Wolves resistances?

[Squick]

Hi All,

This is my first post, but after doing quite a bit of searching I am either missing something or not understanding something and am in need of help.

I am a level 40 Summoner, my initial theory was to make my character based on my own damage with pets to keep the aggro. My base CD is five, Metamorphsis is maxed, wolf skill is maxed and all enhancements are at one. I have five in VO and three in eruption. I am about half way through Epic Egypt.

Here is roughly what my character is on TitanCalc:
TitanCalc by stonedonkey - A Titan Quest Calculator - Summoner (http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.asp?mastery=Summoner&master1=4&master2=1&m1=32-4-16-1-1-1-0-0-1-0-1-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-1-0-0&m2=32-8-0-1-0-0-5-0-4-0-1-1-0-1-0-1-0-3-1-8-3-0)

I changed my character around once I saw how powerful the wolves were, I still want to do huge damage, but I realize that for mobs the wolves are much better. My problem is with bosses though.

I ran into a huge problem with one of the boss-like statues that were not even a required fight. It had a fire-hose attack, a stunning stomp, and a nova-like lightning attack.

Any of those attacks would kill my wolves instantly! If I had less than 50% fire resistance the fire-hose would instant-gib me. Even with 75% lightning resistance I could not take one hit from the lightning aura. My final solution was to remove all points out of wolves and max Metamorphasis and raise the core CD and regrowth. This let my CD tank and me blow him up from a distance.

I need help though... Is there any way that wolves can tank elemental bosses, or is that something I need to depend on the CD for and only use wolves for PVE?

A second question is that I have strayed away from Plague because of the three second duration. Does it really only lower resistances for three seconds? Is that enough time?

My equipment is not quite up to the task of being solely a "glass cannon" yet... I only have about -30% recharge, so my VO is not even close to spammable. I could see if I could fire off 10 or more VOs in that three seconds it might be good, but not if I can only get two shots off now.

So my question are can the wolves ever tank vs. elemental damage? And what situations do you use Plague and is the duration long enough?

Thanks a bunch!

-Squick

[Whisk33]

I hope you are using Heart of the Oak a little more. I personally would take points out of earth enchantment (unless you are using a staff as your base dmg) and move it to brimstone. What weapon ar eyou using? Did you want a caster or more of a fighter? If you are a melee and if you have some good weapons lying around, drop VO and grab more eruption and Heart of the oak/Strength of the pack. This will increase the dmg you do with a normal attack and decrease teh dmg you do from Erup... You need to think about what you are going for. If you want to do more of a caster thing, I wouldnt reallt bother with SotP and focus on one of your fire attacks. Mainy people like to use stone form as an attack. Cast an eruption at your feet and then jump into stone form and as you sit there recharging people will be getting hit by the eruption. A point in each of the Nymph's skills will just add that much more dmg...
Wolves do not tank bosses. Bosses (especially in epic and leg) are made to kill your pets. If you are relying on you rpets to kill you will have a very hard time killing bosses. The Cd is the only tank pet. And the big automatio is a difficult boss. I dont use plague with my champion (though I was just spamming Ah back in 1.15), or my ranger since study prey is much easier for me. You would use plague when you have a group of enemies and the plague can travel around. Against bosses it's slow effect will most likely be the only saving grace of it. Pets are nice in act 1, but in act 2 and 3 they really only help YOU kill things. emphasis on YOU.
As far as wolves go. Use the top synergy(strength of the pack) to boost your dmg. Try to have three wolves up (you will need 18 to the base skill) and then you could cast a heat shield to help them stay alive whenever fire is not near. Heat shield gives 15% dmg resist. When survival instinct comes on that will give them some 50% dmg resistance which should help them stay alive. Get used to dodging the bosses attacks. You are not ment to take it on the chin. You wouldnt do that will a M-16 and you shouldnt do that will a magical lighting bolt being emitted from the mouth of a mythical beast in the back of a deep mile long cave. Of course that is common sense!

[Squick]

Whisk33, thank you so much for your thoughtful reply! The only reason I am not using Heart of Oak right now is because if I am in a jam I hit stone form and chug a potion while my pets take some of the heat off. Even twice the health would not help my wolves during boss battles, but like you confirmed, wolves are not for tanking bosses.

I am going to a caster type, I have almost no extra strength or dex. I have a ton of INT. I have put about 10 of my attribute points into health, but the rest went into INT.

I have two weapons, one is a unique staff that gives +1 to earth and nature, and gives huge resistances, around +60% to three different ones. I use that one to cast pets and during boss battles. My main staff is a high damage green fire staff. It is ~+30% fire damage, fairly high base damage, and adds a bit more fire damage. I put a relic in it that increases my attack speed by 30%. I can definitely lay down some serious hurt with that on.

I'm sorry for a stupid question, but why brimstone? Do I do any physical damage, or would that be just for the pets?

I'm glad to hear the automatio is a difficult boss. I was blown away by how strong he was, and for so early in epic I was scared that I had done something very wrong that such an "easy" boss was giving me such grief.

You mentioned Heat Shield. What does that actually do? It looks like it gives a 100 and some damage shield that will get eaten off by the first attack they take. But that does not sound right.

And sorry for so many questions, but just one more... You mentioned that in act 1 the pets kill things, but after that it is ME that is doing the killing, correct? Would you say then it would be best for me to spec out of wolves for now and max Earth Enhancement, max VO, and raise Volativity to make sure my fire damage is huge, depending on the CD to hold aggro while I have a nuke?

Again, thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it!

-Squick

[Whisk33]

I'm sorry for a stupid question, but why brimstone? Do I do any physical damage, or would that be just for the pets?
If you are going for a intel build I would only have one point in it for giggles.

You mentioned Heat Shield. What does that actually do? It looks like it gives a 100 and some damage shield that will get eaten off by the first attack they take. But that does not sound right.
no you hit it right on the head. As soon as you take said 100 some fire dmg the shield fades away. but you have two things going for you there. A) you have a bunch of decoys. Use your CD to draw the arggo. Send him over to the guys and get em all stirred up. Then kill the guys with fire attacks
B) you dont want to get it to begin with. So learn to dodge silly head!
Yeah it will dissappear everything you get attacked by fire, but while its up... you still have 15%dmg resistance. Also you can cast it on your CD and since he is practically immune to fire it will never fade! (havent tried this I am only guessing, but I know it will work for him also)


Would you say then it would be best for me to spec out of wolves for now and max Earth Enhancement, max VO, and raise Volativity to make sure my fire damage is huge, depending on the CD to hold aggro while I have a nuke?
really this is a personal question. If you find that what you are doing works. then stick with what you got. If not, give it a try. Since the game allows you to respec I would suggest taking full advantage of that. Gold is cheap. Just do a boss run or to and sell everything that comes out of the chest if you find yourself hurting for money. Sorry, but if I said anything else it really wouldnt be your game.


Again, thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it!
-Squick
No prob. Any time.

[The Envenomed Kiss]

Brimstone does absolutely nothing for a staff as a staff deals 100% Elemental damage.

Secondly maxed Heart of Oak is +94% HP/+10% total speed and effects you and your pets. This is priceless for a summoner!

My two cents.

[i.n.s.a.n.e]

Secondly maxed Heart of Oak is +94% HP/+10% total speed and effects you and your pets. This is priceless for a summoner!

My two cents.

Hi,

Your absolutely right but Heart of Oak gives only +65% in 1.20. Still a good skill though.. :)

Squick you can simply avoid the Big Automatoi..and return when you'll be stronger if you really want that one dead.. :)

He's a really pain in the *** I couldn't beat him with my Summoner so I did avoid him :o

Bye i.n.s.a.n.e

[Schlunz]

Thank you all for a very informative introduction to summoners. I "inherited" a Lv. 25 summoner from my brother who played at my computer, so I have no experience with earth and nature yet - so excuse my noobie questions:

Is there a real alternative to being a (fire damage) caster?

Points should (have to?) go into intelligence and dexterity, right?

Which function can I put onto left mouse button? (Both masteries don't seem to have a nice "standard" attack. So far I use a Fire Staff)

All in all I have the impression that not only my Oracle (of course, I can hear you ;) ), but also my Rogue and my Defender with single masteries are a lot stronger than Summoners, even in Normal Egypt already.