Blizz MF sorc, which merc?

[TonZZa]

Hi!

I have a pure blizzard MF sorceress. I'm running Andy and Meph currently, however, I intend to start killin', atleast, Pindle and maybe clear out The Pit too. So, I have an obvious problem, I'm a blizzard sorc focusing on cold dmg and Pindleskin is (nearly?)always cold immune.
I need a merc to take out pindle for me. Which one should I choose? Note that the merc should also survive the beating of Andy, Meph(and The Pit?). We are ofcourse talkin' 'bout the merc being lvl90+ with "decent" equipment.
Personally I was mainly thinking about an Act2 or an Act5 merc, then again on an Act3 merc I could get about 300mf! Your advice/opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[Gaza0469]

Hi!

I have a pure blizzard MF sorceress. I'm running Andy and Meph currently, however, I intend to start killin', atleast, Pindle and maybe clear out The Pit too. So, I have an obvious problem, I'm a blizzard sorc focusing on cold dmg and Pindleskin is (nearly?)always cold immune.
I need a merc to take out pindle for me. Which one should I choose? Note that the merc should also survive the beating of Andy, Meph(and The Pit?). We are ofcourse talkin' 'bout the merc being lvl90+ with "decent" equipment.
Personally I was mainly thinking about an Act2 or an Act5 merc, then again on an Act3 merc I could get about 300mf! Your advice/opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

All the above choices would be fine

Act 2 - Might - Best Killer - give him lots of leach and he will survive. Note that all mercs will struggle versus bosses as they dont get any leach, they only do part of their normal damage versus boses and they recieve double damage.

Act 5 - Barbarian - Excellent choice as well. Almost as fast a killer as the might merc, better HP regeneration so they tend to live slightly longer versus bosses, if you have items with + to bash or stun then these are definately very good.

I guess it would really depend on what weapons you have available , and if you have a nice barbarian only helm.


both of these mercs will die from time to time versus bosses if u dont keep some full rejuvs on ya, or at least some red pots.



Act 3 Mercs will tend to survive versus bosses, but if u load him up with MF , then he definately wont get the last hit in - which means all that MF wont be for anything.

They also require very specialized custom gear to make them work.. Plus cold is the best choice, and since u already have a cold attack, they would not be very useful

I would be inclined not to choose this type of merc.

[TonZZa]

...
Yep, an Act3 cold merc (which are the most efficient?)wouldn't be that of a wise choice since I'm already focused on cold, as you mentioned. The lightning one's dmg is bugged and well, the fire guy. Can pindle be both fire and cold immune?

Seems to me that I'll have to choose between Act2 and Act5 then. So, should I go Act5 - barb or perhaps Act2 - Holy Freeze or Might merc. The defense merc would be a little of use to me since I'm a vitality sorc and getting a few blows isn't that of a big problem anyway.
If, as Gaza mentioned, a Might merc really kills the fastest, I should propably choose him and I have actually no problem with other monsters than those who are immune to cold.

Might merc, here we go!

Ty for your help!

Edit: Still have to ask and get it clarified, WILL a Might merc survive the beating of Meph? Many claim that it's Meph who beat the crap out their merc, otherwise they do just fine. With Meph in mind, should I rather choose the Act5 barb?

[Asmodeus The Great]

I would go Act 2 Holy Freeze Merc. Remeber, Killing power isnt an issue for a blizz sorc, you need a merc that can tank for you, plain and simple. The Holy Freeze merc will slow down everything in your path as well, even cold immunes! Which makes it easier for you to stay alive. (And him as well.)

My MF sorc has a A2 HF merc with a reaper's toll, (Casts Decreptify) and the combo of holy freeze/decrep lets him live through tanking of Andy & Meph easily.

[RetroStar]

I would go Act 2 Holy Freeze Merc. Remeber, Killing power isnt an issue for a blizz sorc, you need a merc that can tank for you, plain and simple. The Holy Freeze merc will slow down everything in your path as well, even cold immunes! Which makes it easier for you to stay alive. (And him as well.)

My MF sorc has a A2 HF merc with a reaper's toll, (Casts Decreptify) and the combo of holy freeze/decrep lets him live through tanking of Andy & Meph easily.

Are you sure Holy Freeze slows down cold immunes too? It never seems to do that for mine.

[Decebal]

I use a defiance merc (Act 2)!

He is equiped with 3 socketed Tomb Reaver (2 ist + amn), Skulders (PTopaz) and Eth Steal Skull 50 MF (Ptopaz). I have to use potions to keep him alive (rejuv mostly) but he deliveres always the last hit on Andy, Mefi and Pindle.

Running Pits with would take longer i guess (never tried that) But ancient tunnels in act 2 work great!

/Dec

[chaca]

Are you sure Holy Freeze slows down cold immunes too? It never seems to do that for mine.

Yes, HF affects everything, even CIs. If you ever played with a char wearing raven frost, you might notice taht the only time you get frozen is when a monster with HF is nearby. Same thing works for the HF merc. He will slow down CIs.

I have a level 88 pure bliz sorc that I run meph and andy, tunnels, countess, etc with. My merc is HF and is my level as well. He wears eth Reapers Toll, Duriels shell, and Vamp gaze.

I basically tele right up next to meph and then walk back a little. leaving my merc to duke it out with him. I typically go through 2-3 red pots killing meph when other players are in the game. If I'm the only one in the game then my merc typically survives fine with no help from me.

IMHO the major key to merc survivability is a big damage weapon and tons of leach. I particulaly like duriels shell on my merc as Meph has a tendency to freeze him quite a bit if he is wearing something else. With this setup I can take out CI boses and minions (like the countess) with just my merc. I stand back and static while he pounds away and leaches from the minions like crazy. You'd be suprised how often decrep casts on the reapers too.

anyway, just my 2 cents. hope you gained somethign from it.

[Asmodeus The Great]

I have a level 88 pure bliz sorc that I run meph and andy, tunnels, countess, etc with. My merc is HF and is my level as well. He wears eth Reapers Toll, Duriels shell, and Vamp gaze...


Go figure, thats exactly what I have on mine, only he is lvl 90, and the duriel's is upped & Umed, and the Reaper's Toll isn't eth. (I'm poor, lol) The only better merc armor I've found is an upped Shaftstop that works GREAT for hell cow runs. The Duriel's is better for Meph though, like you explained. Great minds think alike, I guess. :D

[darzog]

Just to reinforce, I have a 89 Bliz sorc and with my A2 HF merc I can do Pindle, Pits, Countess, Baal and even Snake Temple (unless lvl is packed).

Gear is
Eth Gaze - Um'ed
Eth Reaper's - 33% ED jewel for now
Up'ed Shaft - Um'ed

With HF, yes it does chill CI monsters, but there are some monsters not affected. Overall, the chill slows most guys and clusters boss groups so they stay in Bliz area. Might would be better for absolute damage against CI but HF does pretty well and heps vs. all NPCs.

_________________
Darzog