01-02-2008, 12:39 PM
A last wish collossus blade is actually better than a btd for a barb merc. You can buy any ladder-only item and have it delivered to the non-ladder realm, however , the collosus version of Last Wish has not been available this current ladder season, or at least I have not seen it. I bought 3 last season.
I believe this discussion was on act 2 mercs only, however, if your character doesn't have to have any specific attribute associated with any of the various polearms in order to survive, then last wish collosus (not pb) will make a merc practically immortal because of the constant life tap it provides, much better than life steal on a btd even with raised ias. Life Tap converts the damage inflicted on monsters into life, and, I believe, because it's a curse, for both "you" and your merc, curse being similar to shared auras. I found a double socketed coa with additonal damge to be better than an andys also, and of course a eth fort. A last wish collosus perfect spawning runeword is only 10-15 min/max damage points below a btd.
I believe this discussion was on act 2 mercs only, however, if your character doesn't have to have any specific attribute associated with any of the various polearms in order to survive, then last wish collosus (not pb) will make a merc practically immortal because of the constant life tap it provides, much better than life steal on a btd even with raised ias. Life Tap converts the damage inflicted on monsters into life, and, I believe, because it's a curse, for both "you" and your merc, curse being similar to shared auras. I found a double socketed coa with additonal damge to be better than an andys also, and of course a eth fort. A last wish collosus perfect spawning runeword is only 10-15 min/max damage points below a btd.