In Diablo II: Resurrected, one of the most memorable ways to enhance your adventure is by hiring a mercenary, an NPC (non‑player character) who fights alongside you, helps clear hordes of enemies, and even provides strategic support through buffs and auras. Far from being a simple feature, mercenaries remain a D2R Ladder Items core mechanic that can shape your gameplay and survival, especially on higher difficulty levels.

Who Are Mercenaries and Where to Find Them

Mercenaries — sometimes called hirelings — are adventurers you can recruit with gold to accompany your character through Sanctuary. Each act of the game (except Act IV) has a Mercenary Captain who offers different companions for hire: Kashya in Act I, Greiz in Act II, Asheara in Act III, and Qual‑Kehk in Act V.

These mercs automatically scale to your character’s level, meaning they remain relevant throughout your journey as you grow stronger. If a mercenary dies, you can resurrect them at any of the Mercenary Captain NPCs — for a fee that increases as they level up.

What Mercenaries Bring to the Fight

Mercenaries aren’t just pets — they provide tangible combat and support benefits:

Damage Dealers: Many mercs actively attack enemies. Act II “Desert Mercenaries,” for example, excel in melee combat using spears and javelins and often deal significant damage once properly equipped.
Support Buffs and Auras: Some companions offer auras that benefit your character as well. Desert Mercenaries, for instance, may have auras like Prayer or Holy Freeze, granting defensive bonuses or slowing enemies — mechanics that are especially valuable in difficult encounters.
Versatile Roles: Other mercs fill niche roles. Act III “Iron Wolves” cast elemental spells, providing ranged magical damage, while Act I “Rogue Scouts” offer ranged support and debuff skills like Inner Sight, which reduces enemy defenses.

Equipping your mercenary with weapons, armor, and helmets further increases their value; they benefit from most of the same stat bonuses and item effects your character might receive.

Why Hire a Mercenary? Strategy and Survival

While Diablo II: Resurrected is famed for its solo playstyle, mercenaries play a strategic role, especially on Nightmare and Hell difficulties. They can draw enemy fire away from your character, giving you breathing room in brutal fights. Their auras and buffs can stack with your own abilities, effectively increasing your damage output or survivability without requiring skill points from your character.

Moreover, mercenaries gain experience along with your character. Over time, they become sturdier and more effective, turning from fragile followers into powerful allies — provided you invest in equipment and keep them alive.

Tips for Maximizing Your Companion
Equip Wisely: Give mercs gear that enhances their damage or buffs (like auras) rather than pure utility. A properly geared mercenary can outperform many high‑level builds alone.
Heal and Resurrect: Keep a watchful eye on their health and visit healers or Mercenary Captains to resurrect them when needed. A dead merc loses the gear they carried, so it’s often better to revive than to hire anew.
Adapt to Your Build: Choose a mercenary whose strengths complement your character’s role — e.g., auras for support builds, ranged attacks for melee heroes, etc.

In summary: hiring a mercenary in Diablo II: Resurrected turns a buy D2R Gold solo expedition into a dynamic, cooperative struggle. Whether providing offensive support, defensive auras, or just soaking up enemy attention, these NPC companions are indispensable allies on the perilous road through Sanctuary.