Choosing between bow/crossbow and throwing + shield for ranged elemental Druid
If you're playing twinked, I highly suggest Raven Claw at level 15 with a plethora of charms that deal fire damage and gear (lightning damage charms can work as well, however don't stack with the exploding damage from arrows).
After reaching you reach level 33, you are able to begin playing with Kuko Shakaku. The piercing bows, along with further fire damage from gear and charms like Spirit Forge Linked Mail, Infernostrides, Lava Gout, and so on. could cause nightmares.
I've just run through the nightmare of players 3 to 5 using this method and it was a blast. I did not employ any of the elemental abilities however I did use poison creeper and gemmed bows to increase my level until I was able to use Raven Claw. The process becomes much easier when you begin using Kuko at level 33. after which you can make use of your summons as well as the Act 2 merc as secondary damage/meat shields.
It is also suggested to use an teleport charge station when you are able to. Helps you reposition yourself or summons when necessary.
I was aware some time in the past that if I try to provide any significant AoE assistance (read the Hurricane and Fissure) I'm probably not going to be able to increase the effectiveness of all pets. This worries me, since it's similar to the case in Titan Quest and Grim Dawn when you'd like your escorts have a meaningful power, then your own direct damage output will be affected.
Is the entire genre snub hybridization because of a specific reason? Min/maxing and I don't seem to be in agreement, but I'd like to have a good chance to win.
It makes me consider throwing the weapons Paladin or at the very minimum ... at least sigh.
It's all about the speed at which you wish to eliminate your foes. Sure, your own damage output will be affected when you use skills points into summons. Truthfully the poison creeper's summon is all you have available in Normal that has significant damage up to the point where you reach grizzly the level of 30.
I wouldn't suggest throwing weapons unless you truly would like to spend time in the game. It's a long time without the AOE which is why I would recommend employing Raven Claw at lvl 15 and Kuko Shakaku at level 33 for the exploding bows.
The same applies to paladins but you'll be far more powerful due to the fact that Holy Fire increases the damage to the explosive archers. It is a blast to play through both a normal and nightmares using that one ability, however it can become boring since you'll just be using a standard attack for the duration (but is able to play at higher player counts).
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