Comparing 3 Merc setups

[det]

Hellforge in Hell was kind to me this weekend: 2 UM, 1 GUL

Now, I hardly expect to get enough runes to cube some of the more elusive Runes, but I also have other equipment lying around and wondered, what might be best on a merc (hopefully you have some experiences here)

1:
Hone Sudan Yari, AMN SHAEL SHAEL
Guillaumes Face
Rattlecage

Decent LL and 100% CB with fast attack

2:
Bonehew (possibly SHAEL SHAEL)
Toothrow (need the str and the OW is nice)
Tals mask

3:
Crescent Moon runeword in an eth weapon that has low req, so my zon can hold it to use the "summon Direwolf" first
Tals Mask
Armour (Maybe Courpsemourn, just because I have it ;) ? )

The third setup appeals for the chance to cast Static field, which is THE great Mass-HP-Taker, the first one looks good for the 100% CB. The second I am currently using.

Just wondering if the Crescent Moon might not outshine them all, before I go "wasting" an UM.

Thanks

[NeoHydragen]

Last I checked unequipping a weapon with summon charges after you've summoned the thing makes the thing go away. For example: Equip a Natures Peace ring and summon the Oak Sage, then take off the ring and the Oak goes bye bye.

Basically, don't only choose the Crescent Moon for the charges. I've heard that it is a nice merc weapon, but I'm saving the only Um I've got for a Beast runeword.

[det]

Ah..okay..well, I would mainly choose it for the ITD and thus the SF going off on every 15th hit or so. :)

[Kar-Karuk]

Det, IMO number 3 is by far the best setup.

1) Not alot of damage, therefore less life leeched may struggle in Hell.

2) Decent setup for any merc, great damage, enough leech and decent defense.

3) Awesome lowish runeword weapon. Enough leech, great defense and superior mods/damage. However, 2 points i must mention. First, Eth weapon charges cannot be recharged. Second, once you take the "Cresent Moon" out of your zons hands the wolves dissapear.

I would think setup 2 would suffice, but 3 is the optimum setup with the runes you have available.

Kar. :drink:

[xeyloderixed]

for a bowazon, who lacks true boss killing power, i would choose setup1. cb on single monsters is really good, as i'm sure everyone knows.

for javs who like to herd, i would choose setup3. i personally have used the cmoon runeword on my necro merc, and the static really helps for when my dumb skeletons tank (and not kill). also, the static is really effective in combinations with skills that deal damage evenly among a group of monsters (ce, lf, meteor, blizz, etc)

[det]

Thanks for all the info that I was not aware off (etheral items charges can't be repaired etc.)

Hm...I am in act 4 hell...and have killed Andariel, Duriel and Mephisto with Friends. The Smith, Bloodraven, Izual, Hephasto, all super Uniques and "normal" Boss packs, I have killed myself in 1-3 player games, so I am quite content with my boss killing skills.

I am really leaning towards trying that Crescnet Moon runeword now, especially since i have also a Necro, who could use it if it fails on my zon.

Thanks so far...keep 'em coming

[Matt]

Why not mix n match? Maybe guillames, rattlecage and crescent moon? lots of CB AND static, or Tals, rattlecage and CM. But yes, out of those three, I agree, 3 is lookin best.

[Mn_Swe2]

Hellforge in Hell was kind to me this weekend: 2 UM, 1 GUL

Now, I hardly expect to get enough runes to cube some of the more elusive Runes, but I also have other equipment lying around and wondered, what might be best on a merc (hopefully you have some experiences here)

1:
Hone Sudan Yari, AMN SHAEL SHAEL
Guillaumes Face
Rattlecage

Decent LL and 100% CB with fast attack

2:
Bonehew (possibly SHAEL SHAEL)
Toothrow (need the str and the OW is nice)
Tals mask

3:
Crescent Moon runeword in an eth weapon that has low req, so my zon can hold it to use the "summon Direwolf" first
Tals Mask
Armour (Maybe Courpsemourn, just because I have it ;) ? )

The third setup appeals for the chance to cast Static field, which is THE great Mass-HP-Taker, the first one looks good for the 100% CB. The second I am currently using.

Just wondering if the Crescent Moon might not outshine them all, before I go "wasting" an UM.

Thanks

Who is your main char in mind for this merc-setup. You mention you have a Necro that can also use it, but what char and merc is your first choice?

As for setups, I vote for Shael-Shael-Amn Hone Sundan, Rattlecage and Tal's Mask. Think it will work good for most chars :)

/Magnus

edit: It will also save you an Um that you can do something better with than spoil a merc with it :lol:

[hoyster]

What if you up the hone sundan?? would that help fix the low damage that someone else mentioned, or do the req's become too high to use on a merc?

the SF would be nice but who wants to give an UM to their merc?? (although i guess on the realms its probably easier getting ahold of runes than in SP)

[kurg]

My lvl 88 javazon uses your 1st set-up with the exception that I only equip rattlecage for dclone. Other than that, I put a 4-topaz armor (actually 'wealth' right now) on him for the extra MF for boss killing.

Crushing blow against bosses is simply not to be matched by anything except for a sorc (with static, orb/metor, etc).

I've never made crescent moon, so I can't say on that one.

But my suspicion is when you face bosses (andy/diablo/baal) none of the others will hold a candle to your 1st setup. And for almost anything else your amazon (if she's a javazon) can take them. If you're worried about lightning immunes, a lvl 17+ valk and your merc's crushing blow do wonders to them too.

Remember, static works with reduced efficiency against bosses, and can only take things down to 1/2 health in hell. Your puny chance to cast static on the bosses will fall way behind the crushing blows, imo.

[StormriderXIII]

With 100% cb you will be doing a fairly large amount of dmg to bosses and other monsters with high hp, so the low displayed dmg is not a prob since cb does dmg based on a fairly large fraction of the monster's hp (1/10 i think). With that set up you should be able to drop bosses pretty with fast.

One note on the socketing though... I'm pretty sure that because of the bps that an a2 merc uses, the second shael is wasted. So, go Amn Amn Shael instead of Amn Shael Shael.

On a an unrelated note, Mn_Swe2, you wouldn't happen to be PrinceMagnus from Order of Ice, would you?

[Mn_Swe2]

One note on the socketing though... I'm pretty sure that because of the bps that an a2 merc uses, the second shael is wasted. So, go Amn Amn Shael instead of Amn Shael Shael.

On a an unrelated note, Mn_Swe2, you wouldn't happen to be PrinceMagnus from Order of Ice, would you?

On A we answer, "This has been discussed several times, and I'm pretty sure it's 2 x Shael"

On B we answer, "No, but it certainly sounds good... Prince Magnus :lol: "

On C we answer "vet inte"

Something for all you swede nostalgics out there :)
/Magnus

[det]

Hm opinions swinging towards CB now. My bowazon is a WWS Strafer...and like I said can solo River of Flame fairly safely in 1-3 player games.

I am also sure I did my homework and its Shael Shael Amn for the Hone Sudan. I am not to happy with the def on the rattlecage...I might give it an upgrade.

I would not put a Crescent Moon weapon on a sorcs merc, but my next choice would be a Necro or Kicksin merc. (She uses my only Guillaumes currently, so that merc could not get 100% CB).

[jantia]

got a Q... what about a merc using Tal's mask [switching to gaze when he was enough resistances], Upped Duriel's shell [good defense and Can not be frozen], Reaper's toll.

If it is good, what do i socket the reaper's toll with? btw, he is a defiance merc and does about 1.4/5k average damage with my zealot [uses stormlash... is that weapon good too, as in "godly pvm weapon?"]

[det]

Hm..its different from what I posted, because I have neither Gaze nor Reapers. But I have seen Reapers Toll in action and LOVE it. The chance to cast Decrep is great (removes PI as well)..and Duriels Shell is always one of my favorite armours. Again..I have only one..so my merc does not get it.

As usual its just that there is always a better armour out there.....

[PhatTrumpet]

1:
Hone Sudan Yari, AMN SHAEL SHAEL
Guillaumes Face
Rattlecage

Decent LL and 100% CB with fast attack

2:
Bonehew (possibly SHAEL SHAEL)
Toothrow (need the str and the OW is nice)
Tals mask

3:
Crescent Moon runeword in an eth weapon that has low req, so my zon can hold it to use the "summon Direwolf" first
Tals Mask
Armour (Maybe Courpsemourn, just because I have it ;) ? )
I didn't read ALL the replies, so sorry if any of this is repeat.


IMO, setup 1 is overkill on the Crushing Blow. Hone Sundan + Guillame's is plenty of CB already, and with your setup the Merc would be way low on resists in Hell. I would sub out the Rattlecage for a Duriel's Shell (resists, CBF, life, strength... delicious) or 'Smoke' or something. With this new setup you've got the ideal setup for the Holy Freeze Merc of a character who lacks boss-killing skills (a Sorc with Static would do better with a Reaper's Toll Merc).

For setup 2 I'd use a Griz Armor or Lionheart instead of Toothrow (unless it's ethereal). Lionheart is just ridiculous, and the Griz Armor could be ghetto-socketed with rubies, topazes, amethysts, low %ed or +max jewels or random rare jewels not quite good enough for end-game gear, or even 'RalOrtThul'. This would be a decent setup for just about any Merc type, but not quite as good as the other two.

'Crescent Moon' in an ethereal elite polearm is godly. If your Merc needs more stats to equip it make him a Lionheart to capitalize on the %ed. Glad's Bane is also pretty godly for the defense, CBF, FHR, and MDR/DR. This setup is probably best used on a Might Merc.


So depending on what Merc aura you're using, I'd either go with setup 1 or 3 (with my alterations of course :innocent: ).

[kurg]

the Griz Armor could be ghetto-socketed with ... even 'RalOrtThul'.

You calling my lvl 60 bowazon 'ghetto'!?!?!

On this side-note, Griz with ral-ort-thul is great on a bowazon herself (not just the merc) in nightmare (esp with BO). Takes care of the lack of a shield.

:D