Mercenary - Revision history

Onderduiker: /* Physical damage, melee fighter */ Closed link

2026-03-03T23:06:28Z

Physical damage, melee fighter: Closed link

Trang Oul: links; minor updates

2026-03-03T07:58:03Z

links; minor updates

Show changes

Trang Oul: larger portraits (to match Class and Pet) with links

2026-03-02T20:25:08Z

larger portraits (to match Class and Pet) with links

Trang Oul: Rune Word spelling

2026-02-24T14:54:18Z

Rune Word spelling

Trang Oul: /* Act 1 Rogue */ Hustle -> Mania

2026-02-24T14:35:22Z

Act 1 Rogue: Hustle -> Mania

Naturelover: /* Act 3 Iron Wolf */

2026-02-18T20:52:09Z

Act 3 Iron Wolf

Naturelover: /* Misc */

2026-02-18T20:49:19Z

Misc

Trang Oul: RW links; typo fixes

2026-01-13T22:44:04Z

RW links; typo fixes

Show changes

Trang Oul: A2 merc with auras from items; links

2026-01-13T22:37:04Z

A2 merc with auras from items; links

Trang Oul: /* Act 1 Rogue */ exploding arrow as a bug; added ref

2026-01-13T22:24:15Z

Act 1 Rogue: exploding arrow as a bug; added ref

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 * You can pick a ranged merc that deals elemental damage (A1 or A3).
 * A2 desert merc with an aura that helps you. Blessed Aim if you need AR, Might if you want more damage, Holy Freeze if you need some crowd control, Defiance if you want more defense.
-* A2 desert merc with [[The Reaper's Toll|{{Ub|=The Reaper's Toll}}]] or A5 barbarian with [[Lawbringer|{{Ub|=Lawbringer}}]] (to proc [[Decrepify]]), or A5 two-handed barbarian with [[Dreadfang|{{Ub|=Dreadfang}} (to proc [[Amplify Damage]]).
+* A2 desert merc with [[The Reaper's Toll|{{Ub|=The Reaper's Toll}}]] or A5 barbarian with [[Lawbringer|{{Ub|=Lawbringer}}]] (to proc [[Decrepify]]), or A5 two-handed barbarian with [[Dreadfang|{{Ub|=Dreadfang}}]] (to proc [[Amplify Damage]]).
 * Don't forget A1 mercs can help your AR with [[Inner Sight]]. Alternatively, you can use A2 desert merc [[Infinity|{{Ub|=Infinity}}]] (for [[Conviction]] aura).
 * D2R: A3 fire merc for [[Enchant]] for AR (although can be substituted by [[Demon Limb|{{Ub|=Demon Limb}}]]'s charges).

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 __ToC__
+|
-|width=17%| [[File:Rogue icon.gif]]
+|width=17%| [[File:Rogue icon.gif|67px|link=Rogue Scout]]
-|width=16%| [[File:Desert icon.gif]]
+|width=16%| [[File:Desert icon.gif|67px|link=Desert Mercenary]]
-|width=17%| [[File:Iron Wolf icon.gif]]
+|width=17%| [[File:Iron Wolf icon.gif|67px|link=Iron Wolf]]
-|width=25%| [[File:Barbarian mercenary icon.gif]]
+|width=25%| [[File:Barbarian mercenary icon.gif|67px|link=Barbarian (mercenary)]]
 |- valign=top
 |colspan=4|

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 * The Necromancer Room's consensus seems to be: Thorns is good in NM or when you are fighting monsters that are above your level. Blessed Aim also gets a nod in NM to help with Skeleton Attack Rating versus higher level monsters. Might is better in Hell and when your level is at or above those of the monsters you are fighting.
 * Ranged merc since the melee is covered by minions. This isn't terribly popular, since if you have lots of minions, you want to have an aura to share with them.
-* With runewords, an Act 1 Rogue can now provide the [[Vigor]] (to help minions keep up when you are running) [[Thorns]], [[Fanaticism]] and in D2R also [[Concentration]] auras.<br/>Act 2 desert merc can provide [[Concentration]] or [[Conviction]] this way, in addition to own aura.
+* With Rune Words, an Act 1 Rogue can now provide the [[Vigor]] (to help minions keep up when you are running) [[Thorns]], [[Fanaticism]] and in D2R also [[Concentration]] auras.<br/>Act 2 desert merc can provide [[Concentration]] or [[Conviction]] this way, in addition to own aura.
 * Druids: since most pets deal physical damage, consider using A2 desert merc with [[The Reaper's Toll]] or A5 barbarian with [[Lawbringer|{{Ub|=Lawbringer}}]] (to proc [[Decrepify]]).
 ==Credits==
 BIG thanks go out to adeyke, Ruvunal, Zath, brianc84 and many others from the AB forums who did all the real work, and ThePlatypus for compiling it here. Also, thanks to Tommi for his excellent pages of information, found [https://web.archive.org/web/20050310015047/http://www.hut.fi/~tgustafs/diablochars.html here]. All the hit recovery information is from him, found [https://web.archive.org/web/20050308011248/http://www.hut.fi/~tgustafs/hitrecovery.html here].

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 * Cast Inner Sight
 * The mods [[Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts]] and [[Fires Magic Arrows]] are quirky. {{Warn|=The Explosive arrows do not work. There is a graphical bug so that you see the explosion, but no damage is dealt and the Rogue does not get the Attack Rating bonus associated with the Exploding Arrow skill.}} [https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/127630-d2r-merc-fires-explosive-arrow-or-bolts-testing/] Fires Magic Arrow does deliver magic damage, but the Rogue's still do not receive an AR bonus. Credit for the discovery goes to adeyke and brianc84. [https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/95795-ar-bonuses-on-ranged-attack-skills-dont-work/ Link].
-* They can give you the [[Vigor]] aura via [[Harmony|{{Ub|=Harmony}}]], [[Thorns]] via [[Edge|{{Ub|=Edge}}]] and [[Fanaticism]] via [[Faith|{{Ub|=Faith}}]].<br/> In D2R they can also give you [[Fanaticism]] via [[Hustle|{{Ub|=Hustle}}]], [[Meditation]] via [[Insight|{{Ub|=Insight}}]] and [[Concentration]] via [[Mist|{{Ub|=Mist}}]].
+* They can give you the [[Vigor]] aura via [[Harmony|{{Ub|=Harmony}}]], [[Thorns]] via [[Edge|{{Ub|=Edge}}]] and [[Fanaticism]] via [[Faith|{{Ub|=Faith}}]].<br/> In D2R they can also give you [[Fanaticism]] via [[Mania|{{Ub|=Mania}}]], [[Meditation]] via [[Insight|{{Ub|=Insight}}]] and [[Concentration]] via [[Mist|{{Ub|=Mist}}]].
 ===Equipment===

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 * +Glacial Spike, +FireBall, etc. will help these mercs. The only places to get these are from Ormus' Robes or two pieces of the Trang's set. Note that the +Fireball bonus from Trang's will be capped at +3.
 * Anything that is +sorceress skills, for example: +2 [[Fire Skills]] (Sorceress Only) will not work, but the +3 [[Fire Skills]] of [[Hexfire|{{Ub|=Hexfire}}]] (and the [[Flickering Flame|{{Ub|=Flickering Flame}}]] in D2R) would.
-* Items that lower enemy resistance (such as the [[Crescent Moon|{{Ub|=Crescent Moon}}]] [[Rune Word]], facets, etc.) will benefit these mercs.
+* Items that lower enemy resistance (such as the [[Crescent Moon (Rune Word)|{{Ub|=Crescent Moon}}]] [[Rune Word]], facets, etc.) will benefit these mercs.
 * Can complete the Isenhart set (for whatever that's worth).

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 ===Misc===
-* Mercs only have [[Strength]] and [[Dexterity]], so +[[Vitality]] and +[[Energy]] mods have no effect. They do have life (so +Life works), but not mana.
+* Mercs only have [[Strength (attribute)|Strength]] and [[Dexterity]], so +[[Vitality]] and +[[Energy]] mods have no effect. They do have life (so +Life works), but not mana.
 * Since mercs do not have mana, mana potions and Mana Burn will not work on them. If you try the shift + 1 method to feed your merc a mana pot, he/she will thank you, although you yourself will drink the potion. They are simply granted "infinite" mana to cast spells.
 * "Act 5 mercs regenerate their health fully in 16.4 seconds, whereas all other mercs require 41 seconds." - Zath

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 ===Equipment===
-Get him a big damage polearm or spear. Mods to look for are: Crushing Blow, life leech, +life, resistances, Faster Hit Recovery, Chance to Cast amp damage or decrepify, Slows Target (especially on Holy Freeze merc).
+Get him a big damage polearm or spear. Mods to look for are: [[Crushing Blow]], life leech, +life, resistances, [[Faster Hit Recovery]], [[Chance to Cast]] [[Amplify Damage]] or [[Decrepify]], [[Slows Target]] (especially on Holy Freeze merc).
 ===Available Auras===
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 * +Glacial Spike, +FireBall, etc. will help these mercs. The only places to get these are from Ormus' Robes or two pieces of the Trang's set. Note that the +Fireball bonus from Trang's will be capped at +3.
 * Anything that is +sorceress skills, for example: +2 Fire Skills (Sorceress Only) will not work, but the +3 Fire Skills of Hexfire (and the [[Flickering Flame]] in D2R) would.
-* Items that lower enemy resistance (such as the Crescent Moon runeword, facets, etc.) will benefit these mercs.
+* Items that lower enemy resistance (such as the [[Crescent Moon|{{Ub|=Crescent Moon}}]] [[Rune Word]], facets, etc.) will benefit these mercs.
 * Can complete the Isenhart set (for whatever that's worth).
 ===Equipment===
-You want +[[All Skills]] and [[Faster Cast Rate]]. Everything else is secondary because they tend to survive fairly well on their own unless you let them get swarmed. The [[Spirit]] [[rune word]] makes an excellent weapon for them (and actually is the only available weapon with +all skills and FCR bonuses). You would need +strength on your helm/armor to let them use a Spirit shield since the lowest strength requirement on a 4 socket shield is 156 on a Monarch (146 if ethereal). They top out at 153 str at level 98 and have 137 str at level 85, just to give you an idea.
+You want +[[All Skills]] and [[Faster Cast Rate]]. Everything else is secondary because they tend to survive fairly well on their own unless you let them get swarmed. The [[Spirit|{{Ub|=Spirit}}]] [[Rune Word]] makes an excellent weapon for them (and actually is the only available weapon with +all skills and FCR bonuses). You would need +strength on your helm/armor to let them use a [[Spirit|{{Ub|=Spirit}}]] shield since the lowest strength requirement on a 4 socket shield is 156 on a [[Monarch]] (146 if ethereal). They top out at 153 str at level 98 and have 137 str at level 85, just to give you an idea.
 See the [https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/102181-act-3-mercenaries-full-power-guide/ Act 3 Mercenaries Full Power Guide] for more ideas.
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 * They regenerate their health fully in 16.4 seconds.
 * These mercenaries can complete the Sazabi Set.
-* They do not have or benefit from +sword mastery such as on Bloodletter.
+* They do not have or benefit from +[[Sword Mastery]] such as on [[Bloodletter]].
 * Act 5 mercenaries receive a 70% bonus to their poison resistance in all difficulties.
 * The Act 5 mercenary normal attack has 2 hits, similar to the A2 mercenary's Jab.
-* They will benefit from +Bash or +Stun on a barbarian helm. However, those helms shouldn't exist in 1.1x, but in very rare cases they can spawn.
+* They will benefit from +[[Bash]] or +[[Stun]] on a barbarian helm. However, those helms shouldn't exist in 1.1x, but in very rare cases they can spawn.
 ===Equipment===

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 * Cast either [[Fire Arrow]] (and [[Exploding Arrow]] in D2R) or [[Cold Arrow]] (and [[Freezing Arrow]] in D2R).
 * Cast Inner Sight
-* The mods [[Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts]] and [[Fires Magic Arrows]] are quirky. The Explosive arrows do not work. There is a graphical bug so that you see the explosion, but no damage is dealt and the Rogue does not get the Attack Rating bonus associated with the Exploding Arrow skill. Fires Magic Arrow does deliver magic damage, but the Rogue's still do not receive an AR bonus. Credit for the discovery goes to adeyke and brianc84. [https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/95795-ar-bonuses-on-ranged-attack-skills-dont-work/ Link].
+* The mods [[Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts]] and [[Fires Magic Arrows]] are quirky. {{Warn|=The Explosive arrows do not work. There is a graphical bug so that you see the explosion, but no damage is dealt and the Rogue does not get the Attack Rating bonus associated with the Exploding Arrow skill.}} [https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/127630-d2r-merc-fires-explosive-arrow-or-bolts-testing/] Fires Magic Arrow does deliver magic damage, but the Rogue's still do not receive an AR bonus. Credit for the discovery goes to adeyke and brianc84. [https://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/95795-ar-bonuses-on-ranged-attack-skills-dont-work/ Link].
 * They can give you the [[Vigor]] aura via [[Harmony]], [[Thorns]] via [[Edge]] and [[Fanaticism]] via [[Faith]].<br/> In D2R they can also give you [[Fanaticism]] via [[Hustle]], [[Meditation]] via [[Insight]] and [[Concentration]] via [[Mist]].
 ===Equipment===
-They tend to stay out of harm's way reasonably well, so life leech isn't mandotory, but a little bit certainly helps. Increased Attack Speed can help (check speed calculator). These mercs are good at activating Chance to Cast mods without being in the thick of the battle. Blinding, fleeing, amplify damage, etc.
+They tend to stay out of harm's way reasonably well, so life leech isn't mandatory, but a little bit certainly helps. Increased Attack Speed can help (check speed calculator). These mercs are good at activating Chance to Cast mods without being in the thick of the battle. Blinding, fleeing, amplify damage, etc.
 ===Hit Recovery===