Planning on running standard Zerk Barb (grief, enigma) for solo P8 chaos runs (seal pop).

Any suggestions on the best (practical budget, not theoretical) merc with recent changes in 2.4? Practical budget means no super expensive items like Last Wish.

Goal for merc is to help Zerk Barb clear P8 chaos as soon as possible (even if its by few seconds), with decent survivability on its own. Unfortunately, did not have chance to test it myself in PTR.

Couple of initial thoughts:
1) A2 Might Merc with Obedience - CB for Diablo + Might Aura for Zerk Barb?
2) A3 Light Merc with Lawbringer - Static for Diablo + Sanctuary for survivability?
3) A5 Frenzy Merc with Kingslayer + Lawbringer - CB and Decrepify for Diablo + Sanctuary for survivability?
4) Other options?

This post was edited by AlphaGo on Mar 10 2022 01:08pm

Sanctuary
Not Salvation

Thanks for catch, corrected

I think that A3 merc wouldn’t be good. Options 1 and 3 should both do well.

Is an act5 barb with grief and doom ba doing frenzy for op dmg... any good?

This post was edited by norseman81 on Mar 10 2022 01:12pm

Can only equip 1 handed swords so no Doom.

As said before options 1 and 3 should work well. The frenzy merc will certainly make it a little safer with knockback from aura.

This post was edited by fludd on Mar 10 2022 01:13pm

He cant use axes



Agreed



I like the idea of the lawbringer for safety. Eventually you could also give him last wish. But i think until then your speed will be faster with the might merc. And if you can make a last wish you could make a pride and might as well stick with a2 might

my Barb uses a 1h Doom Berzerker Axe with a 1h Grief Berzerker Axe.. Is why I ask.

It's also why I am on the fence for selling it, as it s great for crowd control, skills, procs etc.

This post was edited by norseman81 on Mar 10 2022 01:22pm

Lawbringer is kinda annoying, can push Vizier off the tiles.

Chaos is pretty gnarly for a Barb since you need to get in tight to packs. Probably a holy freeze merc, it's gonna be hard for him to not RIP on De Seis though

It might seem counter intuitive, but an A2 merc running defiance and points into shout will literally do nothing for ur barb, but will make ur merc a lot more tanky.

Maybe have him go Might and then max ur shout, even tho it's not a synergy any more.. the defense will help him.

Eth stone armor or fort, Reaper's cuz decrep and life leech is awesome, vampgaze or andy helm. May need to stick an Um rune in the gaze if you go with Stone cuz lower res on it.

Just use howl ya doofus