Do Followers Affect Drops in Diablo 3? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether followers impact item drops in Diablo 3 is a common one among players, and the answer is quite straightforward: No, followers do not directly affect the drop rates of items in Diablo 3. While they are invaluable companions in your journey through Sanctuary, providing buffs, utility, and additional damage, they have no influence on the quantity or quality of loot that drops from monsters, chests, or other sources. Let’s delve deeper into this topic and explore how followers actually function in the game, dispelling some common misconceptions.
Understanding Follower Mechanics
It’s essential to understand the actual mechanics of followers to grasp why they don’t impact loot drops. Followers in Diablo 3, namely the Templar, Enchantress, and Scoundrel, are designed to enhance your character’s abilities and survivability, not to manipulate the game’s loot generation system. They gain experience alongside you, level up, and can be equipped with gear to boost their stats. Here are some key aspects of follower functionality:
Stat Scaling
Followers benefit significantly from stat points. They receive 2.5 times more Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Vitality per stat point than your character. This allows them to become robust allies, especially when geared appropriately.
Customization
You can re-specialize your followers at any time, even during combat. This flexibility allows you to adapt their skills to complement your character’s build and current needs. Furthermore, many follower skills scale with their main stat, reaching maximum effectiveness at 25,000 main stat. This further emphasizes the importance of gearing your followers effectively.
Legendary Item Benefits
A crucial game-changing mechanic is the Emanate system, introduced in Patch 2.7. This mechanic allows certain legendary and set items worn by the follower to apply their effects to your character. This makes gearing your follower not just about them, but also about what benefits their items can provide to you. For example, equipping your follower with Nemesis Bracers can cause shrines to spawn elite packs, which in turn means more loot!
Legendary Gems and Follower Effectiveness
While followers can equip legendary gems, they do not benefit from them apart from two exceptions: Esoteric Alteration & Mutilation Guard. These gems specifically offer survivability boosts that can greatly improve a follower’s durability. Also, it’s worth mentioning they benefit from the Enforcer legendary gem. Additionally, you can equip your follower with a special item that either gives them all their skills or halves their cooldowns, further increasing their utility.
Follower Itemization
Followers utilize a similar gear system to your own character, but their gear slots have limitations. You can equip them with a weapon, armor, jewelry, and a special follower item that’s a random drop. You acquire these items the same way as other items – as loot drops. A key thing to remember is that the benefit of follower items is not simply about the raw stats they provide to them, but also about the Emanate powers that get transferred to your character.
Dispelling the Drop Myth
The misconception that followers influence drops likely stems from the observation that playing in a group increases the overall drop rate of loot, not because the number of players impacts drops, but rather that each additional player increases the monster health, which in turn leads to them dropping more. However, followers do not count as players in this equation. While they add damage and utility, they have no bearing on the underlying game mechanics governing item drops. The rate of drops is tied to the difficulty level, your character’s Magic Find stat (which is not what it was pre-Reaper of Souls expansion), and the number of elite monsters and champions you encounter.
Monster HP goes up 75% per additional player (additive, not multiplicative), and with each additional player you will also see an increase in damage output. So, a four person group generates more items more quickly than if you’re solo, because each player adds (should add) 100% more damage output to the fight.
In summary, while followers can indirectly improve your efficiency by increasing your damage output and survivability (which allows you to farm more efficiently), they do not directly affect the drop rates of items themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do Followers Reduce XP in Diablo 3?
No, followers do not reduce your XP gain. They simply accompany you and help you in combat without affecting how much experience you earn.
2. What is the Best Follower for a Necromancer in Diablo 3?
The Enchantress is the most viable option for a Necromancer due to her ability Prophetic Harmony, which reduces your cooldowns based on her Intelligence.
3. What is the Best Follower for a Barbarian in Diablo 3?
For a Barbarian, the Templar is generally recommended. His Guardian ability and additional healing help improve survivability.
4. What is the Best Follower for a Wizard in Diablo 3?
The Scoundrel is usually the best choice for Wizards, due to his increased damage and crit buffs. The Enchantress can also be viable, especially when using Prophetic Harmony.
5. What is the Best Follower for a Crusader in Diablo 3?
Similar to many other classes, the Enchantress is the best choice for Crusaders. Her cooldown reduction abilities, namely Prophetic Harmony, are invaluable.
6. Can Followers Use Set Items?
Yes, followers can use set items. However, the significant feature is the Emanate mechanic that allows you to benefit from some of the effects.
7. Does the Sage Set Work on Followers?
Yes, if you equip your follower with the Sage’s Journey set and Cain’s Destiny set along with a Ring of Royal Grandeur, you will receive extra Death’s Breath and keystone drops.
8. What Happens When a Follower Dies in Diablo 3?
When a follower dies, they kneel down briefly and then stand back up to resume fighting. There is no permanent penalty for a follower’s death.
9. What is the Staff of Herding Used For?
The Staff of Herding is used to access Whimsyshire by entering the Cow King’s Grave while the staff is in your inventory. It doesn’t need to be equipped and is not consumed upon use.
10. How Do I Farm Follower Items in Diablo 3?
Follower items are found as random loot drops just like any other item. They can drop from monsters, chests, and other loot sources.
11. What are the Chances of Getting an Ancient Legendary?
Ancients have a flat 10% chance to drop from any Legendary drop starting at Torment 1 and Greater Rift 12.
12. What are the Most Important Stats for a Necromancer?
Vitality and Intelligence are crucial for Necromancers. Intelligence increases your damage, and vitality increases your survivability.
13. Can Followers Fill Soul Gems?
Yes, followers can fill soul gems. In the original game, this was actually exploited to fill multiple soul gems simultaneously.
14. How Do I Farm Legendary Gems in Diablo 3?
Legendary gems are obtained from Greater Rifts. You are guaranteed one gem each time you kill a Greater Rift Guardian.
15. Do Nemesis Bracers Work on Followers?
Yes, Nemesis Bracers can be equipped on a follower. When they are worn, activating a shrine will spawn an elite pack of monsters, potentially yielding more loot. Flavor of Time will double pylon effect duration, both are essential for maximizing follower effectiveness. Also, consider equipping Oculus Ring for a damage boost.
By understanding these mechanics and facts, you can maximize your follower’s effectiveness and continue your quest to conquer Diablo 3 efficiently. Remember, while followers are great, they will not impact the drops themselves!