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 experience! This guide focuses on building a powerful Mercenary using crossbows and explosive tactics in PoE2 version 0.1.0f (note: GGG may implement changes affecting this guide).
Table of Contents
- Mercenary Overview
- Core Attributes
- Early Game Skills
- Passive Skill Tree
Mercenary Overview
The Mercenary, with proper build planning, becomes a formidable monster-slaying machine, effective against both regular enemies and bosses. While capable of using any weapon, crossbows are the optimal choice, offering a blend of automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher capabilities. Forget close-quarters combat; maintain distance and unleash devastation.
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Image: ensigame.com
Core Attributes
Prioritize Dexterity for increased damage and evasion. Evasion is superior to armor for survivability. Allocate Strength and Intelligence as needed to meet equipment requirements. Movement speed is crucial for dodging attacks.
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Early Game Skills
- Fragmentation Rounds: A decent starting skill, but quickly outclassed. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems.
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- Permafrost Bolts: A strong early-game choice. Freeze and immobilize enemies for increased critical strike chance using Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems. Double Barrel adds more bolts but increases reload time. Remember that attack speed affects reload speed.
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Image: ensigame.com
- Explosive Grenade: Excellent for crowd control. Use Scattershot for three grenades and Second Wind for survivability. Consider projectile trajectory and obstacles.
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- Gas Grenade: Creates a poisonous cloud, enhanced by Corrosion (armor reduction) and Bursting Plague (damage increase). Detonate the gas with fire skills (Explosive Grenade initially, then Explosive Shot).
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- Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into a powerful automatic shotgun. Use Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems.
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- Herald of Thunder: A powerful buff, especially effective with Galvanic Shards and Conduction. Requires 30 spirit units.
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- Explosive Shot: Combines well with grenades. Use Fire Infusion for increased damage. Offers ranged combat and fire damage alternatives.
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Image: ensigame.com
Passive Skill Tree
Focus on nodes increasing projectile damage, such as:
- Remorseless: Increased projectile damage, stun buildup, and attribute boosts.
- Ricochet: Increased projectile damage and chain chance.
- Blur: Increased movement speed and evasion.
- Heavy Ammunition: Increased projectile damage and stun, reduced attack speed.
- Careful Aim: Increased projectile damage and accuracy at close range.
- Cluster Bombs: Increased grenade fuse duration and additional projectile.
- Adrenaline Rush: Increased movement and attack speed after kills.
- Doomsayer: Increased Herald skill area of effect and damage.
- Instant Reload: Increased crossbow reload speed.
- Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration (use only if not using Explosive Shot).
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Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Experiment with different skill combinations to find your optimal build. Enjoy the explosive gameplay!
