This guide details effective leveling strategies for the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2. Mercenaries, while easy to level, benefit from strategic skill and gear choices to maximize their potential.
Optimal Skills and Support Gems for Leveling
Early-game reliance on Crossbows can be inefficient. Transitioning to a Grenade-focused build significantly improves effectiveness.
Initially, Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, single and multi-target) and Permafrost Shot (quick freeze, amplifying Fragmentation Shot damage) are recommended.
Later, after unlocking powerful Grenades and Explosive Shot, the playstyle shifts dramatically.
| Core Mercenary Leveling Skills | Useful Support Gems |
|---|---|
 Explosive Shot |
Ignition, Magnified Effect, Pierce |
 Gas Grenade |
Scattershot, Fire Penetration, Inspiration |
 Ripwire Ballista |
Ruthless |
 Explosive Grenade |
Fire Infusion, Primal Armament, Magnified Effect |
 Oil Grenade |
Ignition, Magnified Effect |
 Flash Grenade |
Overpower |
 Galvanic Shards |
Lightning Infusion, Pierce |
 Glacial Bolt |
Fortress |
 Herald of Ash |
Clarity, Vitality |
Gas Grenade poisons widely, Explosive Grenades explode after a delay or detonation, and Explosive Shot detonates both for massive AoE damage. Ripwire Ballista provides distraction, while Glacial Bolt controls crowds. Oil Grenade is situationally useful, often outperformed by Gas Grenade. Galvanic Shards excels against hordes. Herald of Ash ignites nearby enemies upon enemy death. Use available Support Gems until acquiring the recommended ones. Utilize Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add gem sockets to key skills.
Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes
Prioritize Cluster Bombs (adds projectiles), Repeating Explosives (chance for double explosions), and Iron Reflexes (converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's downside). Also, seek Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills, Armor & Evasion nodes are secondary priorities, only addressed if necessary.
Gear and Stat Priorities
Prioritize upgrading the weakest equipped item. A superior Crossbow significantly boosts power. Focus on Dexterity, Strength, Armor, Evasion, elemental resistances (excluding Chaos), Physical and Elemental Damage, Mana on Hit, and Resistances. Useful but not essential: Rarity, Movement Speed, and Attack Speed. A Bombard Crossbow adds an extra Grenade projectile, greatly enhancing damage.
This comprehensive approach will ensure a smooth and powerful leveling experience for your Mercenary in Path of Exile 2.
