Advice - Should I get a new merc?

[Der Kunstler]

Advice - Should I get a new merc?

Ok I'm starting act III in the game for the first time - I have a level 26 barb and a level 21 defensive merc from act II. Should I keep him or should I hire a new (level 18) merc from Asheara in Kurast?

 

[Diab]

I advise you to keep the act2 merc you already have. It's a lot easier to upgrade his damage than an act3 merc, since act3 mercs rarely use their swords. The act2 merc's aura is also nice for you.

 

[Der Kunstler]

I advise you to keep the act2 merc you already have. It's a lot easier to upgrade his damage than an act3 merc, since act3 mercs rarely use their swords. The act2 merc's aura is also nice for you.

OK thank you!

 

[fahartle]

Take it from a lvl 87 WW Barb, you definitely want to keep the merc you have until you finish normal difficulty. Then level yourself up to lvl 40 or so doing Normal Baal runs, and switch out to a might merc in Act II nightmare. I recently dumped my lvl 85 defensive merc for a might merc (even though he was about 40 levels below me) and worked for hours getting him back up to a high lvl.
The reason is that you'll have a much easier time of hell if you're hitting for higher damage and, crucially, leeching back more health. The added defense will keep you from getting hit occasionally, but I find you're much better off if you're leeching back more health with each hit. Same thing with your merc... If he's hitting for more damage, he'll stay alive more easily. A high level might merc with a good leeching weapon (bonehew, reaper's toll, or any good unique with an AMN rune in it), and a leeching helm like Tal's mask or crown of thieves is pretty hard to kill. He'll be your bud forever! Have fun!

 

[Gaza0469]

Depends on playing style.

If you have the skill shout and use it a lot dump the merc. If you dont have shout keep him, u will need the extra AC.

If you do use shout - then go for an act3 cold merc till u get to Act2 Nightmare.

- To make an act3 merc good :

(1) Give them fast cast gear
(2) Give them plus to all skills gear.

Act3 Mercs dont block, so blocking doesnt help.
Act3 Mercs only use their sword when swarmed.

The sword damage displayed in their box is bugged - its not the damage of their primary attack (spells), its the damage of their weapon only - which as Diabolico x64 said - they dont use very often.

Act3 Mercs will offer you some crowd control and are good at staying out of trouble.


Act 3 Mercs cold spells synergize with each other - so plus skills are definatelya huge advantage - or say ormus robes with +3 to glacial spike.


When you get to NM then you have 2 viable options.

Might - He will be a good killer - plus u can use shout to increase his AC. and his might aura will grant you more damage.

HF - For crowd control, u can boost his AC with shout , and he will slow eveyrone down making them cannon fodder for you with his holy freeze aura - and HF slows down CI monsters.

Remember what you are looking for is a perfect compliment - Defiance does not do this - as he is a poor killer - and the defence aura is soemthing you can do yourself (with shout)

Your final choice of either Might or HF depends on your own playing style.

Might for more damge for you
or HF for Crowd Control.

Both are good choices.

If you have the runes then you could even go Last Wish Sword this will give your baba the Might Aura - this is pretty impressive - remember Barbs only do a fraction less damage then Might Act 2 Mercs and have excellent natural posion reistances, extra fast life regeneration, can wear barbarian only helms and their skills bash and stun synergize.

 

[GIR]

Take it from a lvl 87 WW Barb, you definitely want to keep the merc you have until you finish normal difficulty. Then level yourself up to lvl 40 or so doing Normal Baal runs, and switch out to a might merc in Act II nightmare. I recently dumped my lvl 85 defensive merc for a might merc (even though he was about 40 levels below me) and worked for hours getting him back up to a high lvl.
The reason is that you'll have a much easier time of hell if you're hitting for higher damage and, crucially, leeching back more health. The added defense will keep you from getting hit occasionally, but I find you're much better off if you're leeching back more health with each hit. Same thing with your merc... If he's hitting for more damage, he'll stay alive more easily. A high level might merc with a good leeching weapon (bonehew, reaper's toll, or any good unique with an AMN rune in it), and a leeching helm like Tal's mask or crown of thieves is pretty hard to kill. He'll be your bud forever! Have fun!

Just a quick question, is fahartle also your b.net account name?

 

[Elgar]

I would stick with the defense merc until you can get a might merc in NM difficulty. Ive never been impressed with act 3 mercs. Getting an act 5 merc (when you get there) *could* be interesting, but as youve seen, the mercs for hire are lower level than you.

 

[farkukunt]

Concentrate Barb

I have a concentrate Barb which allready does enought Dam but I prefer to land more hits than to hit with more damage (the synergies are excellent!)

Shout has to be used with this build for DEF, BO adds 10% Syn with CON. I don't know the case with WW. (i didn't think that something starting off negative can turn positive with no syns). Your choice tho.

The Att Rate from my offensive act 2 merc in hell is all I need. Equip him with a great polearm and you're laughing. Mine has Grim's burning dead. I race him to the kills!

Hope you have as much fun as I do. PM me if you are in Asia Ladder and want help

 

[Gaza0469]

I would stick with the defense merc until you can get a might merc in NM difficulty. Ive never been impressed with act 3 mercs. Getting an act 5 merc (when you get there) *could* be interesting, but as youve seen, the mercs for hire are lower level than you.

No offence, but you cant of built them correctly then

Every Merc is viable - Except the Act3 Lightning Merc which has a damage bug.

Read my Merc guide in my signature for more info.

 

[skilledlord]

WAIT!! this depends on the type of character you are and your playing style. Although in general a merc lvled by you is better than a newly bought one, a a3 merc may have it's uses. I think one has freezing too.

Play the game through! I've started a single player zon too, quite exciting.

 

[Elgar]

No offence, but you cant of built them correctly then

Every Merc is viable - Except the Act3 Lightning Merc which has a damage bug.

Read my Merc guide in my signature for more info.

That may be, but i stick by my initial stance: Im not impressed by the Act 3 mercs. Im not saying they're bad, just that im not a fan.