Hey all,
in my opinion death splinter is really good early on, like novice/bronze 3.
Zintar Mortalis for weakening meele monsters (almost every tank), Haunted Spirit is an amzing tank, because it has heal and
Twisted Jester for good damage.
Fill up the rest with other ranged, preferably snipe monsters.
The enemy will have trouble killing your tank due to the -1 melee and the tank heal and your snipe monsters will take care of the enemy backline (ranged and magic).
Works really well, give it a try.