"Path of Exile 2: Crafting a Mercenary Build with His Blade"

If you're intrigued by *Path of Exile 2* but aren't a fan of traditional fantasy elements like swords, bows, and magic, the Mercenary class is perfect for you. It transforms the game into a thrilling, top-down experience reminiscent of *Doom*. Grab your trusty crossbow—think of it as a shotgun—and dive into the hordes of enemies!

Features of the Mercenary in Path of Exile 2

When properly leveled, the Mercenary class becomes a formidable force, turning monsters into mere fertilizer. This efficiency extends to both regular mobs and challenging bosses. For instance, the final boss of the first act, which can be a significant hurdle for the Witch, can be tackled by a well-optimized Mercenary in just one or two attempts.

Let's explore how to build an effective Mercenary in the early access version of *PoE2*. Keep in mind that all details provided here are based on game version 0.1.0f. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) might introduce changes in the release version, potentially affecting some parts of this guide.

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Like all characters in *PoE2*, the Mercenary can use any weapon without restrictions. However, engaging demons in melee combat is not advisable. Instead, opt for a crossbow—a versatile weapon that functions as an automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher rolled into one. While the Mercenary can also use bows, these are better left to the Ranger. As the saying goes, inspired by *Full Metal Jacket*: "Without me, my crossbow is useless. Without my crossbow, I am useless."

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Main Characteristics of the Mercenary

Dexterity is the most crucial attribute for the Mercenary. Prioritize accumulating Dexterity from items and selecting it on the passive skill tree. Evasion should be favored over Armour for better survivability, and enhancing your Movement Speed will help you dodge enemy attacks effectively. Allocate points to Strength and Intelligence as required by your equipment or skills.

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Useful Skills in Early Game Stages

Fragmentation Rounds

Early in the game, the Fragmentation Rounds skill can be helpful, though it's not a long-term solution. Enhance it with Brutality (35% increased physical damage) and Leverage (50% increased crit chance against immobilized enemies). However, consider saving your gems for more impactful skills as you progress.

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Permafrost Bolts

Permafrost Bolts is a strong starting skill. It allows you to freeze and immobilize enemies with frost projectiles. Use the Frost Nexus support skill (increases the chance to freeze the ground around an ice-bound enemy) and Leverage for increased crit chance. The Double Barrel support skill lets you load two bolts at once, though it increases reload time by 30%—a drawback you can mitigate with other skills.

Remember, different skills allow varying numbers of bolts in your crossbow. Reload by pressing the quick key to refresh the charge. Also, attack speed affects reload speed, so don't overlook this stat.

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Explosive Grenade

Grenades are essential for dealing area-of-effect damage. Enhance your Explosive Grenade with the Scattershot support gem to throw three grenades instead of one, though this reduces damage by 20%. Also, consider the Second Wind support skill for added utility.

Grenades have a wide range and follow the cursor to the edge of the screen. Be mindful of obstacles that could deflect them. When throwing grenades into doorways or corridors, get close to ensure maximum impact. Use rolls to dodge incoming attacks while your grenades take effect.

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Gas Grenade

The Gas Grenade releases a cloud of poisonous gas that expands over time. Enhance it with the Corrosion support skill (reduces victims' armor by 80% from poison damage) and Bursting Plague for increased damage. The most exciting feature is detonating the gas with fire using skills like Explosive Grenade or Explosive Shot, significantly boosting damage.

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Galvanic Shards

Available in the second act, Galvanic Shards transforms your crossbow into an automatic shotgun with five charges of lightning. Enhance it with Conduction and Lightning Infusion for increased damage. With faster reload speed, it becomes an electro-automatic rifle, perfect for clearing waves of enemies.

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Herald of Thunder

If you've chosen Galvanic Shards with Conduction, Herald of Thunder is a powerful early-game buff. It increases your chance to shock enemies to 100%, triggering lightning strikes from above. Activating this aura requires 30 spirit units, obtainable by defeating a first-act boss.

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Explosive Shot

Feel like a real *Doomguy* with Explosive Shot, which synergizes well with grenades. When a bolt hits, it detonates any grenades on the ground. Enhance it with Fire Infusion for increased fire damage. While more complex to use than Galvanic Shards, Explosive Shot offers the advantage of keeping enemies at a distance and dealing with fire-weak foes effectively.

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These skills are enough to level your Mercenary to 20-25 quickly and effectively, helping you grasp the class mechanics. Aim to acquire as many of these abilities as possible to handle different elemental damage types and varied enemy types in more challenging locations.

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Passive Skills of the Mercenary

Focus on passive skill nodes that offer increased projectile damage:

⚔️ Remorseless — 15% increased projectile damage, 30% increased stun buildup against enemies within two meters, +5 strength and dexterity. A great starting buff.

⚔️ Ricochet — 15% increased projectile damage, projectiles have a 10% chance to chain an additional time. A nice damage boost.

⚔️ Blur — 4% increased movement speed, 20% increased evasion rating, +10 dexterity. Enhances survivability and attribute growth.

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⚔️ Heavy Ammunition — 8% reduced attack speed, 40% increased projectile damage, 40% increased projectile stun buildup. A significant damage increase if paired with Blur.

⚔️ Careful Aim — 16% increased Projectile Damage, 40% increased Accuracy Rating at Close Range. Essential for improving accuracy early on.

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⚔️ Cluster Bombs — 50% increased grenade fuse duration, grenade skills fire an additional projectile. Ideal for Explosive Shot users.

⚔️ Adrenaline Rush — 4% increased Movement Speed if you've Killed Recently, 8% increased Attack Speed if you've Killed Recently. A useful skill on the way to Instant Reload.

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⚔️ Doomsayer — Herald Skills have 30% increased Area of Effect, Herald Skills have 30% increased Damage. Enhances Herald of Thunder effectively.

⚔️ Instant Reload — 40% increased Crossbow Reload Speed. A key skill that, combined with other bonuses, totals a 70% increase. Also unlocks the first Jewel Socket.

⚔️ Volatile Grenades — 25% reduced Grenade fuse duration. Take this only if you're not using Explosive Shot.

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These passive skills should be your focus for the first 30-35 skill points, giving you a solid foundation to understand and optimize the Mercenary in *PoE2*. Remember to experiment and enjoy discovering your own unique builds and combinations—that's where the real fun lies with the Mercenary class!