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 in Path of Exile 2? The Mercenary class offers a unique, action-packed experience reminiscent of a top-down Doom game. 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.

Image: ensigame.com

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 or skill requirements.

Image: ensigame.com

Early Game Skills

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

Image: ensigame.com

• Permafrost Bolts: A solid early-game choice. Freeze and immobilize enemies for increased critical hit chance with Leverage and Frost Nexus support gems. Double Barrel adds more bolts but increases reload time (mitigable later).

Image: ensigame.com Image: ensigame.com

• Explosive Grenade: Excellent for crowd control. Scattershot allows for three grenades, despite reduced damage per grenade. Second Wind is a useful support gem.

Image: ensigame.com

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

Image: ensigame.com

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

Image: ensigame.com

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

Image: ensigame.com

• Explosive Shot: Excellent synergy with grenades. Fire Infusion increases fire damage. Offers ranged AoE and an alternative to Galvanic Shards.

Image: ensigame.com

Image: ensigame.com

Passive Skill Tree Recommendations

Prioritize nodes increasing projectile damage:

• Remorseless: Increased projectile damage, stun buildup, and attribute bonuses.
• Ricochet: Increased projectile damage and chain chance.
• Blur: Movement speed, evasion, and dexterity.
• Heavy Ammunition: Increased projectile damage and stun, despite reduced 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 AoE and damage.
• Instant Reload: Significantly increased crossbow reload speed.
• Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration. (Only if not using Explosive Shot)

Image: ensigame.com Image: ensigame.com Image: ensigame.com Image: ensigame.com

Experiment and discover your own optimal build! This guide provides a strong foundation for a powerful and fun Mercenary experience in Path of Exile 2.