Did you know that mercenaries are finally back in Diablo 4?
But wait, there’s a surprise. They work differently from what you may have experienced in the previous games.
Every bespoke companion offers unique fighting styles and bonuses. Yes, Diablo 4 will be different in many ways, and players have to make wise decisions regarding who they are bringing to the fight.
If you are curious about the mercenaries and want to know more about them, read this blog post.
Mercenary System Overview
This overview covers the new mercenaries feature introduced in Vessel of Hatred, the latest expansion for Diablo IV. This system allows you to recruit powerful allies to fight alongside you, each with their unique abilities and playstyles. From defensive tank-like warriors to high-damage archers, these mercenaries will be offering valuable support.
What are Mercenaries in Diablo IV
Mercenaries are powerful NPC allies that players can recruit to fight alongside them. These mercenaries each have unique abilities and playstyles, providing players with additional support during combat. Beyond their combat roles, mercenaries can level up and customize to improve their effectiveness.
How Mercenaries Work in Diablo 4
Players can hire two types of mercenaries: a Primary Mercenary, who is active during solo play, and a Reinforcement Mercenary, who is summoned in certain situations, like when specific skills are used or if the player is crowd-controlled.
Each mercenary comes with its own skill tree and Reinforcement abilities, which can be customized based on whether you’re playing solo or in a group. As you play, you’ll build Rapport with your mercenaries, allowing you to upgrade their skill trees and further enhance their capabilities.
Whether you need defensive support, utility assistance, or someone to take on enemies while you focus on other tasks, the mercenary system provides versatile options to fit any playstyle.
Comparison Between D4 Mercenaries and D3 Followers
In Diablo 4, mercenaries represent a significant evolution from the follower system in Diablo 3, offering more depth, customization, and interaction. While both systems provide AI companions for combat assistance, the mechanics and flexibility differ considerably.
If you don’t have the time to unlock all of these mercenaries or grind the Rapport ranks, you might want to explore the offerings of KBoosting. They offer high-quality Diablo 4 boosting services.
Diablo 3 Followers:
- Limited options: Players can choose between three followers: Templar, Scoundrel, and Enchantress.
- Minimal customization: Followers had a small set of abilities with limited gear and skill options.
- Solo play only: Followers were primarily available during solo play, with no multiplayer integration.
- Supplemental role: Their impact was minor, functioning as background support rather than active combat partners.
- Static progression: Although followers could level up, their skill trees were simple and did not evolve significantly throughout the game.
Diablo 4 Mercenaries:
- More complex system: Mercenaries are available for both solo and multiplayer play, making them more versatile.
- Customizable skill trees: Each mercenary has a unique skill tree that can be customized based on player needs, offering a wide range of abilities and playstyles.
- Different roles: Players can unlock a variety of mercenaries, each specializing in distinct roles like tanking, ranged damage, or utility support.
- Rapport System: Mercenary skills can be upgraded through a Rapport System, where the bond between player and mercenary strengthens over time, unlocking new abilities and bonuses.
- Reinforcement mechanic: Mercenaries can be summoned under specific conditions, such as when the player is crowd-controlled or certain skills are activated, adding a strategic layer absent in Diablo 3.
- Bartering and Pale Marks: Players can use in-game resources like Pale Marks to barter for better gear, upgrades, or mercenary enhancements, giving them more control over progression and customization.
Overall, Diablo 4’s mercenaries provide a far more dynamic and customizable experience than Diablo 3’s followers, making them key combat partners rather than background support.
All Diablo 4 Mercenaries
In Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion, players can recruit four unique mercenaries, each offering different abilities and playstyles. Each mercenary is carefully designed with unique abilities and specializations, offering distinct advantages based on the player’s preferred style of play.
Players can tailor their choice of mercenary to complement their character’s strengths and cover any weaknesses.
How Many Mercenaries Can You Get in Diablo
Currently, there are four known mercenaries in Diablo 4: Raheir, the Shieldbearer; Aldkin, the Cursed Child; Varyana, the Berserker Crone; and Subo, the Drunken Archer. Here’s what we know about each of these mercenaries so far.
Raheir, the Shieldbearer
Rather, the Shieldbearer is a formidable blacksmith who got his training from the Iron Wolves. He utilizes his massive shield to block incoming enemy attacks, providing essential defensive support to the player.
He possesses an Area of Effect (AoE) Barrier ability that mitigates damage for himself and nearby allies, while his Resiliency skill enhances armor and grants additional defensive buffs.
This mercenary is Ideal for players who favor aggressive builds and require increased survivability. Raheir’s skills are perfectly in sync with the tank archetype, making him a premier choice for those looking to bolster their defenses in battle.
Varyana, the Berserker Crone
Varyana, the Berserker Crone, excels in close-quarters combat, growing stronger with each kill through her Massacre Meter. Her grip ability pulls enemies into melee range, while her Whirlwind attack deals Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. Varyana thrives in high-density areas, making her perfect for aggressive playstyles.
To make the most of Varyana’s abilities, players should focus on engaging in high-density combat areas, where her killstreak can quickly build momentum. With her powerful offensive potential and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, enemy-rich environments, Varyana is an ideal choice for players who enjoy aggressive, close-range combat and want to maximize their kill count for enhanced strength.
Aldkin, the Cursed Child
Aldkin, the Cursed Child, is a half-demon creature with the ability to shapeshift and unleash devastating AoE fire damage. The Cursed child engulfs his enemies in flames. His skills make him a powerful option for players who need extra help handling large groups of enemies, particularly in AoE-heavy encounters.
Aldkin’s abilities align with the shadow mage archetype, making him an ideal mercenary choice for builds that prioritize survivability. He also benefits from strong area-of-effect damage.
Subo, the Drunken Archer
Subo, the Drunken Archer, is a disgraced archer turned bounty hunter, offering valuable ranged AoE support from a distance. Specializing in barrages of arrows, he excels at keeping enemies at bay while providing utility for the player. One of his key abilities involves marking targets, which, when killed, grant useful buffs such as cooldown reduction.
Subo’s playstyle is a versatile mix of offense and support, falling somewhere between Varyana’s aggressive combat and Aldkin’s AoE dominance. His ability to stay out of melee range makes him an excellent choice for players looking for strategic support. He can also work as a supplementary firepower, making him adaptable to a wide range of builds.
Recruiting Mercenaries
In Diablo IV’s Vessel of Hatred expansion, players gain the ability to recruit mercenaries to assist in combat. You can hire these mercenaries from the Mercenary Den and provide essential support in both solo and group play. Each mercenary offers unique abilities and playstyles, giving players valuable allies as they face the growing threats in Sanctuary.
How to unlock Mercenaries in Diablo IV
Mercenaries unlock progressively throughout the main questline for the Vessel of Hatred. The first available mercenary is Raheir, the Shieldbearer, who you can hire after completing the campaign.
As players advance, more mercenaries are unlocked through specific quests found at The Den, the Mercenary hideout. These quests allow players to recruit mercenaries, ensuring that they always have powerful companions by their side.
How Many Mercenaries Can You Hire at Once
Players can hire up to two mercenaries at a time in Diablo IV: one Primary Mercenary and one Reinforcement Mercenary.
It does not cost Gold to hire mercenaries, making them a valuable resource in battle. However, you can temporarily incapacitate the mercenaries when they take too much damage and enter a “downed” state where they cannot use their skills. During this time, players can rush to their aid and revive them, much like reviving a fellow player, allowing them to get back into the fight sooner.
Hiring Mercenaries and Mercenaries Reinforcement
The Primary Mercenary serves as the main companion, automatically joining the player’s party when playing solo. These mercenaries offer consistent support, playing an active role in combat.
Reinforcement Mercenaries, also referred to as Secondary Mercenaries, provide supplemental aid under specific circumstances called Opportunities. These Opportunities arise when certain conditions are met, such as the player using specific skills or becoming crowd-controlled.
Reinforcement Mercenaries add a layer of tactical depth. They allow players to adapt their strategies based on the skills and gear of their chosen mercenaries. This system gives players the flexibility to enhance their combat approach with custom setups for both Primary and Secondary Mercenaries.
Mercenary Ranks and Progression
As you recruit mercenaries in Diablo IV, they can progress and grow stronger over time through a ranking system. Mercenaries start at a base level, but as you continue to fight alongside them, they will gain experience and improve their abilities.
This progression allows mercenaries to become more effective in battle, unlocking new skills and enhancing their existing ones.
Mercenary progression has close ties with the Rapport System. Here, the bond between you and your mercenaries increases through continuous use and successful combat encounters.
Building Rapport with Mercenaries
Over time, as you fight alongside your mercenaries in Diablo IV, you build a relationship known as Rapport. You establish this trust through combat, and the more time you spend with a mercenary in battle, the quicker your Rapport increases.
Each mercenary has ten levels of Rapport to complete. With gradual progress through these levels, your mercenary becomes more powerful and versatile.
Once you’ve maxed out the 10th level, you can continue re-completing level 10 to earn Pale Marks. The Pale Marks is a valuable currency used for bartering and enhancing your mercenaries even further.
Benefits of High Rapport
Building a strong Rapport with your mercenaries in Diablo IV unlocks a range of powerful benefits that significantly improve their effectiveness in combat.
As you increase Rapport through battles and special events, your mercenaries gain access to additional perks and abilities. It makes them more versatile and capable of adapting to various combat situations.
Higher levels of Rapport allow you to spend skill points to unlock stronger abilities, enhancing your mercenaries’ potential in key scenarios. This progression ensures they have better skills to support your preferred playstyle, whether it’s providing defensive aid or delivering devastating attacks.
Moreover, high Rapport improves your bartering capabilities with your mercenaries, giving you access to better gear and rare items. As your bond with them grows, these exchanges become more favorable, giving you greater control over upgrading your equipment and skills.
By maximizing Rapport, you unlock the full potential of your mercenaries. You can turn them into even more powerful allies and expand your strategic options in battle.
What are Pale Marks?
Pale Marks are a special currency in Diablo IV that players can use to purchase items and upgrades within the Mercenary Den. You can earn these coins by building Rapport with your mercenaries through combat and completing activities alongside them.
As you increase Rapport and rank up your mercenaries, the variety and quality of items available for purchase with Pale Marks also improve, giving you access to more powerful gear and resources. This progression makes Pale Marks essential for customizing and upgrading your mercenaries, ensuring they remain strong companions in your journey.
Bartering
Bartering in Diablo IV is a key mechanic that allows players to acquire valuable gear and currencies through their mercenaries using Pale Marks. As your Rapport increases, so do your bartering options, enabling you to trade for increasingly rare and powerful gear.
Mercenary System Strategies
In Diablo IV, effectively utilizing mercenaries is key to optimizing your combat performance. Each mercenary brings unique strengths and abilities that can complement your build, offering a range of strategies to adapt to different combat scenarios.
Whether you need defensive support, crowd control, or additional damage, integrating mercenaries into your strategy can help you maximize your overall DPS or survivability.
Optimal Mercenary Pairings
Choosing the right combination of mercenaries based on your character’s strengths and weaknesses can significantly boost your performance in Diablo IV. Here are some optimal pairings depending on your build:
- For Defensive Builds: If you’re playing a tank or a build focused on survivability, pairing with Aldkin, the Cursed Child is ideal. His AoE fire damage and shadow magic provide offensive power that complements your durability, allowing you to focus on absorbing damage while Aldkin burns down groups of enemies.
- For Glass-Cannon or Fragile Builds: Fragile builds like Sorcerers or Rogues can benefit from Raheir, the Shieldbearer. His defensive skills, including his AoE Barrier, help mitigate incoming damage, giving you the breathing room to focus on dealing great damage from a distance.
- For Balanced or Hybrid Builds: Subo, the Drunken Archer, is perfect for builds that require a balance of offense and utility. His ability to mark enemies and provide buffs upon their death. Combined with his ranged AoE support, complements hybrid builds that focus on both damage and control.
- For High-Damage Melee Builds: If you’re running a build that prioritizes close-range, high-damage output, Varyana, the Berserker Crone, is the ideal partner. Her killstreak mechanic boosts her power as she slays enemies, and her Whirlwind ability adds extra damage through Bleeding, making her a perfect companion for melee-focused characters who thrive on constant combat.
Conclusion
The Mercenary System in Diablo 4, introduced in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, adds a new layer of strategy to the game. With four unique mercenaries, each offering different skills and roles, players can choose companions that match their playstyle.
Overall, mercenaries in Diablo 4 offer more depth and versatility compared to the Diablo 3 followers. No doubt, they can be an essential part of your journey in Sanctuary.
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