Quote (Exokek @ Mar 3 2026 01:20pm)

You want to apply AmpDmg, so Battle Cry is a no-go. Infinity gives you the benefits of Battle Cry without taking up the Curse slot, and you save up on needing to stack a lot of Attack Rating to hit targets.
Infinity also overrides enemy Conviction so you can't be affected by it, as only one of the two Auras applies afaik.

The setups are pretty vastly different, if I'm honest. You're underestimating how much MF you can get from just stacking 7MF charms + Gheed's. You don't need to do more than rub your testicles and you can hit 300MF, between Enigma and War Travs and charms you shoot past it.
Add in Goldwrap and other gear pieces and a swap and a Renewed charm and you can easily hit 450~MF on your DPS set, with over 600 on swap.

I think you should fuck around with the D2Planner more and determine what you're trying to maximize. Pick a variable, and maximize it. Like just make a MAXIMUM MF set (and I mean: MAXIMUM MF). Then, start removing bits and pieces to make room for DPS.
Soon enough you'll find the right balance.

There is no universe where that involves using an A5 Merc with Dreadfang, I can guarantee you that. Surrendering Might Aura + Polearm/Spear Aura for a sketchy Amp Dmg and Battle Cry override is just not it.

Quote (Anilator(A) @ 3 Mar 2026 13:41)

I actually just tried the Dreadfang on swap idea, and honestly it felt way too clunky. Tele into a pack, swap, Frenzy to try to proc Amp, kill a few, swap back, start Whirlwinding, move two feet, scan for a unique, repeat. Over and over. It absolutely slowed my kill speed.

I don’t think you’re putting enough weight into how awkward that loop feels in practice. The simplicity of having Amp auto cast repeatedly from the merc while I just tele stomp and start Whirlwinding is priceless. That passive uptime, with zero input from me, keeps the flow smooth.

With the swap method, you’re standing there Frenzying with weak DPS, hoping you don’t get chunked, waiting for Amp to proc, then swapping back. It feels slow and unsmooth. The auto application from the merc just plays better.

Quote (Exokek @ Mar 3 2026 01:46pm)

I've tried it, so I know full well how it feels. You don't need Amp for most packs, just for specific targets you need to burst down somehow and struggle with.
If you're missing your hits try using Battle Cry prior (or use Infin).

There is no "auto application" for Merc, either. You still have to wait for the proc, and A5 Bash Merc doesn't exactly swing quickly.

Quote (Anilator(A) @ 3 Mar 2026 13:52)

On paper, sure, Dreadfang on swap gives you access to Amp. But that’s no different than using Lacerator or other Amp on hit options. I’ve avoided those for similar reasons.

At this point I can confidently say Dreadfang on swap is not an option for me. The play pattern just isn’t smooth enough. Tele in, swap, swing, wait for proc, swap back, reposition, repeat. It feels clunky and slows the run down. I would honestly rather run an Act 2 Might merc with Reaper’s and just accept the small risk of cold damage than deal with that constant micromanagement.

The uptime difference matters. With the merc holding Dreadfang, Amp is applying passively while I’m already doing what I want to do. I don’t have to think about it. That simplicity has value.

And we’re also glossing over Protector Stone in an eth Dreadfang. That makes it a legitimately strong weapon. Plus Fade coming from the weapon itself is huge. Most people rely on Treachery for Fade. Here I’m getting Fade from the weapon, and it procs far more consistently than I expected. That’s survivability without being locked into Treachery.

So yeah, for me, swap Amp just isn’t efficient. I’d rather have passive application and keep the gameplay smooth and use swap for hork

Quote (Exokek @ Mar 3 2026 02:06pm)

My brother in Christ, that Fade is a 1% trigger. This isn't something you're going to rely on for anything whatsoever ever. It's completely irrelevant.
There is definitely value in "not having to think about it", but the idea that you're getting more out of an A5 Merc's AmpDmg (which he overrides with Battle Cry) than you get out of a consistent A2 Merc's Might/Infinity is just strange.

You're a Barb. You have Berserk for Phys Immunes.

If you want AmpDamage, it's gotta be because you wanna pump up the deeps.

Made a second setup with a main set Dreadfang so you don't even have to swap.

https://maxroll.gg/d2/d2planner/t8g7w0l5

Now you get to Frenzy on primary set + whirlwind as soon as the Amp triggers. No need to swap. Big benefit? You have even more MF on the swap! 757% with dual Ali Babas.

Quote (Anilator(A) @ 3 Mar 2026 14:35)

I dk bro last time I played with dread as an off hand it was to soft. I don’t have a non eth one with a protectors stone in it. Maybe that would beef it up. Personally if I were to equip dread as a main might want to ber it
Not sure. Still sucks having to frenzy for amp all the time. I ww 99% of the time. Ty bro for coming in the rabbit hole.