What base to use and why? More speed or more dmg? Will there be changes with 2.4 that affect this decision?

Merc have to hit fast and hard because they have to leech.
Generally, an eth thresher or giant thresher would be best for speed because there is no ias on infinity. However, in situations like my summon necro, his merc use the slower eth ca because he is getting ias from treachery and beast’s fanaticism.

Thresher. One and only. Fastest attack speed. You need your merc to hit fast to be able to increase your chances of crushing blow. Never buy cv/ca.

edit: or giant thresher if you plan to play 89+ but imo choose bigger flexibility over a lil more damage

This post was edited by cnbrkhancan on Mar 22 2022 05:32am

after 2.4 drops, use the mancatcher

Currently patch:
GPA gives you 86.5 avg dmg with the following breakpoints:
20 ias = 3.57 aps = 308.8 dps
37 ias = 3.84 aps = 332.2 dps
63 ias = 4.16 aps = 359.8 dps

CA gives you 91.5 avg dmg with the following breakpoints:
22 ias = 3.33 aps = 304.7 dps
35 ias = 3.57 aps = 326.7 dps
56 ias = 3.84 aps = 351.4 dps

CV has the same breakpoints as CA, but with .5 less avg damage, and one less range, so given the choice, CA>CV

Thresher gives you 76.5 avg dmg with the following breakpoints:
22 ias = 3.84 aps = 273.8 dps
42 ias = 4.16 aps = 318.24 dps
75 ias = 4.54 aps = 347.31 dps

Considering you want Crushing Blow to proc as often as possible Thresher/Giant Thresher is the way to go.
For any polearm without Crushing Blow it's either Cryptic Axe if you want damage per attack or Great Poleaxe if you want damage per second.


Yes 2.4 may change this

Mancatcher will be the top base now

Second to thresher / gt

Mancatcher is the only infinity base that’s -20 base attack speed meaning you no longer need ias jewel in andys for fastest ias bp on merc only need 65 ias now instead of 75ias like it’s always been on -10 base like thresher

IAS breakpoints for different bases: https://i.imgur.com/kVdqow8.png

after the patch: either thresher or stygian pike imo
stygian pike is cheaper just use andy+ral and youare set
thresher you need to accompany with tiara of the lamprey + 3 iased otherwise it cant compete with gpa(stygian pike)
mancatcher has too low damage, not to recommend

This post was edited by wilhelmw on Mar 22 2022 11:39am

a stick with 4 sockets

Man catcher hitting bp with a cham’d Andy’s ? Seems great