Best setup for a merc

My merc is poor so he uses shaft, eth gaze and double AMN bonehew. Duriel's shell also worked well for the resistances.

My ladder merc is extremely poor and constantly complains about his gear, but that's tough shit for now. When you are demon bait your choices in life are slim...

I have rarely used a A2 merc for more than a minor meat shield and a useful aura. I try not to depend on them to do the killing for me. My major concern most of the time is for him to stay alive. I don't think it is the over all best setup from a min/max standpoint. It is however the ideal setup for how I play:

Weapon: Eth Reaver
Helm: Eth Up'ed Gaze (UMed)
Armor: Eth Up'ed Shaft (UMed)

Depending on the character I am using I can switch out the weapon for a Doom Cryptic Axe if need be.

Kockblocker set up pretty much is the best of the 1, if you pindle boter use eth reaver, else use eth bonehew.

other choose is use might merc with doom eth weapon, and those armors.

As far as the type of A2 merc I go with this:

Any Melee damage character (wwbarb, Multi/Strafe Zon, Zealot that doesn't use Dracs, etc.):
Might merc with Eth Reaver

Casters (Hammerdin, Trapsin, Sorcs, etc.):
Defiance Merc with Eth reaver

Others (Zealot with Dracs, Pretty much all Necros):
Might merc with Doom Cryptic Axe.

I am pretty much 100% PvM so keep that in mind. I have no clue what setup is ideal for PvP mercs.

my merc on europe has:

eth upped shaft with Um OR Eth pul-ed steel carapace (cant choose >.<)
eth gaze with ed/ias
amnamn eth bonehew (nearly perf)

i would say eth upped shaft or a good eth stone armor due to their high defence and eth gaze

With that kind of setup on lets say a might merc, damn that merc might have a chance against some big mofo's of this game. Nice dude.