Path of Exile 2: Mercenary Leveling Guide

This Path of Exile 2 guide simplifies Mercenary leveling, highlighting efficient skill and item choices for a smooth progression to endgame. While some classes struggle, the Mercenary's versatility shines, especially with a strategic approach.

Initially, Mercenaries might feel underpowered. This is often due to over-reliance on Crossbows, neglecting the potent Grenade-based playstyle. Crossbows have reload times; integrating Grenades mitigates this weakness.

Early Game (Pre-Powerful Grenades):

Focus on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range AoE) and Permafrost Shot (freezing for added Fragmentation damage). Boost Fragmentation's stun potential with Support Gems.

Late Game (Post-Powerful Grenades):

The playstyle transforms drastically.

| Core Mercenary Skills & Support Gems | |---|---| | Explosive Shot | Ignition, Magnified Effect, Pierce | | Gas Grenade | Scattershot, Fire Penetration, Inspiration | | Ripwire Ballista | Ruthless | | Explosive Grenade | Fire Infusion, Primal Armament, Magnified Effect | | Oil Grenade | Ignition, Magnified Effect | | Flash Grenade | Overpower | | Galvanic Shards | Lightning Infusion, Pierce | | Glacial Bolt | Fortress | | Herald of Ash | Clarity, Vitality |

Gas Grenade poisons widely, Explosive Grenades explode after a delay (or detonation), and Explosive Shot detonates both for massive AoE damage. Ripwire Ballista provides a distraction, while Glacial Bolt controls crowds. Oil Grenade is useful for AoE but generally inferior to Gas Grenade. Swap Glacial Bolt for Oil Grenade against bosses. Galvanic Shards excels against hordes. Replace Fragmentation Shot with it. Herald of Ash ignites enemies upon death.

Use Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add Support Gem sockets to key skills.

Passive Skill Tree Prioritization:

Focus on these nodes:

Cluster Bombs: Increases Grenade projectiles.
Repeating Explosives: Chance for double Grenade explosions.
Iron Reflexes: Converts Evasion to Armor, crucial with the Witchhunter Ascendancy's Sorcery Ward (which halves Armor/Evasion for increased non-Physical damage resistance). Prioritize this near the tree's edge.

Other beneficial nodes include Cooldown Reduction, Projectile/Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow-related nodes and Armor/Evasion are valuable but less urgent initially.

Itemization and Stat Priorities:

Prioritize Crossbow upgrades significantly. Always replace the weakest gear piece.

Essential stats: