Double plague a5 merc

Hi all,

I'm considering exchanging a Faith rogue merc for a double Plague barb on my Plague Javelin zon, some questions..

1) will he get hit often enough to consistently proc Lower Resist ? it's 40% chance right?
I'm asking because this zon has an immortal Valkyrie that normally gets all the attention
2) will he also survive t5 Herald packs? what's the best gear for survivability? Chains of Honor? Crown of Ages? Veil of Steel? some barb Helm?
3) what's the best barb base?
4) what's the best sword base? any ethereal elite?
5) i read that Cleansing aura shortens shrine effects.. will i have enough time to prebuff Valkyrie when i encounter a skiller shrine? some 30s needed without stress
6) any other use from this barb except -57/-11 poison res?

thanks! with point 3) i meant the merc (skillset) type. Frenzy + Taunt + ironskin?

will Taunt not be enough to draw hits?

Tornado_OLO wrote: 2 months ago

Hi,

1) I don't think so. He has to engage before your Valkyrie comes.
2) He need some life leech. Mine has Arreat's Face with ethereal Fortitude and he survives but he may need some pots against t5 if the fight is too long.
3) Mythical Sword
4) ethereal Mythical Sword
5) Of course
6) His main goal is to tank and kill annoying immunes.
Mine has Plague + Grief to hit a better breakpoint (Plague has to IAS) and better damage.
I'm using hit with my cold mf sorc for his Cleansing aura, tanking and help killing immunes.