Not sure how easy to code but....

How about giving mercenaries a low base (thinking 30?) MS that is removed when they go sorc/warr with exp refunded?

Does zero to increase their kill speed, is not going to make them godly tanks, but would make the latter stages of pre arch that bit more bearable. Particularly thinking of labs 7,8, and 10 at this point.

Ultimately is nothing that can't be achieved by hunting for ankh/ish MS scrolls if so wanted, but would make life that touch easier around the capt/major stage.

Saying this having run said labs with max sword, str, agi, bless, prot, & curse, 40 base bra, on gpots, and still losing a good 50ish hitpoints a time to high end grolms/golems in the labs.

Shoot away

It's already very easy to arch a merc (the easiest of all races)...

I agree merc is the weakest race out of hara/temp but it's a trade off for the early arch.

MS - sold by Damor ... no farming
Curse - works great with no spell penalty
Fight with stealth (slow) so all the grolms don’t attack

With max str/agi 56-60 grolms should hit you with emerald armor

I usually harass people in temple for spells. Those lazy blue capes afk