Conquer Path of Exile 2 as a Mercenary: A Beginner's Guide
Tired of fantasy tropes in Path of Exile 2? The Mercenary class offers a unique, action-packed experience reminiscent of a top-down Doom game. Ditch the swords and magic; embrace the crossbow and unleash explosive mayhem on hordes of enemies! This guide focuses on building an effective Mercenary in PoE2 version 0.1.0f (subject to change in future updates).
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Key Mercenary Attributes and Weapon Choice
The Mercenary excels at ranged combat. While capable of wielding any weapon, crossbows are the optimal choice, offering versatility akin to an automatic rifle, shotgun, and grenade launcher combined. Dexterity is your primary stat, boosting evasion (more crucial than armor) and movement speed. Strength and Intelligence are secondary, depending on equipment and skill requirements.
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Early Game Skill Selection
- Fragmentation Rounds: A decent starting skill, but quickly outclassed. Consider Brutality and Leverage support gems for increased damage and critical strike chance against immobilized foes.
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- Permafrost Bolts: A strong early-game choice. Freeze and immobilize enemies with frost projectiles, utilizing Frost Nexus and Leverage support gems for enhanced effectiveness. Double Barrel adds more bolts but increases reload time (mitigable later).
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- Explosive Grenade: Essential for crowd control. Scattershot throws three grenades, albeit with reduced damage per grenade. Second Wind provides additional survivability. Remember projectile physics and positioning for optimal effect.
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- Gas Grenade: Releases poisonous gas, synergizing with Corrosion (reduces enemy armor) and Bursting Plague (increased damage). Detonate the gas with fire skills (like Explosive Grenade later Explosive Shot) for massive damage boosts.
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- Galvanic Shards (Act 2): Transforms your crossbow into an electric shotgun. Conduction and Lightning Infusion support gems amplify its devastating power.
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- Herald of Thunder: An excellent buff, especially with Galvanic Shards and Conduction, providing near-constant shock and increased damage. Requires 30 spirit units.
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- Explosive Shot: Combine with grenades for devastating AoE damage. Fire Infusion increases fire damage. Offers ranged crowd control and an alternative to Galvanic Shards.
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Passive Skill Tree Progression
Prioritize nodes increasing projectile damage, including:
- Remorseless: Increased projectile damage, stun buildup, and stat boosts.
- Ricochet: Increased projectile damage and chain chance.
- Blur: Movement speed, evasion, and dexterity boost.
- Heavy Ammunition: Increased projectile damage and stun, but reduces attack speed.
- Careful Aim: Increased projectile damage and accuracy at close range.
- Cluster Bombs: Increased grenade fuse duration and additional projectiles (good with Explosive Shot).
- Adrenaline Rush: Increased movement and attack speed after kills.
- Doomsayer: Increased Herald skill area of effect and damage.
- Instant Reload: Significantly increased crossbow reload speed.
- Volatile Grenades: Reduced grenade fuse duration (only if not using Explosive Shot).
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Image: ensigame.com
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Remember to experiment and find your optimal build! This guide provides a solid foundation for a powerful Mercenary in Path of Exile 2.
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