Path of Exile 2: Mercenary Leveling Guide

This guide outlines an effective leveling strategy for the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2. While Mercenaries are considered relatively easy to level, optimizing your skills and gear significantly improves the experience.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems for Leveling

Early-game success relies on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, multiple targets) and Permafrost Shot (freezes enemies, boosting Fragmentation Shot damage). However, the Mercenary's power truly shines with grenades.

The following table details core skills and recommended support gems:

Use Lesser Jeweler's Orbs to add support gem sockets to your key grenade skills. Substitute support gems based on availability until you acquire the recommended ones. Glacial Bolt is preferable to Oil Grenade for general leveling, while Oil Grenade shines against bosses. Galvanic Shards excels at clearing hordes without extensive grenade setup.

Prioritized Passive Skill Tree Nodes

Focus on these passive skills: Cluster Bombs (adds projectiles), Repeating Explosives (chance for double explosions), and Iron Reflexes (converts evasion to armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's downside). Also prioritize Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills, armor/evasion nodes can be addressed later, as needed.

Essential Gear and Stat Priorities

Prioritize upgrading your Crossbow. Focus on gear providing: Dexterity, Strength, Armor, Evasion, Elemental Resistances (excluding Chaos), Physical and Elemental Damage, Mana on Hit, and Resistances. While helpful, Rarity, Movement Speed, and Attack Speed are less critical for endgame progression. A Bombard Crossbow significantly enhances grenade effectiveness.

This optimized approach will ensure a smooth and powerful leveling experience for your Mercenary in Path of Exile 2.