~4 MIN
Intro
Welcome to the Path of Exile 2 Mercenary Guide, your go-to resource for mastering this new and versatile class. Here, you’ll learn about the Mercenary’s gameplay mechanics, class features, ascendancy paths, unique skills, and the signature Crossbow weapon. If you’re ready to dominate Wraeclast with rapid, strategic attacks, this guide is for you.
Mercenary Overview
The Mercenary class combines the strength of Strength (STR) and the precision of Dexterity (DEX) to deliver devastating ranged damage. Utilizing the Crossbow as their signature weapon, Mercenaries excel at maintaining a safe distance while unleashing waves of powerful attacks.
Key Traits:
- Range Superiority: Shoot from afar while staying out of danger.
- Skill Variety: Leverage multiple ammo types and skills to adapt to any situation.
- STR/DEX Hybrid: Access to both strength-based tankiness and dexterity-based agility.
Path of Exile 2 Mercenary Mechanics
The Mercenary introduces unique mechanics to Path of Exile 2, including Crossbow Heat and WASD Movement:
Crossbow Heat:
- Accumulated through Rapid Shot and consumed to amplify grenade and bolt skills.
- Adds tactical depth by requiring heat management to maximize damage.
WASD Movement:
- A new movement system complements the Mercenary’s ranged playstyle, enabling fluid positioning and directional shooting.
Mercenary Ascendancy Classes
In Path of Exile 2, each base class offers two Ascendancy options at launch, with a third to be added later. The Mercenary’s Ascendancy options are:
1. Witchhunter
“Specialized in eliminating spellcasters, with tools to disrupt concentration and exploit weaknesses.”
Key Skills:
- Pitiless Killer: Execute enemies below specific life thresholds based on rarity.
- Witchbane: Break enemy concentration and deal increased damage based on its reduction.
- Zealous Inquisition: Enemies you kill explode, dealing significant physical damage.
2. Gemling Legionnaire
“Enhance your capabilities by embedding gems directly into your body, unlocking unparalleled versatility.”
Key Skills:
- Crystalline Potential: Increased quality for all skills.
- Gem Studded: Use two copies of the same Support Gem for different skills.
- Thaumaturgical Infusion: Boost maximum elemental resistances with gem-based specialization.
Mercenary Abilities
Mercenaries utilize Skill Gems for active abilities and passive enhancements. Their signature skills revolve around Crossbow Ammo and Grenades to adapt to various combat scenarios.
Key Active Skills:
- Rapid Shot: Fires a stream of bolts, gaining fire damage based on accumulated Heat.
- Fragmentation Rounds: Unleashes piercing bolts that detonate upon hitting frozen targets.
- Gas Grenade: Releases a poison cloud that can explode for massive AoE damage.
- Permafrost Bolts: Freezes enemies and deals AoE cold damage.
Grenade Mechanics:
Grenades provide versatile utility, from blinding enemies to igniting or poisoning areas. For example:
- Explosive Grenade: High-damage fire-based AoE.
- Flash Grenade: Temporarily blinds enemies, disrupting their attacks.
Passive Skill Tree Integration:
Mercenaries benefit from both Strength and Dexterity passives, enhancing damage, survivability, and utility. With proper investment, they can become versatile damage dealers or tactical controllers.
Crossbow: The Mercenary's Weapon
The Crossbow defines the Mercenary class. Unlike traditional bows, Crossbows operate with ammo skills, granting tactical options in combat.
Crossbow Attack Modes:
- Rapid Shot: High-speed bursts resembling an assault rifle.
- Power Shot: Slow, powerful strikes akin to a sniper rifle.
- Burst Shot: Wide-area attacks, similar to a shotgun.
Available Ammo Types:
- Armour Piercing: Increases penetration for rapid mob clearing.
- Incendiary: Applies fire-based DoT and explosion potential.
- Permafrost: Freezes enemies, offering crowd control.
Crossbow Attachments:
Attachments act like Skill Gems, providing unique abilities exclusive to Crossbows. While they lack stat bonuses, they grant additional skill slots, allowing greater flexibility.
Mercenary Skill Gems Tier List
Mercenary skills scale in power and utility. Here’s an overview of notable skill tiers:
| Tier | Skill Gems |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explosive Grenade, Fragmentation Rounds |
| 3 | Flash Grenade, Incendiary Shot |
| 5 | Rapid Shot, Gas Grenade |
| 7 | Explosive Shot, Glacial Bolt |
| 9 | Oil Grenade, Stormblast Bolts |
| 13 | Cluster Grenade, Plasma Blast |
Recommended Playstyle
Mob Clearing:
- Use Rapid Shot or Fragmentation Rounds for sustained damage.
- Deploy Gas Grenades for AoE control.
Single Target/Boss Fights:
- Stack Heat and unleash Power Shot for high single-target damage.
- Use grenades like Explosive Shot to deal massive AoE damage to bosses with adds.
Positioning:
- Use WASD Movement to stay mobile and kite enemies.
- Combine mobility with Dodge Rolls to evade dangerous mechanics.
Mercenary Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Exceptional ranged damage with high versatility.
- Tactical depth with grenade and ammo mechanics.
- Hybrid survivability from Strength and Dexterity bonuses.
Weaknesses:
- Heat management can be challenging for new players.
- Requires precise positioning to maximize effectiveness.
Conclusion
The Mercenary class offers a fresh and thrilling playstyle in Path of Exile 2. Combining powerful ranged abilities with tactical grenade mechanics, it’s a great choice for players seeking a balance of offense and survivability. With careful skill and gear optimization, the Mercenary can dominate any challenge in Wraeclast.
Prepare your Crossbow, load your grenades, and conquer the battlefield with unparalleled precision and might. If you’re ready to excel, check out our Build Optimization Services to craft the ultimate Mercenary setup!