Path of Exile 2 is gearing up to introduce the highly anticipated Mercenary class, one of six all-new character classes that bring fresh mechanics, exciting playstyles, and greater build diversity to the game. As a hybrid Strength (STR) and Dexterity (DEX) class, the Mercenary is designed to offer a dynamic and versatile approach to combat, blending tactical decision-making with swift, ranged attacks. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Mercenary class, including its weapons, skills, and how to maximize your effectiveness in the heat of battle.
Mercenary Overview in Path of Exile 2
The Mercenary class combines Strength and Dexterity, granting access to a powerful mix of close-range combat and agile movement. Drawing some parallels with the Duelist, this class excels in flexibility, offering players the chance to experiment with varied builds. One of the Mercenary’s most defining features is its exclusive use of the Crossbow, a new weapon type in PoE 2. The Crossbow introduces a blend of rapid, tactical combat with impressive mobility, making the Mercenary a force to be reckoned with in ranged combat.
Crossbows and WASD Movement
Unlike traditional bows, which require players to draw before shooting, the Crossbow in PoE 2 fires instantly, providing a snappy and responsive feel. This makes it ideal for fast-paced combat, where timing and quick reflexes are critical.
Additionally, PoE 2 introduces WASD movement for all characters, allowing for greater precision and control. While this movement system is available to all classes, it’s especially valuable for the Mercenary. The ability to freely reposition and aim independently makes it easier for the Mercenary to maintain mobility and accuracy, avoiding damage while dealing it out from a distance.
Crossbow Skills: Rapid Shot, Power Shot, and Burst Shot
The Mercenary’s Crossbow skills are designed to be versatile and tactical, offering options for different situations. Key Crossbow skills include:
- Rapid Shot: This fast-firing skill functions like an assault rifle, allowing the Mercenary to quickly deal with multiple enemies at once.
- Power Shot: A slower, high-damage skill that mimics a sniper shot, ideal for single-target destruction.
- Burst Shot: This medium-speed skill acts like a shotgun, covering a wider area to clear groups of enemies effectively.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Mercenary class is its ability to equip two Crossbows simultaneously. This allows players to seamlessly switch between skills based on the situation. For example, you could pair Burst Shot to clear groups of mobs, then switch to Power Shot for focused, high-damage attacks on tougher enemies.
Ammo Types and Customization
In PoE 2, Crossbow skills are enhanced by different ammo types, adding further customization to the Mercenary’s arsenal. These ammo types function as skill modifiers, changing the effects of your attacks. Some notable ammo types include:
- Armour Piercing Ammo: This ammo type pierces through enemies, making it effective for taking down large groups with ease.
- Incendiary Ammo: Inflicts burn damage over time, excellent for sustained AoE (area-of-effect) damage.
- Permafrost Ammo: Adds chilling effects, slowing or freezing enemies to control the battlefield.
By switching between ammo types, the Mercenary can adapt to any combat situation. For instance, applying Incendiary Ammo to Burst Shot creates a powerful AoE fire damage effect, while Permafrost Ammo with Power Shot allows for better control over high-priority targets by freezing them in place.
Attachments: Grenades and Special Abilities
The Mercenary’s combat toolkit expands beyond Crossbows, thanks to Attachments, which act as unique Skill Gems. These attachments offer additional abilities that can be slotted onto the Mercenary’s Crossbow, functioning like an offhand weapon. Some of the exciting attachment skills include:
- Explosive Grenade Launcher: Deals explosive damage in an area, ideal for crowd control and clearing enemy clusters.
- Flash Grenade Launcher: Blinds or disorients enemies, providing crowd control for strategic advantage.
- Fragmentation Rounds: These deal multiple small bursts of damage, perfect for weakening enemy groups before they close in on you.
Attachments can also be modified with Support Gems, allowing for increased range, damage, or area of effect. Combining Crossbow skills with attachments enables powerful combos—such as using Incendiary Burst Shot to ignite mobs and following up with Explosive Grenades to deal massive AoE damage.
Sample Mercenary Skill Gem Combos
The Mercenary class offers a wealth of creative possibilities when it comes to combining skill gems. Here’s an example of an advanced combination:
- Incendiary Rapid Shot: Use this to heat up your Crossbow and deal rapid fire damage.
- Explosive Grenade Launcher: Launch explosive grenades to further damage clusters of enemies.
- Incendiary Power Shot: Detonate the grenades for a fiery explosion, adding burst AoE damage to your already high-damage shot.
This combination allows you to layer multiple effects for maximum damage, giving you an edge in both single-target and AoE combat scenarios.
Mercenary Ascendancy Classes
While specific details on the Mercenary’s Ascendancy classes remain under wraps, it’s safe to expect diverse playstyles that will cater to different types of players. One Ascendancy might focus on boosting the Mercenary’s durability and close-range resilience, while another could enhance long-range damage and tactical mobility. As more information becomes available, we can expect to see even more build options, giving players the freedom to choose how they want to approach combat.
Final Thoughts
The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 introduces innovative mechanics that set it apart from other classes. With its dynamic Crossbow skills, versatile ammo types, and customizable attachments, the Mercenary offers unparalleled flexibility and depth. Whether you prefer rapid, tactical engagements or controlling the battlefield with a mix of ranged and explosive abilities, the Mercenary will suit a variety of playstyles.
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As you gear up to master the Mercenary class, get ready for an exciting journey that blends strategy, mobility, and raw power in one thrilling package. Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be a game-changing release, and the Mercenary class is sure to be one of the highlights of the experience.
If you want to know more, you can read this article: Path of Exile 2 Real Build Guide: Witch Infernalist Summoner – Master of Fire and Chaos
