So I recently wanted to make a miner and with minimal research I went with a guide that utilizes pyroclast which is in a 6l Martyr of Innocence and fireball mines linked in tremor rod with a kaoms.

I'm trash at price checking and this game so i was wondering, for lets say 15ex is this a decent build to go with or is there a better option to melt metas weapon wise? I love the play style and mines are a lot more fun than I first thought so i'm going to stick with this for a bit.
would like to use a shield but not sure how to build it.

Miner is ok build, definately top 8 for this season I would say. It is not 1 button build, so you will have to coordinate a lot what u do (sequences, flasks, etc).
Life build with Tremor and Kaoms is affordable for 15 ex, not a big issue. You will get you somewhere to T13 where u would struggle with dps and survival, mostly with metamorphs.
You can swap to ES build, but that is very costy, only Watcher´s Eye with ES buff is 30 EX. With around 60 EX worth of ES gear you would be able to clear all game content.
All the above is my personal experience, you might proceed better then I did. If I could turn back time, I would just go Necro/CoC/HoA/Cyclone as majority of the people.

thanks for the input. I was thinking the same thing with summoner, just go the easier route and forget about it. but damn it's fun watching bosses melt away with screen rape lol