Merc weapon question

[Mombassa]

Hi!

I'm gonna buy an insight made in a cryptic axe. Does it matter if its ethernal or not? What does ethernal exactly does, affects dmg or str req?

[ffejrxx]

it has lower reqs and higher dmg
dmg+50%, and -10str/dex

[Mombassa]

Hmm what a pitty whit the dmg,.... Well ty anyway, if anyone have en ethernal ca pm me or write here pls:D

[krischan]

To be precise, an ethereal weapon has a 50% bonus to base damage and that bonus gets bultiplied by %ed. That means, an ethereal weapon with 200%ed isn't just like a noneth one with 250%. The %ed will be applied to 1.5 times the normal base damage instead.

It's not a problem to use a noneth weapon for a merc Insight because the runes are cheap and you can make another one once you have a decent ethereal weapon, but you shouldn't use them for the more expensive merc runewords.

[ProfessionalBerg]

... Which is why ethereal weapons are so popular for runewords like BotD (7.5x damage in ethereal, 5x in non-ethereal), Infinity (merc carries it anyway), Oath and other indestructible RW's or RW's used by mercs. Etherealness adds a huge chunk of damage.

[Mombassa]

Ah, ty.

Is it possible to buy an ethernal insight CA for an um rune?

[krischan]

I doubt that. 4 socket CAs are more rare than CVs because Larzuk will add 5 sockets to them, so you either need a lucky find or a lucky roll with the socketing recipe which is the reason why they are normally used for the more expensive runewords like Infinity. On ladder Europe it should be possible to buy an eth CV - Larzuk will add the 4 sockets. A CV has a higher str req (200 if ethereal), but that can be overcome at lower levels with e.g. Griswold's armor with 3 PAmathysts (adds 50 str).

[Mombassa]

Well i have already bought a forty for my merc so i would like to use it. Well, then i guess i'll have to spend a little more, would 1-3 ists do fine for an eth CA insight?

ty guys for helping me out.

[krischan]

No, that's far too much. On ladder Europe you shouldn't pay more than Mal for it, although I still suggest to use a CV. Griswold's armor costs just a few gems and it's good enough at the level your merc cannot wear an eth CV yet. That armor will be useful for future mercs as well while they are at a low level.