1 pt smiter Merc?

[Yazman]

This is my first character in about 5 years and I decided to follow the 1 pt smiter zealadin guide.

I narrowed down my choices for merc to a holy freeze aura one or a blessed aim, and i would like to know if anyone with experience would be able to tell me what is better (i dont need a might merc as i have a last wish pb)

This character will pretty much be all purpose, farming keys, pits, and ubers.

[AnimeCraze]

I personally would go might. If not that, then holy freeze. As for when fighting the ubers themselves? I would go for a dead merc.

[Lanceor]

I find the merc doesn't really help the Zealot much - mine usually stays dead. I would probably go Holy Freeze - for survivability, give him the fastest possible weapon and hit recovery so that he can leech off your life tap. Still he's gonna die more often than you'd like.

[kingdryland]

Paladins don't really need mercs. Why people use mercs? For their auras and their tanking abilities,right? Well paladins have their own auras and they are among the best tanks in the game. Having said that, a zealot with a not so good weapon would benefit from a might merc, while one that uses a brutal one could opt for a frosty merc.

[PlayWithHonor]

Did you guys read the initial post?

I personally would go might. If not that, then holy freeze. As for when fighting the ubers themselves? I would go for a dead merc.

He's going to be using a Last Wish. That carries with it a lvl 17 Might Aura. Why would you suggest he use a Might merc?



Paladins don't really need mercs. Why people use mercs? For their auras and their tanking abilities,right? Well paladins have their own auras and they are among the best tanks in the game. Having said that, a zealot with a not so good weapon would benefit from a might merc, while one that uses a brutal one could opt for a frosty merc.

They get mercs to have multiple auras in effect at the same time and it is never a bad idea to have more than 1 tank in the game. Also, not sure why your suggesting a Might merc when his Last Wish will carry with it a Might Aura.


This is my first character in about 5 years and I decided to follow the 1 pt smiter zealadin guide.

I narrowed down my choices for merc to a holy freeze aura one or a blessed aim, and i would like to know if anyone with experience would be able to tell me what is better (i dont need a might merc as i have a last wish pb)

This character will pretty much be all purpose, farming keys, pits, and ubers.

Ok.. here is your answer.

When fighting in Uber Trist... don't bring a merc. Mercs are a bad idea in Trist.

Otherwise, you are using a Last Wish so you'll already have a Might aura going. That weapon also carries with it the mod "ignore target's defense" so you don't need any increase in AR to hit most monsters. But what about the bosses you might ask? Well, that is when you use Smite right which doesn't use AR so once again you don't need AR. As such a Blessed Aim merc is worthless to you. That leaves Holy Freeze as pretty much your only option from the A2 merc pool.

[AnimeCraze]

He's going to be using a Last Wish. That carries with it a lvl 17 Might Aura. Why would you suggest he use a Might merc?Good question. Maybe I was feeling too sleepy.

[kingdryland]

Did you guys read the initial post?

They get mercs to have multiple auras in effect at the same time and it is never a bad idea to have more than 1 tank in the game. Also, not sure why your suggesting a Might merc when his Last Wish will carry with it a Might Aura.


Who said having multiple auras is a bad idea? What I said is that for paladins it is unecessary. When it comes to my pvm zealot a merc is a liability,he wakes ubers at his own will and gives corpses for nihla to blow. As for tanking, once again I don't find it necessary to have one, pallys aren't mf sorcs, to rely on their Kenny-dies-alot for tanking.

[PlayWithHonor]

Who said having multiple auras is a bad idea? What I said is that for paladins it is unecessary. When it comes to my pvm zealot a merc is a liability,he wakes ubers at his own will and gives corpses for nihla to blow. As for tanking, once again I don't find it necessary to have one, pallys aren't mf sorcs, to rely on their Kenny-dies-alot for tanking.

Again... I'd urge you to read the original post.

This guy isn't only going to be doing Ubers/Nihl runs. If that was the case then I'd agree with you but its not. He said "This character will pretty much be all purpose, farming keys, pits, and ubers".

So... for Ubers no merc is the way to go. For Nihl runs its also unwise to use a merc. But for general PvM,Terror/Hate Key farming, pit runs, etc. a Holy Freeze merc can be very beneficial.

If your merc is dying alot then I'd suggest reviewing his gear and doing further research on this site. I don't have those problems with my merc and I know many other peeps here don't either.

[kingdryland]

I know very well what he asked,what I replied , and what you replied.I think you haven't paid attention to my original reply though.

I have also learned these few years what wonderful info this site has to offer. If you really think your zealot really benefits from a merc, then I'd suggest reviewing his gear (zealot's) and doing further research on this site as well.

[PlayWithHonor]

If you really think your zealot really benefits from a merc, then I'd suggest reviewing his gear (zealot's) and doing further research on this site as well.

Is this a joke? Are you seriously saying that my zealot gets no benefit from having a Holy Freeze merc around slowing down all that approach me? :prop:

I'll end my posts in this thread by reaffirming that I absolutely disagree with your statements and urge all that read this thread to careful review the arguments and make up their own minds as to whether or not a Merc would benefit them.

Good luck

[kingdryland]

I don't know why you misinterpret my posts. From my very first answer I said he is better off with a holy freeze merc,like all zealots that use a brutal weapon.

That's for those that really like having a merc next to them. Albeit a well built zealot with expensive gear gets no real benefits whatsoever from a merc. Yes, when you sport 1.8k+ life without bo, superfast attack that is itd and deals damage 10k+ per zeal,maxed resists,decent damage reduction,defense in the tenths of thousands, max block, smite for boses etc etc etc , makes no difference if your enemies are frozen or not by holy freeze, toasted, fried, with bacon or crisps. They will fall like flies in seconds either way. Fallens or ubers. I rest my case here.

[RssDiablo]

hmm, i would just skip the act2 merc in general, i find that the only viable merc for my pvm/uberrunner zealer/dreamer/smiter/etcetc pally (or in the game) is an act1 rogue. they avoid danger, barely ever die, and even though they dont have an aura, if u can afford to be running a ton of ubers at about 5hrs per organset, u can afford to give ur merc some aura-enhanced weapons like faith merc bow. my merc uses dreamhelm,dragonarmor,and faithbow and shes really effective and can actually survive ubertrist with multiplayer games even though u all say deadmerc is only option. just a suggestion
rss

[kingdryland]

Besides staying alive/lingering what else does a rogue offer you in tristram?I personally wouldn't rely on her faith's fanaticism to keep me going while running salvation myself.

[RequiemDeath]

PlayWithHonor, you should do just that... Flaming isn't allowed and you'er leaning toward that tone... Beyond that, I think seeing as how kingdryland wrote one of the most popular guides on this build, and has addressed this subject many times, it would be best that you know when your opinion is just that, and nothing more...

Merc with this build is not necessary in the least... In fact, it can be a big waste of money... However, I do use an act 1 merc from time to time... Reason being, she stays behind me, and out of the way of danger... Less likely to be killed, thus saving me money... I do not use her for auras... I have plenty... I do not use her for help, as I don't really need it... I use her out of boredom, cause it is funny to watch monsters drop that much faster when I have her around... However, she still tends to be a liability... Thus, mercs are an option, and should not be used as a crutch for this build!

Also, ITD doesn't work on bosses AFAIK... ^_~

*Requiem_Death

[kingdryland]

PlayWithHonor, you should do just that... Flaming isn't allowed and your leaning toward that tone... Beyond that, I think seeing as how kingdryland wrote one of the most popular guides on this build, and has addressed this subject many times, it would be best that you know when your opinion is just that, and nothing more...

Merc with this build is not necessary in the least... In fact, it can be a big waste of money... However, I do use an act 1 merc from time to time... Reason being, she stays behind me, and out of the way of danger... Less likely to be killed, thus saving me money... I do not use her for auras... I have plenty... I do not use her for help, as I don't really need it... I use her out of boredom, cause it is funny to watch monsters drop that much faster when I have her around... However, she still tends to be a liability... Thus, mercs are an option, and should not be used as a crutch for this build!

Also, ITD doesn't work on bosses AFAIK... ^_~

*Requiem_Death

Actually I may give an act1 merc a shot. Pure boredom indeed. After all there are so many nice bow runewords other than faith. A brand,or even better an Ice perhaps...

[PlayWithHonor]

PlayWithHonor, you should do just that... Flaming isn't allowed and you'er leaning toward that tone... Beyond that, I think seeing as how kingdryland wrote one of the most popular guides on this build, and has addressed this subject many times, it would be best that you know when your opinion is just that, and nothing more...

Merc with this build is not necessary in the least... In fact, it can be a big waste of money... However, I do use an act 1 merc from time to time... Reason being, she stays behind me, and out of the way of danger... Less likely to be killed, thus saving me money... I do not use her for auras... I have plenty... I do not use her for help, as I don't really need it... I use her out of boredom, cause it is funny to watch monsters drop that much faster when I have her around... However, she still tends to be a liability... Thus, mercs are an option, and should not be used as a crutch for this build!

Also, ITD doesn't work on bosses AFAIK... ^_~

*Requiem_Death

General PvM an A2 merc is useful. Uber Trist/Nihl/Chaos runs a merc is expensive.

An A1 merc is a nice suggestion (we always get hung up on using an A2 merc when there are other options).

RequiemDeath - Check your PM.

[Kupa]

I actually considered outfitting a barb merc with a last wish eth CB (or CS? whichever gets 6 sockets) for kicks. Though a Rogue merc with Ice might actually be interesting, especially with that high level HF she'd be throwing around. Either merc could go with a Fort/Andy's Visage. Or, perhaps treachery. Once Fade kicks in they'd be able to better survive and/or the IAS is pretty nifty as well.

Heh. I'm determined to get a merc to survive Trist, I love those things ;)

-Kupa

[RssDiablo]

Besides staying alive/lingering what else does a rogue offer you in tristram?I personally wouldn't rely on her faith's fanaticism to keep me going while running salvation myself.

well... u dont have to rely on fanat, just helpful if it isnt his main aura, and u can also choose any other aurainducing gear for the merc, i was merely making point that rogue doesnt die as often as other mercs. And also, please read first post more clearly, his pally is for mf also, not just ubers. and yes any aura even harmony would help with this. and btw, i dont use salvation

[kingdryland]

You can also read my first answer. Nothing wrong with having a merc with a zealot.A merc adds taste, fun ,interest,call it what you will, but no real assistance.

[RssDiablo]

yeah sorry i didnt read fisrt post, but also posters question was what kind he should get, not whether he should get one or not. just my opinions though so feel free to ignore everything ive said

[RequiemDeath]

After talking with PlayWithHonor, I remembered the horrible curse IM that kicks us all in our teeth... An act one merc would chew through Chaos right quick like, offering you crowd control while using the likes of Passion or something... So, depending on what you're doing should dictate whether or not to use a merc... Kupa, if you get one to survive in Uber Trist, please do tell us! In fact, I think I'll try that out myself... Yay! Something new on my "to do list"!

*Requiem_Death

[kingdryland]

Perhaps I should collect all the known methods of dealing nicely with IM in one post. A bow on switch is among them, after you run chaos sanctuary with an act 1 merc, do it alone, using something like a WWS,a Windforce or even better a widowmaker (GA) on switch, with fana on. I personally found soloing once again to be the best way.

[RequiemDeath]

Perhaps I should collect all the known methods of dealing nicely with IM in one post. A bow on switch is among them, after you run chaos sanctuary with an act 1 merc, do it alone, using something like a WWS,a Windforce or even better a widowmaker (GA) on switch, with fana on. I personally found soloing once again to be the best way.

Without a doubt, that would be nice... I'll have to give that a shot...

*Requiem_Death

[MCpl Slackbag]

*thinks evil thoughts*

i like the thought of a a5 merc w/ might... it sounds really fun. So far, my merc has always gotten mobbed w/ uberz but that sort of tanking power is tasty, specially w/ a half-decent bo

[kingdryland]

Just be careful with their gear in tristram, You really don't want a "ctc when struck" curse to kick in and cancel your life tap.

[Eilo Rytyj]

Just be careful with their gear in tristram, You really don't want a "ctc when struck" curse to kick in and cancel your life tap.

Another reason not to have a merc in Uber Tristram.