What are your thoughts on the following build?

Starting with Merc Act 5

2X plague mythic swords
Eth fort
Vamp gaze

Sorc

Eschutas
Griffs
COH
Spirit monarch
Arach
2X Soj
Maras
Chancies
Travs

120% FCR, so kinda overkill on breakpoint there if you’re only going for 105. Which imo is plenty.

Of course Anni, sorc torch, skillers, and some MF sc’s

With dual plague, Merc does plenty of damage, has cleansing aura, and 40% chance to cast lower resist.

Would this not be a pretty high damage op Nova ES sorc?

Curious on your thoughts, and compared to the Infinity wielding Nova ES sorc.

Thanks!

I'd say Eschuta's is really only worth it if you're going for 200fcr, and in that case you'll want to swap out the Nigma for a Viper. If only going for 105 fcr I'd just go with a Crescent Moon to pair with Spirit.
Plague is good with an act 5 merc, but I prefer act 2 merc w Finity. If you can afford it, this also opens up the option to equip Infinity on your sorc and put an Insight on Emulio for mana regen.
Don't sleep on mana charms or rare rings with FCR to for hitting breakpoints. Nova/ES is incredibly fun and efficient for farming Pits/Arcane/Chaos/Baal.

This post was edited by marinara_breadstick on Jul 21 2022 07:22pm

I don’t think I wanna go the 200 FCR route. I do wanna try the act 5 Merc as shown above. If I take out eschutas what would I use? Obsession, or Hoto or what? I like COH enigma for this build over viper I think. At least when going for 105 FCR breakpoint.

Well if 200fcr is off the table and you have your mind set on Act 5 merc, I'd say go with a Crescent Moon crystal sword over Eschuta's. The -35% Lightning Res alone is better than 40fcr and 3 skills when you only need 105fcr, Enigma >>>> CoH as well in this case, replace the chancies with some magefists, and the rest looks good.

This post was edited by marinara_breadstick on Jul 21 2022 07:29pm

you need an infinity. full stop.

either by wielding it yourself (best option, allows you to use a2 insight merc) or on merc (while using crescent moon yourself)


side notes:
eschuta sucks. bad damage, bad utility. there's not a single sorc build where eschuta is a good weapon option
coh sucks. you're es so res is useless. that means the only upside coh has over eni isn't even a thing for you. use viper if you need fcr or eni if you don't

This post was edited by Dolphy on Jul 22 2022 09:38am

Is act 5 Merc viable or a better option in any way with this build or even wielding infinity than the act 2 Merc?

nah, not really an option. i mean, you'll get by with it but it's gonna be terribly inefficient

part of what makes self-wielding infy the best option is because you get a free meditation aura from insight merc. which in turn makes you borderline immortal on an es sorc

Would a prayer act 2 holy Merc be a decent option over holy freeze? Or should I go for Might?

A5 merc all day with plague/grief/ Eth arreats all day.

haven't even tried prayer tbh. i tend to default to might mercs, so i'm not sure what the best option is