Semigloss wrote:Also, Merc question. If an item grants +skills to a skill that the Merc uses, do they gain the bonus? Like say a bow gives +10 barrage. Would a1 rogue gain this and get more arrows in their barrage volley?
They do benefit from +skills if there's some sort of meaningful scaling. Barrage in the example doesn't gain more arrows per level anymore. It was changed many seasons ago to a static amount. Soft levels only increase the flat rainbow damage bonus to the skill now.
Regarding a merc-only playthrough, I haven't put much thought to it yet as many of the 120+ ubers have one-shots or near one-shots. Mercs can solo 105-115 ubers (if you don't die ofc) but beyond that I doubt they can solo anything. They do tiny dmg to act bosses so Baal is out of the question. Also the only lv 125 uber I can see a merc solo with good herding skills is Astrogha, but that's it. I'll still give it a try someday thought bc that sounds fun.