03-09-2003, 09:34 PM
While I can't truly add anything to a Lightning one (highest was some level 31 before he got canned), I did once have a level 86 Fire mercenary with high-class gear.
I found that it was his Inferno that was better than that of the Fireball. Granted, in Hell in a one-player game, he wasn't too awful against anything that wasn't highly resistant or immune to fire. Once the player count grew, however, he became nearly worthless. This, with the added fact that when they cast Inferno they only do so for about a second, diminished his worth tremendously.
The thing I found even more annoying was his absurd ability to die almost immediately when he left a town portal, even when he had an Inferno that reached across the screen. Even with a high-level Battle Orders he still did not last long enough to deal any damage that was worth his price. Afterwards, I simply never used him and gambled for circlets instead.
So, as to what tactical advantages would this one have over any of the others? I really have no idea. I suppose with Conviction or Lower Resist (even better with a Necromancer's possibility to have several minions to make his life duration somewhat tolerable) they could shine, but I simply don't have any characters to test such a thing.
I found that it was his Inferno that was better than that of the Fireball. Granted, in Hell in a one-player game, he wasn't too awful against anything that wasn't highly resistant or immune to fire. Once the player count grew, however, he became nearly worthless. This, with the added fact that when they cast Inferno they only do so for about a second, diminished his worth tremendously.
The thing I found even more annoying was his absurd ability to die almost immediately when he left a town portal, even when he had an Inferno that reached across the screen. Even with a high-level Battle Orders he still did not last long enough to deal any damage that was worth his price. Afterwards, I simply never used him and gambled for circlets instead.
So, as to what tactical advantages would this one have over any of the others? I really have no idea. I suppose with Conviction or Lower Resist (even better with a Necromancer's possibility to have several minions to make his life duration somewhat tolerable) they could shine, but I simply don't have any characters to test such a thing.