[Norfleet]

The problem with mercs is that, without the ability to actually look at what you're purchasing, the hiring can be a total crapshoot. Some of them are quite good....others have less than memorable names and less than memorable performance. Mercs tend to be a lot more useful in multiplayer than singleplayer as well: The AI tends to aggressively grab every merc in sight, whereas in multiplayer, many human players will likely neglect them. Some of them are neglected for good reason, being that they cost too much and aren't very good, but I've noticed that the prices on mercs can get really low if they've been unemployed for awhile. I've picked up fairly useful and decent ones like Terminus or Obscuro for the low, low price of $8. That's what I call a real steal.

Somebody ought to write a Complete Dom2 Guide to Mercs: who rules, and who drools.