Exile's Mercenary Guide Levels Up in Optimization

Mastering the Path of Exile 2 Mercenary: A Leveling Guide

The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 offers a relatively straightforward leveling experience compared to other classes. However, maximizing its potential requires strategic skill and gem choices, item selection, and passive skill tree allocation. This guide outlines the optimal path to endgame for a Mercenary.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems

Early-game success hinges on utilizing Fragmentation Shot and Permafrost Shot. Fragmentation Shot excels in close-quarters combat against multiple enemies, particularly when enhanced with stun-boosting support gems. Permafrost Shot quickly freezes foes, amplifying Fragmentation Shot's damage as frozen enemies shatter.

The late-game meta shifts dramatically upon unlocking powerful grenades and Explosive Shot.

Core Mercenary Leveling Skills	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 poisons a wide area, detonatable with a Detonation skill. Explosive Grenades explode after a delay or detonation. Explosive Shot detonates both, creating massive area-of-effect damage. Ripwire Ballista distracts enemies, while Glacial Bolt controls crowds. Oil Grenade is situationally useful against hordes but is generally outperformed by Gas Grenade. Glacial Bolt is preferable for leveling, swapping to Oil Grenade for bosses. Galvanic Shards efficiently clears weaker enemies. Herald of Ash ignites nearby enemies upon enemy death based on overkill damage. Prioritize the Level 1 or 2 support gems readily available before Act 3. Use Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add support gem sockets to key skills.

Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes

Focus on Cluster Bombs (adds projectiles to grenades), Repeating Explosives (chance for double explosions), and Iron Reflexes (converts evasion to armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's armor penalty). Iron Reflexes is a slightly off-path priority near the edge of the tree. Also prioritize Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills, armor/evasion nodes can be prioritized later if needed.

Itemization and Stat Priorities

Prioritize upgrading your crossbow first. Focus on Dexterity, Strength, Armor, Evasion, elemental resistances (excluding Chaos), physical and elemental damage, Mana on Hit, and resistances. Rarity, movement speed, and attack speed are beneficial but not crucial. A Bombard Crossbow significantly enhances grenade damage by adding an extra projectile. Always replace your lowest-level equipped item with a superior one.