Some suggestions to make after I read throgh it:
1. For your A2 Pride/Might Mercenary
This is a pure support char usually, pumping the DMG of your Melee or Bowie, so ImO eth-bugged CoH > Treachery. You will have Max Res @all times (not only after Fade kicks in), additional 8% DR (making you lose only 7% DR compared to Treachery after Fade) and - most important - 20% additional DMG for your MAIN char, granted by a +2 pushed Might Aura (this is why one would also chose Andy over Guillaume's here).
2. For your "Killer-Setup" A2 Merc
ImO Eth. Obedience should come before eth. TR and eth. upped Hone. Obedience's 370% eD is simply amazing and doesn't even vary. Also it adds 40% CB as well, together with ctc Enchant for added Fire DMG and AR bonus + very convenient +20-30 @Res for safety + some Dex/Str.
In general: I think there are only 2 (max. 3) viable builds for such a Merc:
- Eth. Reaper's, Guillaume's, Treachery (hits max. Res AFTER Fade kicks in, 10 frames FHR, 15% effective LL, 35% CB and will also hit max. 4.5 frames)
- Eth. Obedience, Andariel's, Treachery (hits max. Res, 8 frames FHR, 9% effective LL, 40% CB and with 15 IAS jewel in Guillaume's hits 4.5 frames)
(- possibly a setup including eth. Toothrow as an Armor, would hit .5 frames slower with 3x 15 IAS jewels, but offer 40% OW, possible 35% CB as well as Reaper's ctc Decrep etc. + provide higher DEF than Treachery)
3. For your Lightning Spell A3 Merc
I would suggest the following alternative setup: Griffon's Eye + RBF, Vipermagi + RBF, eth. Spirit Monarch + 6x RBF CS... Griffon's offers the same -Res and MORE +Dmg even without RBF, +1 Skill for even more Dmg and FCR (getting the highest reachable Breakpoint). Total: +4 Skills, +55% Dmg (2413 max.), -60% ELR @11 frames cast + 10 frames FHR. You could as well think about giving him a nice +3 Lightning Ormus and Dual-Spirit... total: +8 Lightning, +40% Dmg (2655 max.), -30% ELR @11 frames cast + 8 frames FHR. Don't know which one is better but I really think both could beat your suggested equip.
Also I have a question for you:
I play a Hammerdin, Lvl. 98 atm and clear CS before joining in with Throne party. I am really fast rushing/killing through Seal Bosses, but Diablo takes too long... If I could reduce the time it takes me to kill him in 8player-games, I could either search for an EXP shrine or do Nihla as well before actually joining the party for the Baal-Kill.
I understand that CB suffers from HUGE losses in DMG in full games, so I thought that a combination of items with high DS / Crit (Insight if needed provides +6) OR a somehow different Reaper's setup should be the most effective. What would you suggest in this case?
I don't really NEED Insight's Medi Aura, becasue it doesn't take too long to Tele to the first 2 Seals and flashing Redemption is not a problem... I need the Merc as a pure supporter vs. 8-players Diablo...gimm your view on this
This post was edited by aneas on Jan 31 2011 03:09am