[1.2.X] Dogs summoner build [HC - EB IR MoM NA]

Introduction
This is a build made to maximize voidbearers power and have them melt monster faces. I've been playing summoner since CB, I think ive made at least ten by now and almost all of them used voidbearers.

This build revolves around 3 things :
1)maxing or near maxing block/spell block for your dogs in difficult encounters
2)tanky zombies with endurance charges to soak up some damage
3)high damage from gem setup alone

This is a very cheap build, the only expensive item being Rathpith Globe which goes for 1 exalt or so, depending on your league and the rolls. No quality gems needed, although they are always nice to have.

Im using scion as a start but ill post this in the witch section, cause shes a witch at hearth


Videos



Why voidbearer ?
1) they are awesome
2) they melt everything without the need for curses or EE
3) they make the most use of life leech
4) they are much better than the other spectres in small rooms and corridors
4) they have the highest single target damage of any spectre by far


Why not voidbearer ?
1) they can cause fps issues. Ive lost at least two chars to this is the past but it seems much better now. But this isnt even a reason, buy a new pc


Leveling
This build starts at merciless docks. Cruel and normal dogs are too weak to use them so dont bother with that and use another build until merci docks ( more about this in the next section). Once you get your dogs from merciless docks you can run piety and maps right away, although expect to lose some until you get your Rathpith


Passive build
Level 90



For leveling, I suggest taking the burning damage passives and using searing bond and/or fire trap. Those passives are on the way so its just three respecs needed later on. After those get Iron Reflexes so you can start running grace by cruel.

Do not take Necromantic Aegis until you have Rathpith and decent survivability


Bandits
Normal - Oak
Cruel - Kill all
Merciless - Kill all


Auras
Grace and Purity. With the mana reservation nodes and EB you will still have enough mana to make use of Mind over Matter (you wont get hit often anyway)
IF you want to drop Mind over Matter for more aura nodes and run a third aura, use Haste. Only do this if you are confident you dont need more defence tho.


Curses
Enfeeble and Temporal Chains Dogs dont need more damage so its more important to maximize theyr (and your) survivability.
You can bring along a flammability just in case tho.


Choosing your dogs
Dont settle for docks dogs, get them from maps. Wharf(67) and Pier(70) always have them and many other maps have them sometimes. You can use desecrate to spawn them.
Dont use sceptre of god yellow dogs, they are ugly.


Handling your dogs
Its important to always cast the right Offering spell for the situation.

When to cast bone offering :
1)against lightning thorns
2) against hard hitting bosses
3) storm herald
4) against packs with massive aoe damage, such as LMP tentacle miscreations

when to cast flesh offering :
rest of the time

The dogs can still die on corrupting blood, if its on a high hp monster. If anyone has a counter to this, I havent found one yet.


Gearing
Stats to look for : Life, Chaos resist, Rarity. You will also need 30ish dex and str, if you want to save the passive points,

Weapon : Aurumvorax with high resists roll. No reason not to use this, since it gives you so much flexibility on the rest of your gear. If I ever get to the point I dont need those resists anymore, ill use a Montregul Grasp
Shield : Rathpith globe. Dont skip on this you want it. Get one with high spell block.
Helm : +2 minion helm
Chest : EVA/ES chest. You can use a cloak of defiance and save 3 passive points but a normal chest with high life is probably better.
Amulet : +1 curse corrupted amulet, possibly with life on it
Rings : Double Life
Belt : Double life
Boots : Bones of Ullr
Gloves : Anything works here

Current gear


Skill Setup
Spectre (chest): Spectre+GMP+Faster Projectile+Life Leech+(spell echo)+(faster casting/minion damage)
They can work on a 4link but you should really buy a 5l EV/ES chest. Easy socket colors on a EV/ES chest. Spell echo is awesome on dogs, since its multiplicative with flesh offering.

Zombies (helm) : Zombie + minion life + Endurance charge on stun + Melee physical
endurance charges are incredibly strong on zombies (charges on monsters are 4X as effective as the one on players ... do the math) and will make them next to immortal in cruel already. Easy socket colors on a AR/ES or ES or AR helm

Auras (shield) : Grace + Purity + Reduced mana

Curses (weapon) : enfeeble + temporal chains + desecrate

Offerings (boots) : Bone offering + Flesh offering + Vaal Haste + Increased duration
Vaal haste is the better damage buff for the dogs. With increased duration and duration from passives, Vaal Haste will last 13+ seconds and offerings up to 14+. Easy socket colors on bones of ullr

CWDT (gloves) : Cast when damage taken(1) + increased duration + enduring cry(5) + immortal call(3)
Pretty basic setup. On one charge generated, IC will last over 1.5 seconds. This helps a lot against leapslammers, chargers and devourers that are some common summoner killers (trust me i know). Easy socket colours on AR gloves



Potions
Nothing special. Remember to use your mana potion if you are taking damage due to Mind over matter.




Thanks for reading and feel free to leave feedback

"

Spectre+GMP+Faster Projectile+Life Leech+(minion damage)+(faster Casting)

I always wondered about faster cast speed. Does this mean their damage ticks faster?

I also think you'll receive more damage with either remote mine or fire pen instead of minion damage.

"

The dogs can still die on corrupting blood, if its on a high hp monster. If anyone has a counter to this, I havent found one yet.

Either run away or mash seething/aniamtion flasks and rejuv totem and hope the regen will be enough.

"

mattc3303 wrote:

"

Spectre+GMP+Faster Projectile+Life Leech+(minion damage)+(faster Casting)

I always wondered about faster cast speed. Does this mean their damage ticks faster?

I also think you'll receive more damage with either remote mine or fire pen instead of minion damage.

yes faster cast speed is one of the main ways to increase theyr damage, they cast faster (you can visually see this when you cast flesh offering, if you watch closely).
This is why haste is also a very good aura on them, if you can afford three auras.

Remote mine and faster casting are basically the same damage wise, remote mine has a slight damage advantage but its annoying when you have to resummon, so its really a matter of preference.Fire pen i've never tried but might be a good choice, hard to test how much it improves damage.

"

mattc3303 wrote:

"

The dogs can still die on corrupting blood, if its on a high hp monster. If anyone has a counter to this, I havent found one yet.

Either run away or mash seething/aniamtion flasks and rejuv totem and hope the regen will be enough.

I havent tried rejuvenation totem, ill give it a shot. Corrupting blood is really deadly on them, they get stacks so quickly they basically turn into a big bubble of blood. Same thing with lightning thorns, if you forget bone offering

updated

Needs a flame totem and self cast incinerate. More FIRE!

updated for 1.2, tons of life and spell echo for the dogs.

"

charliechan55555 wrote:

Needs a flame totem and self cast incinerate. More FIRE!

have two other chars for incinerate and flame totem, incinerate best spell in the game imo !

Anyone tried this build?