03-09-2003, 07:30 PM
I've tried the A3 Cold and Fire Mages with a Conviction Pally, and I have to agree with you - an A1 Rogue merc from NM is much more effective. The big advantage of the Rogue is that you can customize her bow and socketed gear to deliver more than one kind of damage. A merc that does purely Cold or Fire damage is only marginally useful in Hell.
A bigger problem is the pathetically slow rate that A3 mercs level. It's just not practical to nurse one of these guys through NM, only to have him neutered by CI's or FI's in Hell. An A1 NM Rogue starts at lvl-28, takes care of herself, and keeps pace as your character levels up. And she doesn't drive you up the wall with that incessant Ice Blast swoosh-swoosh either. <_<
A bigger problem is the pathetically slow rate that A3 mercs level. It's just not practical to nurse one of these guys through NM, only to have him neutered by CI's or FI's in Hell. An A1 NM Rogue starts at lvl-28, takes care of herself, and keeps pace as your character levels up. And she doesn't drive you up the wall with that incessant Ice Blast swoosh-swoosh either. <_<