Witch Minions

Are witch minions reliable at higher levels? Right now I'm using zombies and at level 16 I have specced into the first "increase minions health" node and currently have the 30% minion health support gem. However, at 144 health pool, with base elemental resistence and physical damage reduction, my minions die in a matter of seconds into the pull leaving me to fend for myself, kite while my energy shield rebuilds(86 at the moment) and spam health pots.

Is this just the reality of witch minions or does it get better with minions having better health. And will it be worth it to invest in "Necromantic Aegis" which gives all the bonuses from my shield to my minions instead of myself.

Yes, your minions are really weak on your level, and die fast.
Necromantic Aegis is a good (and fast) solution (with a shield with a strong +Life bonus). It's only 2 points on a classic Summoner build (AE and the Intelligence node required). So you can wipe them later if needed.

However, you will still cry at the beginning of the act III (with a lot of mob performing aoe damage, shooting down your army). The end of the act III is a lot more easier.

Things goes better when you obtain Minion Instability (& Spell Totem for summon skeletton, helps me a lot). And, while taken minions node & leveling the Zombi gem, their going stronger and stronger. I'm actually on the beginning of act II on cruel (lvl 40) and no problem so far.

Don't hesistate to support your meatwall with aura and curses.

What would be cool for a Minion effect/animation would be so that as your minions die another minion is summoned using a killed monster corpse.