His blade in Path of Exile 2 is at your service: How to make a Mercenary build
- By Gabriella
- Mar 05,2025
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, grenades, and strategic skill choices, perfect for players who prefer action over traditional fantasy elements. All information is based on game version 0.1.0f and may be subject to change.
Image: ensigame.com
Core Mercenary Strengths:
The Mercenary excels at ranged combat, utilizing crossbows as their primary weapon. While capable of using any weapon, the crossbow's versatility—combining aspects of automatic rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers—makes it the optimal choice. With the right build, the Mercenary can efficiently eliminate both regular enemies and challenging bosses.
Image: ensigame.com
Key Attributes and Stats:
Prioritize Dexterity for increased damage and evasion. Evasion is superior to Armor for survivability. Allocate Strength and Intelligence as needed to meet equipment and skill requirements. Movement speed is crucial for maneuvering and dodging attacks.
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Essential Early-Game Skills:
- Fragmentation Rounds: A decent starting skill, but quickly outclassed by other options. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems for increased damage and critical strike chance against immobilized enemies.
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- Permafrost Bolts: A strong early-game choice. Freezing and immobilizing enemies provides significant tactical advantages. Combine with Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems for enhanced effectiveness. Double Barrel adds extra bolts but increases reload time.
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
- Explosive Grenade: Exceptional for crowd control. Scattershot allows for three grenades at once, despite a damage reduction. Second Wind provides additional utility. Master grenade trajectory for optimal effect.
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- Gas Grenade: Creates a poisonous cloud, enhanced by Corrosion (armor reduction) and Bursting Plague (damage increase). Detonating the gas with fire skills like Explosive Grenade significantly boosts damage.
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- Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into a powerful automatic shotgun. Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems dramatically increase damage.
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- Herald of Thunder: A potent buff, especially when combined with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. Requires 30 spirit units.
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- Explosive Shot: Excellent synergy with grenades, causing chain reactions. Fire Infusion boosts damage. Offers both ranged and AoE capabilities.
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes:
Focus on nodes that increase projectile damage, movement speed, and evasion. Prioritize these: Remorseless, Ricochet, Blur, Heavy Ammunition, Careful Aim, Cluster Bombs (if using Explosive Shot), Adrenaline Rush, Doomsayer (with Herald of Thunder), Instant Reload, and Volatile Grenades (if not using Explosive Shot).
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Remember to experiment and adapt your build based on your playstyle and the challenges you encounter. Enjoy the explosive action of the Mercenary in Path of Exile 2!
