Hoz or exile and why?

Also would
Hoz be better then exile if it’s non eth?

HoZ is cheaper, it's easier to reach maxblock and you get a bit more resistances. If you upgrade it it will deal a bit more damage than exile, but you will have to invest some more points into str
Exile gives you more life tap procs, +5% max fire (and cold) res and a good def boost.

I would go with exile, even if it's non eth. This gives you the option to go for CB gloves as well.
That being said, i would even prefer a ~20@ + 4x um'ed/ 4x pdia'ed sacred targe over HoZ for a budget smiter.

exile-life tap

HoZ>

Exile is worse than Zaka in every aspect.
Exile just gives you lifetap and you don't waste your f*cking shield slot for lifetap.

Hoz but i have eth exile on stash.

Ut is easy for smite, with exile even more, with zaka you need dracs or life tap wand.

So for easy mode exile, but zaka is statwise for sure >>

would exile +dracs be overkill? should i even bother with a merc?

Yes and no.

The answer is both will kill Ubers. Lastwish, up’d hoz with 35+ed/9dex jewel, 20ias/10cb/Dex gloves will kill Ubers significantly faster than grief, exile and dracs and provide more life. Added str for up’d hoz is meaningless since you should be wearing enigma anyway to convert keysets.