Master the Mercenary in PoE 2 – Skills, Gameplay, and Strategy

PoE 2 Mercenary Guide: Overview, Skills, and Ascendancies

Introduction to the Mercenary Class

Path of Exile 2 introduces the Mercenary, one of the six playable classes available in Early Access, starting on December 6th, 2024. The Mercenary is a brand-new addition to the game, bringing with it a unique playstyle centered around the Crossbow, a new weapon type in Path of Exile.

This class introduces fresh mechanics and features to the PoE series, making it one of the most anticipated additions. Players are eager to explore the tactical, ranged combat that the Mercenary offers.

This guide covers everything currently known about the Mercenary class, its mechanics, and its role in the evolving Path of Exile universe. Let’s dive in!

PoE 2 Mercenary Overview

The Mercenary is a new class in Path of Exile 2 that combines the Strength (STR) and Dexterity (DEX) attributes. This positions the Mercenary in the same starting location as the Duelist on the passive skill tree, providing easy access to nodes that enhance both physical strength and agility.

The Mercenary’s signature weapon is the Crossbow, a new weapon type introduced in Path of Exile 2. Unlike traditional bows, which require you to draw back before firing, the Crossbow fires instantly, making it a more responsive option in combat. Alongside this new weapon, the game introduces additional mechanics, such as managing ammunition and customizing your Crossbow with attachments to enhance its performance and abilities. These features make the Mercenary a highly tactical class that combines versatility and power.

Path of Exile 2 also introduces WASD movement, a new control option that allows players to move their characters using the keyboard rather than the traditional point-and-click method. This feature enables players to move in any direction while aiming and shooting enemies with their Crossbow. The WASD movement system is optional and can be freely swapped with the traditional control scheme. Additionally, it is not exclusive to the Mercenary—all characters in PoE 2 can utilize this new control option.

For returning players, using WASD movement on melee characters may feel unusual at first, but it offers a refreshing way to engage with the game’s mechanics.

Crossbows in Path of Exile 2

The Crossbow is a new weapon type introduced in Path of Exile 2, offering a unique ranged combat experience that feels closer to using firearms than traditional bows. Each Crossbow provides a specific firing skill, allowing characters to employ distinct attack styles based on the weapon they wield.

In the gameplay showcase, three Crossbows were highlighted, each granting a unique skill:

• Rapid Shot: A rapid-firing skill resembling an assault rifle, ideal for dealing consistent damage in quick succession.
• Power Shot: A slower, high-impact skill akin to a sniper rifle, excellent for targeting single strong enemies.
• Burst Shot: A medium-speed skill resembling a shotgun, capable of dealing area damage, making it effective for clearing packs of enemies.

In Path of Exile 2, players can equip two Crossbows simultaneously, pairing different firing skills for versatile combat strategies. When a specific Crossbow skill is used, your character will automatically switch to the appropriate weapon, ensuring smooth and seamless gameplay.

This system allows players to adapt to various combat scenarios. For instance, you can use Burst Shot to efficiently clear groups of weaker enemies, then switch to Power Shot for high-damage precision attacks against tougher foes. This flexibility makes Crossbows a versatile and tactical weapon choice in Path of Exile 2.

Ammo Skills in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 introduces a new layer of customization with Ammo Skills for Crossbows. These skills allow players to equip and toggle between different types of ammo to augment their shots with unique effects, making Crossbow gameplay highly adaptable to various scenarios.

Ammo Types

In the gameplay showcase, three Ammo Skills were highlighted, each providing distinct advantages:

• Armour Piercing Ammo
  This type of ammo pierces enemies, enabling you to hit multiple targets in a single line, making it ideal for efficiently clearing groups of enemies.
• Incendiary Ammo
  This ammo ignites enemies, dealing fire damage over time and synergizing with other explosive effects, enhancing your ability to clear packs of mobs.
• Permafrost Ammo
  This ammo chills and freezes enemies, providing crowd control and slowing down or immobilizing stronger foes.

Combining Crossbow and Ammo Skills

With the flexibility offered by Crossbow Skills and Ammo Skills, players can create numerous combinations tailored to specific encounters. For example:

• Use Incendiary Burst Shot to ignite and clear large groups of enemies.
• Opt for Permafrost Power Shot to slow and freeze a single, high-priority target.

In the showcased interface, left-click is assigned to Power Shot, and right-click is set to Rapid Fire, with Q, E, and R dedicated to toggling between equipped Ammo Skills. This setup ensures seamless switching and tactical versatility during combat.

Attachments: Grenade Skills

In addition to Ammo Skills, players can utilize Attachments, which introduce Grenade Skills to further enhance combat capabilities. These are assigned to T and F in the interface and represent another new addition to Path of Exile 2. Let’s explore this feature in more detail.

Attachments in Path of Exile 2

Attachments are a new type of Skill Gem available exclusively for characters wielding a Crossbow. These gems occupy the offhand slot, functioning similarly to a Quiver for Bow characters, but with some key differences in mechanics and utility.

Key Features

Attachments do not provide passive stats as Quivers do. Instead, they grant an additional Skill slot, giving Crossbow users more versatility in combat. This added skill slot is particularly valuable for the Mercenary class, which benefits from having access to a wide array of Firing Skills and Ammo Skills.

Like other Skill Gems, Attachments can be augmented by Support Gems, enabling you to enhance their effectiveness and adapt them to your build. For example, you could link an Attachment Skill with support gems to increase its area of effect, duration, or damage output.

Gameplay Impact

Attachments expand the tactical potential of Crossbow builds, allowing players to combine a greater variety of skills in their arsenal. This ensures the Mercenary class remains dynamic and versatile, with additional options for clearing packs, dealing single-target damage, or supporting allies in combat.

The combination of Attachments, Firing Skills, and Ammo Skills creates a highly customizable playstyle, giving players the tools to adapt to any situation effectively.

Mercenary Skill Gems in PoE 2

During the recent Gamescom playtest, Path of Exile 2 revealed several skill gems designed specifically for the Crossbow. These skill gems further emphasize the tactical and versatile nature of the Mercenary class, with a variety of offensive and utility abilities. Below is a list of the currently showcased gems:

Skill Gems

• Explosive Grenade
  Fires a bouncing Grenade that unleashes a devastating fiery blast when its fuse expires.
• Fragmentation Rounds
  Loads your Crossbow with Piercing bolts that fragment in flight.
• Permafrost Bolts
  Loads your Crossbow with icy bolts that fragment in flight, damaging enemies on hit and in a small cone behind their final target.
• Flash Grenade
  Fires a bouncing Grenade that unleashes a Blinding, Stunning explosion when its fuse expires.
• High Velocity Rounds
  Loads your Crossbow with Piercing bolts that can consume Fully Broken Armour on enemies to deal extra damage.
• Incendiary Shot
  Loads your Crossbow with flaming bolts that fragment in flight, damaging and Igniting enemies on hit and in a small cone behind their final target.
• Rapid Shot
  A fast-firing skill that delivers consistent damage quickly.
• Ice Shards
  Loads your Crossbow with a clip of icy bolts that rapidly fire at the ground, leaving a shard of ice at the impact location unless the bolt hits an enemy.
• Explosive Shot
  Loads your Crossbow with flaming bolts that explode on impact. The explosion will cause any Grenades in its area of effect to also explode.
• Glacial Bolt
  Loads your Crossbow with icy bolts that create two walls of Ice Crystals at the end of their flight.

Observations

While the exact mechanics of some skill gems may still be refined before or during Early Access, the current roster showcases the Mercenary’s identity as a highly tactical ranged class. With options for area control, crowd control, and direct damage, the Mercenary excels at adapting to a variety of combat scenarios.

The synergy between Crossbow skills, Ammo skills, and Attachments adds further depth, enabling players to tailor their builds for clearing packs, taking down tough enemies, or providing utility to their party.

Putting It All Together

The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 stands out for its vast array of customizable tools, combining Crossbow Skills, Ammo types, and Attachments to create a versatile and tactical playstyle. These elements interact in unique ways, allowing players to experiment and discover powerful synergies.

Example Combination

The interplay between different skills and mechanics adds depth to the Mercenary’s combat capabilities. For instance:

• Use Incendiary Rapid Shot, which has a larger clip size than other ammo types, to heat up your Crossbow. As you fire, the increased heat enhances the damage of any grenades you throw during this time.
• Launch grenades with an Attachment Skill, placing them strategically across the battlefield.
• Follow up with Incendiary Power Shot, which not only deals high damage but also detonates all grenades on the ground, creating a massive chain explosion.

This sequence demonstrates the class’s ability to layer damage and control the battlefield with precision and creativity.

Tactical Potential

With so many Crossbow Skills, Ammo types, and Attachments at their disposal, Mercenaries can adapt to a variety of combat scenarios. Whether focusing on single-target damage, area-of-effect abilities, or utility, the Mercenary offers endless opportunities for experimentation.

The full potential of these mechanics will become clearer once the game is in Early Access, as players explore the class’s synergies and uncover the most effective combinations. The Mercenary class promises to be a standout for players who enjoy strategic gameplay and dynamic combat.

PoE 2 Mercenary Ascendancy Classes

In Path of Exile 2, each class will eventually have three Ascendancy Classes, but during Early Access, only two Ascendancies will be available for each class. For the Mercenary, these are the Witch Hunter and the Gemling Legionnaire, each offering unique mechanics and synergies that expand the versatility of the class.

Witch Hunter

The Witch Hunter is a balanced Ascendancy that provides a mix of offense, defense, and utility. Key features include:

• Culling Strike: Instantly kills enemies below a certain health threshold, improving clear speed and efficiency.
• Burst Damage on First Hit: Provides significant single-target damage for quickly dispatching bosses or strong enemies.
• Spellcasting Delay: Interrupts or delays enemy spellcasting, providing tactical control over dangerous foes.

The Witch Hunter is an excellent choice for players who value a flexible playstyle that balances survivability and damage output.

Gemling Legionnaire

The Gemling Legionnaire focuses heavily on the Skill Gem system, offering unparalleled customization and optimization potential. Unique perks include:

• The ability to equip more Skills than other characters, vastly expanding your tactical options.
• Buffs to the quality of Skill Gems, enhancing the effectiveness of both active and support gems.
• Increased Maximum Resistances, improving survivability in challenging encounters.

This Ascendancy stands out for its depth and flexibility, appealing to players who enjoy fine-tuning their builds for maximum efficiency. The Gemling Legionnaire’s unique mechanics allow for creative combinations and optimization opportunities, making it a standout choice for those who want to push their character’s potential.

Wrap-Up

This concludes everything we currently know about the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2. The Mercenary introduces a fresh and unique style of gameplay that sets it apart from other classes in Path of Exile and loot-based ARPGs in general.

With its reliance on Crossbows, Ammo Skills, and Attachments, the Mercenary feels more akin to a traditional third-person shooter, offering dynamic and tactical combat. This innovative approach is bound to appeal to a wide range of players, especially those looking for something new and exciting in the Path of Exile universe.

The Mercenary class stands out as a blend of strategy and action, and we can’t wait to see how players will utilize its mechanics when the game launches in Early Access.