This is an update to the build I showed in this post. The build is a bit more optimized but not fully there yet. While previously I was trying to utilize AG as a damage source alongside the merc, the merc has far outpaced the AG so I'm "all in" on the merc now.

POB

The big things to call out are:

• Stacking fire res through auras, banner, and Untouched Soul to buff damage through Replica Dreamfeather, The Formless Flame and Enmity's Embrace

• Using Soulthirst on the merc combined with Ceinture of Benevolence to have constant Soul Eater during map clear (the merc never "uses" a flask so it never drops)

• The merc is a Smoulderstrike with Molten Strike + GMP + Gilded Molten Eruption + Greater Elemental Damage with Attacks.

• The merc is using Nimis to more than double its damage due to the returning projectiles

• The merc is using Grelwood Shank to get Point Blank, 2 additional projectiles (always up due to Enmity's self hit) and extra armor. The Iron Reflexes also gives another avenue to scale armour which I'm not doing yet (running Grace and a chest with evasion increased by overcapped cold res mod).

• The player uses level 38 pyroclast mines to add >6000 flat fire damage to attacks

• The player uses Actum combined with Destructive Link to give the merc 40% crit chance.