Okay so here is the idea, i was bored and wanted to try something fun. a smiter! (i know, not so fun) but the act5 bash merc is..
Long story short. im making an UT/pvm smiter with an absolute wrecking ball of a merc, here is the idea..

The merc is the most important to boost.

Act5 merc (bash)
-eth cb botd
-eth fortitude
-eth arreats

the merc will do the monster killing and the smiter will smash boss mobs

The paladin
-last wish pb (for might aura, cb, lifetap)
-eth exile
-CoH
-highlords
-raven/dwarf
-draculs (open wounds)
-5x offensive aura skillers, torch anni etc..

belt/boots/helm for the smiter?

im thinking goblintoe/CoA for cb/dr. or gorerider/gulli? what will benefit me more? coa also gives +1 skills
should i use conviction or salvation for ubers? using offensive skillers.
Tgod for belt or should i roll verdungos?

this is not just an ut smiter, it will be doing all content, the merc is the main damage doing everything else.. help me. what are the merc breakpoints using botd and lvl 35 fana? act5 merc dont have fhr? should i use cham/arreats as a merc helm?

max out holy bolt and prayer as synergie, get 125fcr and heal ur merc continuously...

but then i have do do stuff..

merc will die fast in ubertrist whithout...

merc isnt for ubers, its for everything else

I’d get an amp damage merc and go gores, dungo and Ber ber coa but I don’t pvm they can prob help more. Also just stat points into fire and lr aura if needed.

Don't know anything about D2r mercs.

Can your A5 Barb merc wield 2 weapons (one handed... think they do) ... so have you considered 2x Fort weapons and a Fort Armor for Res, Defense and Enhanced Damage?

Weapons
20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+9 To Minimum Damage
+50 To Attack Rating
20% Deadly Strike
Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25%
+200% Enhanced Defense
+X To Life (Based on Character Level)*
All Resistances +25-30 (varies)
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 To Light Radius

Body Armor
20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+X To Life (Based on Character Level)*
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25-30 (varies)
Damage Reduced By 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 To Light Radius



You would have like 600% Enhanced Damage per weapon attack for Merc
You would have like 600% Enhanced Defense for Merc
Your Resistances would range from 75 to 120 for Merc.
And some other mods to help... the +X life per level etc
Thus you have to work on the best helm.
EDIT: forgot... 40% Deadly Strike for the Merc
Note: needs Life Leech, and your paladin needs to cast Life Tap somehow beforehand.


Guess people can work it out for themselves.

This post was edited by izParagonzi on Nov 30 2025 10:25pm

the enhanced damage modify the weapon damage itself, 1 handed weapons have low base damage so damagewise 2x grief with +400 flat damage whould make more difference. dut im using 2 handed eth weapon. 2 handers get more from % ED also eth gives a 50% bonus on the base. Using a BoTD witch goes up to 415% ED.

Yup, forgot Grief, even though it is pretty much my one and only barb weapon I would use myself.

Well, cover your Res, HP and Phys/Magical Defense to keep it alive... pity mercs are limited to Weapon(s) / Armor & Helm. Pity you could not equip them like your character... rings, belt, boots, gloves and amulet.

Won’t even come close to a2 merc dmg

Not to mention, besides their much lower dps, they also have awful attack rating

This post was edited by Stefbef on Dec 2 2025 10:46am