Diablo 4 Season 6 Mercenary Guide: Recruitment And Tier List
18.10.2024 - 05:23:11
Diablo 4 , Game Guides
You've come to the right place if you're looking for a Diablo 4 Season 6 Mercenary guide to fill your needs. These NPC companions are definitely one of the highlights of the new season and expansion of the game. Before we jump straight into the guide, here's how the feature works.
What Are Mercenaries In Diablo 4?
Mercenaries are a returning feature in the series. It's perfect for those having a tough time in the game but don't want to go through the trouble of finding party members online. Simply put, mercenaries are companions controlled by AI in the game.
If you're having a tough time fighting bosses, and can't find the time to grind, mercenaries can help you out. You can also check out our Diablo 4 gold services so you can buy better gear for your character.
| Mercenary Name | Description | Details |
| Raheir the Shieldbearer | Trained by the Iron Wolves, Raheir specializes in defense, using his shield to block incoming attacks and protect you during your travels. He can also throw his shield, among other abilities, making him perfect for absorbing damage and keeping enemies off you. | Recommended Role: Hired Mercenary or Support Reinforcement
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| Varyana the Berserker Crone | Once a cannibal, Varyana left her tribe when they delved into even darker magic. Her strength grows with every enemy you defeat in quick succession, thanks to her 'Massacre Meter.' She thrives in chaotic, close-quarter battles and has additional skills, though the specifics remain unknown. | Recommended Role: Hired Mercenary or Support Reinforcement
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| Aldkin, the Cursed Child | Aldkin, a being caught between human and demon, is your magic user. He can shapeshift into a demon form, unleashing spells to aid you in battle. His versatility and dark powers make him a formidable caster. | Recommended Role: Hired Mercenary or Support Reinforcement
|
| Subo, the Drunken Archer | Once an archer of high standing, Subo has fallen from grace and now works as a bounty hunter. He excels in ranged combat, marking enemies for elimination. Once they’re taken down, you'll benefit from perks like cooldown reductions, making him a valuable utility character. | Recommended Role: Hired Mercenary
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The feature is available in the Vessel of Hatred DLC, and there are a total of 4 mercenaries to unlock in the game. Mercenaries can be used in one of two ways:
- Primary: These mercenaries fight alongside you. They explore the world at the same time as you.
- Secondary: Also called Reinforcement, this type of mercenary acts like a skill. You can use them in combat for various bonuses.
You can have one Primary and one Secondary mercenary at a time. Make sure to check out possible combos when setting this up.
Like your character, mercenaries can be made powerful, but it works a bit differently. For your character, you need to grind for XP to level up and to find more gear as you progress through the game. There are two ways to improve mercenaries in the game.
The first is with Rapport. This functions similarly to a reputation system. The more you fight alongside your mercenary, the more rapport you get. Rapport gives your mercenaries stat boosts, new skills, and even rewards, so there's a reason to stick with certain mercs.
Like your character, mercenaries also have a skill tree that you can customize as they progress through the game. This allows for various builds. Now, let's talk about how you can start recruiting them.
Diablo 4 Mercenaries Recruitment Guide
Rahier The Shieldbearer
Rahier the shield bearer is unlocked as part of the expansion's main quest line from the start of the DLC. Follow the critical path until you reach the new Nantu region, where you'll start the quest Thrust into the Dark.
This will lead you to the mercenary hideout known as The Den and start a quick quest called The Hand That Remembers the Blade. Simply talk to Rahier and recruit him to your team to complete it.
Rahier is a very tanky companion, using his shield to rush enemies and knock them down. As you progress through his skill tree, you'll be able to add buffs, like armor for yourself whenever he charges, or debuff effects on enemies, such as slowed movement.
Rahier can also use his shield to bash the ground or take a defensive stance to absorb damage that would otherwise hit you.
Aldkin The Cursed Child
Unlocking the other mercenaries starts in The Den. For the demon child Aldkin, examine the Archive of Kuosa on the right side of the room. This will start the quest A Nameless Mystery. Follow the quest markers south of The Den to a hidden passage.
It ends at a burned-down manor with plenty of fights. After a boss battle against Vnus the Hunter, you'll return to The Den with Aldkin, ready to fight.
Aldkin's demon powers come with a trade-off—he sometimes loses control, unleashing a curse that makes both you and the surrounding enemies vulnerable. Be ready to play defensively if that happens. Otherwise, you can enjoy using his fiery magic spells.
Subo The Drunken Archer
Subo is a drunken bounty hunter, and you can recruit him by completing the quest A Feather on the Scale. Read the Muddy Letter on the left side of The Den to start it. Show the helmet that was with the letter to Rahier to get your waypoint.
You're headed to the toxic fen in the southeastern pocket of the map. Once you locate Subo, you'll join him in bounty hunting. This involves fighting off some bandits and clearing the Windswept Altar dungeon.
After beating its boss, Alvas the Malformed Serpent, talk to Subo outside to wrap things up. Back at The Den, you can add Subo's rogue abilities to your repertoire.
Varyana The Berserker
The final mercenary is Varyana, and you can read her note in the middle of The Den. This initiates the Slayer Retribution quest. The first step is to head to the Temple of Rot, a stronghold between the Fields of Hatred and the Untamed Scar.
Clear the dungeon and take out its leader, Mohar the Hungerer, to proceed. After rekindling the wanderer's statue, read the Blood Scribe sign at the temple's southern entrance. This will point you to the Fetid Elder, where Varyana is being held.
To free her, defeat the enemies and destroy the pillars holding her down. She's a berserker, so she'll attack you after being freed, but will calm down after enough hits. She seeks revenge on the cannibals who kidnapped her, so that's what you'll help her do.
Diablo 4 Mercenary Tier List
The mercenaries in the game aren’t the same. Some are better than others in certain situations. Below is a list of the best mercenaries to focus on using first.
Keep in mind that all mercenaries are good, and It's up to you which Diablo 4 team setup fits you best.
Best: Rahier
Overall, Rahier is the best for early-game survival and gearing up. His base ability is Valiance, which triggers every 30 seconds when you take at least 15% of your current life in damage. Rahier negates that damage, knocks down nearby enemies, and grants you Unstoppable.
On the left path, you have Shield Charge, where Rahier rushes forward, taunting nearby enemies. Enhancements include Guard, which grants 15% flat armor, or Vanguard, which slows enemies around him when he provokes them.
His second ability is Provoke, another taunt that also reduces damage taken for each enemy taunted, up to 20% damage reduction (DR). Upgrades include Mocking Blow, which increases the damage you deal to taunted enemies.
There's also Iron Wolf's Ward, which knocks back nearby enemies and taunts distant enemies when Valiance is triggered.
Alternatively, you can choose Crater, a slam that deals physical damage and pulls in enemies, with a chance to stun. Upgrades like Sundering Shield can make enemies vulnerable when hit, or Valiance can enhance it by making your next four core skills deal 25% more damage.
Second Best: Varyana
Her main skill is Massacre, which passively generates Massacre Stacks. At different stack levels, you gain movement speed. On the left path, you have Cleave, which deals physical damage and bleed over time.
With the Stero upgrade, Cleave grants her attack speed for five seconds when she damages an enemy, up to 10%. Alternatively, you can pick Recklessness, making Cleave cause enemies to become vulnerable.
Third Best: Aldkin
His mercenary perk is Blas of Fate, which turns him into a demon and grants new abilities while cursing you for its duration. The Curse of Darkness makes you and nearby enemies vulnerable, while the Curse of Flames burns enemies but costs you 10% of your max resource per second.
Low Tier: Subo
Subo's ability Seeker marks targets, and when you kill them, you recover 50% of your maximum resource and reduce your current cooldown. For the left path, you have Wire Trap, which places traps that can potentially stun enemies.
Join Mercenaries In Diablo 4
The Mercenaries are a game-changing addition to Diablo 4 but that's not all there is to Vessel of Hatred. If you want help with Diablo 4 gold or item farming, reach out to us at RPGStash!