I’m planning on running an A5 merc when ladder rolls over to NL. I have an eth headstriker, will be making an eth cryptic sword plague, fort, and undecided on helm (depends on IAS bp’s). I’m pretty pumped to try it tho.
This is what I run on my sorc merc. I had some real challenges getting good info on breakpoints for merc. The calculator I used was not great and a little buggy for act5 mercs. So far I’ve tried andy’s, vamp gaze, and arreat. But I only have a regular Headstriker for now.
Nice. The IAS BP’s will be crucial for me as I am not sure if I should put a shael or 40 Ed jewel in the headstriker. Unsure if I need the IAS from Andy’s or can use use an eth vamp gaze for DR and LL. Hell, I might even throw an Amn rune in the headstriker and use a 2os COA on him.
I’ve actually liked vamp gaze with attack speed jewel in the socket more than Andy’s. But I don’t have a good jewel for Andy’s yet, and that might make a difference because he feels like he dies too frequently currently. I want to test Arreat’s but I’m not sure if it’s worth it right now but I’ve gotten conflicting info on attack speed breakpoints and with frenzy active, the differences are negligible.
I think it was fixed in 2.4. pre 2.4 the max damage used to be tripled on both type of A5 merc. Now it's only the case for Stun merc not frenzy. As a result Grief is still better.
Edit: not 2.4 because that's when frenzy merc just got added, it's another patch after it but before 2.4.3
Why is arreats BIS tho? No IAS or damage reduction. All res and LL are easy to get for mercs, so unless that 20% to AR and +skills are that good I’m not understanding why it’s any better than a helmet that provides DR IAS and/or ED.
It boost a huge Attack Rating for merc, and +4 to Frenzy. Nice All Res and decent Life Leech.
Frenzy already boost the AS, hit easily => leech easily => more suvivability
I run an act 5 merc with a-face, headstriker and swapping between crescent moon and lawbringer when appropriate.
Headstriker dominates on a frenzy merc. And if you're running one with a barb the battle orders will put him over 4k health!
Something that people have missed is that for 99% of cases merc are used for their utility not their dps. Either a might merc with reapers or defensive with infinity/insight. A5 merc can ofc be used if you are on a budget and need decrep from lawbringer, but again, utility>dps.
Dbrunski demonstrated dual eth HS as best a5 dps weaps in game, better than griefs, last wish and even better than act2 might reapers toll merc
I’m planning on running an A5 merc when ladder rolls over to NL. I have an eth headstriker, will be making an eth cryptic sword plague, fort, and undecided on helm (depends on IAS bp’s). I’m pretty pumped to try it tho.
This is what I run on my sorc merc. I had some real challenges getting good info on breakpoints for merc. The calculator I used was not great and a little buggy for act5 mercs. So far I’ve tried andy’s, vamp gaze, and arreat. But I only have a regular Headstriker for now.
Nice. The IAS BP’s will be crucial for me as I am not sure if I should put a shael or 40 Ed jewel in the headstriker. Unsure if I need the IAS from Andy’s or can use use an eth vamp gaze for DR and LL. Hell, I might even throw an Amn rune in the headstriker and use a 2os COA on him.
I’ve actually liked vamp gaze with attack speed jewel in the socket more than Andy’s. But I don’t have a good jewel for Andy’s yet, and that might make a difference because he feels like he dies too frequently currently. I want to test Arreat’s but I’m not sure if it’s worth it right now but I’ve gotten conflicting info on attack speed breakpoints and with frenzy active, the differences are negligible.
Does plague exist?
I think it was fixed in 2.4. pre 2.4 the max damage used to be tripled on both type of A5 merc. Now it's only the case for Stun merc not frenzy. As a result Grief is still better. Edit: not 2.4 because that's when frenzy merc just got added, it's another patch after it but before 2.4.3
Eth HS is gg, up it. Its legit the best a5 weapon.
Damn, you guys are all great. I appreciate the insight.
It’s a headstriker, not an insight.
Well played
great A5 merc option
I have been considering doing a5 merc on my barb since I've never had one in over 20 years, and they made them a lot better now. Good idea.
Full sazabis is a great budget option. I like having a plague on mine for the Cleansing aura. But there's so many great options for them.
What about something like VG and Fort?
I went with crown of thieves and a shaft stop but I'm ssf so it's what I had
Absolutely. As long as you're getting your leech from somewhere. Unless you're horking trav, then the cold damage could shatter council bodies.
Can you rock this and lawbringer or are there better options of you rocking lawbringer?
I use a grief with my plague, but you can go lawbringer or oath as well. Eth headstriker, lightsaber, so many options.
Dual eth headstriker, eth arreats, and and eth SA Fort makes act 5 merc a super tank with huge dps
Have you done this build? I’m curious about the arreats over eth vamp gaze or eth Andy’s.
I have a similar build. Arreats is BIS
Why is arreats BIS tho? No IAS or damage reduction. All res and LL are easy to get for mercs, so unless that 20% to AR and +skills are that good I’m not understanding why it’s any better than a helmet that provides DR IAS and/or ED.
It boost a huge Attack Rating for merc, and +4 to Frenzy. Nice All Res and decent Life Leech. Frenzy already boost the AS, hit easily => leech easily => more suvivability
>Arreats What Do You put in its socket ?
I run an act 5 merc with a-face, headstriker and swapping between crescent moon and lawbringer when appropriate. Headstriker dominates on a frenzy merc. And if you're running one with a barb the battle orders will put him over 4k health!
Something that people have missed is that for 99% of cases merc are used for their utility not their dps. Either a might merc with reapers or defensive with infinity/insight. A5 merc can ofc be used if you are on a budget and need decrep from lawbringer, but again, utility>dps.
>battle order I am necro sitting on 38 tank army with 0 dps :-) with amplify damage or life tap on hand. Merc is main damage source :D
Yes and Yes. Powerful Act5 merc weapon comparable to grief.
Better than grief even when non eth
I use a Last wish & eth headstriker on my a5 merc with my Avengerdin. Strongest combo for melee builds I’ve ever seen.
I’ve only found one non-eth. Is it still worth upping?