Question about Grief

[MassBJJ]

I just made a PVM Frenzy Barb equiped with 2 PB Griefs. I have always used EBOTD CB's before and had a few questions regarding the change to dual Griefs.

1. Does it make sense to use sockets for ED Jewels in helms armor etc? It seems that it doesn't make as much difference with grief as it does with BOTD. Or should I use those free sockets for IAS?

2. I've been playing around with either a might merc (can't afford pride on this merc) and an act 1 merc with Faith (Fant aura). Now since I'm a sword barb and can't use beast, it seems to me that if the ED from a might merc doesn't make that much of a difference with the 2 griefs, I would be better off with a fant merc which speeds up my attack speed. Am I guessing incorrectly? Thanks in advance!

[Von Lazuli]

The ed does in fact make a very large difference, the character screen however simply doesn't display it.

With phase blades you will probably not need much more ias, so go with ed or resists on your sockets.

Might is always good. Although, think about blessed aim if you need ar.

Lazuli

[Omikron8]

might merc + pride

a1 mercs are morons

[MassBJJ]

As I said I can't afford Pride, I f I could i would definately go with an act 2 might merc. Whenever equip something with ed with the griefs I don't see such a large jump in my damage. I keep thinking that since the extra damage is added on after the fact that maybe the ed or might may not make that much of a difference? Are there any tables that explain how this works? (ED calculated in with grief as compared to an equivilent weapon say BOTD)

[Terenas]

The problem is, MassBJJ, that I fear that when you stack ed on Griefs, you see on the lcs only the effect of the applied ed to grief base weapon damage, that may be the reason for which you do not notice any important difference. The ed, in reality, would apply to your total grief damage though, and as this last is very high, you would enjoy a nice increase in overall damage, even for off-weapon ed. I guess that your best option is to check the boards to find the full Damage explanation formula, I am looking for it but didn't find it yet. Also Arreat lists the damage formula somewhere.

Bye

[ToThePoint]

As I said I can't afford Pride, I f I could i would definately go with an act 2 might merc. Whenever equip something with ed with the griefs I don't see such a large jump in my damage. I keep thinking that since the extra damage is added on after the fact that maybe the ed or might may not make that much of a difference? Are there any tables that explain how this works? (ED calculated in with grief as compared to an equivilent weapon say BOTD)
as you were already told the damage doesn't display correctly.
As in 10000000000000000 threads already the +damage acts as +min and +max on the weapon.
zerker grief with +380dam = 404-451 (24->71 with+380 to min and 380 to max) damage just not displayed.
look in strategy compendium for formula for calculating damage and use the +dam part as +min and +max in weapon damage.

[Omikron8]

alright here's a better reason

a2 mercs can tank for themselves

a1 mercs cannot and actually frequently run INTO melee packs to die

hard to use your merc's aura when they are dead right ?