If you’re excited to dive into Path of Exile 2 but feel overwhelmed by the mechanics of the Mercenary class, you’re not alone. Crafting an effective character build can be challenging, especially for newcomers. This comprehensive guide on a Path of Exile 2 Mercenary build will provide you with the insights you need to make a promising start as you embark on your journey through the game.
In this guide, we will examine the core identity of the Mercenary build, highlight the key skills you’ll utilize, recommend the best support gems, and outline essential passive abilities. Additionally, we will explore optimal gear choices, including weapons and armor, ensuring you’re well-equipped for your adventures.
Overview of the Path of Exile 2 Mercenary Build
This Mercenary build is centered around the power of grenades—an irresistible weapon of choice! Grenades in this game come in various elemental types, and when combined with the right support gems and passive skills, they can inflict substantial area-of-effect (AOE) damage as well as effective boss damage. It’s crucial to manage the cooldown on grenades, as they cannot be spammed endlessly.
Essential Skills for the Mercenary
Here are the primary skills that will form the backbone of your Mercenary’s gameplay. While many focus on grenades, you will also find supplemental abilities that enhance the overall effectiveness of the build:
- Basic Bolt: A no-mana crossbow shot that deals respectable damage.
- Explosive Grenade: An explosive device that deals fire damage and activates other skills within the blast radius.
- Armour-Piercing Bolt: Ammunition designed to break enemy armor.
- Oil Grenade: Creates a patch of oil that can ignite either through enemy attacks or explosive detonations.
- Explosive Shot: This crossbow ammunition delivers fire damage and triggers explosions on impact, making it your primary choice in situations without grenade usage.
- Cluster Grenade: A powerful AOE option, it explodes into multiple smaller grenades for devastating effect.
Top Support Gems for the Mercenary Build
Now, let’s consider the best support gems to complement your Mercenary’s grenade-focused abilities. Below, we’ve included several tier 2 support gems that can be integrated later in your journey. If you’re still in Acts 1 and 2, feel free to mix and match these gems for temporary boosts:
- Basic Bolt: Pin: Immobilizes an enemy, allowing you to easily target them with grenades.
- Explosive Grenade: Concentrated Effect: Enhances damage at the cost of AOE range. Exploit Weakness: Targets damaged armor for increased damage.
- Armour-Piercing Bolt: Demolisher: Increases armor-breaking capability. Break Posture: Dazes enemies upon breaking armor.
- Oil Grenade: Magnified Effect: Enlarges the size of the oil patch. Fiery Death: Enemies die with an explosion if ignited.
- Explosive Shot: Fire Infusion: Increases fire damage while sacrificing other elemental outputs. Ammo Conservation: Grants a 25% chance of not consuming a bolt.
- Cluster Grenade: Hourglass: Increases damage but extends cooldown. Second Wind: Gives you an additional use without extending cooldown.
Optimal Passives for the Mercenary Build
As grenades are the focal point of this build, selecting passives that amplify grenade effectiveness and AOE damage is paramount. Additionally, prioritize cooldown reduction to optimize your usage of grenades. Here’s a list of recommended passive skills to enhance your character’s overall survivability and combat prowess:
- Remorseless
- Volatile Catalyst
- Overwhelm
- Quick-Change Art
- Cluster Bombs
- Grenadier
- Adrenaline Rush
- Volatile Grenades
- Distracting Presence
- Advanced Munitions
- Smoke Inhalation
- Incendiary
- Heavy Ammunition
- Catapult
Recommended Weapons and Armor for the Mercenary
When equipping your Mercenary, aim for a balanced combination of strength and dexterity. Ideal armor will incorporate both Evasion and Armour attributes. Look for dual-stat pieces to achieve this balance.
As you acquire gear with Evasion and Armour, focus on substats that enhance elemental resistances. Also, consider damage boosts that align with your grenade styles. A notable item to seek out during Act 2 is a specific crossbow that grants additional grenades upon using grenade skills without compromising their damage potential.
Don’t underestimate the significance of movement speed. Since the Mercenary class lacks robust tanking capabilities or dedicated escape abilities, prioritizing movement speed can mitigate the risk of being overwhelmed in combat. Increased mobility will greatly enhance your ability to reposition and avoid enemy ambushes.
As you hunt for weapons and gear, remember the importance of not hoarding upgrade materials. While it’s tempting to cling to higher-tier items, common gear may possess underrated potential. Upgrade materials that remain in your stash provide no benefits, so be proactive in enhancing your character’s capabilities.
This concludes our beginner’s guide to the Path of Exile 2 Mercenary build. You can either continue to refine your grenade-focused approach or explore new builds as you grow more confident. One of the most rewarding aspects of Path of Exile is experimenting with diverse character builds. So, enjoy your journey and don’t hesitate to try something new!
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