Druid Summon Question

If Spirit Wolves do cold damage, do auras that enhance damage, such as Might,

Concentration, and

Fanaticism increase the damage of these summons?

In other words, if I plan on making a summoner Druid, would it help my Spirit Wolves to have mercenaries or other items that give bonus damage auras, or does that only affect the physical damage for the Dire Wolf and Grizzly?

No. It is affected by things like

Conviction or

Lower Resist, but +physical damage auras only apply to your summons that deal physical damage; as you stated.

hitechhobo wrote: 1 day ago

If Spirit Wolves do cold damage, do auras that enhance damage, such as Might,

Concentration, and

Fanaticism increase the damage of these summons?

In other words, if I plan on making a summoner Druid, would it help my Spirit Wolves to have mercenaries or other items that give bonus damage auras, or does that only affect the physical damage for the Dire Wolf and Grizzly?

Elemental base damage is not increased by those auras. But your wolves would benefit from higher attack rating, faster attack speed, and uninterruptable attacks.

So

Blessed Aim and fanatism are both valid.

Having said that, boosting the summons elemental damage is usually not a valid tactic to, for instance, deal with physical immunes. The base damage is just too low for endgame. So if that's what you are aiming at, better consider alternatives.

Thank you both. That was very helpful.

vued wrote: 1 day ago

hitechhobo wrote: 1 day ago

If Spirit Wolves do cold damage, do auras that enhance damage, such as Might,

Concentration, and

Fanaticism increase the damage of these summons?

In other words, if I plan on making a summoner Druid, would it help my Spirit Wolves to have mercenaries or other items that give bonus damage auras, or does that only affect the physical damage for the Dire Wolf and Grizzly?

Elemental base damage is not increased by those auras. But your wolves would benefit from higher attack rating, faster attack speed, and uninterruptable attacks.

So

Blessed Aim and fanatism are both valid.

Having said that, boosting the summons elemental damage is usually not a valid tactic to, for instance, deal with physical immunes. The base damage is just too low for endgame. So if that's what you are aiming at, better consider alternatives.

I guess a proper equiped Act 3 fire merc with it's

Enchant skill could change that?

rixsen wrote: 1 hour ago

I guess a proper equiped Act 3 fire merc with it's

Enchant skill could change that?

Ironwolf is okay for playing solo. But even with GG gear he's spending a mere 250-300 fire damage, that's nothing to write home about. Additionally, the merc himself does ZERO damage to fire immunes.

Rogue, Barb or Desert Merc are much more useful in my opinion. Lightning Ironwolf isn't bad, too, that

Static Field can do some damage.

Just for comparison:

Ironwolf gives

Enchant and 2.5k

Fireball damage, zero damage to immunes.

Desert Merc with Reapers does 3-4k average damage per hit plus Deadly Strike,

Decrepify and ~level 20 Might aura.

Rogue with Mist does 2.5k average damage plus

Concentration aura, 100%

Pierce,

Inner Sight and 1k cold splash.

Barb with dual Last Wish gives level 34 Might aura,

Life Tap, huge Crushing Blow and around 2.5k average

Frenzy damage.

DasNarf wrote: 1 hour ago

rixsen wrote: 1 hour ago

I guess a proper equiped Act 3 fire merc with it's

Enchant skill could change that?

Ironwolf is okay for playing solo. But even with GG gear he's spending a mere 250-300 fire damage, that's nothing to write home about. Additionally, the merc himself does ZERO damage to fire immunes.

Rogue, Barb or Desert Merc are much more useful in my opinion. Lightning Ironwolf isn't bad, too, that

Static Field can do some damage.

Just for comparison:

Ironwolf gives

Enchant and 2.5k

Fireball damage, zero damage to immunes.

Desert Merc with Reapers does 3-4k average damage per hit plus

Decrepify plus Might aura.

Rogue with Mist does 2.5k average damage plus

Concentration aura, 100%

Pierce,

Inner Sight and 1k cold splash.

Barb with dual Last Wish gives level 34 Might aura,

Life Tap, huge Crushing Blow and around 2.5k average

Frenzy damage.

Thanks for this comparison!