The Hireling Handbook - A Guide to Mercenaries

Find a handful of guides and walkthroughs here!
Gotuso
Dark Huntress
10 | 0
For an Act 3 Necrolyte, what do I MO after Cold Damage? All resistances are capped and I've made sure the breakpoints for FHR and FCR are met.

Do I go for Physical Damage Reduced by 4 on Amulets? Bonus to Defence or Enhanced Defence on armors? Or just max everything with Magic Find?
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NotCube
Grubber
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Gotuso wrote:For an Act 3 Necrolyte, what do I MO after Cold Damage? All resistances are capped and I've made sure the breakpoints for FHR and FCR are met.

Do I go for Physical Damage Reduced by 4 on Amulets? Bonus to Defence or Enhanced Defence on armors? Or just max everything with Magic Find?

Yes PDR on amulet. Enhanced Defense if you still have room on armors. Bonus to Def is a waste on him. He has like ~1.5k naked.
Splargh
Grubber
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so the only viable lab support left as of patch 2.0 is the necrolyte?
Captcha
Mangler
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Abjurer doesn't seem to be able to wear a
Skull Lord
Skull Lord
Blackguard Helm (4)

Defense: (49 - 54) to (71 - 78)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 29
Item Level: 1
+(16 to 25) Spell Focus
5% Cast Speed
+(6 to 8)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
(8 to 10)% Curse Length Reduction
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (184 - 199) to (242 - 261)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 43
Item Level: 31
+(36 to 45) Spell Focus
10% Cast Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 13)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
(14 to 16)% Curse Length Reduction
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (459 - 490) to (592 - 631)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 90
Item Level: 51
+(56 to 65) Spell Focus
15% Cast Speed
+(16 to 18)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 18)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
(20 to 22)% Curse Length Reduction
6% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (675 - 717) to (864 - 918)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 50
Required Dexterity: 187
Item Level: 77
+(66 to 75) Spell Focus
15% Cast Speed
+(18 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 25)% Curse Length Reduction
8% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
, presumably to do with it being Paladin only.

Re labs, I found a priestess with
Webspinner
Webspinner
Short War Bow (4)

Two-Hand Damage: (10 - 12) to (26 - 32)
Required Level: 8
Required Dexterity:
73 to 77
Item Level: 19
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
5% Chance to cast level 5 Arachnomancy on Kill
3% Chance to cast level 4 Miasma on Striking
+(11 to 15) to Maximum Damage
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
+(2 to 3)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (6 to 10)%
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (33 - 37) to (61 - 75)
Required Level: 28
Required Dexterity:
95 to 100
Item Level: 40
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
6% Chance to cast level 10 Arachnomancy on Kill
4% Chance to cast level 10 Miasma on Striking
+(16 to 25) to Maximum Damage
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
+(5 to 6)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (11 to 15)%
Maximum Life +(3 to 4)%
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (76 - 83) to (135 - 153)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity:
161 to 171
Item Level: 59
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
7% Chance to cast level 14 Arachnomancy on Kill
5% Chance to cast level 16 Miasma on Striking
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
+(8 to 9)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (21 to 25)%
Maximum Life +(4 to 5)%
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (102 - 110) to (179 - 199)
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity:
294 to 313
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
8% Chance to cast level 18 Arachnomancy on Kill
6% Chance to cast level 19 Miasma on Striking
+(41 to 50) to Maximum Damage
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(9 to 10)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (31 to 35)%
Maximum Life +(5 to 6)%
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
better than a necrolyte. Its survivability may vary with different builds though - I was playing a holy caster which keeps it out of range most of the time. The problem with necrolyte is that its AI is weak - it stands there casting its ice nova thing, miles out of range of the mobs, rarely using the skill you want it to use.
Splargh
Grubber
320 | 13
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Donated 1 time
Captcha wrote:Abjurer doesn't seem to be able to wear a
Skull Lord
Skull Lord
Blackguard Helm (4)

Defense: (49 - 54) to (71 - 78)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 29
Item Level: 1
+(16 to 25) Spell Focus
5% Cast Speed
+(6 to 8)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
(8 to 10)% Curse Length Reduction
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (184 - 199) to (242 - 261)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 43
Item Level: 31
+(36 to 45) Spell Focus
10% Cast Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 13)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
(14 to 16)% Curse Length Reduction
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (459 - 490) to (592 - 631)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 90
Item Level: 51
+(56 to 65) Spell Focus
15% Cast Speed
+(16 to 18)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 18)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
(20 to 22)% Curse Length Reduction
6% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (675 - 717) to (864 - 918)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 50
Required Dexterity: 187
Item Level: 77
+(66 to 75) Spell Focus
15% Cast Speed
+(18 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 25)% Curse Length Reduction
8% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
, presumably to do with it being Paladin only.

Re labs, I found a priestess with
Webspinner
Webspinner
Short War Bow (4)

Two-Hand Damage: (10 - 12) to (26 - 32)
Required Level: 8
Required Dexterity:
73 to 77
Item Level: 19
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
5% Chance to cast level 5 Arachnomancy on Kill
3% Chance to cast level 4 Miasma on Striking
+(11 to 15) to Maximum Damage
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
+(2 to 3)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (6 to 10)%
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (33 - 37) to (61 - 75)
Required Level: 28
Required Dexterity:
95 to 100
Item Level: 40
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
6% Chance to cast level 10 Arachnomancy on Kill
4% Chance to cast level 10 Miasma on Striking
+(16 to 25) to Maximum Damage
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
+(5 to 6)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (11 to 15)%
Maximum Life +(3 to 4)%
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (76 - 83) to (135 - 153)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity:
161 to 171
Item Level: 59
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
7% Chance to cast level 14 Arachnomancy on Kill
5% Chance to cast level 16 Miasma on Striking
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
+(8 to 9)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (21 to 25)%
Maximum Life +(4 to 5)%
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (102 - 110) to (179 - 199)
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity:
294 to 313
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
8% Chance to cast level 18 Arachnomancy on Kill
6% Chance to cast level 19 Miasma on Striking
+(41 to 50) to Maximum Damage
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(9 to 10)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (31 to 35)%
Maximum Life +(5 to 6)%
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
better than a necrolyte. Its survivability may vary with different builds though - I was playing a holy caster which keeps it out of range most of the time. The problem with necrolyte is that its AI is weak - it stands there casting its ice nova thing, miles out of range of the mobs, rarely using the skill you want it to use.


Can you share your priestess gear? Mine dies as soon as anything touches her in labs
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PizzaGater
Banned
652 | 9
Splargh wrote:
Captcha wrote:Abjurer doesn't seem to be able to wear a
Skull Lord
Skull Lord
Blackguard Helm (4)

Defense: (49 - 54) to (71 - 78)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 29
Item Level: 1
+(16 to 25) Spell Focus
5% Cast Speed
+(6 to 8)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
(8 to 10)% Curse Length Reduction
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (184 - 199) to (242 - 261)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 43
Item Level: 31
+(36 to 45) Spell Focus
10% Cast Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 13)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
(14 to 16)% Curse Length Reduction
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (459 - 490) to (592 - 631)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 90
Item Level: 51
+(56 to 65) Spell Focus
15% Cast Speed
+(16 to 18)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 18)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
(20 to 22)% Curse Length Reduction
6% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (675 - 717) to (864 - 918)
(Paladin Only)
Required Level: 50
Required Dexterity: 187
Item Level: 77
+(66 to 75) Spell Focus
15% Cast Speed
+(18 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 25)% Curse Length Reduction
8% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
, presumably to do with it being Paladin only.

Re labs, I found a priestess with
Webspinner
Webspinner
Short War Bow (4)

Two-Hand Damage: (10 - 12) to (26 - 32)
Required Level: 8
Required Dexterity:
73 to 77
Item Level: 19
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
5% Chance to cast level 5 Arachnomancy on Kill
3% Chance to cast level 4 Miasma on Striking
+(11 to 15) to Maximum Damage
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
+(2 to 3)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (6 to 10)%
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (33 - 37) to (61 - 75)
Required Level: 28
Required Dexterity:
95 to 100
Item Level: 40
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
6% Chance to cast level 10 Arachnomancy on Kill
4% Chance to cast level 10 Miasma on Striking
+(16 to 25) to Maximum Damage
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
+(5 to 6)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (11 to 15)%
Maximum Life +(3 to 4)%
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (76 - 83) to (135 - 153)
Required Level: 47
Required Dexterity:
161 to 171
Item Level: 59
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
7% Chance to cast level 14 Arachnomancy on Kill
5% Chance to cast level 16 Miasma on Striking
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
+(8 to 9)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (21 to 25)%
Maximum Life +(4 to 5)%
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (102 - 110) to (179 - 199)
Required Level: 54
Required Dexterity:
294 to 313
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Miasma Haunt Duration Increased by 2 seconds
8% Chance to cast level 18 Arachnomancy on Kill
6% Chance to cast level 19 Miasma on Striking
+(41 to 50) to Maximum Damage
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(9 to 10)% to Poison Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (31 to 35)%
Maximum Life +(5 to 6)%
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)
better than a necrolyte. Its survivability may vary with different builds though - I was playing a holy caster which keeps it out of range most of the time. The problem with necrolyte is that its AI is weak - it stands there casting its ice nova thing, miles out of range of the mobs, rarely using the skill you want it to use.


Can you share your priestess gear? Mine dies as soon as anything touches her in labs


same lol I have been gearing her exactly as guide says and she dies even in sclosgen or fauzt
Captcha
Mangler
486 | 26
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Has a thread with over 10.000 views
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I've been playing around with a few merc builds - Necrolyte, Abjurer and Priestess.

The advantage of a rogue seems to be more in its AI and the build/playstyle being used. I've noticed that a rogue tends to stand behind me whereas an A3 merc (certainly the abjurer anyway) tends to stand in front, where it gets shot easily. Also, as I mentioned above, the necrolyte AI in 2.0 tends to just spam ice nova out of range, which is a waste of effort.

Also, in terms of playstyle, by casting hydras ahead and into doorways - and keeping 10 scourges up - I reduce the number of times a rogue is in danger. They tend to be most useful when something gets near, and they slow it - I'm basically keeping it alive just to do that.

With any merc, the most dangerous time is when I first enter a lab - if lots of stuff shoots at us that could be the end of the merc (or me). Also, using teleport defensively helps, not just to defend my character's life but the merc's as well.

And I use the innate paladin skill a lot as well, to give life regen to the party for 30 secs.

The gear I have found best so far has been either the set + witchunter's hood + endless loop and I only have Angel Heart ammy. Or using Askarbyd in a similar setup but with a Rogue rw in Ancient Armour for defence. I'm still trying combinations based on what gear I have.

I'm about to try replacing Amethysts in gear with more Um runes to up her effective resistance. My own stacked resists are around 280-290 whereas the merc doesn't have anything like that - it's probably its major weakness especially with T9-10 mobs having an extra -100% pierce.

TL;DR The holy caster build and a careful playstyle has ways to help a merc stay alive: ranged play, hydra turret, 3s teleport, 10 summons, innate regen skill for party etc.

When I said it was "better", I meant just that - not necessarily "good". :| HTH
Nevermore
Stygian Watcher
42 | 1
I know merc`s are only support, not rift blenders, boss killers but i hope in 2.1 or near future they will get some little love so they catch up with last changes. Hope devs doesn`t wanted so much nerf on them and will see that they are just portrait in game screen right now.
hieuhuan1234
Fallen
1 | 0
Is Necrobear build doing good in lab run? Can you show me? I really like the idea of it, but since I'm a new player, I don't think I want to waste my investment on him if he can't do lab.
Diaco
Void Archon
880 | 43
Common Love Badge
Earned over 20 cookies
Would love to see gear with merc interactions. Maybe an orange text that makes a parameter scale with merc stat, or that gives a bonus when merc is alive... Right now the only item that interacts is
The Retiarius
The Retiarius
Trident (Sacred)

Two-Hand Damage: (179 - 220) to (298 - 367)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 408
Required Dexterity: 428
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
+100% Magic Find If Wielded by a Mercenary
+20% Deadly Strike If Wielded by a Player
50% Attack Speed
Adds (50 to 75)-(150 to 200) Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
Slow Target 25%
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
Physical Resist 10%
+15 Mana on Melee Attack
Socketed (6)