Quote (lilith0 @ 2 Oct 2019 02:49)

i made the char with editor
the a5 merc can do p8 cs without needing potions or cc (just merc and iron golem, no extra summon)
monsters die quickly
diablo took a bit long but that version didn't have any cb so it's to be expected

Quote (wupa @ Oct 2 2019 08:25am)

Sure is but casting amp will be awful

Maybe you should get Cruel ctc amp weapon with 2xLo for merc
Then you need 8ll/80/30/Cham

Quote (Belarathon @ Oct 2 2019 08:35am)

(...) So in that case it would basically be amp vs HoW + decrep. (...)

Quote (lilith0 @ Oct 2 2019 09:49am)

i made the char with editor
the a5 merc can do p8 cs without needing potions or cc (just merc and iron golem, no extra summon)
monsters die quickly
diablo took a bit long but that version didn't have any cb so it's to be expected

Quote (Belarathon @ Oct 2 2019 07:17am)

Act 2 merc can get might aura and can use reapers roll for decrep or pride for concentration aura.. probably better than a5 merc for this.
Also you’ll probably add more damage as a Druid using faith bow for fanat and heart of wolverine spirit, since fanat is only adding 50% of the Ed bonus to your party. Plus then you can use shockwave to completely immobilize everything to ensure merc survival. I think a pure merc build will be very difficult vs p8 mobs unless you have a way to stun them or have a tank to take the damage. You won’t always be able to heal your merc effectively with holy bolt.
Just look at all the different items that add auras, and all the different classes that have party damage buffs, especially ones that can also stun. I think you can come up with a better plan that fanat/holy bolt pally with an act 5 merc. I think if you are a pally using fanat you’ll want to wield pride weapon on the pally himself. But yeah, I think the merc will just get really overwhelmed in some situations and not be able to survive without a tank or some stun

Quote (Doxxarn @ Oct 2 2019 02:49pm)

i like this, thx

the idea was to heal the merc with holy bolt and teleport him backwards if he gets surrounded, i will throw together some of the ideas in hero editor and test it on singleplayer first

i was thinking of using last wish/exile for might/defiance and a very high fana on the pala, i have so many ideas now but i will for sure try both pala/druid and necro

another question: what 2hand sword has the highest damage output on a act5 merc?

Quote (feanur @ 2 Oct 2019 12:21)

Casting Amplify with your necromancer of course. Life tap from times to times when needed, dim vision, attract, confuse... for crowd control.
As lilith said, IG Pride, fanatism from beast or faith. Enchant from Demon limb. All paladins' auras on...

Considering a 50%DR monster (usual value for hell monsters), decrep (assuming it proc instantly) would reduce this to 0%, and Amp to -50%.
This is a flat +50% damage for Amp.
Since you're merc will already have something like +1300%ed (strength, fortitude, concentration, fanatism, might, level 5 HoW), adding 300%ed from a higher level of HoW won't be as high.
I didn't do the maths, it's only a wide guess...



Act bosses suffer only 25% damage from merc, but this doesn't apply to crushing blow, indeed. Get a Guillaume's helm here :)

Quote (Belarathon @ Oct 3 2019 01:47am)

(...) (since the how dies so often and ig can poof). (...)

Quote (feanur @ 3 Oct 2019 09:08)

I agree on heart of wolverine, but I've never had any IG poofing, as long as I used Enigma on the necromancer.