Path of Exile 2 is set to introduce the Mercenary class, one of six brand-new classes that bring exciting playstyles, build diversity, and fresh gameplay mechanics to the series. The Mercenary, defined by a unique combination of Strength (STR) and Dexterity (DEX) attributes, will allow players to explore versatile builds and maximize their efficiency in combat. This guide covers everything currently known about the Mercenary class, highlighting its unique mechanics, weapons, and skills.
Mercenary Overview in Path of Exile 2
As a STR/DEX-based character, the Mercenary shares some proximity on the passive skill tree with the Duelist class, providing access to a mixture of strength- and dexterity-focused abilities. The Mercenary's defining feature is its exclusive use of the Crossbow, a new weapon type in Path of Exile 2 that will introduce a blend of tactical, ranged combat with rapid movement and flexibility.
Crossbows and WASD Movement
The Mercenary's Crossbow differs significantly from traditional bows: Crossbows fire instantly without needing to draw, providing a snappy, responsive feel ideal for fast-paced combat. Path of Exile 2 also introduces WASD movement, letting players move freely without relying solely on mouse clicks, giving Mercenary players greater control and accuracy in battles.
The WASD movement feature is available for all characters, but it's particularly useful for the Mercenary, who needs to reposition quickly while firing in multiple directions. With this setup, players can move with WASD and aim independently, allowing for faster and more tactical engagements.
Crossbow Skills: Rapid Shot, Power Shot, and Burst Shot
The Mercenary's Crossbow skills focus on rapid, tactical firing options that cater to different scenarios. Each Crossbow provides specific firing skills with distinct effects, including:
Rapid Shot – A rapid-firing skill that functions like an assault rifle, ideal for quickly damaging multiple enemies.
Power Shot – A slower, high-damage skill resembling a sniper shot, perfect for dealing significant damage to a single target.
Burst Shot – A medium-speed skill that functions like a shotgun, covering a wider area to clear groups of enemies.
Players can equip two Crossbows simultaneously, allowing them to seamlessly switch between firing skills. For example, you can pair Burst Shot for clearing mobs with Power Shot for strong single-target damage, automatically swapping between the two for smooth, efficient gameplay.
Ammo Types and Customization
To expand on Crossbow skills, Path of Exile 2 introduces unique ammo types, which act as skill modifiers. By toggling these ammo types, players can add effects to their shots, enhancing their versatility and creating new ways to handle different situations. Key ammo types include:
Armour Piercing Ammo – Pierces through enemies, increasing damage efficiency when attacking large groups.
Incendiary Ammo – Inflicts burn damage over time, useful for sustained area-of-effect (AoE) damage.
Permafrost Ammo – Adds chilling and freezing effects, slowing or immobilizing enemies.
This variety of ammo enables players to tailor their attack strategy on the fly. For instance, you could apply Incendiary Ammo to Burst Shot for sustained AoE damage or switch to Permafrost Ammo with Power Shot to control high-priority targets.
Attachments: Grenades and Special Abilities
The Mercenary's combat prowess doesn't end with crossbows and ammo types. Attachments, which function as unique Skill Gems that can be slotted only if a Crossbow is equipped, add another layer of customization. These attachments act like an offhand weapon, giving the Mercenary additional abilities such as grenade skills, and allowing players to add supplementary attacks.
Some of the showcased attachment skills include:
Explosive Grenade Launcher – Deals explosive damage in an area, ideal for clusters of enemies.
Flash Grenade Launcher – Blinds or disorients enemies, granting control over groups of foes.
Fragmentation Rounds – Deals multiple small bursts of damage, effective for weakening enemy groups before they reach you.
Attachments can be augmented with Support Gems, allowing further boosts to range, area of effect, or damage. By pairing attachments with Crossbow and Ammo Skills, players can create synergistic attacks—like firing Incendiary Burst Shot to ignite mobs, followed by explosive grenades for massive area damage.
Sample Mercenary Skill Gem Combos
In the most recent gameplay reveals, several skill gems for the Mercenary were showcased, including Rapid Shot, Explosive Shot, Ice Shards, Flash Grenade Launcher, and High Velocity Rounds. These skills showcase the Mercenary's flexibility, allowing players to experiment with various setups that suit their preferred style.
One advanced combination might involve using Incendiary Rapid Shot to heat up your Crossbow, firing explosive grenades with the Grenade Launcher Attachment, then detonating those grenades with Incendiary Power Shot. This combo allows you to layer damage over time with explosive effects, maximizing output in situations where raw power is necessary.
Mercenary Ascendancy Classes
While Path of Exile 2 hasn't yet detailed Mercenary's Ascendancy classes, speculation suggests a balance of offensive and defensive options tailored to different combat styles. For example, one Ascendancy might focus on durability and close-range resilience, while another could lean into long-range damage output. As more details emerge, players can expect additional builds centered on these specializations.
Final Thoughts
The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 introduces dynamic, shooter-like mechanics previously unseen in the series, bringing new excitement to the gameplay experience. With Crossbow Skills, diverse Ammo types, and Attachments, the Mercenary offers unparalleled customization, giving players ample ways to experiment and find combinations that work best for their playstyle.
Whether you're looking to dominate in combat or capitalize on POE 2 Currency and Path Of Exile 2 Gold opportunities, mastering the Mercenary class will be an adventure in itself, setting a new standard for flexibility and creativity in Path of Exile 2.
MMOexp POE 2 Team