- There is a model that exists already for dual axe barb fighting outside of act 5 town.
- Axes are thematic for frenzy.
- As a Frenzy barb myself - i still cant have might or fana. An axe wielding merc would allow fana.
Im really uninterested in non ladder so havent logged in since patch dropped. I really really really want my ladder frenzy barb to love his a5 merc - but im going to miss Might so much!
Axes on mercs works in theory and in practice. It is difficult to justify using an A5 merc as a Frenzy barb as is stands. I need a damage aura or i will be worse than everyone else! For balance, the axes merc cant use Lawbringer or any other sword for that matter.
At the same time - i love the new a5 frenzy merc. I absolutely applaud Blizzard for introducing it and consider it the best of all changes made. Good jerb!
3 Likes
2 out of 3 merc that can use melee weapons use swords. I can see A5 frenzy merc open up for axes. But then axes only. There needs to be a trade off. Than they could use Beast for lvl9 Fanatism aura. Or if you’re rich, use A1 cold merc whit Faith bow.
1 Like
Agreed. The wonderful thing about beast and fana, is it doesnt give huge damage increases to anyone other than the aura owner. So even with 2x beast on a merc, it is only comparable to Might in DPS, with added IAS.
So yeah. Brill.
I was excited to hear the Act5 mercs were going to have the ability to dual wield because I made a Crecsant moon 1 handed axe for a paladin early on and was looking forward to putting it on that merc. Then I found out they cant equip axes so I had to go with the act 2 merc again sadly.
Can make crescent moons in swords though! and only a few low level runes so base is easier than other runewords.
Problem is, AFAIK the -lightning only works for mercs and not for the players character. Still bloody wicked though. Static FTW.
Then the new runeword they made that seemed to target buffing act 5 mercs should be buildable in axes too. Keep swords for barb players who might want to make it before getting oath.
1 Like
Lol, no there doesn’t. What is the “tradeoff” to only act 2 merc having auras? And last I checked, they could use both spears and polearms, where’s the tradeoff for them? There’s no real or good reason why Barb mercs can’t use axes besides “just cuz”
3 Likes
I guess your right, but then let’s open up crossbows for A1 merc, and maybe daggers for A3 merc. Deal?
2 Likes
Yes something like this must be considered then.
Beast is an axe runeword. If 5 used axes you could get last wish and beast goin on your merc. I’m pretty sure they gave us swords as you can’t pull that off with only swords.
Yeah but lastwhis is super expensive.
Last Wish is so expensive you will likely never see half the runes required. Anyway, can have might merc with Doom, or Pride.
If asked the question now - if i had to chose axes only or swords only for a5 merc it would be really tough. I think axes would just win from Beast though.
Grief / Death could be kind of imbalanced possibly.