In Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R), mercenaries are invaluable companions that can greatly aid your character in battles. They can provide additional firepower, support, and even act as a meat shield to protect you. Equipping them with the right gear is crucial to maximize their effectiveness. Here’s a guide on the role of mercenaries and how to gear them up in D2R:
1. Types of Mercenaries:
D2R features three types of mercenaries, each with its own unique abilities and strengths:
- Rogue: The Rogue mercenary uses a bow and excels in ranged combat. She has skills like Exploding Arrow and Ice Arrow, and can be a valuable damage dealer.
- Desert Mercenary: The Desert Mercenary uses a spear or polearm and specializes in physical damage. He has skills like Jab and Impale and can deal high melee damage.
- Iron Wolf: The Iron Wolf is a spellcaster mercenary that uses staves. He can cast elemental spells like Fireball and Ice Blast, providing ranged magical support.
2. Role of Mercenaries:
The role of your mercenary largely depends on your character build and needs. Here are some common roles they can fulfill:
- Damage Dealer: Equip your mercenary with gear that enhances their damage output, making them effective in dealing with enemies.
- Tank: Give your mercenary high-defense gear to draw aggro and protect your character from being swarmed by enemies.
- Support: Some mercenaries can provide support through crowd control or healing. For example, a Rogue with a “Treachery” rune word can cast an aura that slows down enemies.
3. Equipping Mercenaries:
To gear up your mercenary, follow these steps:
- Right-click on your mercenary’s portrait to access their inventory.
- Equip them with weapons, armor, and other gear as you would with your character. Be mindful of their preferred weapon types (e.g., a Rogue prefers bows).
- Pay attention to their special abilities and gear accordingly. For example, a Desert Mercenary benefits from critical strike gear, while an Iron Wolf might appreciate items that boost their mana regeneration.
- Socketing gear for your mercenary can significantly boost their performance. Consider using jewels or runes to enhance their abilities or resistances.
4. Important Gear for Mercenaries:
Some items are highly recommended for mercenaries:
- Infinity Rune Word (Polearm): This rune word, when equipped by a Desert Mercenary, provides a powerful Conviction aura that lowers enemy resistances, increasing your damage output.
- Fortitude Rune Word (Armor): This rune word can be used to increase your mercenary’s damage and survivability.
- Treachery Rune Word (Armor): This rune word provides a valuable “Fade” aura, which grants increased defense and resistance to crowd control effects.
- Life Stealing Weapons: Equip your mercenary with weapons that have life-stealing properties to improve their survivability.
- Resistances: Ensure your mercenary has decent resistance gear to keep them alive in tough battles.
Gearing up your mercenary is an essential aspect of Diablo 2 Runewords, as they can significantly enhance your character’s performance in battles. Experiment with different gear combinations and types of mercenaries to find the setup that best complements your character’s playstyle and build.