For Patch 2.6, I strongly urge the developers to consider a few more changes to the Act 3 Iron Wolf as they are still the runt of the litter as compared to the other mercenaries…
Proposed Changes
- Merc can now block with equipped shield (no impact to shield durability)
- Improve AI to mimic that of a Dark Archer with more efficient casting for:
- Enchant - will cast on himself, the player, and allies when no enemies are around
- Static Field - will cast more often when monsters (bosses) with high life are around
- Upon reaching level 30, they gain +1 Fire/Cold/Lightning Mastery (base skill)
- Gains +sorceress skills from gear
- As Act 1 receives +amazon skills and Act 5 receives +barbarian skills, then it makes sense Act 3 should receive +sorceress skills from gear
9 Likes
They could really use mastery! Also, why can they not use sorc orbs? Makes no sense. Deaths fathom would be epic! Anyway, the only useless one is Light, he is a dumpster fire! Cold version is super tanky and is a great companion to a fb or light sorc especially with Plague! Also, the fire version is VERY good. He has very high lvl chant and does actual dmg, a great complament to someone using conviction aura or any melee fighter! Lvl 40 chant goes a long way!
3 Likes
Do you want to improve the iron wolves??
Just have Sunder work on them
Without resistance, they would be the best mercenaries
They would be invincible
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The fire one is very good but most people prefer insight or infinity.
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Even with that +1 mastery addition, they wouldnt be as good or better than the current act 2 mercs.
Therefore the challenge of the game is not comprimised.
Therefore it is a great idea.
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I would like to see merc only gear added specifically for iron Wolves. Immagine an armor that has 200% cold, light, or fire damage with other merc specific mods like Defensive Auras, offensive auras and maybe added skill like the ability to cast lower resistance or charge. Would be epic.
They should allow all mercs to wear a full set of gear. Boots, rings, ammy ect.
3 Likes
What is this,Diablo 3? Next, Loot 2.0 incomming! Where is our Whimsyshire?
The solution for Act 3 Merc should be actually easy - just allow them to use Pala shields , so they would be able to equip Exile Pala Shield … Also +Auras on the Shield should work on them, meaning not only Defiance from Exile, but also +2 to Offensive auras . so in case this Merc has Dream Helm and Exile shield, his Holy Shock would be 15 + 2 = lvl 17 of HS, and in case of Dual Dream (again in Pala shield due lower requirements then Monarch and + resistances) it is 30.
He should be also able to use Unique Pala shields, so for example in case of Dragonscale , which provides +15% to Fire Skill damage, and + 10 to Hydra, he should be able to benefit both from Hydra and + Fire damage increase.
Further, it would be good if he could benefit fully from Trang Oul Helm and Armor for +18 to Fireball, instead only 3.
If these changes would be possible, I would be using this Merc for sure …
1 Like
I get your point but they are not Paladins. They should have there own uniques, rws, or item class just for them. Ive said it before, this game lacks items that support certain builds/skills. Amazon ice arrow/fire arrow is dependent on raw physical damage. You would think after maxing its synergy and the skill itself that it would be viable, not so. Same thing with vengeance, no good items to support the skills, underwhelming performance. Either they need changed to work well with what we have or items to support the skills are needed.
better for them to be able to block without shield (sounds illogical but shield blocking chews shield’s durability so go figure if u’re using an etheral)
I tested the merc with increased run and walk speed to 14, shield block override 1 ( as in blocks without shield) additional block chance 75% in all three difficulties + threat level lowered from 11 to 4 and he seemed fine most of the time ( well ubers were still a big no no) he’d require at least a slot for the sunder charm.
Medusa’s Gaze plus proper equip to wear it and full facets provide enaugh - res do deal with fire immunes as well i mean sword and armor alone yeald -/+50% from facets alone and there’s also helm and shield. since medusa would only work at 20% efficiency aginst immunes there’s no point in keeping it over let’s say Jewlerer’s Monarch of Simplicity -30% req (110str[100 str if etheral]) and an extra -/+20%
but yeah a high enaugh block chance that isn’t ruining shield’s durability + lower threat +FRW+ sunder charm slot that’s the way I see it. act 2 and act 5 would benefit from sunders as well, as they wuld do 55% damage to phys immune instead of only 10% with decrepify itself.
Yea the fire one is pretty good. Havent used the cold one much yet.
The lightning one is AZZ, dont think they ever even use static. That charged bolt is basically useless.
Be nice if they had chain lightning.
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The problem I have with light merc is he casts static inappropriately.
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what will be kool for every merc sorc is add a aura of they elemental
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At least let them get +18 fireball from trang helm + armor
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That would be my suggestion as well ! With possibility to upgrade Set items to Elite, armor with its 40% less requirements Iron Wolf would be still able to equip it for higher defense. In worst case, instead of Fire Facet, the nice rare jewel with -15% could be socketed to further drop the STR req of Trang armor.
For me, the lightning one should ONLY cast static, and it should be done in an efficient way. Would he rack up kills? no. Would melee love to benefit from the already depleted mobs? yes.
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Never got around to testing that (in the d2planner it works), isn’t this working?
Already tested?
What A3 merc really needs is an absolut minimal cast AI for static and enchant. Casting random spells is totally useless. And he doesn’t even enchant allies when there are no enemies…
An iron wolv that uses static when monsters with high life are around would easily outperform an A2 merc, especially for non-sorc casters.
And masteries.
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Few updates to OP based on feedback…
- Merc can now block with equipped shield (no impact to shield durability)
- Improve AI to mimic that of a Dark Archer with more efficient casting for:
- Enchant - will cast on himself, the player, and allies when no enemies are around
- Static Field - will cast more often when monsters (bosses) with high life are around
1 Like