Mercenaries: Types, Skills, Auras and Equipment Rules

Mercenaries ("mercs") are helpers hired for gold in town who fight alongside your character. They are hired in Acts 1, 2, 3 and 5 (not in Act 4); each act's mercenary has its own skills and equipment rules. This guide covers every type, the difficulties they can be hired in, their skills and their equipment.

1.Basics

• A mercenary has only three slots: weapon (plus a shield in Act 3), helm and body armor. The item's requirements must be met by the merc's own strength, dexterity and level.
• A merc cannot level above your character and gains experience alongside you.
• Ethereal items never lose durability on a mercenary, so ethereal weapons and armor (more damage and defense) come free of downside.
• A dead merc is resurrected for gold at a town's mercenary NPC (Kashya, Greiz, Asheara, Qual-Kehk; Tyrael in Act 4); the cost grows with level: (level² ÷ 2, rounded down) × 15, capped at 50,000 gold. Example: a level 80 merc costs 48,000 gold.
• Hiring a new merc replaces the old one and the items on it are lost; take its gear back first.

2.Rogue Scout (Act 1)

Hire from: Kashya — Rogue Encampment · Equipment: Bow (Amazon bows included), helm, body armor

Type	Skills	Can be hired in
Fire	Inner SightRequired level: 1Enemy Defense: -40 → -815Duration: 8 → 84 secondsRadius: 18 yardsMana Cost: 5Values are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Inner Sight · Fire ArrowRequired level: 1Converts 3 → 41% Physical Damage to Elemental DamageAttack Rating: +10 → +181%Fire Damage: 1-4 → 63-70Mana Cost: 3Exploding Arrow: +12% Fire Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Fire Arrow · Exploding ArrowRequired level: 12Requires: Fire Arrow, Multiple ShotAttack Rating: +20 → +191%Fire Damage: 5-13 → 199-226Mana Cost: 5 → 9.7Fire Arrow: +14% Fire Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Exploding Arrow	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Cold	Inner SightRequired level: 1Enemy Defense: -40 → -815Duration: 8 → 84 secondsRadius: 18 yardsMana Cost: 5Values are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Inner Sight · Cold ArrowRequired level: 6Converts 3 → 41% Physical Damage to Elemental DamageAttack Rating: +10 → +181%Cold Damage: 3-4 → 53-56Cold Length: 4 → 26.8 secondsMana Cost: 3.5 → 5.8Ice Arrow: +12% Cold Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Cold Arrow · Freezing ArrowRequired level: 30Requires: Ice ArrowAttack Rating: +40 → +211%Cold Damage: 40-50 → 310-320Freezes for 2 secondsMana Cost: 9 → 13.7Radius: 3.3 yardsCold Arrow: +12% Cold Damage per LevelIce Arrow: +5% Freeze Length per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Freezing Arrow	Normal, Nightmare, Hell

Inner Sight (lowers enemy defense) was added to both types in Diablo 2 Resurrected 2.4.

3.Desert Mercenary (Act 2)

Hire from: Greiz — Lut Gholein · Equipment: Spear, javelin or polearm; helm, body armor

Type	Skills	Can be hired in
Combat — Prayer	JabRequired level: 1Attack Rating: +10 → +181%Damage: -15 → +42%Mana Cost: 2 → 6.7Multiple HitsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Jab · PrayerRequired level: 1Heals: +2 → +25Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsMana Cost: 1 → 4.5 per secondValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Prayer	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Defensive — Defiance	JabRequired level: 1Attack Rating: +10 → +181%Damage: -15 → +42%Mana Cost: 2 → 6.7Multiple HitsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Jab · DefianceRequired level: 6Defense: +70 → +260%Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Defiance	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Offensive — Blessed Aim	JabRequired level: 1Attack Rating: +10 → +181%Damage: -15 → +42%Mana Cost: 2 → 6.7Multiple HitsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Jab · Blessed AimRequired level: 12Requires: MightAttack Rating: +75 → +360% (Active)Attack Rating: +5 → +100% (Passive)Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Blessed Aim	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Combat — Thorns	JabRequired level: 1Attack Rating: +10 → +181%Damage: -15 → +42%Mana Cost: 2 → 6.7Multiple HitsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Jab · ThornsRequired level: 6250 → 1010% damage returnedAttacker Takes Damage of 4 → 144Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Thorns	Nightmare, Hell
Defensive — Holy Freeze	JabRequired level: 1Attack Rating: +10 → +181%Damage: -15 → +42%Mana Cost: 2 → 6.7Multiple HitsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Jab · Holy FreezeRequired level: 18Requires: Holy FireCold Damage: 10-15 → 185-190 to your attackCold Damage: 2-6 → 37-76Enemies slowed 30 → 54%Radius: 4 → 16.6 yardsArea damage increases at closer rangeResist Cold: +15% Cold Damage per LevelSalvation: +7% Cold Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Holy Freeze	Nightmare, Hell
Offensive — Might	JabRequired level: 1Attack Rating: +10 → +181%Damage: -15 → +42%Mana Cost: 2 → 6.7Multiple HitsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Jab · MightRequired level: 1Damage: +40 → +230%Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Might	Nightmare, Hell

Since Diablo 2 Resurrected patch 2.4 all six auras can be hired in Nightmare and Hell; Normal only has Prayer, Defiance and Blessed Aim. The aura affects the merc and the party near it.

4.Iron Wolf (Act 3)

Hire from: Asheara — Kurast Docks · Equipment: One-handed sword and shield; helm, body armor

Type	Skills	Can be hired in
Fire	Fire BoltRequired level: 1Fire Damage: 3-6 → 45-60Mana Cost: 2.5Fire Ball: +16% Fire Damage per LevelMeteor: +16% Fire Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Fire Bolt · Fire BallRequired level: 12Requires: Fire BoltFire Damage: 6-14 → 199-226Mana Cost: 5 → 14.5Radius: 2.6 yardsFire Bolt: +14% Fire Damage per LevelMeteor: +14% Fire Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Fire Ball · EnchantRequired level: 18Requires: Warmth, Fire BallAttack Rating: +20 → +191%Fire Damage: 8-10 → 68-89Duration: 144 → 600 secondsMana Cost: 25 → 44Warmth: +9% Fire Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Enchant	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Cold	Glacial SpikeRequired level: 18Requires: Ice BlastCold Damage: 16-24 → 225-242Freeze Length: 2 → 4.2 secondsMana Cost: 10 → 19.5Radius: 2.6 yardsIce Bolt: +5% Cold Damage per LevelIce Blast: +5% Cold Damage per LevelBlizzard: +3% Freeze Length per LevelFrozen Orb: +5% Cold Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Glacial Spike · Chilling ArmorRequired level: 24Requires: Shiver ArmorDefense: +60 → +231%Cold Damage: 8-10 → 100-111Duration: 144 → 372 secondsMana Cost: 17Frozen Armor: +9% Cold Damage per LevelFrozen Armor: +10 Seconds per LevelShiver Armor: +9% Cold Damage per LevelShiver Armor: +10 Seconds per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Chilling Armor · Ice BlastRequired level: 6Requires: Ice BoltCold Damage: 8-12 → 253-266Freeze Length: 3 → 6.8 secondsMana Cost: 6 → 15.5Ice Bolt: +8% Cold Damage per LevelGlacial Spike: +10% Freeze Length per LevelBlizzard: +8% Cold Damage per LevelFrozen Orb: +8% Cold Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Ice Blast	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Lightning	Charged BoltRequired level: 13 → 22 boltsLightning Damage: 2-4 → 13-15Mana Cost: 3 → 12.5Lightning: +6% Lightning Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Charged Bolt · LightningRequired level: 12Requires: Charged BoltLightning Damage: 1-40 → 1-272Mana Cost: 8 → 17.5Charged Bolt: +8% Lightning Damage per LevelNova: +8% Lightning Damage per LevelChain Lightning: +8% Lightning Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Lightning · Static FieldRequired level: 6Radius: 3.3 → 16 yardsWeakens Enemies by 25%Mana Cost: 9Values are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Static Field	Normal, Nightmare, Hell

5.Barbarian (Act 5)

Hire from: Qual-Kehk — Harrogath · Equipment: A sword for the Bash type, two one-handed swords for the Frenzy type; helm, body armor

Type	Skills	Can be hired in
Bash	BashRequired level: 1Damage: +50 → +145%Damage: +1 → +20Mana Cost: 2Stun: +5% Damage per LevelConcentrate: +5% Attack Rating per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Bash · StunRequired level: 12Requires: BashStun Length: 1.2 → 4.5 secondsMana Cost: 2Bash: +8% Damage per LevelConcentrate: +5% Attack Rating per LevelWar Cry: +5% Duration per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Stun · Battle CryRequired level: 18Requires: TauntRadius: 3.3 yardsEnemy Damage: -25 → -44%Enemy Defense: -50 → -88%Duration: 12 → 57.6 secondsMana Cost: 5Values are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Battle Cry	Normal, Nightmare, Hell
Frenzy	FrenzyRequired level: 24Requires: Double ThrowAttack Rating: +100 → +233%Damage: +90 → +185%Attack Speed: +7-7 → +7-42%Run/Walk Speed: +47-48 → +47-172%Duration: 6 secondsMana Cost: 3Double Swing: +8% Damage per LevelTaunt: +8% Damage per LevelIncreased Stamina: +0.4 Seconds per LevelBerserk: +1% Magic Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Frenzy · Iron SkinRequired level: 18Passive skillDefense: +30 → +220%Values are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Iron Skin · TauntRequired level: 6Requires: HowlTarget's Attack Rating: -5 → -43%Enemy Damage: -5 → -43%Mana Cost: 3Values are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Taunt	Normal, Nightmare, Hell

The Frenzy type (two swords, the Iron Skin passive, Taunt) came with Diablo 2 Resurrected 2.4.

6.Most Popular Mercenaries and Gear

Mercenary	Why	Common gear
Holy FreezeRequired level: 18Requires: Holy FireCold Damage: 10-15 → 185-190 to your attackCold Damage: 2-6 → 37-76Enemies slowed 30 → 54%Radius: 4 → 16.6 yardsArea damage increases at closer rangeResist Cold: +15% Cold Damage per LevelSalvation: +7% Cold Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Act 2 Holy Freeze (Nightmare/Hell)	The aura slows nearby enemies; suits melee and caster characters alike.	Infinity (Conviction aura) or Insight (Meditation aura) polearm; Fortitude armor
MightRequired level: 1Damage: +40 → +230%Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Act 2 Might (Nightmare/Hell)	Raises the party's physical damage; for physical builds.	Insight or Reaper's Toll (Decrepify) polearm
PrayerRequired level: 1Heals: +2 → +25Radius: 10.6 → 36 yardsMana Cost: 1 → 4.5 per secondValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Act 2 Prayer	Constantly heals the party; comfortable when starting out.	Insight polearm (mana regeneration)
FrenzyRequired level: 24Requires: Double ThrowAttack Rating: +100 → +233%Damage: +90 → +185%Attack Speed: +7-7 → +7-42%Run/Walk Speed: +47-48 → +47-172%Duration: 6 secondsMana Cost: 3Double Swing: +8% Damage per LevelTaunt: +8% Damage per LevelIncreased Stamina: +0.4 Seconds per LevelBerserk: +1% Magic Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Act 5 Frenzy	A tough melee fighter hitting fast and hard with two swords.	Two one-handed swords (e.g. runeword swords)
Glacial SpikeRequired level: 18Requires: Ice BlastCold Damage: 16-24 → 225-242Freeze Length: 2 → 4.2 secondsMana Cost: 10 → 19.5Radius: 2.6 yardsIce Bolt: +5% Cold Damage per LevelIce Blast: +5% Cold Damage per LevelBlizzard: +3% Freeze Length per LevelFrozen Orb: +5% Cold Damage per LevelValues are for the player skill's levels; on a mercenary the skill level rises with the mercenary's level Act 3 Cold	Freezes enemies; useful while progressing up to Nightmare.	One-handed sword and shield

Insight and Infinity are polearm runewords, and only the Act 2 merc can use them because it is the only one that equips polearms.

7.Data Source

Mercenary types, skills and hire difficulties come from the Diablo 2 Resurrected 3.3 (Reign of the Warlock) game data. Equipment rules and the resurrection cost are hard-coded in the game, so they follow the known rules.