack, & 1 of the first 2 trances, whichever you prefer)

Lots of great support spells: Sands of Sleep, Distortion Wave, Distort Reality, and Plague. Distortion Wave will be your primary spell (quick recharge, good debuffs, good Electrical Burn damage + with all the +% Strength modifiers you'll have even the base physical damage will be decent) with Plague & Sands of Sleep as solid support skills & Distort Reality as an emergency button.

and 4 great pets (3 Wolves + Nightmare)

As far as stats, you'll want to pump most of your points in Int with just enough dexterity to wear the equipment you want. As for equipment, focus on pet oriented equipment: with enough of them plus the bonus from Nightmare, your pets will be a force to be reckoned with.