Path of Exile 2 | Mercenary Build Guide

If you’re like me, you know how much effort and time it can take to find a build that makes the game smooth, enjoyable, and effective from the very beginning. That is why I'd like to show you my favorite mercenary build: a powerhouse with high damage, great crowd control, and varied utility. Whether you're a rookie or just looking for a simple strategy with which to dominate early-game, this setup has got you covered.

Why Play the Mercenary?

The Mercenary is definitely among the best starting classes in Path of Exile 2 and is focused on range gameplay that allows diversified choices: high-velocity bullets, grenades, and ice-based crowd control. It makes this build feel really smooth while leveling and during those processes where you will have to bring down hard monsters. 

You can just control the battlefield, easily clear waves of foes, and bring down bosses with precision and accuracy. Moreover, the synergy between the skills and support gems is what makes this build rather enjoyable to play. Skills and Gems are what it's all about.

Skill and Gems

Permafrost Bolts

Early on, the Permafrost Bolts will be a source of crowd control for you. This ability will freeze enemies in place, allowing you, in fact, to make more hits without wasting time on dodging. Though this talent gets replaced with better CC options later on, it is perfect for the first act. I suggest keeping it simple: do not invest resources in increasing this very talent since it is just a stepping stone.

Fragmentation Rounds

Fragmentation Shots is the base of this build and, at the same time, your main AoE skill. The way it works with frozen enemies is just perfect- it provides an extra hit when freeze breaks. Use it in a link with support gems like Brutality-more physical damage and Leverage, an increased chance to critical hit against immobilized enemies. This way, bosses like Devourer will die really fast while mobs are cleared at the same time.

Pro tip: Experiment with different support gems until you find one that works for you. However, Double Barrel just didn't feel as smooth to me. Do what feels right.

Exploding grenades

This really is where this skill starts to show its real damage potential. Those grenades can pack a serious punch when combined with the right supports. Take the Scattershot support gem to fire off three grenades at once, and it's really good for coverage. Then follow that up with Magnify, which increases the AoE, allowing you to hit as many as possible.

Time your grenades to hit when opponents are frozen or in a middle animation for maximum damage. Throw it at your feet in order to utilize the collision mechanics for precise hits in high-velocity rounds.

Single boss killer. Extremely long range, extremely fast, highly damaging. Stun stacks-the magical sauce. Mix in some Overpower for even more pace on the stun meter build-up and Ruthless for extremely high increased damage on every fifth strike. By the time you've hit them five times or six, they should be more than fully stunned. You should be able to spam them full of grenades or just reapply stuns from afar.

Gas bombs

Gas Grenades, unlocked in the middle of Act 1, will be a progressive addition of poison damage to your armory. Corrosion can be combined here to break enemy armor; meanwhile, the Bursting Plague enhances poison damage. This grenade fits really well with the rest of your skills, especially when facing enemies wearing armor, and will be a great way to cause continuous damage while avoiding or repositioning.

Crowd Control & Mobility Choices

Early permafrost bolts will work for some freezing guys, but it's not that great; anyway, you'll be using loads of ice-based CC talents according to your secondary weapon choice.

1. Frozen Locus (Quarterstaff): Strikes the ground with a burst of frozen ice, summoning one ice crystal. That crystal will absorb one hit against you, which will block projectiles before they explode for damage. It is great to use in dungeons or really tight areas for safety and control.
2. Escape Shot (Bow): Shoots an arrow of ice, enabling a backward jump for more mobility. In bigger zones, when fighting faster opponents, this was really helpful. It can be used with the likes of the Deep Freeze and Frost Nexus gems for its best effect.

Passive Skill Tree: Early Priorities

Delightfully simple, the Mercenary's passive tree is all about focusing on a projectile damage node: huge extra damage is gained to all of your main skills early while getting roughly around nine nodes that give about 100% increased damage, after which transitioning to the grenade-themed passives offering damage, AoE, and cooldown recovery bonuses, as well as an increased grenade count. Knockback nodes synergize really well with Fragmentation Rounds in keeping them at arm's length.

Gear recommended: Early Game Tips

It's less is more, especially at the beginning; a few well-chosen metrics can make all the difference.

1. Boots of Movement Speed: Even a 10% boost helps in traversing big zones and avoiding boss mechanics.
2. Crossbow: Physical damage should be increased; accuracy and projectile enhancements are also good but secondary.
3. Sustain Gloves: Consider the attributes such as "life/mana gained on kill" to sustain during the hordes.
4. Bow or Quarterstaff (Offhand): Completely CC-orientated; don't worry about the individual stats.

Save mana and life recovery potions for emergencies. You don't use them very much during routine fights, but you will most definitely want them for bosses.

Playstyle Tips

This is one build that bases its success on dominating the battlefield and dishing great amounts of damage. Freeze regular mobs with a Permafrost Bolt or Escape Shot and follow up with Grenades or Fragmentation Rounds, whereas for bosses, stay back, using High Velocity to stun them as soon as possible, then unload Grenades in any downtime.

Always be aware of your positioning. The mercenary excels in ranged combat, so use your mobility and crowd control to maintain a safe distance while assaulting enemies.

Why This Building Works

In reality, Merc is one of the best beginner picks as he has really high damage, supplemented by tons of utility and crowd control. Synergies for skills are very easy; playing is fairly straightforward, and the passive tree offers very smooth power gains. Once you are through acts, this will be second nature and let you learn the basic game. It's a pretty cool build if you're a fresh player in Path of Exile 2 or just need some reliable one that could get you through the early game. You'll never regret it.

Also, check our Path of Exile 2 Review and other guides below:

• Path of Exile 2 Class Guide | Which Class Should You Pick
• Path of Exile 2 | Monk Build Guide
• Path of Exile 2 | Warrior Build Guide
• Path of Exile 2 Beginner's Guide
• Path of Exile 2 | Witch Build Guide
• Path of Exile 2 | Ranger Build Guide