Mercenaries have 'hard points' in their skills, so will gain effects from them that are limited to hard levels.When Desert Guards or Barbarian mercenaries use 1-handed weapons, their weapon damage is doubled - this makes 1-handed and 2-handed weapons more comparable.Mercenaries can get set bonuses when equipping multiple set items.Ethereal items do not lose durability when mercenaries use them.Old mercenaries drop their equipped items when a new one is hired.Act 5 mercenaries (Barbarians) can equip swords, axes, tipped maces/hammers (all maces except clubs), & Barbarian helms.Act 4 mercenaries (Ascendants) can equip staves.Act 3 mercenaries (Iron Wolves) can equip shields, Paladin shields, 1-handed swords, wands, scepters, tipped maces (not clubs/hammers), knives (daggers/throwing knives), & Sorceress orbs.

Act 2 mercenaries (Desert Guards) can equip polearms, spears, & javelins.Act 1 mercenaries (Rogue Scouts) can equip bows (including Amazon bows), crossbows, & quivers.All mercenaries can equip helms, chests, gloves, boots, & belts.

Hand of blessed light project diablo 2