Mercs can be expensive, it’s as simple as that. Strategy is always needed throughout Jagged Alliance 3, really from the moment you load into the game. When deciding which Mercs to take with you, how many and what expertise you wish to prioritize over others, it is imperative that you think both about the cost, how they fit into their role and the team and what kind of playstyle you want to use throughout the game. Whilst you can switch out your squad due to the hiring process and contract extension choices, the way you play at the beginning may not be the same for the endgame. This, with the added gameplay of quests and finding Mercs that can join the war party for free makes your decision much harder in deciding who to take with you. For these reasons, this is Vincent’s guide on how to recruit every Mercenary in Jagged Alliance 3.
Mercenary Recruitment Guide – Jagged Alliance 3
There are a total of 5 Mercenaries you can recruit for free in Jagged Alliance 3. Whilst players have an array of Mercs to hire on a contract that can be extended continuously throughout your playthrough, you may find that for budget reasons, playstyle or team compositions that looking further afield from the Merc Tiers gives you more combative promise. Four out of five of the Merc listed below have very specific steps in their recruitment, however they can be picked up at any moment in your Jagged Alliance journey. Keep in mind however that the search for these recruitable Mercenaries are tougher than a lot of the earlier portions of the game, because of this, you will want to be well prepared with fighting.
How to Recruit Larry
Larry is an incredibly strong Explosives expert with a very balanced skill set. Players must hire an Explosives expert throughout the game as they can get multi-kills, deal a ton of damage and save you from wasting countless ammo that is incredibly scarce already. With his high Explosives Stat, you may decide that it is best to have him tag along, rather than any other, more expensive options for hire. But the method to recruiting Larry is all about healing him from his amnesia. For many new players, they will be just as uncertain about Larry’s identity as he is but being a recurring character of the series, Larry is one warrants recruitment for those trying to achieve 100% completion in Jagged Alliance 3.
The search for Larry will take you to Sector F7 but with the steps detailed in this guide, we recommend heading straight to B10, E12 or H9 for the incredible amnesia curing drug – Metaviron. In H9 you will need to buy at least 10 loot boxes via Lalee Leewaylender in the Flea Market with Small Diamonds. One of these will offer Metaviron which you need. If you do not want to use this method, checking the underground sector of B10 or the near the tree of sector E12 (there will be hostile animals here so be careful). When you have Metaviron, head to Camp Savane in F7 where you will need to clear the Camp to speak to Larry.
Upon clearing the Camp in which we recommend using an Explosives expert here such as Barry to help clear the site, you will be able to give Larry the much needed Metaviron which heals him in an instant. By doing so, Larry will become your brand new recruit in which you can actually increase his Agility, Dexterity, Marksmanship and Wisdom (he really needs it) by going to the Sanatorium in H12. Although he loses Health, it is worth the overall boost in Skills if you are looking to incorporate him permanently into your squad.
How to Recruit Pierre
Pierre is a weird one to recruit as many may assume that he is unrecruitable when you meet him. Beginning as a threat, you actually need to defeat him in order to begin the recruitment process. Here you need to show mercy and let him leave so that you can run into him again at a later stage. Titled as a Leader, Pierre has an overall well-balanced set of Skills, similar to an All-Rounder. He may be a controversial pick for most due to his low Agility Skill that can be detrimental in battle but his overall average Stats makes him a versatile pick when training him after you have recruited him. Acting similarly to custom Mercs, you can train Pierre up to increase specific Skills such as Agility or Marksmanship so that he provides a greater benefit in battle than others. He acts as a Merc you can mould to a different Class if you choose him.
If you have not found Pierre, you need to head to Ernie Village to begin the questline with Luc. Pierre will be encountered shortly after in which you need to spare his life. In doing so, Pierre cannot join your squad immediately. Rather, you will need to find Bastien at the Fort in I1 by initiating an attack against the community. Make sure that you spare Bastien this time. Next, find Deedee in I3 who needs to be swayed to leave the Legion. By having a high Explosives Skill, you will be able to easily coerce Deedee to leave without supplies. Now that these steps are completed, return to Fort L’eau Blue on Ernie Island where you will encounter Pierre once more.
The best way to find Pierre is via the back entrance of the Fort, accessible via the minefield. You know when you are in the right place when you have found the ladder which takes you straight to Pierre. You will need to deal enough damage to Pierre to make him surrender in the fight, which will result in you having to spare him for the final time in order to officially hire him as a Merc for your squad.
Recruiting Smiley
Those looking for an All-Round Soldier should consider Smiley. So long as you have members who provide expertise in Wisdom, Agility, Marksmanship, and Explosives, an All-Rounder could fit right in.
You need to head to Sector D7 to recruit Smiley. Maman Liliane gives you a questline to find Smiley, who has run away with one of the Brothel’s working girls. You will find Smiley at Boss Blaubert’s mansion in Sector I9. Choose Smiley’s dialogue option here so that he joins you and initiates the fight with Blaubert and his men. You will also have to protect Smiley from Blaubert’s men during the fight.
There is a greater challenge at hand than other battles. Due to the tight situation, we recommend Mercenaries with high Explosives and Marksman Skills. If you are looking to recruit these free Mercs early on in the game, the surrounding Enforcers are higher levelled than in Sector I9. As Smiley will likely get downed in the fight, make sure you have enough heals for your squad and him. Following the battle against Blaubert, Smiley will join your squad and you can recruit him whenever you need him.
Recruiting Flay
Flay is a good asset when choosing your squad’s Marksman. With Flay, you can save a bit of money with his high Marksmanship Skill. You may find that other Mercs do not get along with him due to his bizarre habit of collecting trophies. In order to accommodate him, you may need to adjust your entire squad. You can choose Flay if you don’t have room for a Marksman and your custom Merc doesn’t fit the mold.
The first step in coaxing Flay out is to speak with Hyena at the poacher camp after defeating the Legion enemies in Sector C4. Hyena can tell you about Flay, who is leaving a trail of poachers behind him. Check C6 for an impaled corpse just east of camp. Visit B4 and head northwest for more corpses. Ensure that you interact with the bodies so that the quest can progress. When Flay inspects the third and final corpse in B4, he will appear. Flay can only be recruited if you have a 90 on Wisdom. Focus on building a relationship with him instead of discussing mental health.
Recruiting Major Spike Scallion
Major Spike Scallion is the last Merc you can recruit in Jagged Alliance 3. Remember to hire him only towards the endgame. Due to both having to survive and complete a very difficult battle, and playing the game in the correct order for the narrative, which entails that Spike is met towards the end of Jagged Alliance 3. Spike starts at Level 8 for free Mercs. In comparison to other recruitable Mercs, his stats are incredibly high, making him a great addition to your squad.
In order to find Spike, you must go to A20, but set up two squads to flank the Fort on both sides. The President will likely die if you miss this step. Consider taking Mercs with high Agility and Dexterity to stealth kill Fort soldiers if you are thinking about what kind of squad to take. Set up squads with Sniper Rifles so they can provide support on the eastern and western fronts. Spike will be lured out where you can defeat the Major and his team. To begin the recruitment process, make sure Spike is not killed.
Unlike the other recruitment process, you simply pick – “You were a merc like us” and “What if we hire you?””. All done. No questions asked, Spike will join your squad for free. It is much harder to get this dialogue than what is described in this guide, but if you plan the attack on the Fort and make sure that you are going in well prepared and at the right time in Jagged Alliance 3, you will be able to keep the President alive and recruit Spike.
