I mean if you play sc? Hc? A standard build is like
Any high end unique, or runeword weapon. Double upgraded patriarch is a choice, 100% egold with some damage. You can use two for frenzy or whirlwind.
I mean, barb is like, bo .. you get high hit points, and you typically end up with okay resists, even if you focus on goldfind gear, you can still get in there and deal damage while sacrificing armor pieces.
So you CAN use wealth for the +300% egold...
Kira's guardian is in my opinion a must, that huge resist bonus and cbf. Frees up ring slot from raven frost to 2 x dwarf star if you so choose.
Now pride is an option, but has +freeze target, so the higher level you get, the more corpses will shatter. But will obviously boost damage a lot, AND has good egold bonus......
https://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/runewords-110.shtml
Gavel of pain on switch will still be a good part of it. The amp damage charges will help a lot.
If you're going to focus on the killing yourself, merc will not get in that many kills. But using higher killing speed on him will be counterintuitive, because then he will take more gold from you, so to say. So the best way to use him is UTILITY. Aura items, and just have him survive really. Thus, eth guardian angel, kira's guardian and any low damage but aura giving weapon.. could be the best bet. Two armor slots are not aura items, you can switch around. Kelpie snare comes to mind, low damage but 75% slow enemy, idk if that makes them shatter, but it's a thought. Slowing them to the point of non-activeness.
You can mix and match around a bit, finding the optimal line between kill speed, safety (especially if hc) and goldfind%.
D2:R