When playing solo or with a small group, hirelings and mercenaries can be invaluable. Hirelings are NPCs you can purchase with in-game gold or DDO Points, offering various roles like healing, tanking, or trap-disarming. They have limited AI but can be commanded to use specific abilities. Mercenaries are more powerful, DDO Point-only companions with better gear and abilities, often acting as a full party member. They are essential for soloing difficult content or filling missing roles in a party. Always ensure your hireling/mercenary is appropriately geared (if applicable) and has enough healing potions. They can make the difference between success and failure in many quests.
