Natural Defiance vs. Exile Defiance

[Any1]

I really should have thought of this one before, but if the idea of a Holy Freeze merc appeals to you (and you have a significant resource base to draw upon) you can try finding a polearm with the "Doom" runeword.  The Cham runeword puts the clvl requirement up at 67, so you'll have to go probably all the way through Nightmare without it equipped; but once your merc his lvl 67 you can get the Holy freeze going.  The Might-aura mercs are found on Nightmare difficulty "Offense" type.  This will add to your damage even more, while you still get a slowing effect (enemies slowed by 50%) and your merc gets some reasonably cold damage (85-90) on his attack. 

Unfortunately, I can't find the aura-level for mercs, so I can't give you a number on how much this will help out your damage; but the benefit of Might ranges from DMG +40% at slvl1 to DMN+230% at slvl20.  The +40% isn't bad; the +230% would be a real boon. 

Sorry I'm not much of a help here.

A Might merc with a Doom weapon would be very nice. Unfortunately I don't have that significant a resource to draw upon, especially when it comes to runes. However, Reaper's Toll
(unique Thresher) is cheaper alternative with the "33% Chance To Cast Level 1 Decrepify On Striking" modifier.


The Might merc has slvl 20 at clvl 98. Since clvl 17 Might adds 200% ED, and is achievable in the 80's clvl range, that's the goal I usually set for my ACT-2 mercs.