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Guide to Mercenaries
| By: mattno5ss |
Since we don't have a mercenary section in our Strategy Guide, I've decided to try to pull together as much information on mercenaries as I can find. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Act 1 - Rogue
- Stats/Level
- Skills
- Equipment
- Attack Speed Breakpoints
- Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
- Character Builds that Benefit from a Rogue
Act 2 - Desert Warrior
- Stats/Level
- Skills
- Equipment
- Attack Speed Breakpoint Chart
- Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
- Character Builds that Benefit from a Desert Warrior
Act 3 - Iron Wolf
- Stats/Level
- Skills
- Equipment
- Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints
- Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
- How to Glitch an Iron Wolf
Act 5 - Barbarian
- Stats/Level
- Skills
- Equipment
- Attack Speed Breakpoints
- Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
- Character Builds that Benefit from a Barbarian
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ACT 1 - ROGUE
Stats/Level
Life - 8 (Life fully regenerates in 41 seconds)
Strength - 1
Dexterity - 2
Defense - 6.5
Resistances - 2
Skills
NOTE: Skill Level = (10/32) * Merc Level
Inner Sight - No skill cap, but hire Act 1 Rogues in Normal to get a higher level Inner Sight (29 N, 28 NM, 27 Hell).
One of the following bow skills:
Fire Arrow - No skill cap, but hire Act 1 Rogues in Normal to get a higher level Fire Arrow (29 N, 28 NM, 27 Hell).
Ice Arrow - No skill cap, but hire Act 1 Rogues in Normal to get a higher level Cold Arrow (29 N, 28 NM, 27 Hell).
Equipment - I don't like spending a fortune on Mercenary gear.
NOTES: Ethreal gear is better for mercenaries. Uses bows (no crossbows); Amazon-only items can't be used by Act 1 Rogues.
Weapons
Faith - Best bow available.
Breath of the Dying - You should be able to find a few of these floating around on Non-Ladder for pretty cheap.
Ice - Holy Freeze and Chance to Cast Frost Nova will keep enemies at bay.
Edge - If you are a character with minions, Necro/Druid, then this bow could come in handy with the Thorns aura.
Windforce - Graet high damage bow, cheaper than Faith.
Witchwild String - Amplify Damage is great if you are a melee character. Two sockets for Amns, Shaels, and IAS/Resist Jewels.
My Suggestion
Harmony - Great easy-to-make bow with Vigor and a lot of elemental damage.
Armor (Get max resists)
Fortitude - Damage and Resists.
Chains of Honor - Skills and Resists.
Bramble - Thorns is great if you are melee or have minions.
160/60 Lifer - Damage, speed, and life.
My Suggestion
Smoke - Cheap +50 Resist All.
Treachery - Cheap, IAS, FHR, Fade, and Venom.
Helmets
Delirium - Great crowd control; downside is that it overrides other curses (Amp/Life Tap).
Vampgaze - Life leech, DR, and chills targets.
120/45 Lifer - Damage, speed, and life.
Crown of Thieves - Cheap and high life leech.
My Suggestion
Stealskull - Cheap and effective. Life leech, FHR, and IAS.
Tal-Rasha's - Cheap, High Life Leech, and Resists.
Attack Speed Breakpoints
Frames---16 FPS---15 FPS---14 FPS---13 FPS---12 FPS---11 FPS---10 FPS---9 FPS
WBS(-10)---0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS----7 IAS----18 IAS----35 IAS-----60 IAS---109 IAS
WBS (0)----0 IAS----0 IAS----9 IAS----19 IAS----32 IAS----54 IAS----86 IAS---152 IAS
WBS (5)----0 IAS----6 IAS---15 IAS----26 IAS---40 IAS----65 IAS----102 IAS---180 IAS
WBS (10)---5 IAS---11 IAS---22 IAS---34 IAS---50 IAS---78 IAS-----120 IAS---215 IAS
Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
Frames---10 FPS---9 FPS---8 FPS---7 FPS---6 FPS---5 FPS---4 FPS
%FHR-----6 FHR--13 FHR--20 FHR--32 FHR--52 FHR--86 FHR--174 FHR
Character Builds that Benefit from a Rogue
Benefits from Faith (Fanaticism Aura) and Long Range Support
WW Sin
Kicker
Ghost (WW/Trap)
Whirlwind
Concentrate
Berserker
Thrower
Shapeshifter
Summonecro
Avenger (Vengeance)
Auradin
Crusader (Charge)
Liberator (Charge/Hammer)
Vanquisher (Smite/Hammer)
Vindicator/Templar (Smite/FoH)
Benefits from Witchwild String (Amp Damage)
Any Physical Damage Dealer
Wind Druid
Singer
__________________________________________________________________________
ACT 2 - DESERT WARRIOR
Stats/Level
Life - 10 (Life fully regenerates in 41 seconds)
Strength - 1.5
Dexterity - 1.5
Defense - 9.5
Resistances - 2
Skills
NOTE: Skill/Aura Level = (10/32) * Merc Level
Jab - 2 hits. The lower the difficulty when hired, the higher possible Jab level because of skill caps.
One of the following auras:
Prayer (Normal/Hell) - Hire from Normal because the aura level cap (18) is 2 levels higher than Hell-hired Mercenaries.
Blessed Aim (Normal/Hell) - Hire from Normal because the aura level cap (18) is 3 levels higher than Hell-hired Mercenaries.
Defiance (Normal/Hell) - Hire from Normal because the aura level cap (18) is 2 levels higher than Hell-hired Mercenaries.
Thorns (Nightmare) - Aura level cap of 17.
Might (Nightmare) - No aura level cap on Might.
Holy Freeze (Nightmare) - Aura level cap of 17.
Equipment - I don't like spending a fortune on Mercenary gear.
NOTES: Ethreal gear is better for mercenaries. Javelins (will not be thrown), Spears or Polearms.
Weapons
Infinity - 40% Crushing Blow and Conviction aura; Great for elemental based characters.
Doom - High damage; Use on a merc that doesn't use Holy Freeze.
Upped Hone Sundan - 40% Crushing Blow and 3 sockets for Amns.
Bonehew - Easy-to-get, High damage and 2 sockets for Amns.
The Reaper's Toll - Good damage, Decripify, and High Life Leech.
Tomb Reaver - High damage, Speed, Resists, and 1-3 Sockets for Amns.
My Suggestion
Insight - Probably the most widely used merc weapon b/c of its cheap price, decent damage, and Meditation aura. Great for casters.
Bonehew - Easy-to-get, High damage and 2 sockets for Amns.
Armor (Get max resists)
Fortitude - Damage and Resists.
Chains of Honor - Skills and Resists.
Bramble - Thorns is great if you are melee or have minions.
160/60 Lifer - Damage and speed.
Duress - FHR, %ED, CB, and Resists.
Shaftstop - Life and 30% DR.
My Suggestion
Smoke - Cheap +50 Resist All.
Treachery - Cheap, IAS, FHR, Fade, and Venom.
Helmets
Delirium - Great crowd control; downside is that it overrides other curses (Amp/Life Tap).
Vampgaze - Life leech, 20% DR, and chills targets.
Crown of Thieves - Cheap and high life leech.
My Suggestion
Tal-Rasha's - Cheap, High Life Leech, and Resists.
Attack Speed Breakpoints
Frames---9.5 FPS---9 FPS---8.5 FPS---8 FPS---7.5 FPS---7 FPS---6.5 FPS---6 FPS---5.5 FPS---5 FPS
WBS(-20)---0 IAS---0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS-----9 IAS-----26 IAS----52 IAS---102 IAS
WBS(-10)---0 IAS---0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS----8 IAS----22 IAS-----42 IAS----75 IAS---142 IAS
WBS (0)----0 IAS---0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS-----9 IAS----20 IAS---37 IAS-----63 IAS---105 IAS---200 IAS
WBS (10)---0 IAS---0 IAS----5 IAS---11 IAS---22 IAS---35 IAS---56 IAS-----89 IAS----147 IAS---292 IAS
WBS (20)---4 IAS---9 IAS---16 IAS---24 IAS---37 IAS---54 IAS---80 IAS----125 IAS---208 IAS---456 IAS
Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
Frames---14 FPS---13 FPS---12 FPS---11 FPS---10 FPS---9 FPS---8 FPS---7 FPS---6 FPS
%FHR-----5 FHR---9 FHR---14 FHR---20 FHR---30 FHR---42 FHR---60 FHR---86 FHR--142 FHR
Character Builds that Benefit from a Desert Warrior
Benefits from Insight (Meditation Aura) and Melee Support
Singer
Fire Sorc
Cold Sorc
Lightning Sorc
Hammerdin
Templar (FoH)
Cleric/Medic
Mage (Hammer/FoH)
Wind Druid
Fire Elementalist
Bonecro
Poisonecro
Benefits from Infinity (Conviction Aura) and Melee Support
Javazon
Hybrid Zon
Trapper
Lightning Sorc
Ghost (WW/Trap)
Benefits from Offensive Auras (Might, Concentrate, Blessed Aim)
Bowazon
Barb -vs- Caster
Concentrate
Berserker
Thrower
Shapeshifter
Summonecro
Zealot
Vindicator (Smite) - Doesn't benefit from Blessed Aim.
Crusader (Charge)
Liberator (Charge/Hammer)
Vanquisher (Smite/Hammer) - Doesn't benefit from Blessed Aim.
Vindicator/Templar (Smite/FoH) - Doesn't benefit from Blessed Aim.
Benefits from Holy Freeze (Slowing ~= Adding IAS)
Avenger (Vengeance)
Auradin
__________________________________________________________________________
ACT 3 - IRON WOLF
Stats/Level
Life - 6 (Life fully regenerates in 41 seconds)
Strength - 1.5
Dexterity - 1.5
Defense - 4.5
Resistances - 2
Skills
One of the following spell combos:
Charged Bolt & Lightning - Charged Bolt maxes out at Level 12 on Merc Level 61; Lightning (Level 17 on Merc Level 61) maxes out at Level 28 on Merc Level 98.
Inferno & Fireball - Inferno maxes out at Level 20 on Merc Level 61; Fireball maxes out at Level 29 on merc Level 98.
Frozen Armor, Glacial Spike & Ice Blast - Frozen Armor maxes out at Level 16, Ice Blast maxes out at Level 20, and Glacial Spike maxes out at Level 9 on Merc Level 61.
Equipment - I don't like spending a fortune on Mercenary gear.
NOTES: Ethreal gear is better for mercenaries. One-Handed Swords & Shields.
Weapons (Get +Skills and FCR)
Hellplague - Good for Fire merc with the +2 Fire Skills.
Hexfire - Good for Fire merc with the +3 Fire Skills.
My Suggestion
Spirit - Easy-to-make; +2 All Skills and FCR.
Shields (Get +Skills and FCR)
Sigon's Guard - +1 All Skills.
Lidless Wall - +1 All Skills and FCR.
Splendor - +1 All Skills and FCR.
My Suggestion
Spirit - Easy-to-make; +2 All Skills, FCR, and Resists.
Armor (Get resists, skills, and FCR)
Chains of Honor - Strength (For Spirit Shield), Skills and Resist
Smoke - Cheap +50 Resist all.
My Suggestion
Skin of the Viper Magi - Skills, resist, and FCR; Exactly what we were looking for. Socket with Perfect Amethyst for strength.
Armor w/ Strength - If you're going to use Spirit, then you might need this. Find one with a strength mod and/or socket with Perfect Amethysts.
Helmets (Get +Skills)
Nightwing's Veil - Best cold merc helmet; +2 Skills and +% Cold Damage.
Peasant Crown - +1 Skills.
Lore - Easy-to-make, and +1 Skills.
Tarnhelm - +1 Skills.
My Suggestions
Harlequin Crest - +Skills, Life, and DR. Socket with Perfect Amethyst for strength.
Andariel's Visage - Strength (For Spirit Shield), +2 Skills.
Helmet w/ Strength - If you're going to use Spirit, then you might need this. Find one with a strength mod and/or socket with Perfect Amethysts.
Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints
Frames---17 FPS---16 FPS---15 FPS---14 FPS---13 FPS---12 FPS---11 FPS
%FCR----10 FCR---15 FCR---30 FCR---40 FCR---60 FCR---90 FCR---140 FCR
Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
Frames---16 FPS---15 FPS---14 FPS---13 FPS---12 FPS---11 FPS---10 FPS---9 FPS---8 FPS---7 FPS
%FHR-----5 FHR---8 FHR---13 FHR---18 FHR---24 FHR---32 FHR---46 FHR---63 FHR---86 FHR---133 FHR
How to Glitch an Iron Wolf
The idea is to get huge Holy Shock and Holy Fire damage by exploiting a bug in the game.
NOTE: The following can be done with any mercenary, but only the Act 3 Iron Wolf can glitch both Holy Shock and Holy Fire simultaneously.
You will need the following gear:
Hand of Justice Sword - Level 16 Holy Fire.
Dragon Armor - Level 14 Holy Fire.
Dream Shield - Level 15 Holy Shock.
Dream Helmet - Level 15 Holy Shock.
Steps to Glitching:
- Equip all of the above equipment.
- Unequip and re-equip one of your Dreams a lot of times (75+).
- Unequip and re-equip either Hand of Justice or Dragon a lot of times (75+).
- Now you should have huge pulse damage that will kill just about anything (excluding Fire + Lightning Immunes).
- If your mercenary dies or you happen to take off both Dreams or Hand of Justice and Dragon, which will completely remove one of your auras, then the damage gained from that aura will be lost and you will have to start over glitching that aura.
- You also have to re-do the previous steps during each new game.
__________________________________________________________________________
ACT 5 - BARBARIAN
Stats/Level
Life - 12 (Life fully regenerates in 16.4 seconds)
Strength - 2
Dexterity - 1.5
Defense - 7.5
Resistances - 2 (Built-in +70% poison resistance)
Skills
NOTE: Normal attack has 2 hits. Act 5 Barbarians have a 5% chance of Critical Strike.
Bash - Maxes out at Level 20 on Merc Level 75.
Stun - Maxes out at Level 16 on Merc Level 75.
Equipment - I don't like spending a fortune on Mercenary gear.
NOTES: Ethreal gear is better for mercenaries. Two-Handed Sword or One-Handed Sword without Shield; Barbarian-only items can be used by Act 5 Barbarians. Can't Dual-Wield.
Weapons
Last Wish - Possibly the best Act 5 Merc Weapon; High damage, Might aura, High Crushing Blow, Fade, and Life Tap.
Breath of the Dying - Great all around melee weapon.
Grief - High damage and speed.
The Grandfather - High damage.
Silence - Good damage, Skills, Resists.
Death - High damage, 50% Crushing Blow, Deadly Strike, and Glacial Spike on Attack keeps enemies frozen.
My Suggestion
Cresent Moon - Cheap; Decent damage and Static.
Cruel (of Quickness if you're lucky) - Easy to buy from merchants.
Armor (Get max resists)
Fortitude - Damage and Resists.
Chains of Honor - Skills and Resists.
Bramble - Thorns is great if you are melee or have minions.
160/60 Lifer - Damage and speed.
Duress - FHR, %ED, CB, and Resists.
Shaftstop - Life and 30% DR.
My Suggestion
Smoke - Cheap +50 Resist All.
Treachery - Cheap, IAS, FHR, Fade, and Venom.
Helmets
Delirium - Great crowd control; downside is that it overrides other curses (Amp/Life Tap).
Vampgaze - Life leech, DR, and chills targets.
Crown of Thieves - Cheap and high life leech.
Tal-Rasha's - Cheap, High Life Leech, and Resists.
My Suggestion
Arreat's Face - Best barbarian helmet; Skills, Stats, FHR, and Resists.
Attack Speed Breakpoints
Frames----20 FPS--19 FPS--18 FPS--17 FPS--16 FPS--15 FPS--14 FPS--13 FPS--12 FPS--11 FPS--10 FPS
WBS(-30)--0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS----0 IAS----0 IAS----5 IAS----19 IAS---42 IAS
WBS(-20)--0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS----0 IAS----5 IAS--16 IAS---34 IAS---63 IAS
WBS(-15)--0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS----0 IAS---10 IAS--23 IAS---42 IAS---75 IAS
WBS(-10)--0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS----6 IAS---16 IAS--30 IAS---52 IAS---89 IAS
WBS (-5)--0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS---0 IAS-----4 IAS----11 IAS--12 IAS--39 IAS---63 IAS---105 IAS
WBS (5)---0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----0 IAS---6 IAS----15 IAS----24 IAS--39 IAS--58 IAS---89 IAS---N/A IAS
WBS (10)--0 IAS---0 IAS---0 IAS-----6 IAS--11 IAS----22 IAS---32 IAS--48 IAS--70 IAS--105 IAS--174 IAS
WBS (20)--2 IAS--16 IAS--11 IAS--18 IAS--24 IAS----37 IAS---50 IAS--70 IAS--99 IAS--147 IAS--N/A IAS
Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
Frames---8 FPS---7 FPS---6 FPS----5 FPS---4 FPS---3 FPS
%FHR-----7 FHR--15 FHR--27 FHR--48 FHR--86 FHR--200 FHR
Character Builds that Benefit from a Barbarian
Benefits from Melee Support
Bowazon
Javazon
Hybrid Zon
Trapper
Ghost (WW/Trap)
Thrower
Wind Druid
Fire Elementalist
Poisonecro
Fire Sorc
Cold Sorc
Lightning Sorc
__________________________________________________________________________
Any suggestions on what to add to this compilation of information?
(I'm currently looking for FHR BPs, if there are any)
Click here to view the thread for this page. |
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