This guide outlines an effective leveling strategy for the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2. While Mercenaries are relatively easy to level, optimizing your build significantly improves the experience. This guide covers skill gems, support gems, passive skill tree nodes, and itemization.
Optimal Leveling Skills and Support Gems
Early-game reliance on Crossbows is common, but transitioning to a Grenade-focused build unlocks the class's true potential. Initially, Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, multiple targets) and Permafrost Shot (freezing for added damage) are sufficient.
Later, the core skills shift:
| Skill Gem | Useful 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 and Explosive Grenade offer powerful area-of-effect (AoE) damage, significantly amplified by Explosive Shot. Ripwire Ballista provides a distraction, while Glacial Bolt controls enemy crowds. Oil Grenade is situational, often outperformed by Gas Grenade except against bosses. Galvanic Shards excels at clearing weaker enemies. Herald of Ash adds further damage over time. Use readily available Support Gems until you obtain the recommended ones. Utilize Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add gem sockets to key skills.
Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes
Prioritize these nodes on the Mercenary Passive Skill Tree:
- Cluster Bombs: Increases Grenade projectiles.
- Repeating Explosives: Chance for double Grenade explosions.
- Iron Reflexes: Converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating the drawback of the Sorcery Ward Ascendancy skill (recommended for Witchhunter Ascendancy).
Other valuable nodes include Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow-related nodes and Armor/Evasion are secondary, prioritized only if needed.
Itemization and Stat Priorities
Focus on upgrading your Crossbow first. Prioritize gear with:
- Dexterity
- Strength
- Armor
- Evasion
- Elemental Resistances (excluding Chaos)
- Physical and Elemental Damage
- Mana on Hit
- Resistances
Additional beneficial modifiers include Attack Speed, Mana/Life on Kill/Hit, Item Rarity, and Movement Speed. A Bombard Crossbow significantly boosts Grenade projectile count.
This comprehensive approach ensures a smooth and powerful Mercenary leveling experience in Path of Exile 2. Remember to adapt based on available items and support gems.
