D2R Item Bases - Merc Weapon Bases (Polearms & Spears)

[@pmgpc69]

Thank you for this informative video GGM. I found an ethereal Giant Thresher recently and was fortunate enough to put 4 sockets into it using a Horadric Cube recipe. My Merc is using it for Insight right now until I get the runes for Infinity. Great job!

[@GGMentor]

Excellent insight base =}

[@thaddeuslyons3367]

GGM - you should make an excel sheet that shows which base is best for each RW

[@angelofbliss]

holy cows this is what i wanted just yesterday. defnitely good to have an updated list for merc; hope to see one for players

[@lambchopsmtl]

Bro I learn so much from your vids, its unbelievable. Thank you for this break down.

[@StAntonioStefanov]

Great video, but needs a second part with the most popular set-ups and breakpoints, as some of the usual set-ups change which base is better for the specific runeword.

[@brokenclock77]

Best Bases Summary: (best option listed first) Infinity- 4os eth Mancatcher, then 4os eth Thresher/Giant Thresher Obediance- 5os eth Mancatcher, then 5os eth thresher/Giant Thresher Insight- 4os eth Cryptic axe, then 4os Great Poleaxe/Thresher/Giant Thresher (spears won't work) Pride- 4os eth Mancatcher, then 4os eth Thresher/Giant thresher Crescent Moon- 3os eth Thresher/Giant Thresher (spears won't work) Breath of the Dying- 6os eth Giant Thresher, then 6os eth Great Poleaxe

[@rudolfhanina181]

95% of Mercenerry equip ist Andariel Visage 20% IAS and Armor RW Threachery 45% IAS . So Stigian Pike and Great Poleaxe is on same level and are very good for Infinity if your plan is AV + Threachery (65% IAS)=5 ticks (4,16 APS). and dont need 15% IAS jewel to helm instead of RAL to negative -30% fire resistance.

[@GGMentor]

Yes but if you use a faster polearm you can utilize,. Fortitude or duress which are arguably stronger runewords in survivability, and dps output. Fortitude leaning towards raw DPS, and duress leaning toward crushing blow and open wounds. Treachery also does not favor quick farmers, as it can take some time to activate. So trav farmers, pindle farmers, ect will have issues getting fade to proc before the run is already over. Furthermore, Andy's Visage is not going to be available for every Merc and especially early ladder you are using budget gear at best. So choosing a faster weapon early on opens up more gear options that won't hamper your merc

[@game_jinx]

please pay attention to your mercenary attributes. alot of what is referenced in this video is based on end game. many times things like ogre axes fills spots at lower end game levels. many of the choices mentioned merc levels have to be above level 90 and or strength above 185

[@GGMentor]

I specifically called out the ogre axe and colossus Voulge during the video as bad options due to the high strength requirements jinx.

[@mickpratt8327]

Thanks. I made this mistake and put Insight in a Colossus Voulge. I also put Fortitude ona Laquered Plate. It had minimum strength requirements of 210 and 208. I had damage and defense levels above 3300 but no life steal or IAS. I was locked into using a helmet with strength bonus because a level 92 act 2 Mercenary only has a natural strength total of 202.

[@superanderson]

Does attribute bugging work with mercs? Asking because you are so close and insight does add a menial amount of stats. Wonder if you could throw a chest piece socketed with some strength to get the insight on then it would cover the difference itself. (Be able to take the chest piece off and change it)

[@mickpratt8327]

@@superanderson the items are usable for sure but in order to get life steal, strength and IAS in one helmet I can grind out an Andariels Visage or Act 5 socket a StealSkull for small amounts of both or a Crown Of Thieves for a moderate amount of life steal and sacrifice the IAS.

[@game_jinx]

the comment was intended to emphasize information you touched on

[@Barnewallian]

Excellent explanation, ggm. Assuming a melee character, the instant you hit lv27, you give your merc an insight. The instant you hit lv 41, obedience. The instant you hit lv75, reapers toll. And yes, obedience is brutal. The definitive obedience merc (might, fortitude, andariels + 15%IAS) has overkill resistances, 10k ish damage at 11fpa (gt) or 10fpa (manc) and good leech. He can be a bit of a glass cannon unless you get him with holy freeze and/or you slow/decrep the monsters for him, but he is the definitive physical merc until you find reapers toll :D

[@jimvick8397]

I've been playing offline and desperate to upgrade my mercs polearm... I found a eth ghost spear and made a perfect Obedience... which seems to have solved my problem... of both damage and resistances... as a singer barb with gull daggers, I needed things to die faster... Great informative vid.

[@GGMentor]

Obedience is amazing Weapon for merc great job

[@game_jinx]

like and comment on such a great informational video for most to all current players. merc nuances matter their breakpoints and alike. 👍👌. thx G

[@michaelmagnon9309]

great video, pls consider making a video about the speed break points for popular polearms, with insight like using treachery and ias jewels in helm

[@ZachIdso]

That runeword fury is another good one that can be done in those 3 socket bases. Fortitude has a really nice set of stats when placed into weapons too that seem to often get overlooked. Same thing with silence

[@Tyr4xx]

This is soooo helpful... so thanks a lot!

[@palpaladin315]

I'd also suggest if you're gonna be using the Spear runeword yourself, range matters a whole lot. Pierce affects range over 1.5; so for BotD I'd say, use a +3 Mat spear. Whereas if I'm going to use Infinity, myself, then its in a Ghost spear. Taking advantage of the +5 range / pierce. Let the concentration aura, really make use of impale I could imagine a WW barb would make good use of an Infinity Ghost spear as well, come to think of it.

[@Barnewallian]

Range is truly underrated, great advice

[@leejordan001]

Just what I needed! Thank you!

[@fredericdupin206]

Great job!!!

[@superanderson]

Hey ging, isn't one of the reasons giant thresher/thresher is so sought after is the specific breakpoints for ias? I remember reading something a long time ago that the reason andy face with giant thresh/thresh is the dream because those two meet a certain breakpoint perfect for pairing with fortitude as you can just look to increase damage at that point, and as you pointed out it's take your pick between the two, thresh more top end, GT better minimum (consistent). Edit: I really should have mentioned, specifically for infinity. That does not add any increase to weapon speed on that weapon.

[@GGMentor]

And the mancatcher is even better now because it's a negative 20 speed. Vs the -10 on threshers. Pushes it even further, but honestly I would use duress with infinity not Fortitude. Open wounds and extra CB. Most people who use infinity don't actually hit the target. So having the Merc apply OW helps prevent regeneration. And the extra CB helps take down the tough monsters faster the Fortitude will.

[@randyswanson3300]

I just read that a Sorceress should use a Prayer Merc because Prayer with an Insight synergize making the Meditation aura more powerful. Any truth to that? I know in the Paladin tree it does, but does that work for Merc’s too?

[@GGMentor]

Yes prayer and meditation synergize and using insight with a prayer Merc will give double regeneration. Regeneration is great for you and your other players. It doesn't however work on mercs =\> It is however a great use of the prayer aura and the meditation insight polearm.

[@theSlimification]

daam 40 min video nice !

[@robertvogt9287]

I saw on another channel that base item attack speed is set for the A2 Merc like the range, is that incorrect?

[@GGMentor]

No that is not correct, you can see all their breakpoints here. www.reddit.com/r/diablo2/comments/b9dxmj/all_a2_mercenary_ias_breakpoints_infographic/?

[@kennethclemmesen1695]

Nice one im so happy now

[@IgnisNatus]

I need and upgrading guide please! I have a Partizian i want to upgrade to an Cryptic Axe.

[@IgnisNatus]

Trying to make an Insight for the Merc

[@johnfadds6089]

You made me reroll my Infinity!

[@123456789qwerthy]

Also different characters using them have different speed…to some fast to some normal to some slow…

[@GGMentor]

This video was specifically talking about mercenaries. So while you are absolutely correct just not in the context of this video.

[@alaskanmalamute101]

did they nerf giant thresher as it is slower than thresher now?

[@P4ND3R550N]

Hi all. Does it work now on non ladder in this current patch of today to make Infinity in a eth 4os Mancatcher?

[@GGMentor]

yes, that was fixed in a patch a long time ago

[@P4ND3R550N]

@@GGMentor Thx. It rolled 292ed -52 to Enemy lightning res. 🙂

[@GGMentor]

@@P4ND3R550N grats

[@P4ND3R550N]

@@GGMentor Thanks GGMentor.

[@RavenKitten]

shit. i was so busy typing the last message that i wasnt paying attention and had to start it over. wait a second.... shoot i did it again. lol. Raven

[@leeh0795]

Great Poleaxe is faster than Cryptic Axe - maybe you got these two mixed up when comparing? it even says "slow" on your video for CA and "normal" for GP

[@alexfisher7402]

GP is the best polearm base for dps

[@GGMentor]

You can't ever go by the written values of slow, normal, fast ect because the values change for each class holding the item. I am talking about the base speed. As for GP vs CA yes GP is faster by 10 but also has less damage. It's a middle of the road polearm. Usually you want to go for hard hits, or fast hits. Middle of the road ones are ok but I generally don't use them. Also GP has its damage lower because it's balanced around the max range. Which has no effect on mercs. GP is not a bad polearm for Merc weapons it's just neither the highest damage option nor the fastest option.

[@TvosOlehead]

I’m having a hard time trying to find a polearms, all the vendors sell magic ones..

[@Dan-uf2vh]

I'll be upgrading my merc polearm with a fresh Insight soon ^^ This guide will be a helpful overview. Had rolled only 12 Meditation on a regular Grim Scythe and am looking to upgrade once I have a proper new base. I've no complaint on my mana regen but his damage is extremely weak. To round him up will need something like Duriel's Shell or make Treachery, he's currently wearing what I found .. Trang'Oul's armor and Iratha helm.

[@JamesDM4]

The lvl on meditation is secondary, the attack rating is what's important .

[@Dan-uf2vh]

@@JamesDM4 His attack and damage were just terrible. I have enough of the runes in my collection to put Obedience on a mancather that I rolled 5 sockets in the cube with ^^ Not ethereal but maybe I'll give it a spin with an amazon in the future .. I'll have to start eating mana potions if I do this but maybe it's not all that bad. Whenever I teleport to Andariel or Meph I'll have to switch back his Insight for the mana regen.

[@growingwithmatt]

I have a eth sygan pike as an infinity it does over 1000 base damage

[@richwoodcutterbro8581]

Mancatcher has a high dec requirement for a merc levelled anywhere in his 70s

[@famip3679]

Wow I always thought Eth CV was amazing, I will convert to CA

[@GGMentor]

Aye eth CA is definitely the better of those two.

[@roberthampton2629]

The nice thing about eth CVs is if you larzuk them you get 4 socket, if you use the cube to socket them you'll have a 50% chance to get 4 sockets. The other polearms usually have a maximum of 5 sockets

[@GGMentor]

@@roberthampton2629 yes I said that during the video, but the issue is despite the eth CV's ease of access In obtaining 4 sockets the high strength requirement makes it generally unusable for most act 2 mercs. Like I get the general idea, but unless your Merc is lvl 93+ or you have equipment with large strength enhancements it still remains a rather poor choice for a starter character. The other big issue here is even if you do have strength enhancing equipment, it is generally much worse than other gear he could be wearing as a starter character. Like a common thing is a 3 socketed helm with three p amythsts in it. Which while it might allow you to equip the CV earlier depending on the mercs current strength (it also might not be enough) you are also giving up the helmet slot to do this which results in a much weaker Merc overall. Most notably is the lack of life steal on Insight, which is usually fixed with a cheap life steal helmet like Tals mask, crown of thieves, or even undead crown. Being forced into a Pammy helmet to use the CV removes your option for a LL helmet. And then you are forced to find a LL Armor which there are very few options. Then we can approach it from the other angle a Pammy armor or generic strength enhancing armor. Now you have given up Treachery, duress, fortitude, stone, or any other very good Merc armor. The whole thing snowballs into a weak Merc who dies a lot. Andy's Visage btw is neither an easily obtained starter item, nor is it low level with a requirement of 83. And quite honestly by the time you have obtained an Andy's Visage, you have usually also obtained a better base. And all of this adds up to eth CV is a poor choice in general and only workable if you can put it on your Merc without concessions. And even if you can put it on your Merc without concessions there are better options available.

[@roberthampton2629]

@@GGMentor Ah I must have missed that part of the video I got interrupted while watching it, I agree the eth CV is mostly good for its ease of access that's how it got to be a popular idea. The CVs slow attack speed isn't ideal either

[@grosuciprian]

@@GGMentor "Andy's Visage btw is neither an easily obtained starter item, nor is it low level with a requirement of 83. And quite honestly by the time you have obtained an Andy's Visage, you have usually also obtained a better base." last 2 ladders have tought me otherwise both times i founf andy and eth andy b4 a good weapon base so ill stick with my eth cv for insight tyvm

[@RavenKitten]

ou know. i was just thinking, have you ever thought of starting your diablo 2 college course? you could be the diablo 2 professor. Raven

[@GGMentor]

Hah! Sounds like fun

[@RavenKitten]

@@GGMentor i have a question that i have been trying to figure out for a long time. in act two there is the act two boss. but the only way to know which building to go in you have to defeat the wizard in the arcane sanctuary in order to find the symbol to know which door to go in. is there any way of knowing which one its in without having to go through the arcane sanctuary? Raven

[@RavenKitten]

@@GGMentor hey ginger. i was working on my diablo 2 character which is a sorceress and i have a grand charm that says that ice immunity is sundered and i just picked up the exact copy of another one and now i have two at the same time and i was wondering if having two at the same time makes the enemies less immune even more or does it not do anything at all? thanks and i hope to hear from you soon. Raven

[@narrow_way12]

Can I make an infinity in a mancatcher non ladder?

[@danocon92]

I came here looking for this same answer. Have you found out?

[@narrow_way12]

@@danocon92 yes I made one about 3 months ago or more.

[@danocon92]

@@narrow_way12 hell yea, thanks

[@maximos905]

If the spearman can use polearms idk why the archer cant use crossbows

[@LetsPlayBojangles]

The best base is the one you can actually find!

[@KR-jn2yc]

medium weapons wont drop in nightmare d2r , not like in classic d2

[@lbonvillain-wm4ds]

“Lets go over act 2 mer…” REEEEEEE

[@jeffwagner4522]

Totally wasted a larzuk quest on a eth cryptic ax

[@GGMentor]

Obedience is a very good Merc weapon, cheap too. Eth 5 socket CV is a good base for obedience

[@jeffwagner4522]

@@GGMentor I’ll have to see if I can give up the mana on my insight. Maybe on my gold barb merc?

[@GGMentor]

@@jeffwagner4522 yes obedience works great on a GF barb

[@driftordraft]

You slipping, rift is another super powerful polearm

[@GGMentor]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 🤔

[@Nervii_Champion]

People try to tell me Great Poleaxe is better than Stygian Pike, when they both have literally the same speed and the Styg has more damage. Makes no sense to me. PS: this is talking about merc bases for Pride and Infinity, not for the player. Some people are just stupid and you can't inform them on anything. Stupid and too prideful to admit when they are wrong. Big problem in the world, not just in Diablo.

[@alexfisher7402]

the Pride rw cannot make on spear bases !!!

[@GGMentor]

This was updated in D2R 2.4 Obedience, pride, and infinity had spears added to their list of compatible bases. Insight had bows added but not spears. "Insight Now can also be used with Bows and Crossbows Infinity Can now be used by Spears and Amazon Spears Obedience Can now be used by Spears and Amazon Spears Pride Can now be used by Spears and Amazon Spears" news.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo2/23788293/diablo-ii-resurrected-patch-2-4-ladder-now-live

[@alexfisher7402]

@@GGMentor oops ...my bad 😅 but the great poleaxe is still always my best choice for all rw 🤩