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This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide outlines optimal skills, support gems, passive skills, and items to ensure a smooth progression to the endgame. While Mercenaries are relatively easy to level, strategic build choices are key.
Optimal Skills and Support Gems
Early game relies on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, multiple targets) and Permafrost Shot (freezing for added Fragmentation damage). However, the build truly shines once Grenade skills unlock.
The table below details core skills and recommended support gems:
| 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 |
Use Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add support gem sockets to Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, and Gas Grenade. Prioritize these support gems, but use what's available until you acquire the recommended ones.
Gas Grenade and Explosive Grenades provide powerful area-of-effect damage, detonated effectively by Explosive Shot. Ripwire Ballista distracts enemies, while Glacial Bolt controls hordes (replace Permafrost Shot later). Oil Grenade is less effective than Gas Grenade except against bosses. Galvanic Shards offers low-risk horde clearing (replacing Fragmentation Shot). Herald of Ash ignites nearby enemies upon overkill.
Prioritized Passive Skill Tree Nodes
Focus on these key passive skills:
- Cluster Bombs: Increases Grenade projectiles.
- Repeating Explosives: Chance for double Grenade explosions.
- Iron Reflexes: Converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's downside (Witchhunter Ascendancy).
Also prioritize: Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills, Armor & Evasion nodes are worthwhile but less critical initially.
Recommended Items and Stat Priorities
Upgrade equipment incrementally, focusing on the weakest item first. A powerful Crossbow is paramount. Prioritize these stats:
- Dexterity
- Strength
- Armor
- Evasion
- Elemental Resistances (except Chaos)
- Physical and Elemental Damage
- Mana on Hit
- Resistances
Other useful but less critical stats: Attack Speed, Mana/Life on Kill/Hit, Item Rarity, Movement Speed. A Bombard Crossbow significantly improves Grenade projectile count.
This guide provides a solid foundation for leveling a Mercenary in Path of Exile 2. Remember to adapt based on available items and gems.
