Mercenaries are AI companions that fill gaps in your party. A good merc can turn an impossible fight into a comfortable win, while the wrong merc is a gold sink. This guide covers the best mercenaries for every situation and how to use them effectively.
Note: Verified as of July 2026. Check official patch notes for updates.
How Mercenaries Work
You hire a mercenary from an NPC in major cities (Qeynos, Freeport, Neriak, Kelethin, etc.). Mercs cost gold to hire and have an hourly upkeep fee. Higher-level mercs cost more.
Mercs come in three roles:
- Healer — Heals you and your group
- Tank — Holds aggro and soaks damage
- DPS — Deals damage (ranged, melee, or caster)
You can only have one merc active at a time. Mercs level with you and can be equipped with gear.
Best Healer Mercs
Healer mercs are the most universally useful type. Pair them with DPS or pet classes.
| Merc | Class | Location | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny | Inquisitor | Freeport, Qeynos | Highest healing output. Best all-around healer merc. |
| Stamper Jeralf | Mystic | Kelethin, Neriak | Wards prevent damage instead of healing it. Safer than pure healers for under-geared players. |
| Perrin Wanderhoof | Warden | Kelethin | Druid healer with good HoTs. Slightly less healing than Kenny but brings damage. |
Recommendation: Kenny for general use, Stamper if you are under-geared and taking spike damage.
Best Tank Mercs
Tank mercs are ideal for healer and caster classes.
| Merc | Class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Venture Captain Varlos | Berserker | Best tank merc. Strong AoE threat, good survivability. |
| Lady Liae | Paladin | Self-healing tank. Very durable, lower threat than Varlos. |
Recommendation: Varlos for most situations. Liae if you need a tank that never dies (even if DPS is slower).
Best DPS Mercs
DPS mercs are best paired with tank and healer players.
| Merc | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ravasect | Ranged (Ranger) | Highest DPS output. Squishier than melee mercs but better survival through range. |
| Guildhall Guard | Melee (Brigand) | Solid damage, better survivability. Good for solo content where the merc takes hits. |
Mercenary Gear and Levelling
Mercs can wear player gear. Equipping your merc with hand-me-downs significantly improves their performance.
- Merc gear scales with their level, not yours. A level 130 merc needs level 130 gear.
- Prioritise their primary stat: Wisdom for healers, Strength/Stamina for tanks, Agility/Strength for DPS.
- Mercs benefit from adornments and augments on gear.
Suppression System (Suspending Your Merc)
Mercs earn EXP like players. Use the Suppression system (right-click the merc window) to:
- Suspend: Put the merc away without losing it. You keep the merc for later.
- Dismiss: Permanently fire the merc. You must re-hire and pay the hiring fee again.
When suspended, mercs continue to gain EXP while you adventure solo or in a full group.
Hiring Costs and Upkeep
| Merc Level | Hiring Cost (plat) | Hourly Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| 1-50 | 1-50g | Negligible |
| 50-100 | 1-50p | 1-5p |
| 100-120 | 50-200p | 10-25p |
| 120-130 | 500-1,000p | 50-100p |
High-level mercs are expensive. Do not keep a level 130 merc active while AFK or doing non-combat activities.
Summary
DPS/pet class: hire Kenny (healer). Healer: hire Varlos (tank). Tank: hire Ravasect (DPS). Gear your merc with hand-me-downs. Suspend (do not dismiss) when grouping. Watch your upkeep costs at high levels.
Related Guides
FAQ
What is the best mercenary in EQ2 for solo players? A healer mercenary. It removes downtime entirely and lets any class survive heroic content. Tank mercs only outperform when you play a squishy DPS at lower levels.
How do you hire mercenaries in EverQuest II? Visit a Mercenary Liaison in any major city hub (Qeynos, Freeport, Neriak), or hire directly from the Mercenaries window once unlocked. Cost is platinum per hire, scaled by tier.
What are the EQ2 mercenary tiers? Apprentice (cheapest, basic AI), Journeyman (solid abilities, the solo-workhorse tier), and higher ranks unlocked via quests at level 85+. Upgrade to Journeyman as soon as platinum allows.
Are mercenaries worth it in EQ2 2026? Yes — they’re the backbone of solo play. A Journeyman healer merc turns any class into a self-sufficient dungeon crawler and roughly doubles leveling speed versus solo without one.
Discussion
0 commentsNo comments yet. Be the first!