Steel Pillar

Steel Pillar is an elite unique War Pike that offers high damage potential and Crushing Blow, but its Indestructible property ironically becomes its greatest weakness. This spear represents a frustrating case of good stats undermined by a single unfavorable modifier.

The Indestructible Problem

Steel Pillar delivers impressive +210-260% Enhanced Damage with massive damage range, 50% Chance of Crushing Blow, and +300-400 Defense. The attack speed bonus and defensive stats make it look appealing for mercenaries. However, being Indestructible means it cannot spawn as ethereal—a critical limitation that cuts its potential damage output by one-third compared to what it could have been. In a game where ethereal mercenary weapons are prized for their 50% damage bonus, this is a dealbreaker.

Mercenary Mediocrity

Without the ability to roll ethereal, Steel Pillar struggles to justify its use over alternatives. An ethereal upgraded Hone Sundan has comparable Crushing Blow with customizable sockets and self-repair. Runewords like Obedience or Insight provide superior utility. The Crushing Blow is valuable against high-HP targets, and the defense bonus helps mercenary survival, but these benefits aren't enough to overcome the fundamental damage disadvantage of being non-ethereal only.

Early Hell Placeholder

Steel Pillar can serve as a temporary mercenary weapon at the start of Hell difficulty if you lack better options, but it should be replaced quickly. The Crushing Blow helps against bosses, and the defense reduces mercenary deaths, making it functional for progression. However, as soon as you acquire the runes for Insight or find an ethereal Hone Sundan, Steel Pillar becomes obsolete. It's a weapon with potential squandered by poor design—Indestructible should have been replaced with self-repair to make ethereal versions viable.