How to make a KILLER Merc for a Sorceress (Cold)

[evev]

Hey guys,

After educating myself, I realized that if I'm going to run a pure blizzard sorc then I have very little benefit from an Infinity Polearm (compared to other single element sorcs). Now I'm on a quest to make a Merc who is the toughest melee character possible so I can have him kill cold immunes in Hell for me.

Currently using an Act 2 Nightmare Defensive Merc, but open to suggestions.

KILLER Merc Goals:

-=Primary=-
1) As good as possible Hell survivability
2) As high as possible physical damage

-=Secondary=-
3) Elemental damage on top of physical would be nice for those rare Cold+Physical immune bosses
4) Some MF would be nice, but far from necessary

After looking around at pre-made "perfect" characters I thought that Andariel's Visage (unique helm) and the Fortitutde Runeword (made in a Lacquered Plate or up) are popular. Any thoughts on helm/armor?

===Weapon Problem===
Clueless about what weapons to pick. Currently my merc uses an average Insight made in a Cryptic Axe. I must admit that I rely heavily on the Meditation Aura to spam my spells, but is there a better alternative?

Really confused on this matter and it sucks when I spend 5+ minutes trying to help my merc kill off Hell countess with her minions... Have to make multiple trips to town for healing pots (for him) because best I can do is static or telekinesis the Rogues :(

Advice appreciated!

[sweetalmonds]

if you dont need insight, obedience is very good with high cb, enchant for ar and the resist all for survival. as for the helm and armor ias/fr jewel'd andy's for leech and fort for damage.

[sirpoopsalot]

The HolyFreeze mercs are ok, but in my opinion they're overrated; the aura typically works worst against the most dangerous monsters (so when you need the aura the most is when it works the least :(). Personally, I tend to prefer one of two choices these days:

1) Prayer mercs with Insight polearms (Act2, Normal, Combat). The main reason is because I'm lazy and don't like to drink potions, and the ~50-60 life regenerated every ~2 seconds (on top of the ridiculous mana regeneration) is good support for my lazy arse.

2) Might mercs (Act2, Nightmare, Offensive). They'll have more damage per hit, and therefore more leech per hit, and therefore I actually find them a little more sturdy than HF mercs. And more damage per hit obviously means they kill things faster.

If you wanted a merc that can tank though, the Defiance ones are the best (Act2, Defensive, Normal).



Gimme a sec and I'll see if I can find a link to how I pick merc equipment - I explained it pretty recently. Edit: The details around the weapon were a little weak, so I've expanded that:


For the merc's equipment, usually I choose my weapon first, since that's often the most clear-cut decision. Do I want Insight, Reapers Toll, Obedience, or something else? Insight is obvious for the mana regeneration, Reaper's has that handy Decrepify curse that'll remove most physical immunities, make things safer, and provide decent leech and damage. Obedience is nice for fighting bosses because of the crushing blow and great damage. I don't have Infinity, or that would obviously get some love too.

After that, I typically prefer my Fortitude if it's available for use, otherwise a Duress or Treachery usually gets the call depending on if I want crushing blow (fighting bosses) or faster attacks for that character (runs where the merc may need to score a kill semi-often).

After those are figured out, then I decide on the helm based on what I need most... often (especially with Insight + Fortitude) I can use more leech, but more resists don't add much, which is where VampGaze or Andy's Visage usually comes in.

Likewise, the targets I'm running against (and the character I'm running with) factor into the overall decision on how I tweak the equipment. Pindleskin & Countess are primarily physical damage runs, so I'll usually prefer VampGaze over any helm for the damage reduction (even at the cost of resists)... But Hell Travincial runs means the merc takes lots of elemental damage, so I prefer Guardian Angel + Kira's Guardian for those. WSK is a mix of physical & elemental, so I like the Vamp+Fortitude combo because it's a decent balance that covers many needs, etc.


My most common combo is a Might merc with eth Insight Cryptic Axe + Fortitude + VampGaze (IAS Jewel). Usually I'm done with the character before the merc hits level83, so Andy's Visage may be substituted if I actually get a high enough level, but it definitely sees less use than VampGaze.

[SeCKSEgai]

Are you buffing with CTA on switch or no - that alone boosts survivability for my minions quite a bit.

I've experimented a bit with different setups, but survival wise defiance/fortitude is hard to beat - though a ebugged treachery can compete. A 3k fort with defiance aura will get you over 20k def with aura and chilling armor activated. My trapper's merc is in a eth shako (didn't want it to go to waste) 3k+ ebug fort and infinity polearm. The added def bonuses combined with BO keep him alive and well even without leech.

I've done the kiras and guardian angel setup, was great against elementals but archers and the like would drop his health a lot faster than i was used to having him in fort.

I use insights primarily when I don't use an infinity simply because its cheap to make and useful, but there are other weapons that are effective, and reaper's toll would be my favorite if not using an infinity and not having a problem with decrepify overwriting something else (ie lifetap).

But ultimately, if you're gonna run cold, your best bet is to stick to something void of cold immunes. If you want to run cold immune areas, I would rather recommend a pure lite sorc with infinity - she's far more versatile and turned my old dual tree sorc into a mule in full tals.

[evev]

Thank you for your posts everyone, especially you, sirpoopsalot. Apologies for the long post below - all of you have given me lots to think about - and would appreciate a final round of feedback.

-=CTA=-
Sadly I lack CTA, although having played around with one in single player I've grown to love it. I've found a 5 slot Flail, but since the runes are kind of expensive-ish (to me), is it OK to make CTA in just any 5 slot flail? Heck, the only reason I say "flail" is because of Hammerdins. What socketed weapon is recommended for CTA so the runes aren't "wasted"?

-=Merc Choice=-
I thought about what you said, and I think I'll settle with an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive Merc (Might) to compensate for Insight (see below). I caved to peer pressure and used a HolyFreeze Merc, but I never really understood their popularity. They slow down monster movement and attacks, but the aura effect feels unreliable. At this point if the monster is not Cold Immune, then the only times my Merc will die is when he's either cursed with Iron Maiden (Chaos Sanctuary) or he's tanking an end-of-act Boss. I also doubt HolyFreeze works on Cold Immunes. I thought about Combat for HP regen, but my Resistances are crappy in Hell (-20 Fire, +15 all others, but that's a whole other thread I guess). Because of this I either die too quickly for Prayer Aura to help (mostly happens when I'm not paying attention) or take minimal damage that Super Healing Potions can handle easily (mercifully I don't find them annoying, although I wish for an Book of Infinite Town Portal Scrolls). Finally Defiance is tempting (and I will play with both Might and Defiance to see how they go), but I feel that the best defense is a good offense and the Merc needs to kill before he's killed. Quick question though: Will a merc from Normal have the same stats (str/hp, etc) as a same type merc from Hell?

-=Merc Weapon=-
I just played around and the sad truth is that without Insight's Meditation Aura I run out of mana in a pinch. With even crappy-ish Level 12 Meditation Aura I find it very hard to run out of mana in any reasonable encounter. Without that aura and without something to compensate for it I know I'll be chugging mana pots often. It looks like Insight is going to stay (although I do hope for suggestions because Reaper's and Obedience look awesome). Also, is Cryptic Axe the "best" polearm to make Insight in as far as damage?

-=Merc Armor=-
Body -- Looks like I'll be doing Fortitude in as best armor as I can (currently have 4 socket, 510 def Shadow Plate, but Sacred Armor might be nice). Any thoughts on how much a Lo rune costs? (in term of other runes or pgems)
Helm -- The damage reductions on Vamp's Gaze look good, but that's about it :( Andy's Visage -30% fire resist is icky, but my Merc already has 70% resist to everything so it's hard to care about adding even more elemental resist to him (me on the other hand...)


Once again, thank you guys for the great advice and apologies for the wall of text. Looking forward to hearing what you think... about what I think!

[BadassForever]

Where do you find a list of what skills to add to? im building a orb sorc and i have cold and orb maxed, just not sure what else i need to max to help make and epic sorc.

[SeCKSEgai]

Making a CTA, I prefer the flail to a CS anyday. A flail looks like a weapon, a CS (or even PB) looks like a kids toy - in fact, pretty much all the swords do. A flail will have minimal requirements that should be easily met. superior or not really makes no difference - you can even have it eth if you like as you shouldn't be using it to hit anyone.

With a CTA buff, you'll find your mana lasting longer and regenerating faster (as it is based on total mana). Insight is great and cheap, but if you really want to boost the damage, there's always a pride on a might merc.

As far as making the fort, don't make it in less that 1k eth 4os armor to make the most of your Lo.

Merc helm is a matter of choice, but if you meet str req for weapon, I'd go for a vamp gaze or even kira's over andy's myself. The ias can't justify the -fire res, especially with council hydras being bugged.

Oh as far as a cryptic axe, the best thing about it is its lower requirements vs a colossus voulge.

and as for lvl 12 meditation - look what lvl 1 (paladin) does alone =)

[bobygeo]

U can make CTA in any 5 sox weapons ,flails and cristal swords are most common because of low str. req.
Eth ones are used for style.
I always use a defiance merc from act 1 normal with a doom eth CA ,u will get both defiance and holly freze aura from weapon.
There is a diference betwen stats from act 2 mercs hired in normal and act 2 mercs hired in hell, mercs from normal have better stats (not with much but is there so better hire from normal if u go with a defiance merc).
Eth CV has a better max dmg but more str req, Eth CA has the better average damage and a lower str req. and its more expensive , Eth CA is the better weapon.
Vampire Gaze is better than Andariel's Visage. Damage reduction is the best atribute u can have on a merc, for that reason shaftstop armor works also and its cheaper, if its not eth and upgraded, that is.
Don't waste runes for forty on that armor, its crapy. U need at least an ebuged 4sox eth armor +900def to get a good forty.
If u are on Europe Ladder I can give U one free.
oh second

[Scudstorm]

-=CTA=-
What socketed weapon is recommended for CTA so the runes aren't "wasted"?

5o's flail or 5o's crystal sword, generally. Any weapon will do if it has low requirements.

-=Merc Choice=-
I caved to peer pressure and used a HolyFreeze Merc, but I never really understood their popularity. They slow down monster movement and attacks, but the aura effect feels unreliable.

The Holy Freeze Merc seems to be getting quite a bit hate lately, but imo it's only because people expect too much from them. My pure light sorc isn't running anywhere without her HF merc. That aura helps tremendously against the Council, Minions of Destruction, and Extra Fast monsters in general. It's the only reason she can play aggressively and tele into packs without fearing death. Well... Most packs. Frenzy Lords (unchillable by HF), bugged Vipers, Gloams and Hell Temptresses are to be avoided.

Of course, cold sorcs have less uses for HF mercs and it's really up to your playstyle/preferences. Just my 2-cents on why HF doesn't suck as bad as people nowadays think.

I also doubt HolyFreeze works on Cold Immunes.

Have you really used him? Of course it works on Cold Immunes. How else would those be chilled? Cuz your Blizz is certainly not doing that.

I thought about Combat for HP regen, but my Resistances are crappy in Hell (-20 Fire, +15 all others, but that's a whole other thread I guess).

Crappy resists indeed... Max em asap :P

Quick question though: Will a merc from Normal have the same stats (str/hp, etc) as a same type merc from Hell?

No. Hire them from Normal. It doesn't matter whether your hired him at lvl2 and lvled him all the way up to 80 or hired him at 80, but the difficulty you hired him does matter.

-=Merc Weapon=-
Also, is Cryptic Axe the "best" polearm to make Insight in as far as damage?

If you're putting an IAS jewel into the Andy's, Cryptic Axe has the best DPS. If not, Great Poleaxe would be better. Make it in an eth weapon if you can manage it.

Check out this thread if you want more details, or if you're not gonna use Andy's.

-=Merc Armor=-
Body -- Looks like I'll be doing Fortitude in as best armor as I can (currently have 4 socket, 510 def Shadow Plate, but Sacred Armor might be nice). Any thoughts on how much a Lo rune costs? (in term of other runes or pgems)

Lo costs a Hr. Check out the price guides in the Trade Values forum. On East Ladder, a Hr is 120 pgems.

Ebug an armor (at least 700 def before ebugging) to make Fort in. That way, your 4o's will be 1000 def +. That Shadow Plate is a poor choice.

Helm -- Andy's Visage -30% fire resist is icky, but my Merc already has 70% resist to everything so it's hard to care about adding even more elemental resist to him (me on the other hand...)

Socket with IAS jewel or a Ral. Merc dies to fire dmg fairly easily. Because they are stupid, and because Council Members' Hydra do insane damage to them for some reason.

Where do you find a list of what skills to add to? im building a orb sorc and i have cold and orb maxed, just not sure what else i need to max to help make and epic sorc.

Check out the guides sticky. However, don't ask too much of your sorc: without the appropriate wealth and knowledge, the first char is rarely "epic".

[renegademaster]

Why aren't you using Infinity ? How do you break Cold Immunes?

Otherwise Uppd Eth Honen Sundan Spear AMN BER BER - 85% crushing blow 7% life leach.

Uppd Eth Guardian Angel with 15 res all and 15 IAS jewel, his resists can get upto 90%. Most mercs get killed by elemental damage not physical.

Helm with another 15 to all to resists and % Damage Reduction. CHAM is great for Cannot be Frozen.

If your using Infinity Uppd Eth Vampire Gaze with another 15 res all 15 IAS jewel - this provides %life Steal,and as icing on top % Damage Reduction.

with Honen Sundan you dont need the life steal, just the resists and damage reduction and a CHAM if you can.

Defiance or Holyfreeze for aura, but your a cold sorc you should provide your own cold effects.