Diablo 2 Leveling Merc Guide: Maximizing Your Experience with Cow-Runs

Leveling up your mercenary in Diablo 2 can be a daunting task, especially if you're new to the game. However, with the right strategies and party composition, you can maximize your experience points and reach higher levels quickly. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of cow-runs and provide tips on how to execute them effectively.

One of the most significant advantages of cow-runs is the ability to gain valuable items, such as Crystal Swords and Broadswords that guarantee four sockets from Larzuk in Act 5. These items can be used to create powerful runewords, like Spirit, which can greatly enhance your character's abilities. Additionally, running The Secret Cow Level can provide a substantial boost to your experience points, making it an attractive option for players looking to level up quickly.

To begin cow-runs, you'll need to have a high-level character or a party composition that is capable of clearing out the Secret Cow Level. If you're not yet at this stage, don't worry – there are alternative methods to reach the desired level. One approach is to aim for Level ~23.75 before proceeding with your campaign.

To access The Secret Cow Level, run to the temple to the east and kill the High Council. This will grant you access to Travincal-Runs, where you can simply open games and enter Travincal through the Waypoint. Until you reach the Ancients in Act 5, you should easily reach Level 24 by killing them. From there, you can continue doing Tomb-Runs until you reach Level ~23.5, then progress all the way to the Ancients.

There are three options for reaching this point:

1. Clearing out The Secret Cow Level with a high-level character

2. Using party composition capable of clearing the level as a group

3. Cow-Running (highly recommended, but can be challenging with a bad party composition)

By following these tips and executing cow-runs effectively, you'll be well on your way to leveling up your mercenary in Diablo 2. Remember to stay focused, adapt to changing circumstances, and take advantage of the benefits offered by this powerful leveling technique.

Diablo 2 leveling merc guide