Merc Polearms/Spears

[ReticulatingSplines]

Merc Polearms/Spears

I've been looking at what kind of polearm to use as a base for a Doom I'm building for my merc, and I'm having a hard time choosing a polearm.

I've noticed that even though my merc is currently using a polearm with a classified 'slow' attack speed, he attacks much faster than if I were using a slow attack speed weapon. Of course, I realize that different classes have different speeds with each weapon type.

I've been thinking of using a war spear, for the sheer damage rating, but most price guides tend to refer to great poleaxes.

To get to my questions:

How does base attack speeds for polearms/spears work with mercs, and what is the general consensus about the more superior weapon of this type?

 

[Leohappy]

sorry to bother you but i can't seem to find any polearm named "war spear" on any of the weapons lists...

 

[ReticulatingSplines]

sorry to bother you but i can't seem to find any polearm named "war spear" on any of the weapons lists...

Yeah....I meant 'War Pike'...I'm kinda new

 

[Leohappy]

war pike is not a polearm

 

[ReticulatingSplines]

war pike is not a polearm

This really isn't answering my question or helping in any way, but since you're so without anything better to do than nitpick, I'll refer you to the title of this thread.

 

[SSoG]

This really isn't answering my question or helping in any way, but since you're so without anything better to do than nitpick, I'll refer you to the title of this thread.

Actually, this is helping you a *TON*. Doom only works in Axes/Polearms/Hammers. DOOM DOES NOT WORK IN SPEARS. In other words, Leohappy probably just saved you from burning a Cham to become the proud owner of a nice Gemmed War Pike.

Edit: This post has attack speed breakpoints for the A2 mercs.

 

[Leohappy]

it may be nitpicking but that's how the game handles weapon types

you have to read very carefully what the requirements are for runewords or you will end up with wasted runes and useless items

 

[imanoobersmiter]

Actually, this is helping you a *TON*. Doom only works in Axes/Polearms/Hammers. DOOM DOES NOT WORK IN SPEARS. In other words, Leohappy probably just saved you from burning a Cham to become the proud owner of a nice Gemmed War Pike.

Edit: This post has attack speed breakpoints for the A2 mercs.

pretty much got owned

 

[PFS]

I've been looking at what kind of polearm to use as a base for a Doom I'm building for my merc, and I'm having a hard time choosing a polearm.

Given that you're going to be using an Act 2 Merc to carry that polearm - why are you using Doom? Out of all the polearms available for mercs it does not make sense as you can get a better Holy Freeze Aura from an Act 2 NM Defensive Merc, and then give him a much more useful polearm:

Reapers Toll for melee chars to get rid of physical immunes, also great for tanking as decrepify+Holy Freeze slows all enemies to an almost standstill.

Insight for a lot of casters. The Holy Freeze from the merc is great at slowing the enemies and the meditation Aura gives you almost infinite mana without having to ever invest a single point in mana.

Infinity for light/fire sorcs, light zons, fire druids, trapasins, and Summon Necros: Great for breaking immunities, massively increases damage output, merc always hits (almost) and 40% crushing blow tears through bosses.

Obedience: Good budget RW when you don't need additional auras - great crushing blow, enchant boosts merc AR, great damage.

Pride - good for summoners - nice damage boost from the Concentration Aura.

 

[helvete1]

What if he wants both holy freeze and might?

 

[PFS]

What if he wants both holy freeze and might?

You can achieve almost the same effect with reapers toll on a might merc though - except as well as slowing the enemies it also halves any physical damage they do while at a minimum adding an additional 50% to your mighted damage output and breaking a lot of physical immunes. And it has massive life leech to keep the merc alive.

Dunno - just seems an odd thing to go for... Oh well - his Cham.

 

[SSoG]

What if he wants both holy freeze and might?

Pride costs about the same as Doom, and Pride + Holy Freeze Merc would yield both a higher level of Holy Freeze *AND* an increased amount of ED compared to Doom/Might (as well as a 20% chance of all attacks being uninterruptable).