Thresher vs Cryptic Axe for Merc? Need advice.

[Molen]

1. I just found a 5 socket Cryptc Axe and a white Thresher(which i presume will get 5 sockets if socketed by Larzuk) and since I'm not rich I'm thinking of making the Obedience runeword which seems like a good "bang for the buck" and I have the runes in question.

Now I wonder which of the two I should use? Crypic Axe does more damage but the Thresher is faster so which one does more damage over time? Anyone know the exakt figures since if there isn't a big difference I'm thinking of using the Cryptic Axe as it already got sockets? I won't be using any more IAS equipment on my merc if that matters. Any other pro/cons of either one I haven't thought of?

2. Are any of these worth anything for trade? I've read about people doing pitruns for white items so which white items are worth anything?

[omgwtfbbqpwned]

You forgot that Cryptic Axe has twice the range of a Thresher. I would go with the Cryptic Axe.

And unfortunately, unless these are ethereal and/or superior with 10+% ED, I'm afraid they won't be netting you anything...

Hi, welcome. :)

[Molen]

You forgot that Cryptic Axe has twice the range of a Thresher. I would go with the Cryptic Axe.

And unfortunately, unless these are ethereal and/or superior with 10+% ED, I'm afraid they won't be netting you anything...

Hi, welcome. :)

Thanks for the speedy answer and the "welcome".

Ok, the Cryptic Axe has twice the range, didn't know that. What practical benefit does my merc get from that? Better survivability? Sorry for the newbie questions, I've been playing for a while but never really got into the finer points of the game so to speak.

No, unfortunately they aren't ethereal and/or superior. If they were, what kind of pricerange are we talking about? Any other white or socketed items(eth/sup) I should be on the lookout for while playing or are merc weapons the only ones interesting when trading?

[thegiantturtle]

Welcome to the forums.

Esteemed forum member RTB has an excellent merc weapon comparison that can be downloaded from this thread (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=390270).

Extra range would allow your merc to possible hit enemies that are farther away (When they are first reaching each other, after a knockback, etc...) Range is nice, but I, personally, don't find it that necessary for a merc weapon.

If you're playing ladder, 4 socket, 5 socket, 6 socket and unsocketed ethereal, elite swords and axes are always sought after. On either NL or L, Any 6 socket ethereal, elite weapon and any 4 socket or 5 socket ethereal, elite mercenary weapon would also by nice. You can look up some specific values in the Trade Values (http://forums.diabloii.net/forumdisplay.php?f=25) forum and get an idea of what other items might be worth keeping.

[RTB]

Extra range would allow your merc to possible hit enemies that are farther away (When they are first reaching each other, after a knockback, etc...) Range is nice, but I, personally, don't find it that necessary for a merc weapon.
Merc range is fixed at 3.

[omgwtfbbqpwned]

As for white items, the following can be traded for quite nicely sometimes:

4os Monarchs
4os Pally Shield with High Resists
3os/4os 500+ Def Archon Plate
3os/4os 450+ Def Dusk Shroud
+3 Grand Matron Bows
Ethereal Cryptic Axe
Ethereal Greater Poleaxe
Beserker Axes (Ethereal and Non-Ethereal)
Phase Blades
Collosus Blades

[Molen]

Thanks for all the advice, will be checking out the threads. I suspect I'll soon be back with more newbie questions although I will search the forums first to see if they've already been answered.

[thegiantturtle]

Merc range is fixed at 3.

I did not know that. Oops.

[Darnoc]

Merc range is fixed at 3.

So even if you have a polearm with a range of only 2, the merc will still have a range of three with it?

[RTB]

So even if you have a polearm with a range of only 2, the merc will still have a range of three with it?
Yes.

Act 3 and 5 mercs have a fixed range of 1 btw.