This Path of Exile 2 guide simplifies Mercenary leveling, one of the game's easiest classes. While other classes face challenges with mob control or melee range limitations, Mercenaries excel with versatile combat tools. However, effective play requires strategic skill and item choices. This guide covers essential skills, support gems, itemization, and passive skill tree prioritization for a smooth leveling experience.
Optimal Mercenary Leveling Skills & Support Gems
Early-game Mercenary progression can feel slow due to reliance on Crossbow attacks. However, incorporating Grenades significantly boosts effectiveness. Initially, Fragmentation Shot (excellent for close-range, single or multiple targets, especially with stun support) and Permafrost Shot (rapid freezing for Fragmentation Shot damage amplification) are key.
Later, with access to powerful Grenades (Explosive, Gas) and Explosive Shot, the playstyle transforms.
| 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 detonate after a delay or with a Detonator skill. Explosive Shot detonates these Grenades for massive AoE damage. Ripwire Ballista provides enemy distraction, while Glacial Bolt controls crowds. Oil Grenade is effective against hordes but Gas Grenade generally surpasses it; Glacial Bolt proves more useful during leveling (swap for Oil Grenade against bosses). Galvanic Shards excels at clearing weaker enemies. Herald of Ash ignites nearby foes upon enemy death based on overkill damage. Use available support gems until you obtain the recommended ones. Enhance Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, and Gas Grenade with a Lesser Jeweller's Orb for additional support gem sockets.
Essential Mercenary Passive Skill Tree Nodes
Prioritize these passive skills: Cluster Bombs (extends grenade explosion time, adds projectiles), Repeating Explosives (chance for double explosions), and Iron Reflexes (converts evasion to armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's armor/evasion penalty). The Witchhunter Ascendancy (best for leveling) uses Sorcery Ward, which reduces armor and evasion but offers strong non-physical damage resistance; Iron Reflexes compensates for this. Also prioritize Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Focus on Crossbow Reload Time, Crossbow Damage, Armor & Evasion only when necessary.
Recommended Items & Stat Priorities
Prioritize equipment upgrades, replacing the weakest item first. A superior Crossbow significantly enhances power. Mercenaries use Dexterity and Strength evenly, along with Armor and Evasion. Seek gear boosting these stats, plus Physical/Elemental Damage, Mana on Hit, and Resistances. Rarity of Items, Movement Speed, and Attack Speed are beneficial but not essential.
Prioritize these stats: Dexterity, Strength, Armor, Evasion, Elemental Resistances (except Chaos), Increased Physical Damage, Increased Elemental/Fire Damage, Attack Speed, Mana/Life on Kill/Hit, Rarity of Items Found, Movement Speed. A Bombard Crossbow adds an extra grenade projectile, making leveling significantly easier. Acquire and potentially craft these crossbows using PoE 2 upgrade currencies.
