weapon for merc

[Pugzila]

Currently I'm a lvl 96 Avenger Pally. My merc is a lvl 95 NM A2 (Neeraj). I'm not sure what class he is. He's carry a Crescent Moon, but I'd like to get him something better. Any ideas? Remember, this is for a non-ladder, single player game. Thanks.

[roomba]

is he offensive, defensive, or combat?

[Pugzila]

Is there an easy way to tell? I know his name is Neeraj if that helps.

[JustAGeek]

Basically.... which aura does he use?

[Pugzila]

I've stripped both characters of all gear, and turned off my auras. I don't see any aura around my merc. Should I just let him expire and hire a new merc? If so, which one?

[jiansonz]

If it´s a new game, he needs to see a couple of monsters before he has a probability (small probability per decision he has to make, but should get started pretty soon).

Holy Freeze is blue and "slimy", Might is a yellowish small and spiky circle, Thorns is a bigger spiky circle.

[Pugzila]

This wouldn’t be a new game, I’m already at lvl 96. I don’t want to waste that character. I meant, should I get a new merc? OK, he has the Holy Freeze aura. Does that make him a N, NM, or Hell merc? I think he is a NM merc.

[jiansonz]

Yes, that is a NM Defensive merc.

What I meant by "new game" is that when you start a playing session (or have just resurrected a dead merc) the aura is not activated so the merc needs to be "triggered" by monsters.


What weapon type is the Crescent Moon made in? CM in a fast weapon type with good damage sounds like a great option, especially since your main aura is Conviction or Fanaticism, right? Crescent Moon in an elite is better than anything I have ever managed to get any of my act 2 mercs (single-pass untwinked play).

The merc needs some sort of life steal to perform well. Since the weapon has none, you need to get it from armor or helm. Armors are hard to get life steal from (I only know one unique who has it). Helms are easier. A couple of the set/unique helms have it, but the most obvious way to get it is to gamble circlets.

BTW, how can it be "non-ladder" in SP? Why mention ladder at all?
Single Player has access to everything that is ladder-only, execpt the World- and Über events, items tied to them and the second batch of the 1.10 runewords.

[Pugzila]

Yes, my main auras are Conviction and Vengeance. My merc is carrying CM made from an “Ogre Axe”. When I highlight it, it shows 126 to 653 damage, but under his stats it shows 636 to 2387 damage. He is wearing “Chains of Honor” made from “Archon Plate”. It has “8% Life Stolen Per Hit” and “Replenish Life +7” on it. His helmet is “Delirium” made from “Bone Visage”.

I mention non-ladder, because most people assume I play on the ladder, that's all.