Best setup for a merc

I'm talking about an A2 merc, but I don't really see what difference it makes (though I've never used any other mercs since my noob days).

I almost had a Levi (196%ed, +146 def, +50 str, 25% DR) with a rare jewel in it that had -15req, 28%ed and... low fire res I think for my merc, but I got IP banned during the trade.

My ideal setup for a merc would be perf Levi with a +18 max, 30%ed, resall10, +10 min, -15req rare jewel, perf CoA (for DR) with a pair of those jewels (sub the -15req for 7% Faster Hit Recovery or maybe +4 Replenish Life) or perf andy's visage (for life leech and ias) with one of those jewels, and a perfect, eth bonehew with 2 amns.

Anybody got a better reccomendation?

Er... also, could someone change the title of this to Best Setup for a Merc instead of Armor? I didn't even think about the others 'till I started typing.

That sounds pretty good to me.

Levi is best for any melee character that i can think of.

Well, my merc wears levi, and andy's too. But I have him wearing some other weapon besides bonehew because bonehew does less damage.

Bonehew does less damage than What?

Also, since nobody will probably ever find one of those jewels, what runes, or gems, or more common jewels would you reccomend putting in the armor and helm? (Amns stay in bonehew to keep the merc alive unless someone has a much better suggestion.)

On my mercy he uses an Eth Stone, and an Eth Thresher "cresent Moon" i used to have a gaze for him but i seem to have mis placed it...hmmm? but thats my set up and once he is lvl 84 he will be usin a 3Skt Cryptic Axe Tomb Reaver with AmnAmnAmn...

i used to have a nearly perfect eth crown of the thieves
eth schaft or upped shaft

Oh ya, what's your merc for anyway? pindle? duel? or what? andy?

My merc is poor so he uses shaft, eth gaze and double AMN bonehew. Duriel's shell also worked well for the resistances.

My ladder merc is extremely poor and constantly complains about his gear, but that's tough shit for now. When you are demon bait your choices in life are slim...

I have rarely used a A2 merc for more than a minor meat shield and a useful aura. I try not to depend on them to do the killing for me. My major concern most of the time is for him to stay alive. I don't think it is the over all best setup from a min/max standpoint. It is however the ideal setup for how I play:

Weapon: Eth Reaver
Helm: Eth Up'ed Gaze (UMed)
Armor: Eth Up'ed Shaft (UMed)

Depending on the character I am using I can switch out the weapon for a Doom Cryptic Axe if need be.

Kockblocker set up pretty much is the best of the 1, if you pindle boter use eth reaver, else use eth bonehew.

other choose is use might merc with doom eth weapon, and those armors.

As far as the type of A2 merc I go with this:

Any Melee damage character (wwbarb, Multi/Strafe Zon, Zealot that doesn't use Dracs, etc.):
Might merc with Eth Reaver

Casters (Hammerdin, Trapsin, Sorcs, etc.):
Defiance Merc with Eth reaver

Others (Zealot with Dracs, Pretty much all Necros):
Might merc with Doom Cryptic Axe.

I am pretty much 100% PvM so keep that in mind. I have no clue what setup is ideal for PvP mercs.

my merc on europe has:

eth upped shaft with Um OR Eth pul-ed steel carapace (cant choose >.<)
eth gaze with ed/ias
amnamn eth bonehew (nearly perf)

Thread title changed.

i would say eth upped shaft or a good eth stone armor due to their high defence and eth gaze

With that kind of setup on lets say a might merc, damn that merc might have a chance against some big mofo's of this game. Nice dude.

why not use holy freeze merc

I put
Famine
TalIthAmnThul
Tal (7) + Ith (6) + Amn (11) + Thul (10)
Works: Axes and Clubs
Clvl Required: 23

or

Malice
IthElEth
Ith (6) + El (1) + Eth (5)
Works: All Melee Weapons
Clvl Required: 15

the life drain doesn't affect my merc for some reason..i used act2 merc when i started up a new charactor.

Bonehew does less damage than What?

He uses Stillpillar, gives def% bonus too which is nice.

why not use holy freeze merc

Because you can get a Doom(runeword) weapon for him and it gives Holy Freeze.