the above suggested setup is both defensive and offensive (Miasma and SoR debuffs , crushing blow for fortress + arrow on striking)
also , ravenbeak has crap (physical) damage , making fortress almost harmless
if you got ideas yourself why bother asking here? go and put them to the test and see what's better for you . it also depends a lot on what your main character build is / does , also on what are your expectations from the merc . you want it to tank? you want it to proc? a little bit of both ? there are a lot of viable gear combinations . there is not just one that is general valid and must be followed to the letter . it's all subjective
you only want to boost his fire power/fire spells/fire procs ? then yes , your toughts about ravenbeak and dragon's blood are ok . you might as well use
Fuse
or Fuse
Belts
'Mhal'
Runeword Level: 110
20% Chance to cast level 28 Ignis Fatuus when Struck
Adds 38-113 Fire Damage
0.375% to Fire Spell Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(7 to 12) to Path of Flames
+(143 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
5% to All Attributes
Fire Resist +(75 to 100)%
Level 5 Blast Wave (40/40 Charges)
Belts
'Mhal'
Runeword Level: 110
20% Chance to cast level 28 Ignis Fatuus when Struck
Adds 38-113 Fire Damage
0.375% to Fire Spell Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(7 to 12) to Path of Flames
+(143 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
5% to All Attributes
Fire Resist +(75 to 100)%
Level 5 Blast Wave (40/40 Charges)
Dragon Tail
while you're at it and some other boots and gloves (honorifics or other stuff for fire damage boost)Dragon Tail
Plated Belt (4)
Defense: (206 - 232) to (277 - 312)
Required Level: 10
Required Strength: 34
Item Level: 19
5% Chance to cast level 6 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
Adds (3 to 5)-(6 to 8) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(51 to 70)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(16 to 25)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (640 - 708) to (828 - 916)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 68
Item Level: 36
6% Chance to cast level 14 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
25% Attack Speed
Adds (8 to 13)-(13 to 20) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(36 to 45)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1519 - 1656) to (1928 - 2102)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 236
Item Level: 67
7% Chance to cast level 20 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
35% Attack Speed
Adds (25 to 35)-(40 to 55) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(111 to 130)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(56 to 65)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (2366 - 2553) to (2993 - 3229)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 472
Item Level: 85
8% Chance to cast level 24 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
40% Attack Speed
Adds (81 to 100)-(121 to 160) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(141 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(66 to 75)%
Socketed (2)
Plated Belt (4)
Defense: (206 - 232) to (277 - 312)
Required Level: 10
Required Strength: 34
Item Level: 19
5% Chance to cast level 6 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
Adds (3 to 5)-(6 to 8) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(51 to 70)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(16 to 25)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (640 - 708) to (828 - 916)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 68
Item Level: 36
6% Chance to cast level 14 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
25% Attack Speed
Adds (8 to 13)-(13 to 20) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(36 to 45)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1519 - 1656) to (1928 - 2102)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 236
Item Level: 67
7% Chance to cast level 20 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
35% Attack Speed
Adds (25 to 35)-(40 to 55) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(111 to 130)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(56 to 65)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (2366 - 2553) to (2993 - 3229)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 472
Item Level: 85
8% Chance to cast level 24 Seal of Fire on Melee Attack
40% Attack Speed
Adds (81 to 100)-(121 to 160) Fire Damage
Stun Attack
+(141 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +(66 to 75)%
Socketed (2)
then again , it will still be far from how much fire damage can a bloodmage provide no matter what . Pyroblast does more damage than all the fightermage's fire procs put togather
ChuckNoRis wrote:other combos may work well too
good luck !