never beat a run in the original. not that I'm complaining, the new mechanics definitely feel better, and in particular less RNG-heavy on what build options are available. (basically you just get more options presented at once without actually being able to pick more.) granted I don't know if I'll find other strats as sustainable as this one, but as long as summons aren't the only viable option I think it's a solid improvement on the original.
the core engine here was Goatia Offering + Vampiric Vestments, especially once I put Maggot Host on the former. instead of consuming charges, Offering costs 5 health with no limit on casts; Vampiric Vestments heals you for 5 every time a "living" creature dies. goatia are not "living" but mind maggots are, and Maggot Host makes each goatia spawn two of them when it dies. (between gear and passives, this was up to 5 by game end.) other summons certainly put in work, but being nigh unkillable while they ramped up was the real sauce.