Step into Wraeclast and redefine devastation with the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2. This versatile new addition brings tactical gameplay and explosive combos to the battlefield, with a unique focus on crossbows and precision-based strategies. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to become an unstoppable force—from weapons and skills to Ascendancies, builds, and leveling tips.
Why Play the Mercenary?
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The Mercenary is a class designed for those who love adaptability and high-skill gameplay. With a dual-crossbow system, explosive ammo effects, and crowd-control dominance, this class excels at manipulating the battlefield. Whether you enjoy wiping out hordes with AoE or surgically dismantling bosses with pinpoint accuracy, the Mercenary has a playstyle for you.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. To truly unlock the Mercenary’s potential, you’ll need to master positioning, resource management, and timing your combos.
- Highly versatile playstyle
- Exceptional crowd control (CC) capabilities
- Decent survivability
- Mana-dependent, requiring careful resource management
- Positional awareness is critical to success
- Complex mechanics can be challenging for beginners
Unleashing the Arsenal: Mercenary Weapons
What sets the Mercenary apart is their mastery of crossbows, with three ammo types that can be swapped to fit any situation: Armor Piercing, Incendiary, and Permafrost. Equip two different crossbows simultaneously for endless combinations that let you tailor your strategy on the fly.
Best-in-Slot Weapons
- Corruption Core Daedalian Crossbow
- Burst Shot skill
- 44% increased Physical Damage
- Adds Physical Damage and Life per kill
- Blight Core Daedalian Crossbow
- Power Shot skill
- Massive Critical Damage bonus
- Life leech and Accuracy Rating
Ammo Types & Combos
- Armor Piercing: Shreds defenses for optimal boss damage.
- Incendiary: Engulfs enemies in flames for high-impact AoE.
- Permafrost: Freezes foes for unparalleled CC potential.
Game-Changing Skills and Ascendancies
The Mercenary’s skills are as tactical as they are powerful. Each ability is designed to synergize with your weapons, creating a seamless combat experience.
Top Skill Gems
- Fragmentation Rounds: Shatter frozen enemies with explosive AoE damage.
- Rapid Shot: Unleash a barrage of bolts for escalating Fire Damage.
- Permafrost Bolts: Slow enemies and lock down key targets with freezing effects.
- Explosive Shot: Obliterate enemy clusters with high-powered bursts.
Ascendancy Choices
- Witch Hunter
- Perfect for precision players who thrive on calculated strikes.
- Notable Skills: Weapon Master, Pitiless Killer, Witchbane.
- Gemling Legionnaire
- A tinkerer’s dream, specializing in optimizing skill gems for peak performance.
- Notable Skills: Crystalline Potential, Implanted Gems, Advanced Thaumaturgy.
Pro Tips for Leveling Your Mercenary
Path of Exile 2 is all about preparation and efficiency. Here’s how to level your Mercenary like a pro:
- Upgrade Your Gear Frequently:
As you progress, enemies hit harder. Regularly swap gear for better resistances, Life, and damage. - Focus on Core Skills:
Stick to one or two main abilities while leveling. Add support gems to enhance damage or utility without overcomplicating your setup. - Invest in Defense:
Balance your build with Life, resistances, and defensive flasks to ensure survivability in tougher zones.
Dominate the Meta: Mercenary Builds
Starter Build
- Crossbows: Power Shot + Burst Shot
- Skill Gems: Permafrost Bolts, Rapid Shot, Explosive Shot
- Rotation: Start with a Flash Grenade for CC, follow up with Permafrost Bolts, and finish with Explosive Shot for massive AoE.
Endgame Build
- Ascendancy: Gemling Legionnaire for optimized Skill Gem synergies.
- Skill Gems: Fragmentation Rounds, Armor Piercing Rounds, High Velocity Rounds
- Combo: Use Explosive Grenades to clear mobs, then switch to Armor Piercing Ammo for bosses.
Forge Your Path with the Mercenary
The Mercenary is a versatile, tactical, and incredibly rewarding class for those who crave a challenge. With the right weapons, skills, and strategies, you’ll dominate Wraeclast like never before. And remember, if the grind feels overwhelming, LFCarry is just a click away to help you unleash the full potential of your Mercenary.
Ready to start your Mercenary journey? Click here to get boosted today!