How much +str does my merc get per level?

[SevenOhSix]

Is there any way to tell how much str/dex my merc will get each level, other than simply going out and levelling him. I'm on level 70 so though not too hard it would be kind of annoying. I want to give him a colossus voulge but he's still way under the strength requirement and I dont really want to have to make some +strength items for him to wear. He's an act 2, NM offensive merc if that helps any.
And on a side note, why do guides suggest getting the NM merc's, but not the Hell ones, wouldn't hell ones be stronger?

[VitaminE]

http://www.diabloii.net/townsfolk/warrior-defensive.shtml

My merc used tal mask w fal and a Lionheart it have 25 str.. but now hes 92 and do not need that fal .... for cv eth insigt

[JME]

Merc Guide (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=304163)
The downloadable excel spreadsheet file under "Merc Stats and Leveling Mercs" should answer your first question. I strongly recommend it.

Suggestions for + strength helms would be andy's visage, giant skull, veil of steel, ondal's helm, nat's helm, naj's circ, guill face, and pamethysts. Some armors have +st too such as duriels, corpsemourn, levi, and toothrow, but helms seem to be the most flexible choice on mercs (and tend to have higher bonuses).

Also, for the record, hell mercs are the weakest (lowest stats). Normal mercs have the best stats, then NM, then hell...although the difference isn't major. People generally use NM mercs for their auras (thorns, holy freeze and might) which tend to be more player and party friendly (and overall useful). Since normal and hell mercs have the same auras, getting a hell merc would simply be dumb.

Hirelings (http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/basics/hirelings.shtml)

[SevenOhSix]

Thanks for the links, its surprising how much info is around for this game. What if I put a hel and a couple of pamethysts into a helm? The hel is a bit expensive but if I do find one I don't think there's anything else I would really want it for. Would the -15% requirements affect my merc? The hel would bring the requirement down by about 31 points, then the 2 pamethysts would give him +20 strength, so he would only need 159 strength.

[JME]

Hel runes only affect the strength/dex requirements of the item that they are socketed in.

[SevenOhSix]

Damn, oh well, guess I'll go farming for pamethysts and socketed items.

[HardyTarget]

Andariel's mask gives up to 30 str and has also a nice lifeleech making it a kicky merc helm.
You can wear eth cv easily when you have that helm.

[VitaminE]

Andariel's mask gives up to 30 str and has also a nice lifeleech making it a kicky merc helm.
You can wear eth cv easily when you have that helm.

but Andariel's mask is not a cheap item ... but yes it have nice str :wave:

[JME]

but Andariel's mask is not a cheap item ... but yes it have nice str :wave:

And I already listed a ton of options, andy's included.:azn:

Suggestions for + strength helms would be andy's visage, giant skull, veil of steel, ondal's helm, nat's helm, naj's circ, guill face, and pamethysts. Some armors have +st too such as duriels, corpsemourn, levi, and toothrow, but helms seem to be the most flexible choice on mercs (and tend to have higher bonuses).