Mercenary System
Overview
The mercenary system is designed to add a new dimension to Ragnarok Online, allowing players to have an NPC henchman to fight at their side. Players will be able to support, party with, and control a mercenary using an updated version of the homunculus system. Different from homunculi, any player can use mercenaries, but instead of a creature that grows alongside you, mercenaries have fixed stats based on the level of mercenary summoned. A contract is made with a mercenary and scrolls are used to call them into battle. Both homunculus and mercenary can be used by a player at once. Mercenaries are all of the Demi Human race.
Summoning a Mercenary
Initially to make use of the mercenary system, you must visit one of the mercenary guilds across the Rune-Midgarts Kingdom. The Spearman Mercenary Guild is located in Prontera (prontera 41, 337), the Bowman Mercenary Guild is in Payon (pay_arche 99, 167), and the Fencer Mercenary Guild is located in Izlude (izlude 47, 139). To invoke a contract with a mercenary and summon one to your side, you must purchase scrolls. The cost of scrolls increases with higher level mercenaries, and the maximum level of mercenary that can be summoned is limited by a character's base level. Some high-level contracts require a certain amount of Loyalty Points to purchase, and the Superior Mercenary Scroll (Level 10) can only purchased in exchange for loyalty points. Scrolls cannot be sold, transfered, or moved into storage or carts.
The stats of the mercenary summoned is based on the scroll used and they come with fixed skills which are different depending on the type of mercenary summoned. Once a mercenary is summoned, it will last either until it dies or the contract expires.
AI
The mercenary system is very similar to that used by the homunculus, as both are run by an AI on the client side. Mercenaries by default use a non-aggressive AI and only attack targets hitting the player or targets the player is attacking. The AI itself is located in the /AI/ folder in the RO directory. Where as homunculus normally executes AI.Lua, mercenaries use a separate file AI_M.Lua. Users can and are encouraged to customize their mercenary AI by modifying the files in the /AI/USER_AI/ folder. Instead of configuring it with /hoai command in-game, players use /merai instead to configure custom AI.
Interface
The following are keys used to control mercenaries.
- Enemy Targeting - Alt + Left Click (on monster)
- Left clicking once will cause the mercenary to queue up the monster. Left click again and the mercenary will immediately switch targets.
- Moving - Alt + Left Click (on ground)
- Alt and Left Clicking on the ground will cause the mercenary to stop everything and move to the target cell.
- Standby - Ctrl + T
- In standby the mercenary will stop everything and wait for orders at the master's side.
- Information - Ctrl + R
- Opens the mercenary status window.
Usage
Mercenary Details
- Base Stats
- A mercenary's level and statistics are fixed when summoning, based on the level of scroll used. However, based on one's Loyalty Points with that mercenary's guild and the kill count, additional bonuses can be received.
- Skills
- Mercenary skills are based on the level of the mercenary summoned, and one's Loyalty Points with the mercenary guild. Skills act as if they have been used by a Party member; for example, the Sacrifice skill will not function if the mercenary's own level is not within 10 levels of the summoner.
- Supportive Skills
- The mercenary is considered very much the same as a player and all supportive magic should function, with the following exceptions:
Skill | Effect |
Increase Agility | Mercenary will receive a boost to its flee rate only. |
Blessing | Mercenary will receive a boost to its hit rate only, and will cure cursed status. |
Heal | Heal only recovers 1/2 the normal amount that it would heal a player. |
Endow Blaze | Players can only cast Endow Blaze on the Mercenary if they are the summoner. |
Endow Quake | Players can only cast Endow Quake on the Mercenary if they are the summoner. |
Endow Tornado | Players can only cast Endow Tornado on the Mercenary if they are the summoner. |
Endow Tsunami | Players can only cast Endow Tsunami on the Mercenary if they are the summoner. |
Ankle Snare | A maximum of 10 traps can be placed at one time. Traps can be placed directly beneath targets. |
Provoke | Can be cast on players as well as enemies. Can be used to break stone curse and frozen states. |
- Upkeep
- Mercenaries require no feeding or upkeep to keep in play like homunculus or pets (though its contract automatically expires after 30 minutes).
- Separation
- If a mercenary moves more than 15 cells away it will be teleported to the summoner's position.
- Player Versus Player
- Mercenaries can be used in both PvP and WoE maps. Mercenaries are unable to damage the emperium.
- Appearance
- Each class of mercenary has its own custom sprite. Each level of mercenary uses a specific headgear that allows it to be identified. These headgears cannot be chosen or changed and do not have any effect on the performance of your mercenary.
End of Contract
The following are the 4 conditions in which a mercenary will leave its master. In each case, the game will display a message in the chat box as to why the mercenary left.
- Contractor Dies
- The player summoning the Mercenary has died.
- Mercenary Dies
- The mercenary summoned has died.
- Contract Ends
- The mercenary contract lasts 30 minutes, after which the mercenary will leave.
- Contract Canceled
- The player manually dismisses the mercenary.
Loyalty
As a player fights along side with mercenaries, that player can gain Loyalty Points. More points gives the player faster Killcount Bonuses and allows the player to contract higher level mercenaries. Number of Loyalty Points is specific to each guild of mercenaries, so for example if a player gains a large number of points with the Bowman Mercenary Guild, the amount will have no effect on their standing with the Fencer and Spearman guilds.
The following conditions affect one's Loyalty Points.
- Fighting Together with Mercenary
- When a suitably strong monster is killed by a player (more than 1/2 the base level of the player), their Killcount goes up by 1. It doesn't matter if the player or the mercenary kills the monster, or if they work together to kill it. For every 50 killcount, they gain one Loyalty Point.
- Successfully Completing a Contract
- If a player and their mercenary successfully survive the full duration of a 30 minute contract, they gain one Loyalty Point.
- Mercenary Dies
- If the mercenary is killed while bound by contract to a player, they lose one Loyalty Point.
Killcount
As either the player or their mercenary kills monsters (monsters higher than 1/2 the base level of the owner), their killcount will increase. At fixed killcount intervals, a mercenary will receive a random boost to one of their stats. The number of kills required goes down based on the player's reputation with that mercenaries guild. The mercenary can obtain multiple bonuses, which will increase another stat randomly or boost the same one further. There's a total of 5 increases that can be received to each stat.
Killcount bonuses do not stack, and if a player receives a higher level bonus it will replace the existing bonus of that type.
Lvl 1 | Lvl 2 | Lvl 3 | Lvl 4 | Lvl 5 | |
Flee Boost | +15 | +30 | +45 | +60 | +75 |
Attack Power Boost | +15 | +30 | +45 | +60 | +75 |
HP Boost | +5% | +10% | +15% | +20% | +25% |
SP Boost | +5% | +10% | +15% | +20% | +25% |
Hit Boost | +15 | +30 | +45 | +60 | +75 |
In the case that the mercenary receives a boost to its HP, their HP will be completely recovered. Likewise, if SP is increased they will fully recover their SP.
The boost to stats that are received is not permanent, and is lost at the end of the contract, regardless of how it ends.
Item Pricing and Limitations
Item Name | Level Requirement | Other Requirements | Price* | Effect |
Level 1 Scroll | Base Level 15+ | None | 7,000Z | Summons a level 20 mercenary. |
Level 2 Scroll | Base Level 25+ | None | 14,000Z | Summons a level 30 mercenary. |
Level 3 Scroll | Base Level 35+ | None | 21,000Z | Summons a level 40 mercenary. |
Level 4 Scroll | Base Level 45+ | None | 28,000Z | Summons a level 50 mercenary. |
Level 5 Scroll | Base Level 55+ | None | 35,000Z | Summons a level 60 mercenary. |
Level 6 Scroll | Base Level 65+ | None | 42,000Z | Summons a level 70 mercenary. |
Level 7 Scroll | Base Level 75+ | 50+ Loyalty Points | 49,000Z | Summons a level 80 mercenary. |
Level 8 Scroll | Base Level 85+ | 100+ Loyalty Points | 56,000Z | Summons a level 90 mercenary. |
Level 9 Scroll | Base Level 90+ | 300+ Loyalty Points | 63,000Z | Summons a level 95 mercenary. |
Level 10 Scroll | Base Level 90+ | 500+ Loyalty Points | 400 Loyalty Points | Summons a level 99 mercenary. |
Mercenary Red Potion | - | None | 1750Z | Recovers a base of 1000 HP. |
Mercenary Blue Potion | - | None | 3500Z | Recovers a base of 100 SP. |
Mercenary Concentration Potion | - | None | 560Z | Increases Mercenary ASPD by 10%. |
Mercenary Awakening Potion | Level 40+ Mercenary | None | 1050Z | Increases Mercenary ASPD by 15%. |
Mercenary Berserk Potion | Level 80+ Mercenary | None | 2100Z | Increases Mercenary ASPD by 20%. |
Fencer Mercenary
Scroll Level | Mercenary Name | Level | HP | SP | ATK | Hit | Flee | DEF | MDEF | HP/SP Regen | Headgear | Skills |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | David | 20 | 502 | 70 | 174~261 | 50 | 47 | 26+5 | 0+3 | 8 HP per 8s 2 SP per 6s |
Giant Band Aid | Bash Level 1 Decrease AGI Level 1 |
2 | Ellen | 30 | 979 | 99 | 258~387 | 65 | 68 | 31+6 | 0+9 | 10 HP per 8s 2 SP per 6s |
Angry Snarl | Magnum Break Level 3 Provoke Level 5 |
3 | Luise | 40 | 1,555 | 134 | 326~489 | 80 | 85 | 36+7 | 3+9 | 13 HP per 8s 4 SP per 6s |
Elephant Hat | Benediction Level 1 Weapon Quicken Level 1 |
4 | Frank | 50 | 2,397 | 162 | 382~573 | 90 | 109 | 39+8 | 5+10 | 18 HP per 8s 4 SP per 6s |
Baseball Cap | Crash Level 1 Magnum Break Level 5 |
5 | Ryan | 60 | 3,387 | 195 | 406~609 | 105 | 128 | 42+9 | 7+10 | 24 HP per 8s 5 SP per 6s |
Funeral Hat | Bash Level 5 Benediction Level 1 Crash Level 4 |
6 | Paolo | 70 | 4,495 | 241 | 436~654 | 120 | 145 | 45+10 | 12+17 | 33 HP per 8s 8 SP per 6s |
Hibiscus | Decrease AGI Level 3 Sense Level 1 |
7 | Jens | 80 | 5,889 | 279 | 468~702 | 135 | 168 | 47+11 | 15+17 | 45 HP per 8s 9 SP per 6s |
Tiger Mask | Bash Level 10 Berserk Level 1 Scapegoat Level 1 |
8 | Thierry | 90 | 7,520 | 325 | 500~750 | 150 | 185 | 49+12 | 18+24 | 60 HP per 8s 13 SP per 6s |
Crescent Helm | Bowling Bash Level 5 Compress Level 1 |
9 | Steven | 95 | 9,052 | 348 | 524~786 | 155 | 190 | 51+12 | 22+27 | 104 HP per 8s 14 SP per 6s |
Angeling Hat | Shield Reflect Level 5 Crash Level 3 |
10 | Wayne | 99 | 12,355 | 451 | 760~1,040 | 159 | 204 | 64+30 | 30+45 | 228 HP per 8s 25 SP per 6s |
Solar God Helm | Bash Level 10 Bowling Bash Level 10 Frenzy Level 1 |
Bowman Mercenary
Scroll Level | Mercenary Name | Level | HP | SP | ATK | Hit | Flee | DEF | MDEF | HP/SP Regen | Headgear | Skills |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mina | 20 | 256 | 200 | 170~255 | 48 | 36 | 7+5 | 5+3 | 7 HP per 8s 6 SP per 6s |
Beanie | Double Strafe Level 2 Berserk |
2 | Dororu | 30 | 457 | 70 | 228~342 | 70 | 48 | 11+8 | 7+5 | 8 HP per 8s 6 SP per 6s |
Golden Gear | Arrow Shower Level 2 Sight Level 1 |
3 | Nami | 40 | 732 | 93 | 260~390 | 92 | 61 | 15+12 | 9+10 | 11 HP per 8s 3 SP per 6s |
Golden Bells | Arrow Repel Level 1 Weapon Quicken Level 2 |
4 | Elfin | 50 | 1092 | 116 | 310~465 | 110 | 83 | 18+17 | 11+14 | 17 HP per 8s 3 SP per 6s |
Alice Doll | Magnificat Level 1 Sense Level 1 Tender Level 1 |
5 | Clara | 60 | 2212 | 280 | 360~540 | 143 | 101 | 20+17 | 13+20 | 29 HP per 8s 9 SP per 6s |
Kabuki Mask | Double Strafe Level 5 Remove Trap Level 1 |
6 | Dali | 70 | 3098 | 353 | 424~636 | 153 | 116 | 21+24 | 15+33 | 51 HP per 8s 16 SP per 6s |
Crown of Ancient Queen | Double Strafe Level 7 Skid Trap Level 3 Decrease AGI Level 1 |
7 | Karaya | 80 | 4051 | 415 | 468~702 | 171 | 135 | 24+27 | 16+39 | 72 HP per 8s 21 SP per 6s |
Zealotus Mask | Arrow Shower Level 10 Freezing Trap Level 2 Mental Cure Level 1 |
8 | Hiyori | 90 | 5039 | 469 | 481~723 | 193 | 155 | 24+27 | 18+40 | 88 HP per 8s 24 SP per 6s |
Silver Tiara | Sandman Level 3 Weapon Quicken Level 2 Provoke Level 3 |
9 | Kero | 95 | 5572 | 499 | 500~750 | 205 | 166 | 25+27 | 20+41 | 96 HP per 8s 26 SP per 6s |
Nekomimi | Double Strafe Level 10 Land Mine Level 5 Arrow Repel Level 1 |
10 | Sukye | 99 | 7381 | 642 | 816~1124 | 222 | 182 | 49+27 | 49+41 | 126 HP per 8s 34 SP per 6s |
Etc | Arrow Repel Level 1 Berserk Level 1 Focused Arrow Strike Level 10 Level 1 Weapon Quicken Level 5 |
Spearman Mercenary
Scroll Level | Mercenary Name | Level | HP | SP | ATK | Hit | Flee | DEF | MDEF | HP/SP Regen | Headgear | Skills |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rodin | 22 | 2071 | 100 | 168~252 | 52 | 23 | 30+4 | 1+3 | 11 HP per 8s 2 SP per 6s |
Nurse Cap | Pierce Level 1 Regain Level 1 |
2 | Lancer | 34 | 2523 | 131 | 208~312 | 71 | 35 | 33+4 | 1+3 | 12 HP per 8s 3 SP per 6s |
Dark Blinder | Brandish Spear Level 2 Lex Divina Level 1 |
3 | Nathan | 41 | 3397 | 161 | 248~372 | 81 | 42 | 36+22 | 55+12 | 51 HP per 8s 3 SP per 6s |
Goblin Leader Mask | Pierce Level 2 Recuperate Level 1 Sacrifice Level 1 |
4 | Roan | 55 | 4580 | 191 | 300~450 | 105 | 57 | 39+35 | 5+17 | 102 HP per 8s 4 SP per 6s |
Sheep Hat | Crash Level 1 Defending Aura Level 1 |
5 | Orizaro | 60 | 5899 | 221 | 350~510 | 120 | 62 | 42+39 | 10+19 | 144 HP per 8s 4 SP per 6s |
Lazy Smokie | Guard Level 3 Pierce Level 5 |
6 | Thyla | 72 | 7874 | 252 | 370~555 | 133 | 75 | 46+15 | 10+84 | 77 HP per 8s 30 SP per 6s |
Grief for Greed | Brandish Spear Level 5 Weapon Quicken Level 2 |
7 | Ben | 81 | 10260 | 330 | 380~570 | 142 | 84 | 50+63 | 15+51 | 394 HP per 8s 14 SP per 6s |
Marionette Doll | Berserk Level 1 Sacrifice Level 1 |
8 | Pinaka | 90 | 13167 | 366 | 400~600 | 153 | 110 | 55+74 | 20+57 | 591 HP per 8s 16 SP per 6s |
Lion Mask | Pierce Lv10 Provoke Level 5 Scapegoat Level 1 |
9 | Kuhlmann | 95 | 14648 | 398 | 440~660 | 158 | 120 | 60+77 | 25+63 | 683 HP per 8s 20 SP per 6s |
Cross Helm | Brandish Spear Level 10 Defending Aura Level 3 Guard Level 7 |
10 | Roux | 99 | 18000 | 413 | 700~950 | 169 | 129 | 70+90 | 30+75 | 978 HP per 8s 23 SP per 6s |
Lord Kaho Horns | Clashing Spiral Level 5 Guard Level 10 Sacrifice Level 3 Weapon Quicken Level 5 |
Monster Mercenary
Scroll Name | Level | HP | SP | ATK | Hit | Flee | DEF | MDEF | ASPD | Skills |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Rose | 38 | 4000 | 50 | ? | ? | 123 | ? | ? | ? | Bash Level 5 |
Doppelganger | 72 | 7800 | 200 | 231~247 | 147 | 122 | 43 | 18 | 166 | Bash Level 5 Weapon Quicken Level 5 Sacrifice Level 3 |
Egnigem Cenia | 78 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | Unknown |
Mercenary Skills
Mercenaries have access to a wide variety of skills, both new skills and skills that are currently used by player classes. The exact skills a mercenary receives varies from mercenary to mercenary, but usually they get anywhere from 2-4 skills. Stronger and higher level skills are usually only available to high level mercenaries. Skills from summoned mercenaries can be cast from the AI code or manually by assigning it to a hotkey for you to target.