Time for an upgrade.. :)

[Spagge]

Heya, I just obtained an Ist from hf hell, and I figured I should invest it in improved eq for my mf sorc & her merc.
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Atm Im wearing:
Shako (ptopaz)
Occu
Tal arm (ptopaz)
Stormshield (pdiamond)
Frostburns
Talbelt (15%mf)
Nagel (26%)
Raven (19/184 or smthn)
Tal amu
wartravelers (33%)

charms:
- 19l, 7psr
- 13l
- 2x 6%mf
- Gheeds 28%

and wizardspike/eyeless wall for teleing switch

my merc:
Tal mask
Duriel's shell
meatscraper (10%lfs)
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I haven't started doing meph/andy hell yet, due to the simple reason that me nor my merc lasts more than a couple of seconds in their presence, so it's definitly not more mf-focused gear im after. Any suggestions are welcome :)
(preferably items worth ist in total, but I could trade some items that I will wont be using anyways)

[ProfessionalBerg]

Knowing your build might help. Is this a meteorb? In that case, using full Tal's set is much more preferred than a Shako + Occy setup (Use forum search to find the "Truth about Tal's set" thread). If you are so much inclined to pimp your ride that is the set, you can add facets to the socket (fire -5% res is preferred,but cold +5% dmg is ok as well). Also, if you are going for max block then use Stormshield, but if you use it only for resists/PDR%, I'd recommend Spirit.

Get an Insight runeword for your merc (cheap and effective), alternatively, Bonehew, Reaper's Toll, Obedience RW. Get him Shaftstop - if non-ethereal, they are pretty cheap.

[EDIT]: Getting a low sorc torch (Mal if lucky) can boost your damage/resists as well.

[Spagge]

Knowing your build might help. Is this a meteorb? In that case, using full Tal's set is much more preferred than a Shako + Occy setup (Use forum search to find the "Truth about Tal's set" thread). If you are so much inclined to pimp your ride that is the set, you can add facets to the socket (fire -5% res is preferred,but cold +5% dmg is ok as well). Also, if you are going for max block then use Stormshield, but if you use it only for resists/PDR%, I'd recommend Spirit.

Get an Insight runeword for your merc (cheap and effective), alternatively, Bonehew, Reaper's Toll, Obedience RW. Get him Shaftstop - if non-ethereal, they are pretty cheap.

[EDIT]: Getting a low sorc torch (Mal if lucky) can boost your damage/resists as well.

oh, I totally forgot about declaring my build, but yes, she's a meteorb.

I think I read 'the truth about tal's set' some time ago, but from what I understood, it said that occu+shako is still better, but only vaguily. Guess Im reading it again ;)

Thing is, I was going to use storm for maxblock, but mistakenly I put some points to many in dex (bout +80 with gear :S), so I guess spirit wouldn't be so bad for me.

Should I keep the tal mask for my merc or would he be better off with a gaze?

Im definitly interested in a torch, but I wasn't sure about the price. Btw, what's anni going for these days?

[ProfessionalBerg]

I'm not sure about an anni, but low torches go for around mal-ist these days (sorc torch).

If you go max block, you have to use stormshield or similar high-block shield. You need over 300 dexterity at level 85 for max block%. So just leave it at that.

Gaze is preferred on mercenary UNLESS he's got low resists. I am forced to use Tal's helm in combination with Shaftstop, otherwise his resists drop to 53 (I am level 88), and he dies too easily from elemental attacks.

Occy+Shako setup is better only damage-wise, that is, if you are fighting enemies with 0 fire resist, this setup is better. But against Mephisto, who has 75% fire resist, the full Tal's set is infinitely better - you do 60% more damage (you heard that, 60%!) when using Tal's orb against an Oculus (60% is rough estimate, the extra +2 skills on the Oculus make this a bit lower).

[melianor]

Also don't forget about the random Teleport on Oculus, which can be nasty, suddenly landing you ina pack of Gloams with boss, when teleporting to WSK3.

[flamingchen]

Ah, occy random teleport...I've had too many bad situations with that. Some people don't, but since elemental attacks are basically ITD, you end up teleing a LOT in hot areas full of elemental crap.