Early game merc gear?

Hey guys i've started yesterday (light sorc), need to know what early game gear could I use with my offensive 2nd act nightmare merc?
The only relevant stuff he's wearing rn is SS and insight, but he get killed quickly on hell by light immunes.

 

He needs some source of life leech, if he doesn't have one. Tal Rasha's helm, Bulwark, Vampire Gaze are nice early options.

I also suggest to try Treachery for armor if you have the runes.

 

Main item for Merc are gloves - draculas, which allow him to live and any ebugged armor

 

Stack resistances, and life leech - the best you can.

Resistances. Norm travical councils drop duskeep helm. Nokozan amu gives a lot of fire res (drops from councils). You better prepare your merc to be tanky even against a conviction aura. Later, as you find Lum rune (early nightmare), craft smoke rw armor. Then look for rockstopper helm. In the end, you might like um-ed kyra (late hell drop). Treachery rw armor also gives allres when fade procs.

For life leech, early game offers cathan rings (can drop in norm act 2?). Later carrion rings (can fall out from nightmare baal waves), and dracul glove (hell drop).

Also, in early gaming, just level it up, since that also helps survivability.

Cheers,

 

Just a curiosity. If an act 1 Merc wears full Mavina's, she will display the aura.

Rise and shine:

https://imgur.com/a/iKgtb2r

 

Rogue merc can equip amazon-only bow, it is a nice upgrade in this ladder.