Best Merc type? (Opinions)

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Crosby4HyG
Core Lord
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I'm currently running A5 Merc with the following:
- Qarak's Will (old version with 250% Bloodlust damage)
- Khazra Plate
- Beads of the Snake queen Ammy
- Warmonger for helm
- Blind Anger Gloves
- Champion of Triune belt

He hits like a truck and really helps with farming in Dunc/Fautz, but he does die in some of the tougher parts of the game like higher rifts. Does anyone have recommendations for their best merc setups? I hear A3 Merc is really good as well.
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cnlnjzfjb
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:D
Edited by cnlnjzfjb 4 years.
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Elendilli
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https://tsw.vn.cz/acc/char.php?name=fag only merc items not outdated

if you're an unholy melee paladin with Grim Presence your merc will hardly ever die in T15 rifts. If you don't have Grim Presence, Celestial Sigil aka Samulet is just as good but not better than Grim Presence.
paolo12
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How about graveyard-oriented act 3. Tanky and takes care of the crowds.
boozek
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cnlnjzfjb wrote:A1 Ranger with
Fleshstinger
Fleshstinger
Short War Bow (Sacred)

Two-Hand Damage: (203 - 265) to (324 - 415)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 590
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Heartseeker on Kill
+(1 to 4) to Barbarian Skill Levels
+(1 to 4) to Sorceress Skill Levels
+(1 to 4) to Paladin Skill Levels
Adds (40 to 75)-(140 to 200) Damage
(50 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+100% Damage to Demons
+(140 to 180)% Enhanced Damage
+(15 to 30) to Split Arrow
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

is Cascade from that Bow added to Ranger default Cascade skill?
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cnlnjzfjb
Horadric Mage
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boozek wrote:
cnlnjzfjb wrote:A1 Ranger with
Fleshstinger
Fleshstinger
Short War Bow (Sacred)

Two-Hand Damage: (203 - 265) to (324 - 415)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 590
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
4% Chance to cast level 20 Heartseeker on Kill
+(1 to 4) to Barbarian Skill Levels
+(1 to 4) to Sorceress Skill Levels
+(1 to 4) to Paladin Skill Levels
Adds (40 to 75)-(140 to 200) Damage
(50 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+100% Damage to Demons
+(140 to 180)% Enhanced Damage
+(15 to 30) to Split Arrow
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

is Cascade from that Bow added to Ranger default Cascade skill?

Not sure, but merc panel shows not.
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Mangler
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It depends on yuor build type - I use different mercs with different builds:

    1. If I want a tank I go for a shapeshifter from A2, I've gone off the barb (although most prefer it).

    2. With builds where I'm face to face but need some control, A1 Priestess with Phantom rw bow can be great cc. Fighter mage A2 (glacial nova) is also ok for this.

    3. When I don't need either cc or tank, an Abjurer from A3 can dish out serious damage over a large area. The A3 Bloodmage (fire/poison equivalent) IMO seems only worthwhile for builds that need extra single target damage (the punisher skill's poison damage can hit very high dps with good gear although its fire skill is less powerful and only hits a small area compare to abjurer - both skills are quite slow-moving though).

I find that mercs that are not in melee range tend to survive better. Just my preferences, others will have their own likes and dislikes.