Mercenary Build Guide: Control the Blade in Path of Exile 2

Conquer Path of Exile 2 as a Mercenary: A Beginner's Guide

Tired of fantasy tropes in Path of Exile 2? Embrace the Mercenary class and transform the game into a top-down shooter experience! This guide focuses on building a powerful Mercenary using crossbows and explosive weaponry in PoE2 version 0.1.0f (note: GGG may make changes affecting this guide).

Table of Contents

• Mercenary Class Overview
• Key Mercenary Attributes
• Early Game Skills
• Passive Skill Tree Recommendations

Mercenary Class Overview

With strategic leveling, the Mercenary becomes a formidable monster-slaying machine, effective against both regular enemies and bosses. While capable of using any weapon, the crossbow is the optimal choice, offering versatility comparable to an automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher combined.

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Key Mercenary Attributes

Prioritize Dexterity for increased damage and evasion. Evasion is superior to armor in this build. Movement speed is crucial for dodging attacks. Allocate Strength and Intelligence as needed for equipment requirements.

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Early Game Skills

• Fragmentation Rounds: A decent starting skill, but quickly surpassed by others. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems.

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• Permafrost Bolts: A strong early-game choice. Freeze and immobilize enemies, using Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems for increased effectiveness. Double Barrel adds more bolts but increases reload time (mitigable with increased attack speed).

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• Explosive Grenade: Essential for clearing large groups. Scattershot allows for three grenades at once (damage reduction is worthwhile). Second Wind is a useful support gem.

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• Gas Grenade: Creates a poisonous cloud, enhanced with Corrosion (reduces armor) and Bursting Plague (increases damage). Detonating the gas with fire (using skills like Explosive Grenade or later, Explosive Shot) significantly boosts damage.

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• Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into a powerful automatic shotgun. Use Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems for maximum impact.

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• Herald of Thunder: A powerful buff, especially effective with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. Requires 30 spirit units.

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• Explosive Shot: Pairs well with grenades, detonating them on impact. Fire Infusion increases fire damage. Offers ranged AoE clearing.

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Passive Skill Tree Recommendations

Focus on nodes increasing projectile damage, such as:

• Remorseless: Increased projectile damage, stun buildup, and attribute bonuses.
• Ricochet: Increased projectile damage and chain chance.
• Blur: Increased movement speed and evasion.
• Heavy Ammunition: Increased projectile damage and stun, but reduces attack speed.
• Careful Aim: Increased projectile damage and accuracy at close range.
• Cluster Bombs: Increased grenade fuse duration and additional projectiles (good with Explosive Shot).
• Adrenaline Rush: Increased movement and attack speed after kills.
• Doomsayer: Increased area of effect and damage for Herald skills.
• Instant Reload: Significantly increased crossbow reload speed.
• Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration (use only if not using Explosive Shot).

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These recommendations provide a solid foundation. Experiment to discover your optimal build!