Quote (Goomshill @ Jul 26 2024 01:57am)

lightning merc has the greatest damage output when it actually casts lightning or static field, great aoe damage on either, but damned if it doesn't waste over half its casts on a useless ass charged bolt that does nothing
cold merc has way more consistent dps since both ice blast and glacial spike actually deal damage. But its not impressive


honestly the most damage you can get out of an act 3 merc is when you make sure to hire it so its an absolute minimum level 54 and never let it level up, so it stays low revive cost, and give it a 6x poison facet sword, 4x facet armor, 3x facet helm and 4x facet ethereal monarch (needs some jewelers of +str, otherwise keep it level 49 with 3x facet shield)
and then simply teleport it and watch it die in 1 hit and explode

Quote (Majsterek @ Jul 25 2024 08:31pm)

Who cares about money in d2... Weapons you can use ort rune and ral for armor... Highter level = more surr+ damage

Quote (Goomshill @ Jul 26 2024 08:57am)

honestly the most damage you can get out of an act 3 merc is when you make sure to hire it so its an absolute minimum level 54 and never let it level up, so it stays low revive cost, and give it a 6x poison facet sword, 4x facet armor, 3x facet helm and 4x facet ethereal monarch (needs some jewelers of +str, otherwise keep it level 49 with 3x facet shield)
and then simply teleport it and watch it die in 1 hit and explode

Quote (Void511 @ Jul 25 2024 07:29pm)

Lightning and stack as much -res as possible to maximize static dmg.

Griffs w facet
Vmagi w facet
Cmoon
20/20 shield or spirit mon

Quote (CyborgBipBoop @ Jul 26 2024 09:15pm)

This seems correct?

55 FCR seems a good start here. Their BPs are 0 8 15 26 39 58 86 138, so it's a little sad to miss a BP by 3. Link below:
https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=25405709


I think that Fire has the most consistent damage and they can also get the most -FRes -> double Pheonix, Flickering Flame, then VMaji for Cast Rate. On top of this, you get FF aura, he'll heal himself quickly, and he'll munch corpses. Side benefit is a mediocre Enchant casting for your AR.

You'll never get Static, which depends on the mob you're fighting if it matters, but I read another guide that says they only cast static once every 15 seconds.


EDIT: If you wanted to go all in on a Summon Necro or Druid getting Enchant boosts - consider loading him up with 16 facets => 80% damage => 180% * 1.8 => 324% total enchant damage.
Now, that's still only like 100 per skeleton probably, but that's fun.

EDIT2: I'm dumb. Enchant probably doesn't double-stack on other minions/players, only on himself :(

Quote (richdolo @ 26 Jul 2024 06:54)

Eth andy helm socketed with 15 ias/30 fire res jewel
Eth sacred armor fortitude
Eth giant thresher/mancatcher infinity

Pretty much bis for act 2 mercs for elemental damage

Quote (di3tc0ke @ Jul 26 2024 09:13am)

and at what lvl can he use eth monarch?

Quote (CyborgBipBoop @ Jul 26 2024 10:29pm)

Ah, I forgot about that as I was considering FRes :(
They max at 145 Str (1 str short at lvl 98)

but you could socket a PAmy into Vmaji for +10. At that point, a level 91 has 137 str, +10 for Pamy, +10 for Eth

Mercenary calc found here: https://www.diablo-2.net/mercenaries/

Quote (JayBomber @ Jul 26 2024 08:05am)

HOJ and Dragon Armor, Dream helm and Dream shield. Lightning Act 3 Merc to cast static field b)