Yup that's the other GG option in my opinion. I still have a nice Insight that I swap to when I want to do things without the merc. But I've grown to love the Insight + Cure + Prayer Aura synergy on the merc.

(I should preface this by saying I play SC... I don't really know what the Merc meta is on HC)

This post was edited by Bombout on Mar 18 2026 07:30am

Sure, but missing out on might, potentially Pride on the merc and massive 80%+ Crit Chance from Insight is a lot.

You get a ton of + Skills, which is still less Damage than Insight, you get massive Res, which are quite easily gotten elsewhere. The fcr is probably the biggest thing. 65 is massive. So Obsession is pretty awesome, but since its so mich more expensive andbharder to make, its - imho - not worth it.

This post was edited by Kaltrato on Mar 18 2026 07:37am

Loh is a great choice, but i would not give up going from 75 to 125FCR. the aditional speed casting Echoing strike for the 125 breakpoint make you do so much more dmg and teleport faster.
i went with: Fortitude Ethereal TM, Ars Dul Meph, 2/20 Coronet, 2/10 ammy, Arach, Trangs, BK ring, FCR/ML/Resist ring and GoreRiders for boots. No sunder.

Im currently on:
20 points in: MB, ES, WB, Hex:Bane,
3 demons, dump into Blood oath.

Farming P8 very fast. Ubers without an issue, uber ancients in under 20 secs.

This post was edited by Rilu on Mar 18 2026 07:43am

Not really liking your setup. Not saying its not good, just not my personal preference.

I went with 125 fcr until lvl 90. I only changed it up recently since I didnt really notice a big difference in damage output when using 75 fcr. Almost didnt notice anything at all tbh. But it opened up so much more space for safety (i play exclusively hc).

Also, I would never use anything but Insight.

20 points in ES and synergies, 20 points in Blood Oath, 1 pt wonders Lethargy and all Hexes, Rest goes to Demonic Mastery and Consume.

This post was edited by Kaltrato on Mar 18 2026 07:56am

For Hc i think you are right, going the safer route. im currently 96 and 65% i have not died since 92 when i was doing ubers for a friend.