His blade in Path of Exile 2 is at your service: How to make a Mercenary build

If you're intrigued by the buzz around Path of Exile 2 but not a fan of traditional fantasy elements like swords, bows, and magic, the Mercenary class is tailored just for you. Imagine transforming the game into a top-down version of Doom, where you wield a trusty shotgun—disguised as a crossbow—and charge into hordes of enemies. This class offers a unique, action-packed experience that diverges from the typical fantasy setting.

Features of the Mercenary in Path of Exile 2

With the right leveling strategy, the Mercenary becomes a formidable force, efficiently turning monsters into mere fertilizer. This prowess extends to both regular mobs and challenging bosses. For instance, the final boss of the first act, which often proves difficult for the Witch class, can be conquered by a well-optimized Mercenary in just one or two attempts.

Let's explore how to craft an effective Mercenary build in the early access version of PoE2. Keep in mind that this guide is based on game version 0.1.0f. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) may introduce changes in the final release, potentially affecting some of the strategies outlined here.

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Like all characters in PoE2, the Mercenary can use any weapon without restrictions. However, engaging in melee combat with demons isn't the best approach for this class. Instead, opt for the crossbow—a versatile weapon that combines the functionality of an automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher. While the Mercenary can use bows, these are better suited for the Ranger class. As the saying goes, paraphrasing Full Metal Jacket: "Without me, my crossbow is useless. Without my crossbow, I am useless."

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Main Characteristics of the Mercenary

The cornerstone attribute for the Mercenary is Dexterity. Aim to maximize your Dexterity through items and the passive skill tree. Prioritize Evasion over Armour, as it's more crucial for this class. Movement speed is also vital for dodging enemy attacks and navigating through battles. Allocate points to Strength and Intelligence as needed, based on your equipment and skill requirements.

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Useful Skills in Early Game Stages

Fragmentation Rounds

At the outset, the Fragmentation Rounds skill can be handy, though it's not a long-term solution. Enhance it with support skills like Brutality (35% increased physical damage) and Leverage (50% increased crit chance against immobilized enemies). However, consider saving your gems for more impactful skills later on.

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Permafrost Bolts

A solid starting skill, Permafrost Bolts allow you to freeze and immobilize enemies with frost projectiles. Enhance it with Frost Nexus (increases the chance to freeze the ground around an ice-bound enemy) and Leverage. Alternatively, use Double Barrel to load two bolts at once, though this increases reload time by 30%—a drawback that can be mitigated with the right build.

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Remember, different skills allow varying numbers of bolts in your crossbow. You can refresh the charge by pressing the quick key again. Also, attack speed influences reload speed, so don't overlook this stat.

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Explosive Grenade

Grenades are indispensable for dealing with large groups of enemies. Enhance your Explosive Grenade skill with Scattershot to throw three grenades instead of one, despite a 20% damage reduction. Pair it with Second Wind for added effectiveness. Grenades have a wide range and follow physics, so be mindful of obstacles that could deflect them.

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Gas Grenade

Gas Grenades release a cloud of poisonous gas that expands over time. Enhance it with Corrosion to reduce enemy armor by 80% from poison damage, and Bursting Plague to increase damage. The unique feature of Gas Grenades is their ability to be detonated with fire, significantly boosting damage. Use skills with the Detonate keyword, such as Explosive Grenade or Explosive Shot, to achieve this.

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Galvanic Shards

Available in the second act, Galvanic Shards transforms your crossbow into an automatic shotgun with five charges, firing lightning. Enhance it with Conduction and Lightning Infusion for increased damage. With faster reload speeds, it becomes an electro-automatic rifle, perfect for clearing waves of enemies.

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Herald of Thunder

The best early-game buff for the Mercenary, especially when paired with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. It increases your chance to shock monsters to 100%, triggering the Herald of Thunder buff. This results in lightning strikes raining down on your enemies. Activating this aura requires 30 spirit units, obtainable by defeating a first-act boss.

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Explosive Shot

Embrace your inner Doomguy with Explosive Shot, which detonates grenades on the floor upon impact. Enhance it with Fire Infusion for increased fire damage, making it an excellent method for clearing labyrinths. While more complex than Galvanic Shards, Explosive Shot allows you to maintain distance from enemies and is particularly effective against fire-weak foes.

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These skills are sufficient to level your Mercenary to around level 20-25 and grasp the class mechanics. Aim to acquire as many of these abilities as possible to handle various enemy types effectively. Now, let's delve into recommendations for developing the passive skill tree.

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Passive Skills of the Mercenary

Focus on passive skill nodes that include the phrase "increased projectile damage." Here are some key nodes to prioritize:

⚔️ Remorseless — 15% increased projectile damage, 30% increased stun buildup against enemies within two meters, +5 strength and dexterity. A great starting buff.

⚔️ Ricochet — 15% increased projectile damage, projectiles have a 10% chance to chain an additional time. A solid damage boost.

⚔️ Blur — 4% increased movement speed, 20% increased evasion rating, +10 dexterity. Enhances survivability and attribute growth.

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⚔️ Heavy Ammunition — 8% reduced attack speed, 40% increased projectile damage, 40% increased projectile stun buildup. A significant damage increase if you've chosen Blur.

⚔️ Careful Aim — 16% increased Projectile Damage, 40% increased Accuracy Rating at Close Range. Essential for addressing accuracy needs early on.

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⚔️ Cluster Bombs — 50% increased grenade fuse duration, grenade skills fire an additional projectile. Ideal if you're using Explosive Shot, as the additional projectile enhances your effectiveness.

⚔️ Adrenaline Rush — 4% increased Movement Speed if you've Killed Recently, 8% increased Attack Speed if you've Killed Recently. A useful skill on the path to Instant Reload.

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⚔️ Doomsayer — Herald Skills have 30% increased Area of Effect, Herald Skills have 30% increased Damage. Enhances the effectiveness of Herald of Thunder.

⚔️ Instant Reload — 40% increased Crossbow Reload Speed. A crucial skill that, along with the path to it, provides a total of 70% increased reload speed and unlocks the first Jewel Socket.

⚔️ Volatile Grenades — 25% reduced Grenade fuse duration. Only take this if you're not using Explosive Shot in combat.

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These passive skills should be your starting point, requiring about 30-35 skill points to acquire. As you work through them, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how the Mercenary functions in PoE2. Don't hesitate to experiment, as the joy of playing a Mercenary lies in discovering your own unique combinations and builds!