Merc help

[tl613]

I currently have a level 81 Fire/Cold Sorc for MF who runs Meph, Andy, Pindle, Shenk, and Eldritch. I have no problem running any of these, except for Mephisto.

I have a NM Defensive A2 merc, who constantly and quickly gets killed by Meph. I've seen one hit take of about 2/3 of his life. I need the merc to stay alive for the A5 runs, but it's annoying having to resurrect every game. He is currently using a Reaper's Toll, Vamp Gaze, and Duriel's Shell.

His resists are 65 for everything except Fire which is maxed. He doesn't even survive long enough to trigger a Decrep, though if he did I'm sure he'd last a lot longer. All his gear has one open socket, so is there anything I can put in there to make him survive? Shael in his weapon? Maybe changes to his equipment?

My Sorc's main attack is Fireball, which currently does 11-12k. I can't afford too much so please don't suggest things like EForts or Infinitys. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[saracen85]

imo, for a sorc, the moat trick is best run without a merc since he'll be attracting surrounding monsters and keep dying. you'll be resurrecting him. a lot.

if you still insist on a merc to tank mephisto, do note that any leech is pointless against him except for lifetap. another important thing to note is that bosses deal more damage to mercs than to players. so, stocking up on resists (elemental & physical) is crucial.

alternatively, you can use a kelpie snare instead of a reapers to slow meph into a crawl. the slow is on every successful hit and there isn't a need for ctc decrep =)

[tl613]

I usually would just do the moat trick without a merc and I can do Andy without him too but Pindle can be difficult without him because of all the charging guys and so can Shenk and Eldritch because they tend to be surrounded by monsters that shoot stuff.

I was considering upgrading an Eth Kelpie Snare and give him a Blackhorn mask for extreme slowing power but I think most of the time he doesn't even get a hit off because with Jab the Decrepify should trigger pretty often. I ran 10 runs with him and he didn't get a single Decrep off.

[®@þþ3¬]

I dont think he would ever be able to tank meph with those items no matter what you socket his gear with. Are you ladder or Non-ladder? And what is your budget approximately?

[ayeaykay]

i would say to give him a coh(2hr) and the weapon stays. the vamp is good and tht will stay too. with the coh he should do alot better. he will have better es and much better def

[kalenjder]

get a wand with life tap charges, the mec will hopefully survive then.

[tl613]

I am USWSCL. I am very poor, as in not even 1 HR, because I've already traded everything I had away. The only thing I have to trade with any value is an Eschuta's with +3 skills and perfect +Light. Wrong forum I know but can anyone give me an idea of what I could get with that?