So I've been experimenting with Nature Mastery, level 1-26, solo, SO's only, extra difficulty/team size.
So far Demons comes out on top, all round good survivability, loads of damage, didn't lose a single pet all the way, and plenty of fun. Good AI as well.
Beasts also has done very well, again good survivabilty, only lost a couple of wolves, fun. Good AI, do what they are told without delay.
Thugs again another strong combo, didn't lose a single pet, fun, good AI.
Necromancy, no problems at all, didn't lose a pet, zombies surprisingly high damage with the vomit ๐คฎGelled well with nature.
Bots just didn't gel for me, I didn't lose any, but the primary just felt boring and slow, also the AI feels kind of wonky. In bodyguard mode it took them an age to react, and if you gave them any other orders they sat around pondering for vital seconds. Not sure if others have had this issue with bots.
Next to try is Ninja. I've heard they are hard to keep alive, so this should be interesting...
Update - Ninja didn't work, with no resistances they just dropped too fast for healing to save them. ๐ Need a defensive set like Time, Ice or FF to be effective I would imagine. Shame as they did really good damage.