His blade in Path of Exile 2 is at your service: How to make a Mercenary build

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

Tired of fantasy tropes? Path of Exile 2's Mercenary class offers a unique, Doom-like experience. Ditch the swords and magic; embrace the crossbow and unleash explosive mayhem! This guide focuses on building an effective Mercenary in PoE2's early access (version 0.1.0f). Note that GGG may implement changes affecting this guide's accuracy.

Table of Contents

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

Mercenary Overview

A properly leveled Mercenary becomes a monster-slaying machine, effective against both regular enemies and bosses. Even Act 1's final boss, a significant challenge for other classes, falls relatively easily to a well-built Mercenary. The Mercenary can use any weapon, but crossbows are the optimal choice, acting as a versatile combination of automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher.

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Key Attributes

Dexterity is paramount. Prioritize it in both gear and the passive skill tree. Evasion is more valuable than Armor. Movement speed enhances maneuverability and survivability. Strength and Intelligence are secondary, adjusted based on equipment and skill requirements.

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Early Game Skills

• Fragmentation Rounds: Useful early on, but quickly outclassed. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems, but prioritize gem allocation later.

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• Permafrost Bolts: A strong starting skill. Freeze and immobilize enemies with frost projectiles. Use Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems. Double Barrel adds more bolts but increases reload time (mitigable later).

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• Explosive Grenade: Essential for crowd control. Scattershot allows three grenades, albeit with reduced damage per grenade. Second Wind is a useful support gem. Master grenade trajectory and positioning for optimal effect.

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• Gas Grenade: Releases poison gas, enhanced by Corrosion (armor reduction) and Bursting Plague (damage increase). Detonating the gas with fire (e.g., Explosive Grenade or later Explosive Shot) significantly boosts damage.

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• Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into an automatic lightning shotgun. Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems are highly recommended.

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• Herald of Thunder: A powerful buff, especially effective with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. Requires 30 spirit units (obtainable from an Act 1 boss).

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• Explosive Shot: Combines well with grenades; detonates grenades on impact. Fire Infusion increases fire damage. Offers ranged AoE and an alternative damage type.

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Passive Skill Tree

Prioritize nodes increasing projectile damage. Key nodes include:

• Remorseless: Increased projectile damage, stun buildup, and attribute boosts.
• 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 projectile. (Use if not using Explosive Shot)
• Adrenaline Rush: Increased movement and attack speed after kills.
• Doomsayer: Increased Herald skill area of effect and damage.
• Instant Reload: Significantly increased crossbow reload speed.
• Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration (only if not using Explosive Shot).

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These recommendations provide a solid foundation. Experimentation is key to discovering optimal builds for your playstyle. Enjoy the explosive carnage!