Why is it better to level merc from scratch than get a high lvl merc?

[bartekwoda]

I've heard many times that it is better to get a low lvl merc and get him to high lvl than hire a high lvl merc. So, for example, if you want a defiance merc, it's apparently better to get him in normal and lvl him than to get him in hell. Can someone tell me exactly where the difference lies?

[Diablos-Reborn]

It could be true, it sounds believable. I still wouldn't bother though because it takes a lot less time to buy a hell merc than level one from normal.

[Fleshpot]

The stats are available on the diinet site. Click on Mercenaries and you can navigate to it. Here is a link to compare defiance mercs as an example:

http://www.diabloii.net/townsfolk/warrior-defensive.shtml

[bartekwoda]

The stats are available on the diinet site. Click on Mercenaries and you can navigate to it. Here is a link to compare defiance mercs as an example:

http://www.diabloii.net/townsfolk/warrior-defensive.shtml

Thanks a lot!

[Cujo]

The stats are available on the diinet site. Click on Mercenaries and you can navigate to it. Here is a link to compare defiance mercs as an example:

http://www.diabloii.net/townsfolk/warrior-defensive.shtml

Just remember that list haven't been updated to 1.10, but here's one that is : http://www.theamazonbasin.com/d2/forums/index.php?showtopic=36551

[bartekwoda]

Just remember that list haven't been updated to 1.10, but here's one that is : http://www.theamazonbasin.com/d2/forums/index.php?showtopic=36551
Yeah, I noticed that that list gives lower values of life than act2 mercs actually have now.

[SatansAvenger]

honestly i would not bother it, they are tiny differences, and the time it takes to lvl up a merc is pretty long, might as well just get it from hell, unless the merc you want only exist in nm or norm.

[bartekwoda]

honestly i would not bother it, they are tiny differences, and the time it takes to lvl up a merc is pretty long, might as well just get it from hell, unless the merc you want only exist in nm or norm.

Ha, I levelled him from lvl 11 to 91 in 2 days. Didn't really take that long. Between 11-60, I did cows in hell - at first he would gain 1-2 lvls a game, but after lvl 30 he gained 3-4 lvls every run. Of course, since it was hell, I had to teleport a lot to save him. Then, after he got his 60th lvl, I did nm worldstone - he levelled very fast. After lvl 75, I did hell far oasis, lost city and river of flame in full baal games - also gained lvls very fast. He;s 91 now.

[nutt|nuts]

Hi, I also did something the same, buying my merc at lvl2 and started to level him. I kept a close look at his stats and notice that for the 12lvl, he have not have any increase in his life. Do you have the same problem also, or only after a certain level, then their life will start increasing?

I am on the verge of giving up lvling this merc since his life in not increasing. :cheesy:

[bartekwoda]

Hi, I also did something the same, buying my merc at lvl2 and started to level him. I kept a close look at his stats and notice that for the 12lvl, he have not have any increase in his life. Do you have the same problem also, or only after a certain level, then their life will start increasing?

I am on the verge of giving up lvling this merc since his life in not increasing. :cheesy:


I don't know. My merc's life definintely increased...

[Rcuhljr]

Nut if you where level 2 and bought a NM/hell merc, he is forced to be level 2, but has the stats of a level 40 odd I think, until he passes whatever his min level is his stats won't rise.

It is really worth the time to level your merc up, the difference in 20-40 levels between a lowlevel and hell merc is like 1-2 hours of work, not much considering how much time you put into a character.

[nutt|nuts]

Nut if you where level 2 and bought a NM/hell merc, he is forced to be level 2, but has the stats of a level 40 odd I think, until he passes whatever his min level is his stats won't rise.

It is really worth the time to level your merc up, the difference in 20-40 levels between a lowlevel and hell merc is like 1-2 hours of work, not much considering how much time you put into a character.

Hey, thanks. Not to dispute you, but there is something else you need to know. I noticed that he was dying lots around lvl4-5 and noted his life to be at 40. Afterwhich, every lvl he gained, I check and see if his life increased. Which is a no, but this other stats (str/dex/resis) was increasing fine.

Now I have gotten him up to lvl14, around 63str,??dex and 31resist, but at 40 life. :cheesy:

As for his stats being at lvl 40 odds, not really. Since its only 63str with 20 odd resist when I hired him.

I dont mind the time to lvl my merc, but this life thingy is demoralising to me... I cant have a merc with 40life to tank for me you know..

[Rcuhljr]

Hey, thanks. Not to dispute you, but there is something else you need to know. I noticed that he was dying lots around lvl4-5 and noted his life to be at 40. Afterwhich, every lvl he gained, I check and see if his life increased. Which is a no, but this other stats (str/dex/resis) was increasing fine.

Now I have gotten him up to lvl14, around 63str,??dex and 31resist, but at 40 life. :cheesy:

As for his stats being at lvl 40 odds, not really. Since its only 63str with 20 odd resist when I hired him.

I dont mind the time to lvl my merc, but this life thingy is demoralising to me... I cant have a merc with 40life to tank for me you know..


Look at the chart people linked, a hell merc at low levels stays at 40 life for awhile, until about 15 ish or so. Regardless raising a hell merc is kinda pointless, you should either rehire the merc in hell, or if you want a stronger merc higher him from norm.