If you're intrigued by the buzz surrounding Path of Exile 2 but not thrilled about the typical fantasy elements like swords, bows, and magic, then the Mercenary class is your perfect gateway into the game. Imagine turning Path of Exile 2 into a top-down Doom experience, where you wield a trusty crossbow—think of it as a futuristic shotgun—and dive headfirst into the fray against hordes of enemies.
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Features of the Mercenary in Path of Exile 2
With the right approach to leveling, the Mercenary transforms into a lethal force capable of turning monsters into mere fodder. This efficiency extends to tackling not only regular mobs but also formidable bosses. For instance, the final boss of the first act, a daunting challenge for the Witch class, can be swiftly dispatched by a well-optimized Mercenary on the first or second attempt.
Let's explore how to craft an effective Mercenary build in the early access version of Path of Exile 2. Keep in mind that this guide is tailored for game version 0.1.0f. As Grinding Gear Games (GGG) may introduce changes in the final release, some details here could become outdated.
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Like all characters in Path of Exile 2, the Mercenary can wield any weapon, but for this class, engaging in melee combat with demons isn't advisable. Instead, opt for the crossbow—a versatile weapon that combines the firepower of an automatic rifle, a shotgun, and a grenade launcher. While the Mercenary can use bows, we'll focus on the crossbow, your most reliable ally. As the saying goes, "Without me, my crossbow is useless. Without my crossbow, I am useless."
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Main Characteristics of the Mercenary
The cornerstone of the Mercenary's effectiveness is Dexterity. Aim to maximize this stat through equipment and the passive skill tree. Prioritize Evasion over Armour for better survivability, and don't overlook Movement Speed, which is crucial for dodging enemy attacks. Allocate points to Strength and Intelligence as needed to meet the requirements of your gear and skills.
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Useful Skills in Early Game Stages
At the outset, Fragmentation Rounds can be handy, but don't become too reliant on it as you'll soon move past it. Enhance this skill with support gems like Brutality (35% increased physical damage) and Leverage (50% increased crit chance against immobilized enemies). However, consider saving your gems for more impactful skills later on.
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A robust starting skill, Permafrost Bolts allow you to freeze and immobilize enemies with frost projectiles. Enhance it with Frost Nexus (increases chance to freeze the ground around ice-bound enemies) and Leverage for increased crit chance. Alternatively, use Double Barrel to load two bolts at once, though this increases reload time by 30%, which can be mitigated.
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Remember, different skills allow varying numbers of bolts in your crossbow. Quickly press the reload key to refresh the charge if needed. Also, attack speed influences reload speed, so keep this in mind.
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Grenades are essential for dealing with large groups of enemies. Enhance your Explosive Grenade with Scattershot to throw three grenades at once, albeit with a 20% damage reduction. Second Wind is another useful support skill. Grenades follow physics, so be mindful of obstacles that could deflect them. Position yourself close to doorways when throwing grenades to ensure they all land inside.
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Gas Grenades release a cloud of poisonous gas, which can be enhanced with Corrosion to reduce enemy armor by 80%. Combine it with Bursting Plague for increased damage. The unique feature of Gas Grenades is their ability to be detonated with fire, significantly boosting damage. Use skills with the Detonate keyword, like Explosive Grenade or later, Explosive Shot.
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Available in the second act, Galvanic Shards transforms your crossbow into a lightning-powered shotgun with five charges. Enhance it with Conduction and Lightning Infusion for maximum impact. With increased reload speed, it becomes an electro-automatic rifle, perfect for clearing waves of enemies.
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If you've chosen Galvanic Shards with Conduction, Herald of Thunder is your go-to buff. It ensures a 100% chance to shock enemies, triggering lightning strikes from above. Activating this aura requires 30 spirit units, obtainable by defeating a boss in the first act.
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Embrace your inner Doomguy with Explosive Shot. It synergizes with grenades, causing them to detonate on impact. Enhance it with Fire Infusion for increased fire damage, making it an excellent tool for clearing labyrinths. While more complex than Galvanic Shards, it offers the advantage of maintaining distance and dealing with fire-weak enemies.
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These skills will help you level your Mercenary effectively to around level 20-25 and grasp the class mechanics. Aim to acquire as many of these abilities as possible to handle the diverse challenges of tougher locations. Now, let's delve into the passive skill tree recommendations.
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Passive Skills of the Mercenary
Focus on passive skill nodes that boost projectile damage. Here are some key nodes to consider:
⚔️ Remorseless — 15% increased projectile damage, 30% increased stun buildup against enemies within two meters, +5 strength and dexterity. An excellent starting buff.
⚔️ Ricochet — 15% increased projectile damage, projectiles have a 10% chance to chain an additional time. Enhances your damage output.
⚔️ Blur — 4% increased movement speed, 20% increased evasion rating, +10 dexterity. Boosts 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 boost if you're investing in Blur.
⚔️ Careful Aim — 16% increased Projectile Damage, 40% increased Accuracy Rating at Close Range. A wise investment for future accuracy needs.
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⚔️ Cluster Bombs — 50% increased grenade fuse duration, grenade skills fire an additional projectile. Essential for those using Explosive Shot.
⚔️ 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 path 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 if you're using it.
⚔️ Instant Reload — 40% increased Crossbow Reload Speed. A game-changer, offering a total of 70% reload speed bonus and unlocking the first Jewel Socket.
⚔️ Volatile Grenades — 25% reduced Grenade fuse duration. Only take this if you're not using Explosive Shot.
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These passive skills will cost about 30-35 skill points to acquire, giving you ample time to understand the Mercenary's mechanics in Path of Exile 2. Remember, the joy of playing a Mercenary lies in experimenting and discovering your own unique builds and combinations!
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