Normal A1 Merc bow choice

The bow merc,

Does anyone feel there is difference regarding if you have faster ias , attack speed ?

I feel her AI is kind of trouble.

I can see difference in frame 13( Composite Bow) vs 16 ( Long Battle Bow) .

Which bow is better pick?

Assume it only for normal act1- act3

I prefer fastest attack speed since it means they trigger skills more often

For very early normal that's usually a Hunter's Bow with a Sapphire chip and maybe an Emerald chip on the fire merc, to get slow + poison + area damage. Composite Bow is better but I never see those in the first dozen levels.

If you can get one of the uniques that fires explosive Arrows, consider switching to cold merc. IIRC that's level 15 and up though ( Raven Claw).

DeimosDeletes wrote: 10 months ago

If you can get one of the uniques that fires explosive Arrows, consider switching to cold merc. IIRC that's level 15 and up though ( Raven Claw).

Sadly, the explosive arrows are bugged for mercs.
https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/i ... s-testing/

I am thinking about making godly Composite Bow.
+5% amp( must roll )
+cold dam ( must roll )
10% ias
20 AR and useless ED
25 AR to UD and useless ED
25 AR to DM and useless ED
1 socket ( cube make, cost soj )

Somehow I have feeling that Long War Bow might better even I perfect roll Composite Bow. Because the rogue merc AI move, they like to do 1 shot , move, 1 shot move.
I am not sure if that still make attack speed worth it.

Godly 6 os jewel Long War Bow looks like this,
120 poison
70-120 AR
+24-48 life
40-60 resistance.
Make it very tank but slow attack.

I always make a 3os hunter's or Composite Bow with 3x chipped topazs or rubies (vs. Andy). IAS > base damage, elemental damage is king in normal PvM.

In higher level areas, you will be able to find 4os hunter's and Composite Bow and you can socket 4x (regular) Topazs for 4-88 light damage at lvl 12. Probably much easier and cheaper than the rares you have in mind.

I am probably looking for 4 os Composite Bow and try. because I just find that my merc can 1 shot kill a3 regular monster with only 60 p damage.(armor Helm)

I am thinking about add cod damage and 3 +8 life jewel...

I havent rea;;y start making this weapon yet. That d2 planner tell me there is possibility I get that rare bow is I try to gamble from Gheed.(looks costy and I kind of feel above post is correct about easy and performance )

leox wrote: 10 months ago

I just find that my merc can 1 shot kill a3 regular monster with only 60 p damage.(armor Helm)

Why is it necessary to have a merc one-shooting single monsters, if Holy Fire one-shots the whole screen?

ceving wrote: 10 months ago

leox wrote: 10 months ago

I just find that my merc can 1 shot kill a3 regular monster with only 60 p damage.(armor Helm)

Why is it necessary to have a merc one-shooting single monsters, if Holy Fire one-shots the whole screen?

In my case, I usually reach a2 end around lv 5 for speed run. some extreme case, my best record, lv 5 kill diablo and reach lv 6.

If I play slow, usually reach a2 start around lv 6 , that lv 1 Holy Fire cant kill and take some time, by the time I reach a3 middle, the a1 merc becomes not so necessarily.

I havent try char lv 10 Holy Fire(4), but that is nearly end of the play. Usually I delete my char at lv 10 around to restart new play.

if the bow can equipped from lv2 or 3. It will cover almost whole game, I usually get my merc at lv 2. (some lv 3 restriction equipment may not that good for speed run)

Game end around Diablo die a5 q1.

it will depends on my mood, but these days , I dont do speed run, game end around lv10.


I also notice some player play this way, perfect base of Composite Bow 4os ED AR and long war/battle bow 6os ED AR have nice value in market.