need more strength on my merc...

[Xylario]

my merc is lvl 82 (like me) and i just found a 4 soc CV which i would like for insight... the only problem is the strength... right now my merc has 181 strength, undead crown (for the life leech) and some body armor i found on the floor that has 1200+ defense (no other bonusses)
so i would need like 30 str from somewhere to be able to use that CV insight... and i can't remove the headpiece because i need the leech... I've been searching body armors with nice +str but haven't really found anything interesting, does anyone here know of any?
Or should i take something and socket it?
(i'm also trying to get a crown of thieves for the better ll, so maybe i should socket that one with +str? or shouldn't i waste a socket on that :) )

thanks in advance

[Neksja]

Try Andariel's Visage helm, 25-30 to strength and 10life leech. Along with +2skills.

Neksja

edit. Well can't tell you price of it, you might want to ask that one from Trade Values forum.

Of course you could try to find another Armor for your merc, with strength bonuses. Maybe Lionheart (Hel-Lum-Fal) RW, It gives +25 strength along with another mods with pretty cheap runes.

[Xylario]

waw, i guess that's an expensive one? :)

[fahartle]

Andy's helm is the best source of strength because, in my opinion, it's the ultimate helm for an Act 2 merc. Everyone knows this which means they're in short-supply, especially right after the ladder reset. Other sources of str boosting equipment you can think about, though, is Leviathan armor, Duriel's Shell, Toothrow, Veil of Steel helm, or even the normal Face of Horror mask. I would vote for getting enough str to wear the CV even if you sacrifice defense (the whole idea is that he'll leech enough off the extra damage anyway). One other trick is Griswold's armor - it's got +20 str and three sockets so you can throw in some str jewels if you'd like (I used that one on one of my mercs). But the best approach is probably to level up a bit more and your merc will happily follow. Get up to 86-87 and it'll be much easier to equip him. Good luck!

[krischan]

Better socket griswold's armor with a perfect amehyst, it's easier to get than a +str jewel and it adds +10.

[redtan]

The spirit link forge armor also has +25 strength and 2 sockets, easily making it up to 45 with amethysts.

The armor is cheap too.

[fahartle]

Spirit link - that's a good one (though I think it's +15 str). With two ammys, that'll get you to +35 str. Griswold's can get you to +50 str, which should be more than enough. That'll leave you with extra room to slap something else in there... At this point in the season, though, I'd go with whatever you can get your hands on cheap. Level up to high 80s and eventually you'll find enough to buy a Andy's helm. Then you're golden!!

[Xylario]

i can't find any info on spirit link...

btw, if i wouldn't need strength, what would i put into the sockets of a helm, or body armor for my merc? for example in the griswold's, those 3 sockets...

thanks all for the info

[krischan]

Its real name is Spirit Forge, an exceptional unique armor. I think that Griswold's armor is better for a merc BTW.

[Xylario]

aah, k, found it now, i think i'll go for the gris also ;)

[fahartle]

Yep, you can put an assortment in the griswold armor sockets. Low runes if your merc needs any resists (lightning maxed resist is always a good idea), or a good jewel. But remember that this armor will likely be temporary until you get something better. You can put one or two amethysts in there so you have a good +str armor on call for the next merc. Or you can slap three perfect topazes in there and let your merc add to your magic find occasionally (that's what I like to do).

You need to get to the magic 210 str for your CV (a little less, I think, if it is ethereal), and your merc will have 190 str at level 87. So that's griswald's alone will get you there. That's why I'd recommend only putting one Ammy in there, if that, and the rest ptopazes. Keep an eye out for a good buy on a Andy's helm, though. That'll solve all your problems and free up your armor slot for your fortitude eth glitched Laquered Plate (sure I still have one of those laying around here somewhere...).