Another Armor Question for Merc.

[woofytexan]

OK. I have my Merc. from Act V (Barb.) Nightmare. lvl. 73.
He is currently wearing Shaftstop. def.669/213% def./+250 vs. missle/+60 life/30% damage reduction.
I just found Godly Great Hauberk. Def. 1440! Insane! :shocked:
Do I stick with the Shaftstop or toss it and use GGH?
He also has Glorious Lion Helm of the Mammoth (def. 109/+1 BC/ +1 Inc. Spd./ +2 Iron Skin/44% Enh. Def/ +31 life) and a Ferocious Gothic Sword. 117-194.

I'm running a bowazon so he (along with the valk.) is my tank.
Thanks in advance for the advice. :thumbsup:

[jiansonz]

The difference in Defense will not matter much in the late game unless it´s boosted to very high numbers. It might have made a difference on a Defiance merc, or if you had been a Paladin using Defiance or a barb using Shout to help him with the defense. I´d go with Shaftstop, no doubt.

That´s a decent sword he has there. Where in the game are you at the moment?

He would tank even better if you gave him something with life steal. That way, he can heal himself when he hits (anything except skeletons and physical immune monsters).
If you play untwinked, the best ways to do this in your current situation is to either gamble circlets until you get one with life steal or to craft a Blood helmet.

[psych]

Also remember that the skills on that helm will not help your barb (their only skills are bash and stun and I am not even sure a barb helm with +bash would help here) so in effect it is a 109 def 31 life helmet. 1 perfect ruby socketed in a helm already gives 38 life, so you might easily be able to find better options for the helm slot.

I agree that shaftstop is a way better armor for him than the godly greater hauberk

[NmFactory]

Yeah life steal is the most important thing for an act2 or 5 mercenary. If you are playing on realms it's easy to trade for it with a handful of perfect gems - look for Tal Rasha's mask or Crown of Thieves and Doombringer (sword). If you are playing single player gamble circlets and the biggest two handed swords your merc can use. Also, stick with the Shaftstop.

[thegiantturtle]

(their only skills are bash and stun and I am not even sure a barb helm with +bash would help here)+bash (barbarian only) will help any character that has a native bash skill (barbarian, Act 5 merc, and, if it existed, anyone with a bash oskill item). The chance of getting a +bash barbarian helm is ridiculously low, so it doesn't really matter anyway.

[woofytexan]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I'll stick with Shaftstop.

I have been gambling on swords for the merc. but this is the best I could get for now. I'd like to find one with life steal and decent damage but I get one or the other. :tongue: I'm hoping to find another Lion Helm with sockets. I have a few perfect skulls that would look really nice in there. :grin:

Currently, I am in Act I Hell. Just went through the Dark Woods to get Deckerd Kain. I'm gonna play Stoney Fields, passage and Dark Woods 2 more times since I rushed through those to get more experience, maybe a level, and hopefully some runes. I'm missing Nef for Melody and need another Tir to make one.

Happy Adventuring!

PS: Anyone playing Guild Wars? I've heard and read that it is a very good Diablo alternative. And any word on Diablo 3? :prop:

[Bad Religion]

Hey do you play on West Ladder or NL. If so leave your account name and I can give you some items to help you out if you want.