Finally, A Badass 1.09 Merc!

Manny

Manny

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This might be well-known, but coming back to this game after a two-decade hiatus means that I’ve been rediscovering things and learning from trial and error. Recently I’ve been trying to think of new ways to use the many sets that I have completed that have just been collecting dust on mules. A problem I’ve had was my MF Sorc’s A2 Defensive Merc was such a push over and would get slapped by Pindle (I like socketing Merc gear with MF and allowing them the killing blow). After some thought, I decided to switch to an A5 Barb Merc and gave him the Sazabi Set, and wow, what a difference! At only level 85 (he has 10 levels to go in order to catch up), he is already significantly stronger than ole Waheed. He also rushes forward to meet Pindle (thanks in part to the huge bonus to FRW from the set), and tanks him like an absolute boss. I have found my new favorite 1.09 merc. Highly recommend this set-up!
 
Oh that’s a cool merc! And a good use of this set! Surely more original than the typical A2 Might or Holy Freeze hehe.

How is his survivability? And killing speed?
 
[mention]Manny[/mention] You might as well call your Merc Suzuki :D
 
1.07-1.09 all have the mastery bug if that’s what you mean (1 point in the mastery will crit 100% of the time).
 
I’m thinking of https://www.purediablo.com/forums/threads/act-v-barb-merc-damage-doubled-for-1h.867/ - I’ve seen the occasional discussion about if 1h weapons get their damage doubled, and there’s a Fruit post walking through it for 1.07, but I haven’t really seen anything definitive for 1.08+.

If it does, it would explain why Sazabi’s set is so awesome on a merc :)
 
[mention]dariustriplet[/mention]

I was getting ready to link that thread, but looks like you already found it :D

And yeah, I don’t know for sure if this affects 1.09, but the dude definitely SLAPS!
 
Erayz said:
Oh that’s a cool merc! And a good use of this set! Surely more original than the typical A2 Might or Holy Freeze hehe.

How is his survivability? And killing speed?
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[mention]Erayz[/mention] No doubt! I’m def keeping my A2 Might merc on my bowa, but besides that, I will probably migrate my other toons to this set-up. It just works really well.

I don’t have any concrete numbers, but he’s died no more than 2-3 times in a hundred Pindle runs, and he seems to rarely take any damage that takes him below 3/4 hp. So survivability is very good, at least in that setting. I suppose the +27% max life from the set bonus, and the high defense really help him there. The set bonus also provides 16% DR and 15% LL. He leeches like crazy and swings like a madman! He kills faster than my previous A2 merc with ETH Hone Sudan. And his bash skill essentially lands on every hit too so mobs are rarely able to hit him back. Like all mercs though, if he gets completely surrounded, he can be easily overcome, especially if Pindle is rocking Spectral Hit or the like. That’s a rare occurrence though, and it’s easy enough to tele him out of those situations on a sorc. :)
 
My A5 merc ’Gorm’ has been reborn as ’Lief’ and is currently lvl 95.

The Sazabi set has been retired.

Lief wears 1.08 Arkaine’s Valor (Ist’d), 1.08 Harlequin Crest (Ist’d), and a recently acquired Doombringer (Shael’d).

I still allow him the killing blow on my Pindle Runs for the extra 100% MF.
 
Lol \"allow him\", you just can’t keep up with him, let’s be honest :lol:
 
fearedbliss said:
Lol \"allow him\", you just can’t keep up with him, let’s be honest :lol:
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facts bro :lol:
 
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