The Ultimate Beastlord Mercenary Guide: Maximizing Your Power in Norrath

So, you’re a Beastlord, eh? Excellent choice! You’ve got a powerful pet, respectable melee skills, and some handy utility. But let’s face it, even the most seasoned Beastlord can benefit from a good mercenary companion. The big question: What is the best merc for a Beastlord?

The answer isn’t a simple, one-size-fits-all solution. However, for the vast majority of Beastlords, particularly those soloing or grouping with limited dedicated support, the Cleric mercenary stands out as the optimal choice. Here’s why:

Why a Cleric Mercenary Reigns Supreme

The core strength of the Beastlord lies in the synergy between the player and their pet. The pet acts as a potent tank and damage dealer, while the Beastlord provides buffs, debuffs, and supplemental damage. Where the Beastlord falls short is in reliable, potent healing. While Beastlords do have some healing abilities, they are not as robust or efficient as a dedicated healer. This is where the Cleric mercenary shines.

• Sustained Survivability: A Cleric merc keeps both you and your pet alive. This is crucial for soloing challenging content, and even in groups, the extra healing allows for a more aggressive playstyle. A dead DPS does zero DPS.
• Pet Healing Priority: A good Cleric mercenary will prioritize healing your pet, ensuring that your primary tank stays healthy and engaged. This frees you up to focus on your role: buffing, debuffing, and contributing to the overall damage output.
• Reduced Downtime: With a dedicated healer, you’ll spend less time medding between fights, allowing for a more efficient and enjoyable gameplay experience.
• Complementary Skillset: The Cleric mercenary addresses the Beastlord’s primary weakness, creating a more balanced and self-sufficient duo. The combination of pet tanking, Beastlord DPS and utility, and Cleric healing is a formidable force.

While other mercenary types, such as Wizards or Rogues, might offer bursts of damage, they lack the consistent healing necessary for long-term survival. The Cleric mercenary provides the critical life support that allows the Beastlord and pet to thrive in a variety of situations. You can even use websites like the Games Learning Society to connect with other players and get even more tips for your Beastlord. You can find the Games Learning Society online at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Other Considerations

While a Cleric is generally the best choice, here are some scenarios where alternative mercenary types might be viable:

• High-Level Raiding: In organized raid environments, dedicated healers are typically plentiful. In these situations, a DPS mercenary might provide a more noticeable contribution to the overall raid damage output. However, even in raids, the extra healing from a Cleric can sometimes be a lifesaver.
• Specific Gear and AAs: Certain gear combinations and Alternate Advancement (AA) point allocations can significantly enhance the Beastlord’s self-healing capabilities. If you’ve invested heavily in self-sustain, a DPS mercenary might become more appealing.
• Group Composition: If you’re grouping with a dedicated healer, a DPS mercenary is a viable option.

Ultimately, the best mercenary choice depends on your individual playstyle, gear, AAs, and the content you’re tackling. However, for the vast majority of Beastlords, the consistent healing and survivability provided by a Cleric mercenary make it the superior option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What stats should I prioritize on my Cleric mercenary’s gear?

Prioritize Mana, HP, Spell Haste, and Spell Crit. A mana-starved healer is a useless healer. HP keeps them alive in AoE situations. Spell Haste allows them to cast heals faster. Spell Crit increases the potency of their heals.

2. Should I use a melee or caster DPS mercenary if I’m not using a healer?

Generally, a caster DPS mercenary is preferable. They can often do damage from a safer distance, reducing their chances of taking damage and requiring heals.

3. How do I improve my mercenary’s survivability?

Equip them with the best available gear. Focus on armor with high Armor Class (AC), HP, and resists. Ensure they have appropriate augments for added protection. Also, positioning your mercenary strategically can help them avoid unnecessary damage.

4. My mercenary keeps dying. What am I doing wrong?

Several factors could be at play. First, ensure your mercenary is adequately geared. Second, monitor their health and proactively use any personal heals or buffs you have to keep them alive. Third, consider your positioning. Don’t let your mercenary get swarmed by mobs. Fourth, make sure that the level difference is not too high for them. Consider using defensive AAs on your mercenary if you have them available.

5. Is it worth investing in mercenary-specific AAs?

Yes, absolutely! Mercenary AAs can significantly enhance their performance, survivability, and healing output. Investing in these AAs is a worthwhile investment for any player who relies on mercenaries.

6. Which Cleric mercenary is the best?

The exact “best” Cleric mercenary can depend on your level and available options. Generally, the highest-level Cleric mercenary available to you is the best choice. Look for mercenaries with robust healing spells, cures, and resurrection capabilities. The Golden Inquisitor is often a solid pick as indicated above.

7. Can I control my mercenary’s actions?

Yes, to a limited extent. You can use the mercenary interface to set their behavior, such as whether they should be aggressive or passive, and whether they should automatically assist you in combat.

8. How do I dismiss a mercenary?

You can dismiss a mercenary through the mercenary interface. Be aware that dismissing a mercenary will reset their experience level, so only dismiss a mercenary if you’re sure you won’t need them again.

9. My DPS mercenary isn’t doing much damage. Why?

There are several reasons why your DPS mercenary might not be performing optimally. First, ensure they are adequately geared with appropriate weapons and armor. Second, check their AAs to make sure you’ve invested in damage-enhancing abilities. Third, consider their positioning. A mercenary that’s constantly interrupted or out of range won’t be able to do much damage.

10. Does mercenary gear lose durability?

No, items equipped by mercenaries do not lose durability. This is a significant advantage, as you don’t have to worry about constantly repairing their gear.

11. What’s the difference between apprentice, journeyman, and expert mercenaries?

These terms typically refer to the quality or tier of the mercenary. Expert mercenaries generally have better stats and abilities than journeyman or apprentice mercenaries.

12. Can I use mercenaries in all zones?

In most zones, yes. There are some zones, such as certain raid instances or special events, where mercenaries are not allowed.

13. How do I unlock new mercenary types?

New mercenary types are often unlocked through quests, achievements, or in-game purchases. Check the in-game merchant or your quest journal for details on how to unlock specific mercenaries.

14. Is it possible to over-gear a mercenary?

While you can’t technically over-gear a mercenary in the sense that it will negatively impact them, there is a point of diminishing returns. Once a mercenary reaches a certain level of gear, further improvements may not result in a significant performance increase. Focus on your own gear upgrades first.

15. Where can I find more information about mercenaries?

The EverQuest II official forums and various fan-made websites and wikis are excellent resources for learning more about mercenaries. The Games Learning Society website is another great option for connecting with experienced players and sharing tips.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Beastlord class and how they interact with different mercenary types, you can make informed decisions about which companion will best complement your playstyle and help you conquer the challenges of Norrath. Happy hunting!