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How do I keep a Merc alive in NM (and beyond)?

Inktreader · 2021-09-24T23:18:51-07:00

He seriously bites the dust so quick. Using an Act 2 holy freeze merc, his resistances are decent (all 41, except 71 for cold) but he just gets nuked. Is the…

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BillyMaysed `2421`Moderator

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

phifi wrote: 4 years ago
I dont care if he dies during Boss encounters, but since hell difficulty it got something like a babysitter sim for everything but normal trash mobs

Yes thats standard Hell expeience. Can't be TOO easy or it wouldn't feel very hell-like.

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Dzik `59`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Besides getting better gear for merc, you can try bugging your merc, it will make him impossible to target by melee attacks. However, keep in mind that monsters will target you instead, but if you are playing ranged build, you should be fine.

Here is quick video about merc bug

phifi `19`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

If anyone has the same problems as me:
I ended up equipping my merc with a Smoke armor as i do not have the other runes or items as suggested. It helped a ton with those +50 All res.

BillyMaysed `2421`Moderator

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

phifi wrote: 4 years ago
If anyone has the same problems as me:
I ended up equipping my merc with a Smoke armor as i do not have the other runes or items as suggested. It helped a ton with those +50 All res.

ah great point! smokes resistances are amazing. added smoke to my original response so others can see it at top.

Krythic `598`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Just wanted to confirm, Merc Bug still works in D2R. I was using it a few minutes ago. Night and day difference.

BillyMaysed `2421`Moderator

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Krythic wrote: 4 years ago
Just wanted to confirm, Merc Bug still works in D2R. I was using it a few minutes ago. Night and day difference.

another great reminder! added this + Smoke to my New Players Guide #11 and my reply at top. Thanks guys.

phifi `19`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Meanwhile i progressed a bit and upgraded the gear of my merc.

Now i have to make the decision between an Insight on Colossus Voulge or The Reaper's Toll.
What is better in term's of surviveability?

Other items he has right now are Andariels Visage and Duriels Shell. What would be the next usefull upgrades? Is Treachery better than Duriel's Shell?

Wolfie83 `65`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

phifi wrote: 4 years ago
Meanwhile i progressed a bit and upgraded the gear of my merc.

Now i have to make the decision between an Insight on Colossus Voulge or The Reaper's Toll.
What is better in term's of surviveability?

Other items he has right now are Andariels Visage and Duriels Shell. What would be the next usefull upgrades? Is Treachery better than Duriel's Shell?

recommend a NON Colossus Voulge Insight, 210 str, Eth Treachery in a sub 180 str base, and a Tal Mask with a Shael for fhr

something like a 4os Thresher or Cryptic Axe or giant Poleaxe from hell cows

NL 93 Summon Necro, 85 Hammerdin, 89 Light sorc, 91 Hydra/orb Sorc, 84 Smiter, 70+ Enchant sorc
Reign of the Warlock trades only
UTC +10, from Sydney, Australia Wolfie83#6920

Armlesswunder `51`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Not a common strategy, but off hand Wand with lifetap can keep him alive in bad situations. Of course, its a bit of a burden to switch cast but sometimes better than him dying.

https://armlesswunder.github.io/

I don't do trades for less than Pul. I accept T or H keys as well.

phifi `19`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Wolfie83 wrote: 4 years ago
recommend a NON Colossus Voulge Insight, 210 str, Eth Treachery in a sub 180 str base, and a Tal Mask with a Shael for fhr
something like a 4os Thresher or Cryptic Axe or giant Poleaxe from hell cows

thx for the tip but why not a Colossus Voulge?
And does Tal Mask drop with Socket or do u use the Larzuk quest for it?

kris533d `0`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

phifi wrote: 4 years ago

Wolfie83 wrote: 4 years ago
recommend a NON Colossus Voulge Insight, 210 str, Eth Treachery in a sub 180 str base, and a Tal Mask with a Shael for fhr
something like a 4os Thresher or Cryptic Axe or giant Poleaxe from hell cows
thx for the tip but why not a Colossus Voulge?
And does Tal Mask drop with Socket or do u use the Larzuk quest for it?

Larzuk

Wolfie83 `65`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Colossus Voulge is 210 strength req on merc, won't get that naturally until merc is level 99, you'll need a strength item to even use it, Cryptic Axe is 165 str, Eth CV at level 93 without strength items

NL 93 Summon Necro, 85 Hammerdin, 89 Light sorc, 91 Hydra/orb Sorc, 84 Smiter, 70+ Enchant sorc
Reign of the Warlock trades only
UTC +10, from Sydney, Australia Wolfie83#6920

BillyMaysed `2421`Moderator

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Wolfie83 wrote: 4 years ago
Colossus Voulge is 210 strength req on merc, won't get that naturally until merc is level 99, you'll need a strength item to even use it, Cryptic Axe is 165 str, Eth CV at level 93 without strength items

this is a good reminder. I also just recently created a CV Insight for my merc and went "DOH, he can't use it" and rummaged through my stash and found a rare Helm with +27 to str and problem solved

Lafarga `17`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Late to the discussion, but just like ethereals aren't worn out by mercs, life drain doesn't apply to them. That's how I beat Duriel in normal as a low level javazon, my merc poked him with Malice.

BillyMaysed `2421`Moderator

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

Lafarga wrote: 4 years ago
life drain doesn't apply to them

Really? i only thought their life regen cancelled out the small effect from Malice. Its annoying how only some things work for the merc and others don't. Like how Prevent Monster Heal doesnt work

BillyMaysed `2421`Moderator

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

super sad glitching the A2 merc got fixed in patch 2.3

. Emilio always dying so easy. RIP

Fire Wall nerf, Broken IAS frames reversed and Merc bug....

Aegis200 `385`

4 years ago (pre-Resurrected)

A very brutal combo I found is Kira's Guardian and Guardian Angel. Gives the Merc 90% all res, and if you socket those bad boys with Ums, your merc will very very rarely die even when facing hydras from Hell Travincal (the Ums are there to counter the occasional convition aura that they may have).

Also, this combo + a reaper's toll is what I use as the merc that goes along with my smiter. The merc normally survives the entire ordeal with lifetap procted by my smytey, unless he receives some crazy Uber poison from Lilith.

(notices that thread had been dead for a while, o well)

Had a Dream about getting a Lo, and all I found today was a Wisp Projector