I wonder how 1.10 will effect mercs.

[whereagles]

I hope they do something about A1 and A3 mercs. They're a complete waste of time.

The A5 merc is ok for necs and sorcies, although as things stand now, they can tank perhaps too well, so that firewall is all the sorcie needs. If in 1.10 the monsters' AI targets the player more often, even with a good tank merc, she would have to rely on non-positional spells like hydra. I think this is a good thing because it requires the player to study the situation and decide whether to cast firewall or hydra or whatever. (I.e. he must develop some skill.)

The A2 merc is at the moment simply the best BY FAR. No matter what your build is, there's a merc for you. Wanna see?

Babo:
WW sword - might
WW mace - blessed aim
Frenzy - defiance
Throw - freeze
Berserk - prayer

Sorcie:
Firewall - defiance
Nova - freeze

Ama:
Bow - might
Java - freeze

Nec:
Revives - might
Golem - thorns
Mage - prayer
Melee - blessed aim (though he'll get 80% of the kills lol)

Pala:
Zeal/Elemental zeal - defiance
Defiance - might

Asn & druid I never played :)

So... there is really no reason to use a merc other than the A2 guy. I hope they change this.