POLL: What do you think of Mercenaries?Follow

Game changer. The content I can solo now (69 SK) & the speed in which I can do it has drastically improved.

It's not just the heals, either. When I die, I have a 'free' rez waiting for me (suspending the merc if I'm going to perish). When the GL is slow, I have buffs. When I summon a pet in the field, it's buffed. If I'm poisoned, diseased or Tash'd, it's cured.

Complete game changer for me.

I love my healer merc! I'm still enjoying omens and depths at level 70. Every time I ask a healer type in my level range LFG for omens or depths action I get turned down due to it's not the latest super xp in zone X. I now actually get buffed with conviction fun. It is funny to see so many newer 69 70 clerics with no clue what conviction is. So now me and my merc go hit up RCoD or the hive. I grab a tanker type LFG and go hit up MPG.

The healer merc has made the game a lot more enjoyable for me the solo/small grouper 70 beasty happy with 70 content.

To echo what the others have said so far, they are great if you can't get a group. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting LFG for hours, or joining a disastrous pick-up group. The mercs are not overpowered, they serve a purpose, but in no way replace tanks or clerics. They are back ups only.

I think they're great, and I think Sony hit a home run with this one.

I can only echo the above; Played since 2002, and I think this is quite possibly the most profound improvement to the game I have seen.

I think they're great and I only hope they keep them that way. I box zerker, cleric and chanter. I've added the tank merc and now instead of sticking with mainly LB mobs, I'm able to take down yellows and reds. I'm having great fun going to zones that were too tough before.

Edited, Oct 29th 2008 1:10pm by MissMandie

I am sorry if this has been covered already,..

but, do mercs fill a required spot of a group for group tasks and ldons and such?

Very similar situation. Level 71 SK, healer merc. Been doing the daily quests in Dragonscale Hills and then the kill 20 doombugs. Having a blast, and completing the ranks of defensive. In fact, haven't played my 80 druid that much lately. LOL.

Yesterday, I was grouped with a 76 Sk who also had a healer merc. I had my merc syspended. He pulled a lot (maybe 8 to 10 doom bugs and a couple snakes) so I popped my healer as well, and we proceeded to vanquish them. That was fun!

They are great for some but a bane to others.

The way I see them, the mercs are filling the gaps for the lack of player base. I don't really care for them.

I've been 2boxing, each with a merc since patch. Lowbies from Create to level 25.... mid levels 39 - 45.. high levels two 80s. Some thoughts:

The Merc AI for healer is Very Good. Much better than a poorly played Cleric, better than an adequately played Cleric, almost as good as a well played Cleric. I've played a cleric for most of the past 9 years. The Merc doesnt fall asleep, or take a PB, or Crash, or put out the dog, or etc. They buff when you need buffed, sit when idle, stand on inc pull, RAREly draw agro on the pull, and do this for the whole group, including pets and other Mercs. They seem to toss the correct heal too; HoT when needed, Big heal when needed, etc. After 10-12 hours of various combos and levels, its much like I have a trusted guildie Cleric in my group.

The Merc AI for tank is also quite good. In agressive mode, they will run and grab agro for any adds attacking the group. I usually pull with my caster or a bow shot and the Merc tank runs to meet the inc mob. They are fast, maybe a little too fast, but its easily workable. Their DPS is typical and they have Very Little problem holding agro, even with my Mage or Wizard casting like noobs.

The Mercs will follow you no matter how fast you travel and I believe they are non-agro like pets. Havent tried them under water but expect they are ok there too. I'm not sure they are a "game changer" but they sure add a new dimension and a new enjoyment level to the game. Now if they would just add a shammy class, or maybe a chanter or druid... mabye later.....

If I box a cleric, I can outdo a merc any day of the week. They are pretty mediocre, especially in situations where you need a reactive cleric. Even when set to reactive they aren't reactive enough, and they tend to do silly stuff like chain remedy (which heals less HP per second than chaining light.)

With all that pessimistic sounding stuff said, it doesn't matter that they aren't as good as a real cleric. I can load a merc and go do whatever without having to worry about boxing a cleric -- and that is a very nice thing.

Uh, PVP in EQ was ruined many years ago.

I guarantee I outclass you in every facet of EQ, hands down.

It's a nice addition but in reality the game is on it's last legs with the continued faction grinding and inablity to actually think from from the dev's. (copy / paste old spells to new spells ). Continued focus on raiding when its tearing the game apart. Last expansion for me.

I'm using a Aprentice teir 5 Cleric merc for Buffs mainly. Being a Necro, I Solo the majority of the time I play, but having the merc has made it easier for me while out in the field. once I have gotten my AAs up to par for my lvl, I may invest in a Journyman teir 5 cleric and see if I can go head to head with Mobs instead of Kiting things around in a circle.




The possibility of a Necro tanking is closer than ya think :)

Edited, Nov 7th 2008 1:43pm by chasie