Why my desert merc can't wear Hone Sundan?

I've upped a

Hone Sundan for my desert merc 85 lvl and found out that he doesn't meet the dexterity requirements.
Ok, i've put one Hell rune in it and got 131 dex required instead of 161 or smth. Now merc meets all the requirements.
However when i put a weapon in his arms it get red background highlight and merc's damage is displayed like it has no weapon at all.

What's wrong?

Are you sure his current weapon or the remainder of his gear does not give him either Strength or Dex boost, so that when you transfer you lose that ?

Unless perhaps try to put him "naked" and retry ?

Have a look at this thread:

forums/whats-wrong-here-t817532.html

level up might solve the problem. if ur merc is too low, buy a new one.

actually it was a bug. fixed in recent patches.