Melee Necromancer

I am trying necro for the first time and using this guide (great guide btw).

I tried searching through the post but couldn't find anything on what the best merc would be for this build. Any suggestions on which merc to go for and how to equip it?

Either an act 3 caster merc to supplement your melee playstyle or an a5 merc to get in melee and tank with you/use thunderslam to stun the screen, etc.

Tbh, I'm not using any merc with this build, as it's an absolutely optional part of the playstyle. Act 3 Bloodmage or Necrolyte can solo LC1 (Tran Athulua) for you if you feel like struggling in this challege (you shouldn't). Act 5 Barb merc can be an option too, but requires lots of gear to succeed. There's a merc guide in this forum, check it out for more info.

Necrolyte is arguably the worst merc, I guess you meant Abjurer?

Gekko64 wrote:Necrolyte is arguably the worst merc, I guess you meant Abjurer?

I meant the merc with Hailstorm. Was it necrolyte?

Edit: yes, he's fine when soloing LC1 - Miasma for amazons, Hailstorm vs priestesses. Bloodmage is better though.

weird, I don't think I've ever seen anyone using that merc due to the unpredictable way he uses his skills and the fact that many people hate charm with a passion

I tested Necroloyte this ladder with my sorceress and from my experience (made him solo LC1 at me being lvl35 or smth), he used Charm once or twice in a full Sunstones run. Casted Hunting Banshee, Hailstrom and Miasma in 40%/40%/20% ratio. Excellent vs priestesses, slow (but tanky) vs amazons.

Is the only way to deal with thorns to not attack into it at all? I literally 1 shot myself while farming Nilhathak for signets lol

You can lure the nearby minions (usually fast ones - succubi, rust monsters, thunderlings), already affected by Thorns aura away from Razor Fur Titans so you can kill them. Considering slow monsters with Thorns aura (wyrdhyenas, destroyer wolf riders) and the titans themselves, it's better to avoid them completely.

Use graveyard and stand still.