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! This guide focuses on building a powerful Mercenary using crossbows, grenades, and strategic skill choices in version 0.1.0f (note: GGG may implement changes affecting this guide).
Table of Contents
- Mercenary Overview
- Key Attributes
- Early Game Skills
- Passive Skill Tree
Mercenary Overview
With effective leveling, the Mercenary becomes a formidable monster-slaying machine, capable of taking down even challenging bosses early on. This guide outlines a build for the early access version. While the Mercenary can use any weapon, crossbows are the optimal choice, offering versatility akin to an automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher combined.
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Key Attributes
Dexterity is paramount, boosting both damage and evasion. Prioritize Evasion over Armor. Movement speed enhances maneuverability. Allocate Strength and Intelligence as needed for equipment or skill requirements.
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Early Game Skills
- Fragmentation Rounds: A decent starting skill, but quickly outclassed. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems, but prioritize gem allocation for later skills.
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- Permafrost Bolts: A strong early-game choice. Freeze and immobilize enemies using Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems. Double Barrel is another option, increasing bolt count but extending reload time (mitigable with increased attack speed). Manage your crossbow's ammo efficiently.
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Image: ensigame.com
- Explosive Grenade: Essential for crowd control. Scattershot throws three grenades, albeit with reduced damage per grenade. Second Wind is a useful support gem. Master grenade trajectory and detonation for maximum effectiveness.
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- Gas Grenade: Releases poison gas, enhanced with Corrosion (armor reduction) and Bursting Plague (damage increase). Detonate the gas with fire skills (Explosive Grenade early on, Explosive Shot later) for massive damage boosts.
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- Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into a powerful automatic shotgun. Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems significantly amplify damage.
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- Herald of Thunder: A potent buff, especially with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. Requires 30 spirit units.
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- Explosive Shot: Pairs well with grenades, detonating them on impact. Fire Infusion increases fire damage. Offers ranged AoE clearing and an alternative to Galvanic Shards.
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Image: ensigame.com
Passive Skill Tree
Prioritize nodes increasing projectile damage:
- Remorseless: Increased projectile damage, stun buildup, and attribute boosts.
- Ricochet: Increased projectile damage and chain chance.
- Blur: Movement speed, evasion, and dexterity.
- Heavy Ammunition: Reduced attack speed but significantly increased projectile damage and stun buildup.
- Careful Aim: Increased projectile damage and accuracy at close range.
- Cluster Bombs: Increased grenade fuse duration and additional projectile. (Use with Explosive Shot)
- Adrenaline Rush: Increased movement and attack speed after kills.
- Doomsayer: Increased Herald skill area of effect and damage. (For Herald of Thunder)
- Instant Reload: Increased crossbow reload speed.
- Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration (if not using Explosive Shot).
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Experiment and discover your optimal build! This guide provides a foundation for a powerful and fun Mercenary experience in Path of Exile 2.
