Guide: Optimize Mercenary Leveling in Path of Exile 2

This Path of Exile 2 guide focuses on efficiently leveling a Mercenary, one of the game's easiest classes to level. While some classes struggle with enemy hordes or require close-range combat, the Mercenary's versatile toolkit handles diverse combat scenarios. However, maximizing its potential requires strategic skill and item choices. This guide outlines recommended skills, support gems, items, and passive skill tree nodes for a smooth progression to endgame.

Optimal Mercenary Leveling Skills and Support Gems

Image: Mercenary Skill Gems

Many players initially rely solely on Crossbow attacks, neglecting the powerful Grenade-based playstyle. Early-game success relies on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, single or multiple targets) and Permafrost Shot (rapid freezing, boosting Fragmentation Shot damage).

Unlocking Grenades significantly enhances the build. Later, the focus shifts to:

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 a large area, detonated with a Detonation skill. Explosive Grenades explode after a delay or detonation. Explosive Shot detonates both, delivering massive AoE and single-target damage. Ripwire Ballista provides a distraction, while Glacial Bolt controls enemy hordes. Oil Grenade is useful for AoE but generally inferior to Gas Grenade; consider swapping it for Glacial Bolt except against bosses. Galvanic Shards is an excellent low-risk horde clearer. Herald of Ash ignites nearby enemies upon a kill.

Prioritize Level 1 or 2 Support Gems. Use Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add support gem sockets to Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, and Gas Grenade.

Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes for Leveling

Image: Mercenary Passive Skill Tree

Focus on Cluster Bombs (adds projectiles to Grenades), Repeating Explosives (chance for double explosions), and Iron Reflexes (converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's drawback). The Witchhunter Ascendancy is ideal, with Sorcery Ward providing strong non-Physical damage resistance. Iron Reflexes counters Sorcery Ward's Armor/Evasion reduction. Prioritize Cooldown Reduction, Projectile/Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills, Armor/Evasion nodes are secondary, prioritized only if necessary.

Recommended Items and Stat Priorities

Image: Mercenary Item Stats

Upgrade gear incrementally, replacing the weakest piece. A powerful Crossbow is paramount. Mercenaries balance Dexterity, Strength, Armor, and Evasion. Prioritize Physical/Elemental Damage, Mana on Hit, Resistances. Rarity, Movement Speed, and Attack Speed are beneficial but not crucial.

Ideal item modifiers include: