03-09-2003, 08:17 PM
Usefulness can vary wildly depending on character and play style, even beyond the melee versus ranged merc question. I agree with you that the Rogue has superior damage dealing options. However, there are some playstyles that make the Iron Wolves (particularly cold) a more effective choice, purely because of the survivability issue.
As an example, my melee play style usually tends more towards and interceptor/support class of meleer rather than a tank. Where a Werebear naturally tends to hold the line, my my characters will tend to guard the bear's flank, break off to intercept something breaking through to the ranged attacker behind, or do the 'behind the lines' raid to knock out the Shaman etc.
My highly mobile style of play is poorly suited to the ranged attackers in many cases, but for character builds where I feel a ranged attack merc is most appropriate I often find that the Cold Iron Wolf's ability to freeze targets is a self-protective blessing that can't be passed up. Plus there's a the corpse removal aspect . . .
I do like Rogues though. I use them mostly with builds that have summonable minions to shield her.
As an example, my melee play style usually tends more towards and interceptor/support class of meleer rather than a tank. Where a Werebear naturally tends to hold the line, my my characters will tend to guard the bear's flank, break off to intercept something breaking through to the ranged attacker behind, or do the 'behind the lines' raid to knock out the Shaman etc.
My highly mobile style of play is poorly suited to the ranged attackers in many cases, but for character builds where I feel a ranged attack merc is most appropriate I often find that the Cold Iron Wolf's ability to freeze targets is a self-protective blessing that can't be passed up. Plus there's a the corpse removal aspect . . .
I do like Rogues though. I use them mostly with builds that have summonable minions to shield her.
Heed the Song of Battle and Unsheath the Blades of War