Conquer Path of Exile 2 as a Mercenary: A Beginner's Guide
Tired of fantasy tropes in Path of Exile 2? The Mercenary class offers a unique, Doom-like experience, trading swords and spells for crossbows and explosive power. This guide will help you build a devastating Mercenary in the early stages of PoE2 (version 0.1.0f). Note that future updates from Grinding Gear Games may alter some aspects of this build.
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The Mercenary's Arsenal: Crossbows and Explosions
While capable of wielding any weapon, the Mercenary excels with crossbows, functioning as a versatile combination of automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher. Leave bows to the Ranger; your crossbow is your best friend.
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Key Mercenary Attributes
Prioritize Dexterity for increased damage and evasion. Evasion is superior to armor in this build. Movement speed is crucial for dodging attacks. Allocate Strength and Intelligence as needed for equipment requirements.
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Early Game Skills: A Powerful Combination
- Fragmentation Rounds: A decent starting skill, but quickly outclassed. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems, but prioritize saving gems for later.
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- Permafrost Bolts: A strong early-game choice. Freeze and immobilize enemies with frost projectiles. Use Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems for increased effectiveness. Double Barrel adds more bolts but increases reload time (mitigable with increased attack speed).
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Image: ensigame.com
- Explosive Grenade: Essential for clearing large groups. Scattershot throws three grenades, reducing individual damage but vastly increasing AoE. Second Wind provides additional survivability. Remember projectile physics when aiming.
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- Gas Grenade: Releases a cloud of poison gas, enhanced by Corrosion (armor reduction) and Bursting Plague (damage increase). Detonate the gas with fire skills (like Explosive Grenade or later, Explosive Shot) for massive damage.
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- Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into an automatic lightning shotgun. Use Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems for optimal damage.
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- Herald of Thunder: A powerful buff, especially with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. Requires 30 spirit units.
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- Explosive Shot: Combines well with grenades; explosions detonate nearby grenades. Fire Infusion increases fire damage. Offers ranged AoE and an alternative damage type.
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Image: ensigame.com
Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes
Focus on nodes that increase 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 significant projectile damage and stun increase.
- Careful Aim: Increased projectile damage and accuracy at close range.
- Cluster Bombs: Increased grenade fuse duration and additional projectile. (Use if not using Explosive Shot)
- Adrenaline Rush: Increased movement and attack speed after kills.
- Doomsayer: Increased Herald skill area of effect and damage.
- Instant Reload: Significantly increased crossbow reload speed.
- Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration. (Use if not using Explosive Shot)
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Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
These nodes provide a strong foundation. Experiment and discover your own optimal build! Remember to adapt your skills and strategy based on the challenges you face.
