New support gem: Golem / Construct

As a further thought; a golem/construct could be significantly differentiated from being just a walking totem by having a limited (but regenerating) mana pool for its skill use and a default attack for use when unable to cast. Additional supports could equip the golem/construct with a weapon making it compatible with further skills and altering its behaviour.

For example:

Golem:

Basic attack:
Melee - bare fists dealing basic damage.

Compatible skills:
Spells, curses, auras, mace/hammer/staff attacks.

Behaviour:
Beats stuff to a pulp with bare fists, periodically using its linked skill if mana is available. If more than one enemy is within range of its linked skill, it will always use that if mana is available.


Golem + Golem Claws
(Claw quality increases attack speed)

Basic attack:
Melee - clawed fists dealing added damage.

Compatible skills:
Spells, curses, auras, all melee attacks.

Behaviour:
Beats stuff to an even bloodier pulp with clawed fists, periodically using its linked skill if mana is available. If more than one enemy is within range of its linked skill, it will always use that if mana is available.


Golem + Golem Darts
(Dart quality gives increased range and area effect)

Basic attack:
Ranged - shoulder mounted dart gun, lower damage than a bow but compatible with all ranged attack skills.

Compatible skills:
Spells, curses, auras, mace/hammer/staff attacks, all ranged attacks.

Behaviour:
Stands its ground firing darts at enemies within dart range. If an enemy is within range of its linked skill it will always use that if mana is available.


Golem + Golem Claws + Golem Darts

Basic attack:
Ranged - shoulder mounted dart gun, lower damage than a bow but compatible with all ranged attack skills.

Compatible skills:
Spells, curses, auras, all melee and ranged attacks.

Behaviour:
Stands its ground firing darts at enemies within dart range. If an enemy is within range of its linked skill it will always use that if mana is available. If an enemy is within melee range and mana is not available for its linked skill it strikes out in melee (claws do more damage than darts).


For all behaviour cases:
When linked to auras or buffs the golem only uses its linked skill if not already activated. When linked to curses it only uses its linked skill on uncursed enemies. The rest of the time it follows basic attack behaviour.

Caster minions are much needed in my opinion. Awesome post and a great idea!

Not a bad idea, but something like this will take a long time to get finalized and properly implemented/balanced

I like the idea. I am definitely a big fan of expanding the summoner class to things beyond 'undead'.

I think a golem/construct is a good idea.

perhaps this golem/construct could have its own skilltree/inventory/statuspoints to customize it to a ranged/tank/healer... similar to the drone in hellgate london.

I loved the drone in Hellgate. There was something very satisfying about the mechanics of building your own personalised killbot customised to perfection then setting it loose against your enemies.

The idea of customising it further with a few skill points is especially good. I imagine such a thing would have to work using the character's passive skills and a few notable or keystone nodes.

The more I think about it the more I prefer considering something like this as a construct similar to the act 2 boss rather than a golem.

love this idea. would build around this idea immediately.

I like this idea , i not play summoner but for players who do it it can be very good , because the skeletton are one shouted generaly or near and the others summons need corps (for that need 1 kill before beguin to do anything , and unable for fight a boss)

http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/50697
Aw, posted something specific too, a bit late.

@Voodoo
Again I think it should be limited to Attack gems so the other supports aren't overshadowed.

I'd totally have a build with a groundslam+lifeleech golem.

In an earlier discussion than this I was originally thinking of melee only. It would feel nicely balanced to have Totem for spells, Sentry for ranged attacks (http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/48275) and Construct for melee attacks.

Later on I started thinking about how awesome it feels in Dawn of War 2 to change both the appearance and behaviour of a unit by equipping it with different weapons and accessories. I started to think of the Contruct as being similar to a 40K Terminator and thought it would be great to be able to fit it out with something similar to Lightning Claws, the shoulder mounted Cyclone or both just for the hell of it. From that I began thinking of variations to behaviour and the skills it could use based on its weapon supports.

I'd be thrilled with a melee only implementation but even more so with additional customisation options for ranged.