The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 introduces a thrilling new gameplay experience that emphasizes ranged combat with unique crossbows. This guide covers the class's mechanics, skills, and the best builds to prepare for its release.

Mercenary Class Overview

Attributes: Strength (STR) and Dexterity (DEX)

Main Weapon: Crossbow - Unlike traditional bows, crossbows in Path of Exile 2 fire instantly, allowing for faster-paced combat.

Key Features

Instant Firing Mechanic: Crossbows eliminate the need for charging, enabling rapid attacks and a more fluid gameplay style.

Dual Crossbow Setup: Players can equip two crossbows, providing the flexibility to switch between different ammo types and effects during combat.

WASD Movement: The ability to move freely while attacking enhances the tactical options available to players.

Mercenary Skills and Skill Gems

The Mercenary has access to various skill gems tailored for crossbow use. Here are some notable skills highlighted during playtests:

Explosive Grenade Launcher

Incendiary Shot

Rapid Shot

Ice Shards

Permafrost Bolts

High-Velocity Rounds

Flash Grenade

These skills emphasize versatility, from crowd control to explosive area damage.

Crossbows and Ammo Types

The Mercenary class can utilize multiple types of crossbows, each with unique features and synergies with different ammo types.

Types of Crossbows

Burst Shot Crossbow

Armor Piercing: Fires ammo that penetrates enemies, effective against large groups.

Incendiary: Causes igniting damage upon hitting targets.

Permafrost: Chills enemies, with a chance to freeze.

Rapid Shot Crossbow

Armor Piercing: Fires rapidly, breaking armor quickly.

Incendiary: Charges up to deal increasing damage and ignite grenades.

Permafrost: Creates ice crystals that explode, chilling enemies.

Power Shot Crossbow

Armor Piercing: Deals significant damage to weak points after armor is broken.

Incendiary: Functions like a rocket launcher, detonating grenades.

Permafrost: Creates ice walls for crowd control.

Attachments

Each crossbow can be fitted with various attachments that enhance its capabilities. Here are the known attachments:

Explosive Grenade Launcher: Fires grenades that explode.

Flash Grenade: Causes significant stun effects on enemies.

Oil Grenade Launcher: Coats the ground in oil, slowing enemies.

Best Mercenary Build

Suggested Build

To maximize the Mercenary's effectiveness, consider the following build:

Crossbow Setup:

Equip the Rapid Shot Crossbow for high magazine capacity and quick firing.

Equip the Power Shot Crossbow for explosive damage and crowd control.

Ammo Choices:

Use Incendiary Ammo for both crossbows to enhance damage.

Utilize Permafrost Ammo for crowd control and freezing effects.

Combat Strategy:

Start with the Power Shot Crossbow to drop grenades and create zones of control.

Switch to the Rapid Shot Crossbow to ignite the grenades and deal massive area damage.

Use Oil Grenade for further fire enhancement or Flash Grenade for stunning enemies while preparing your next attack.

This build focuses on explosive area damage while providing crowd control options to manage incoming threats effectively.

Path of Exile 2 Currency and Items

In Path of Exile 2, currency and items play a crucial role in enhancing your character and trading within the game's economy. Here's what you need to know:

Currency Types

Orbs:

Orb of Transmutation: Converts a normal item into a magic item.

Orb of Alchemy: Converts a normal item into a rare item.

Chaos Orb: Re-rolls the modifiers on a rare item.

Scrolls:

Scroll of Wisdom: Identifies items.

Portal Scroll: Creates a portal to return to town.

• Essences: Used to craft specific properties on items.

• Fragments: Special items used to open unique maps or areas.

Items in Path of Exile 2

Weapons:

Different types of weapons, including crossbows, swords, wands, and more, each with unique stats and modifiers.

Armor:

Provides defense and can have modifiers that enhance specific attributes or resistances.

Jewelry:

Rings and amulets that offer bonuses to attributes, resistances, and other stats.

Unique Items:

Special items with unique properties can drastically change how a character plays.

Crafting:

Players can use Path of Exile currency items to modify and improve their gear, allowing for personalized builds.

Trading

The trading system in Path of Exile 2 allows players to exchange Path of Exile items and Path of Exile currency, creating a vibrant in-game economy. You can trade directly with other players or use third-party tools to find the best deals.

Conclusion

The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 provides a fresh gameplay experience that blends ranged combat with tactical options. Coupled with a robust Path of Exile currency and item system, players will have plenty of opportunities to customize their builds and optimize their gameplay strategies. Keep an eye out for updates as the game nears its release!