In Diablo 2, mercenaries are very important combat partners for players.Especially after the launch of the documentary King of Destruction, the role of mercenaries has been greatly enhanced.They can not only accompany you all the way to fight monsters and upgrade, but also wear equipment, use skills, and even spend money to revive after death.This article will take you through the mercenary system in Diablo 2 in detail.
What are mercenaries?Why is it important?
Mercenaries are NPC assistants you can recruit in the game.They will help you fight monsters in battle and sometimes provide aura or spell support.
Unlike summoned monsters, mercenaries have their own levels, attributes, and experience values.They will grow with you and can stay with you through the entire game.
The most important thing is:** You can spend money to revive them**.This means that if you train a strong mercenary, he can continue to serve you even if he dies.
The basic functions of a mercenary
1. Can heal
If you use a healing potion on a mercenary, their life value will slowly recover.The operation is simple:
- Put the potion into your backpack;
- Click on the mercenary’s avatar icon;
- Click on the icon of the mercenary’s head, or drag the potion directly onto the mercenary’s head.
Note: The healing process takes time and does not work immediately.It is recommended to replenish their blood before the battle.
2. Can wear equipment
Mercenaries can also wear weapons, armor and helmets, as long as they meet the equipment requirements.However, each mercenary can only use a specific type of weapon.
For example:
- An archer in the first scenario can only use a bow;
- A warrior in Scene 2 can use a spear or a long club;
- A barbarian in scenario 5 can only use a sword.
The better the equipment, the stronger the mercenary.Some high-level mercenaries are even more powerful than yourself!
Introduction of the four main mercenaries
1. Scene 1: The Rogue Hireling
- Where to Hire: After completing the second quest in Scene 1, look for Kashya in the village to hire one;
- Attacks: long-range attacks, using bows and arrows;
- Skills: ice arrows/rockets + inner vision;
- Attribute Growth:
- +1 Strength per level
- +2 Agility
- +8 Life
- All Resistances +1.5
- Wearable Equipment: bow, armor, helmet (cannot use crossbow)
- Features:
- Faster attack speed;
- Suitable for long-range professions with;
- Additional skills if equipped with +3 skill items.
⚠️ Note: Although they are female archers, they are not Amazon characters, so they cannot use Amazon exclusive equipment.
2. Scene 2: Desert Mercenary (Desert Mercenary)
- Where to Hire: Hire them from Gheed in the Act II town;
- Attacks: Melee attacks;
- Three types:
- Offensive: high output, suitable for mages or long-range professions;
- Defensive: with aura skills, suitable for tank type characters;
- Offensive: favoring physical output;
- Skills vary with difficulty:
- Offensive: Prayer → Stab → Prayer (Normal → Nightmare → Hell)
- Defensive: Resistance → Divine Freeze → Counter Resistance
- Offensive: Blessed Aim → Strength → Blessed Aim
- Attribute Growth:
- +1.5 Strength per level
- +1.5 Agility
- +25 Life
- All Resistances +1.5
- Wearable Equipment: spear, club, javelin, armor, helmet
- Features:
- Strongest upgrade attributes;
- Can provide aura support;
- Good partner for Paladin, Mage and other professions.
3. Scenario 3: Iron Wolf (Iron Wolf)
- Where to Hire: Hire from Alkor in the village in Act III;
- Attacks: Long-range magical attacks;
- Skill Classification:
- Lightning: Charge Bomb + Lightning;
- Ice: Ice Spike Pillar + Ice Shockwave + Frozen Armor;
- Fire: Hellfire + Fireball;
- Attribute Growth:
- +1.5 Strength per level
- +1.5 Agility
- +6 Life
- All Resistances +1.5
- Wearable Equipment: sword, shield, armor, helmet
- Features:
- Fast spell release;
- Putting the “Fast Spell Casting” equipment on him is even more effective;
- It is a powerful support for long-distance magic professions.
4. Scenario 5: Barbarian Hireling
- Where to Hire: Hire them after completing Qual-Kehk’s quest in Scene 5;
- Attack Style: melee attack;
- Skills: bludgeoning / knockout;
- Attribute Growth:
- +2 Strength per level
- +1.5 Agility
- +12 Life
- All Resistances +1.5
- Wearable Equipment: sword, armor, helmet, barbarian-specific helmet
- Features:
- Extremely powerful attack;
- One of the most powerful of all mercenaries;
- Give him a good weapon and he can almost single-handedly take on bosses.
Other important information about mercenaries
1. How do mercenaries upgrade?
- Mercenaries gain experience by killing monsters;
- They will upgrade when they have enough experience;
- Their level will not exceed your character’s level;
- When you level up, your mercenaries level up as well.
It is recommended to keep your mercenaries close to your level so that they can be used to their fullest potential.
2. What happens if a mercenary dies?
- You can go to the nearest mercenary administrator and spend gold to revive them;
- The cost of resurrection increases with level, up to 50,000 gold coins;
- You can also replace the mercenary with a new one, but the old one will be gone forever;
- Note: Remember to remove the mercenary’s equipment before replacing him, otherwise it will be lost.
3. How to make a mercenary live longer?
- Give him equipment with high resistance;
- Use armor with high defense;
- Give him a weapon with high attack power;
- Give him a weapon with a high attack power. Use healing potions during battle;
- If necessary, you can use the Town Teleportation Scroll to return to town for healing;
- Use wells or NPC healers to restore life.
Damage formula for mercenaries
The damage of a mercenary depends on their power attribute and weapon value:
- Minimum Damage = [(Weapon Minimum Damage) × (Power + 100) ÷ 100] + Base Minimum Damage
- Maximum Damage = [(Weapon Maximum Damage) × (Strength + 100) ÷ 100] + Base Maximum Damage
Enhanced Damage attributes (e.g. +xx% Enhanced Damage) are only valid for weapons and are affected by Strength.
Mercenary Special Abilities
1. Unlimited Mana
Mercenaries don’t need to drink mana potions and don’t stop when they run out of mana.This is a huge advantage for legal mercenaries.
2. Ability to use aura skills.
For example, the defensive mercenary in the second scenario can use “Sacred Freeze”, which is perfect for controlling enemies.
3. Boss performance
- Normal difficulty: Mercenaries deal 50% damage;
- Nightmare: 35%;
- Nightmare: 35%; Inferno: 25%;
- However, in the final boss battle of each scenario, they will receive 10 times more damage and are prone to dying in battle.
How to equip items for mercenaries?
- Press O to open the Mercenary panel;
- Or mouse over the mercenary avatar for 3 seconds, right-click when prompted;
- Drag the equipment into the mercenary’s field;
- If the equipment is not suitable, the system will prompt you that you can’t use it.
⚠️ Note: The mercenary’s base weapon will not be shown in the equipment column and cannot be removed.For example, an archer will always have the initial bow.
Mercenary Resistance and Survivability
- Mercenary resistances increase with level;
- However, they are also penalized by Nightmare and Hell difficulties;
- It is important to dress them in equipment with high resistances;
- Recommended equipment: items with life replenishment, high resistances, and intangible properties.
Mercenaries vs Player vs Player (PvP)
- In player versus player combat, mercenaries deal only a quarter of the normal damage;
- Against other players’ mercenaries, the damage is halved;
- So in PvP mode, mercenaries are of limited use.
Mercenaries are indispensable combat partners in Diablo 2.
Mercenaries are not only your right hand in battle, but also an essential part of your build.Choosing, training and protecting your mercenaries wisely can make it easier for you to brush monsters, fight bosses, and even challenge hellish difficulties.
If you’re playing Diablo 2, don’t forget to make good use of these loyal companions!
